The principal had posted the winners of the annual art contest near the office door. The pictures had been displayed around the walls of the cafeteria for two weeks. Nearly fifty students had entered, which was a great improvement from last year.

Because the crowd around the posted list was so large, Caroline decided to check it after lunch. As she sat in the cafeteria, however, the butterflies in her stomach would not permit her to eat.

She had spent a great deal of time trying to decide what to draw. She had changed her mind nearly every day for a month. Finally, she had chosen her kitten, Bubbles.

She had first tried to draw him with colored pencils. Her mother had said the picture was good. But, something about it hadn't quite suited her. Next, she had tried watercolors; however, they had run and smeared. Finally, she had used soft, pastel chalks. The effect was amazing. Bubbles' blue eyes looked out at the viewer, begging for a pat on the head. Caroline had blended his soft, white fur carefully. He was lying on a pink rug, with a small purple ball of yarn beside him. It was perfect!

The bell rang, bringing her back to her senses. She had been thinking so long, that the cafeteria had nearly emptied. She decided to risk being late returning to class; she walked toward the office instead. As she turned the corner, she bumped right into Mrs. Chavez. "Oh, excuse me, Caroline," Mrs. Chavez said. Mrs. Chavez was the last person she wanted to talk to.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Chavez. I wasn't looking where I was going," Caroline blurted out. She bent down to pick up her belongings, which had scattered across the sidewalk. Trying to hide her blushed cheeks, she let her hair fall across her face. As she stood up again, Mrs. Chavez brushed her hair back into place. Her hand rested on Caroline's shoulder.

"I've been wanting to talk to you. Sam told me that your blue folder was with you on that day your report was due. He said you had the report all along. Why didn't you turn it in?"

"I was a little upset that day. After you said I had a zero, I was too embarrassed to turn it in," Caroline lowered her head as she spoke.

"Listen, Caroline, you are a good student. You make good grades. Your assignments are excellent. You always try to do your best. You have everything going for you."

Caroline was caught off guard. She wasn't sure what she wanted to say to all that.

"Well . . . um . . . Mrs. Chavez, things aren't going well right now. My dad's drinking again, and . . . things are hard right now," Caroline said despondently.

"Caroline, what other people do affects your life, but what you do with it all is entirely up to you. Try to rise above it. How is your mom?" Mrs. Chavez asked compassionately.

"She's okay, I guess. She just gets by every day. She's busy with my little sister and my brother."

"Your brother I know from school. How old is your sister?" Mrs. Chavez asked with sincerity.

"Oh, she's three," said Caroline. "She's everybody's little sweetheart."

"I'm sure she is . . . but so are you. Now, first thing tomorrow morning, you bring that report and put it on my desk. I will give it the same consideration as on the very day it was due. All right?" Mrs. Chavez asked.

Caroline felt a tear form in her eye-maybe more than one.

She said softly, "Okay," as she turned away. She just could not talk anymore. With tears in her eyes, she passed by a dozen students, all late for class. She barely noticed them. Wiping tears from her cheek, she remembered that she was late for class, too. She paused for a moment.

She thought about everything Mrs. Chavez had said. She felt bad that someone knew about her dad. She took a deep breath. I have to find out about the art contest!

She turned quickly toward the office and walked as fast as she could. No one was around. She looked at the list . . . and there was Bubbles! On his picture was a first-place ribbon!

by Linda Arnold

< Prev		Next >