We stood outside her house, saying goodbye. She left us forever At first, I thought he would call to say he loved her, because he really loved her! Yes, he did. You should have seen at what speed he jumped up from the sofa every time the phone rang, and how hopefully he said Hello!, and how dark he grew immediately, having realized it wasnt SHE.
Now, tell me, do dogs behave like that? And one day I became so brutalized that I walked up to my master and bit him. He didnt understand why, apparently, and got offended
I tried to do my best to reconcile them. When my master took me for a walk, I dragged him to her house, and we were wandering under the trees of the courtyard where she had used to come out smiling. I tried to find her by smell, but remember the winds that were blowing that autumn! Soon the snow began falling, sweeping away the traces of the Past, and winter came. She left us forever. And mind you, without woof-woof
I have never understood human nature and probably I will never do. But why people, who, unlike dogs, have the gift of speech, are not able to understand themselves and each other just to be happy?
August 199611. Come on!
I worked at a luxury college as an elementary school teacher. I was twenty-five years old, full of hopes and plans for the future. Life pampered me. I never denied anything to myself and got all I wanted. Troubles bypassed me, and I felt happy.
That college was located not far from the city, on the shore of a beautiful small lake in a pine forest. We accepted children whose parents could pay a substantial tuition fee for a year, carried out according to the usual school curriculum, apart from optional courses and extra-activities, and the children lived there for the whole school year, although parents could, of course, take them home for weekends and holidays. We had very tasty food. The dormitories were furnished as well as luxury rooms of the five-stars hotels, but in various fairy tales design. The pupils used to pass their free time playing, going for walks and generally doing whatever they wanted, since almost nothing was forbidden to them.
That year I was recruiting the first class, afraid of being unable to communicate with the kids in the same language. However, I adapted quickly enough, and everything went perfectly. The class turned out to be friendly, the children were capable.
***
Before Christmas, I announced the PTA meeting, after which the parents could take their children home for the holidays. Returning to the teachers building in the evening, I noticed a little girl in a squirrel coat who seemed to be waiting for someone. It was Christina from my class.
What are you doing here? I asked.
Is my dad coming?
Of course, he is! Go to your room, its getting late!
Come on, Alice Talk to me! Christina said almost in a whisper, averting her gaze to the side.
I didnt know how to react to her words. None of the pupils addressed me like that, and I was about to reprimand the girl, but then, looking into her sad eyes, I changed my mind. Besides, the Christmas atmosphere was in the air: the blizzard had turned the edge of the forest into a fairy tale, it was still snowing, and the lanterns were winking mysteriously
Go back to your place, Chris! I repeated, but the girl didnt move and remained silent, forcing me to add categorically, I have to go, see you tomorrow!
I told a lie, there was no need for me to rush, I just didnt want to stay alone with her. After walking about ten meters towards the teachers building, I heard her voice calling me,
Alice! You look like
However, I didnt turn around
***
On the eve of the PTA meeting, I planned to take a walk along the lake with my friend, a seventh grade teacher, but she was suddenly called by the chief, and I had to wander alone. As I sat down on the bench, Christina materialized next to me, as if out of nowhere.
Why are you alone, Chris? I asked.
I like it this way.
Dont you like to play with other children?
I dont.
Why?
I dont.
Why?
Im not like them.
I wanted to ask why again, but I said nothing.
Come on, Alice lets talk, Christina added quietly.
Well-bred girls dont talk like that to those who are older!
I will talk like that only to you!
I saw tears in her eyes, however, Id been sickened by crybabies since childhood.
Thats no way to behave! Go to your friends! I said in a semi-commanding voice.
Christina got up silently and walked away.
***
I held the the PTA meeting successfully enough. When everyone had gone and left me alone in the office, Christina appeared at the door.
Havent you gone yet? I asked.
Dad hasnt arrived, she said sadly.
And your mother?
The girl shrugged.
Will you call home? I suggested.
Come on, Alice
Oh, these familiarities again! I thought.
Christina dialed some phone number and was answered, but she remained silent and hung up.
Wrong number? I supposed.
Christina silently left the room. I made her come back and called to their house myself. Her grandma answered me. She said that Christinas dad would definitely come to college in a fortnight, after his business trip. I passed that information on to the girl, but got no response.