Forgotten Daze

FORGOTTEN DAZE

After living alone inher house since a teenager, Edith knew it was time
to move on to start a new life. The house shared many memories with her
but the time had come for a change.

Forty seven years wasted living alone, she had recently met someone she
dearly loved and it was time to move on to this new life with her new
love.

Emptying the attic, she looked through all the old school books which
had been forgotten and neglected. With dust covering then, the
reflection of her past life would now include her school years.

Looking through each book, she passed blank pages where she was unable
to set the tasks asked of the teachers. If only she had done the work
then, she may have had a better life and not where she was today -
alone.

Finding her English book, she opened it to more blank pages. Holding it
close to herself, Edith searched the attic with her eyes, seeing it
transform into the familiar surroundings of her English class from
years before

Mr Tippett stood at the front of the class. 'Would you like to read
please, Edith?' he asked as she daydreamed.

Looking up at him, she felt confused. 'What did he want her to do it
for?'

'Edith, get out of this class now,' he shouted, raising his arm towards
the door, 'and go to see the headmistress.'

The class watched as she quietly left, closing the door behind her to
walk the long corridor to the headmistress' office.

By the stairs - which were her last few steps before facing the music -
she heard children near her. Heedless, she continued the journey with
her head hung low.

'Aye look, there is that dumb brunette,' the boy nearest her
shouted.

His friend smaned.

Edith turned her head from them as she as she passed.

Looking at them once she had passed, the same boy shouted, 'What have
you learned to read today? Hope you can read your own name, even if you
cannot spell it.'

Ignoring them, she concentrated on reaching her destination. She knew
she would have to try real hard in school to be able to read and write
for her to get a good job when she leaves. But getting her mind to do
what she asked was not easy, and Edith convinced herself she was never
to work.

Outside the office, she knocked once and waited for a reply.

Mrs Hoat - the Headmistress shouted, 'Come in.'

Doing what was asked, Edith closed the door softly behind her.

'Sit down Edith,' Mrs Hoat placed her fisted hands on the desk to raise
herself from her chair.

Being honest, Edith said, 'I was sent here by Mr Tippett because I
would not listen in class.'

'Again!' Mrs Hoat exclaimed, not pleased with Edith's attitude to
school. She knew the girl sat opposite was clever out of school, but
never put any effort into her class work. 'What is the matter with you?
You are a good child, unlike some of the children in your class.'

'I am dumb,' she cried. 'I deserve to be with the stupid
children.'

'No!' came the high pitched reply. 'Why can't you put the same amount
of effort into your school work as you do in the house?'

'I do my best.'Mrs Hoat walked around the desk, pulling a typed sheet
of paper from the drawer, placing it in front of Edith. 'This sheet is
a record of who has been to see me in the past week. How many times can
you see your name?'

Blankly looking at it, the words formed themselves into one. 'I don't
know,' she shouted before storming from the room.

Mrs Hoat followed and pulled Edith by the arm before she was able to
leave the office. 'Come here,' she said sympathetically. 'I know what
is the matter with you.'

Edith watched.

'You are unable to read or write. It is nothing to be ashamed of, and
will explain how you work so well in the house, but never at
school.'

'No! You are like the others. Calling me stupid,' she was ashamed a
respected teacher could say such a thing to a pupil.

'I am not calling you stupid. You need help to do your work, but you
could do it yourself if you could read and write.'

'No!' she shouted once more.

'Read that sheet to me,' Mrs Hoat pointed at the sheet of paper on the
desk.

'I can't,' Edith conceded.

'I can arrange for you to have the help which will stop your classmates
calling you stupid. In fact, you would be out of that class and with
your real friends,' Mrs Hoat tried convincing her to do what was
asked.

'Alright,' Edith agreed. 'How long would it take me to be able to read
and write confidently,'

'I cannot answer that question, only you can. It will be up to you to
decide how quickly you want to learn. You will be taught at your own
pace.' Mrs Hoat was pleased she had agreed.

Leaving the office, Edith thought about the blank pages she had in her
books, which would soon disappear. She was going to learn how to read
and write, which was what she had always wanted. Edith felt born again
and given another chance to fulfil the ambitions she required from
life.

Sitting in the attic, Edith reflected upon the first thirteen years of
her life before returning to the present. God, she had been lucky. The
school years were followed by Further Education, which gave her the
opportunities she never thought existed.

Leaving college, she had gained herself a well-paid job, unfortunately,
she had no one to share her life with until now.

The past had disappeared and her working life was nearing its end, but
she would always have those blank pages to remind her of what she was
back then, and someone who cares about her to remind her what she was
now.

Edith was happy and no one was going to take anything from her.