MEET ME ON UMBRELLA ALLEY

A New Life For Ella

After a week of overwhelming sadness, Ella wanted to get  back to school.
She felt like a rung out dish cloth.
She felt like a worn shoe.
Ella was beneath her older sibblings.
Maybe she was the gum under a chair?
She was the help.
Denied of her own need of help.
There were no outstretched hands.
There were no silent moments of helplessness.
She watched her sibblings bond over their parents loss while she ran the house.
As somewhere along the way, Ella was the outsider who didn't belong.
She was the heart ache chorus line in the saddest song.
Somehow, her family changed.
And, day by day Ella forgot the joy she knew just a week ago.
She couldn't understand the hateful darting eyes that glanced towards her daily from her four sibblings.
She couldn't understand the sharp tounges that cut her so deep.
Ella couldn't understand her new role,
Yes, she was nothing more than a garbage dump.
There were no thanks.
Each day began and ended with rude expectations.
So, yes going back to school was a welcomed break, a chance to feel some kind of normal.
And, a chance to reconnect with her two friends, Josh, and Tatia.
So, Ella took the bus starring  out the window, to a time and place visible only to her eyes.
Her eyes were wet.
But, somehow she was trapped between time and space.
She had no words or awareness of the flooding dam ready to burst.
Her eyes were  empty as they were wet.
There was a leak.
The ceiling was showing damage.
But, where?
For now Ella had to float to find a measure of sanity and safety.
Ella got off the bus motionless.
She walked alone.
She heard echoes of her name.
Finally, after an unexpected embrace Ella saw her two friends.
Both hugging her in a crowded hallway.
Time passed as Tatia and Josh were unaware of the school bells.
Their only concern was the welfare of their good friend.
Both repeating" I'm sorry".
For the first time Ella felt support.
And, so the tears fell.
Ella couldn't stop.
She tried to apologize.
But, the dam had burst.
The flow was unstoppable.
Eddie walked by at first to ask for direction until recognizing the sobbing  girl.
She was cute.
She wore a simple blue sweater and jeans.
She didn't seem homeless.
But, clearly she was going through something tragic.
They go to the same school; That thought made him happy.
Here he was looking for his Journalism class.
Wow, he at least somewhat knew someone.
No words were spoken.
Even blubbering with her red swollen eyes, Eddie was mesmerized by her beauty and emotions.
He wanted to help, but was out of his element.
Eddie knew only one thing he could do.
So, he extended his fancy handkerchief with his king title embroidered on it and simply said,
"Here please will this help?"
Tatia grabbed it and nodded thanks.
"I hope you're not expecting this back." Teased Josh.
"No...no it's yours." Eddie laughed softly.
Meanwhile,  Mr. Lady the math teacher walked out.
"Hey, your late guys...get to  class ."
Until, he saw his favorite student, Ella sobbing.
And, the kids were missing class to not let any troop behind.
Being a former army man, he was impressed seeing such compassion.
It was such a tradjedy the way her parents died.
So, there's kids were ok.
"Hey Ella glad you made it today....take all the time you need I will explain it to your teacher before heading in to my class. But, seriously guys don't take too much more time."
" Thanks Mr. Lady." They mouthed.
Eddie thought they were teasing him with the  name so he chuckled.
Mr. Lady looked at him, and then at Ella, Tatia, and Josh...he points to Eddie and asked:.
"Whose your friend?"
The answer was three shrugged shoulders.
So Mr. Lady did what any good teacher would do,
"You....follow me to the principlals office. " Mr. Lady said with a stern tone.
"Busted!" Laughed Josh.
Eddie followed Mr. Lady head down.
"Whose he?" Whispered Tatia.
"I don't know....I saw him a week ago... I guess he's new." Replied Ella.
"Well, whoever he is...he's cute" said Tatia.
Ella agreed but said nothing other than nodding in agreement.
She stood up from the white squared floor, giving indication it was time to head back to class.
The three walked shoulder to shoulder to room 312 Journalism I.
They peeked in and sheepishly walked in.
Mrs. Tate smiled her graceful smile.
"Hey, guys take your seat we are just about to discuss your next big assignment."
I want you to be the pen behind the insignificant part of you....dig deep....write of a time now or even  in a previous time when you felt the isolation of invisibility....you have one month you can begin now.
Mrs. Tate walked over to Ella.
She put her arms around her.
For a moment Ella felt her mom's embrace.
She shook her head and her mom vanished.
Only Mrs. Tate remained, standing in her mom's  place.
"Ella, I'm so sorry...if you ever need to talk or anything....I'm here ok?"
Ella found it odd that in just one hour at school she received more compassion than one week at home.
She was where she needed to be.
Everyone looked up as the classroom door opened yet again.
It was Eddie.
Ella smiled. Well.....well.....well she thought to herself.
They both locked eyes.
Apparently, they both felt delighted curiosity.
Tatia tapped Ellas back.
"Hey look who it is." Said Tatia.
Ella smiled.
" May I help you?" Asked Mrs Tate.
" Yes, I'm new here" stammered Eddie.
He handed her a piece of paper.
It was a letter of introduction, and excuse for being late.
"Welcome Eddie why don't you take the empty seat next to Ella.
Delighted, Eddie smiled and did as requested.
"Hello" Eddie whispered.
"Hello" Ella whispered back.
Again the door opens.
A private conversation takes place just outside
Eddie worries it's related to him. He squirms unsure.
Ella wonders who this is about.
Instead Mrs. Tate walks in with words for Ella.
" Grab your things Ella." Your excused for the day.
"What?" Ella is so confused.
What now? She wonders.
She grabs her books and follows.
She shrugged and mouths to her friends who are mouthing...a silent what's going on.
Ella you will be going with your aunt from now on.
Ella was confused.
"I don't know this woman....who are you? " she asked.
"It's legit you are related....you have today off to get settled in."
"I want to live at my house." Said a stern Ella clinging to what she knew.
Another lady speaks.
"Ella...I'm a social worker...because your sibblings are all days away from being 18 they can stay together....but you need an adult this aunt is your closest relative."
"Why don't I know her? " she asked.
"Look I'm not sure, but you need to at least give it a try." Said the social worker.
Ella wasn't sure what to expect.
So, what else was new?
She walked head down off to a new life.
Good, bad or indifferent was yet to be unveiled.
"My name is Janet....there was a falling out between me and your mom...Even so, I loved her. I'm sorry about everything....I hope we can get along sighed Aunt Janet.
"Nice to meet you...we can try." Sighed Ella.
Ella sized up her new family. She seemed nice as she walked with a limp. Janet handed her purse over to Ella,
" Do you mind carrying this? My shoulder is sore."
"Sure."
Ella reached out and carried the purse with her free hand, while her back carried her book bag and her other hand carried her own purse and lunch.
Hmmm....maybe she was walking into a life she was quite familiar with.
Who knows?
Only time will tell.
And, maybe she will meet a secret Prince to carry her away on his white horse.
She shook that wish away.
No sense in going down the if only road.
This was a new life for Ella and she was ready to see if it was better than living with her sibblings.
"So um...where do you live?" Asked Ella.
Janet pointed to the mansion on the hill, down from the lake, behind umbrella alley not far from the school.
"This is home." Said Janet.
"No way....really?" Said a pleased Ella.
She admired this home for years.
And, often wondered who were the caretakers of such a mansion?
"What went wrong with you and mom?" Asked Ella.
"I don't want to talk about it." Said a cold Janet.
So, Ella walked in silence towards her new life, thinking it was better than her current ?
But, was it truly better?
Only time will tell.