Dance, Belle, Dance!. Beth Huffman
I got caught. I kept thinking about that one sentence that Mrs. Heldman wrote – the one where she said that most kids improve a lot during the school year. I was pretty sure that Belle wouldn’t be one of them.
The rest of the school year flew by. Kylie and I decided that’s what happens when you’re enjoying something – it goes too quickly. Neither one of us wanted 2nd grade to end. We didn’t want to leave Miss Rex.
A week before school was out, Mom asked me what kind of gift I wanted to give her. I knew immediately. “I think a gift card to the bookstore would be good and some hand lotion that smells like lilacs. They’re one of her favorite flowers. Then I need some pretty paper to write her a note. I can’t remember what it’s called.”
“You’re thinking of stationery.”
“That’s it.”
As soon as Mom showed me what she bought, I went to my bedroom and sat down at my desk. I thought it would take a long time to think of things to say to her but it didn’t. She told us all year to write what we were really feeling.
Dear Miss Rex,
I wish I could be in 2nd grade another year. I’m really going to miss you. You taught me so much. I want to do two things when I grow up. I want to be an author and a teacher. I want to help kids. I want to be just like you.
Love,
Macey
The next day, she received gifts from everyone in our class. She had tears in her eyes when it was time to say goodbye. “Boys and girls, this has been a wonderful year. I’m so lucky to have been your teacher. I’m proud of each one of you. No matter how old you are, you’ll always feel like my kids. I’ll never forget you.”
When we lined up to get on the bus, she stood by the door and gave everyone a hug. When it was my turn, I whispered, “I’ll never forget you either, Miss Rex.”
The bus ride home on the last day of school is an instant headache. That’s why I asked Dad if he’d leave his office early and pick us up. Mom couldn’t do it because she had a conference with Mrs. Heldman.
After we dropped Kylie off, I was anxious to get home. I wanted to ask Dad the question that had been on my mind for a long time. I knew I couldn’t ask it in front of Belle. So I went to the back patio where he was reading the paper.
“Dad, did Belle fail kindergarten?”
“No, she didn’t fail but she’s behind in some areas.”
“Then why is Mom at school right now? Tell me the truth.”
“Macey, you know as well as anyone that Belle has problems. We were hoping she’d be more mature by now but she isn’t. Mrs. Heldman is giving Mom some suggestions of things we can do to help her be better prepared for 1st grade. That’s all I know at this point. I can tell you don’t believe me. What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking that you and Mom really don’t know how different Belle is from the other kids in her class. You should have seen her at recess. No one would play with her. She didn’t fit in anywhere. What if she never fits in?”
“Don’t worry, sweetie. We’ll get the help she needs. Things will get better.”
I wondered if Dad really believed that. I didn’t. It wasn’t going to make any difference how many suggestions they had to prepare her for 1st grade. She’d never be ready. I tried to block it out of my mind. It was easier to think about the fun that Kylie and I were going to have during the summer.
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