A CLAY DOLL'S TEAR

Chapter 16

Clay's P.O.V

"Should I put it over here Miss Jenner?" Anna ask while moving towards

the shelves over the work station.

"No. Place it beside me." Tapping the spot I need her to put it" A need to see how wet it is."

Anna is one of my students. she is an elderly lady around 70 I'll assume. I do not ask people for their ages because some consider it to be rude and I prefer to avoid it all together.

"Here?" Anna ask with her hand shaking from the weight of the clay piece.

"Yes." I smile and help her carefully rest it on the counter in front of me.

Anna told me she was making a duck but I have no idea what kind of duck I am looking at.

Ducks do not have spikes on the backs, do they? Shrugs, may be it's a kind I've never seen before.

"It's not wet, in fact it's way to dry. See how it crumbles?" Pressing my finger on to it being

very careful not to ruin her piece." You will need to cover it with a damp cloth and wrap it with a plastic covering if u want to work some more on it in our next class."

Anna nods "Where can I-" Giving clear instructions, I cut Anna off before she can finish her question "There are plastic bags in the draw in front of you, take one. I'll get the wet cloth for u to cover it with."

Sometimes I try to speak in standard English when I want to be clearly understood. I have been repeating myself way too often because of my accent.

I try to flip between the two when needed ..but honestly some times it's not even within my control.

For Anna I have to be clear. I need her to understand the steps and reason for the steps she is taking in this class. No, I am not playing favorites here.

The company gave me 12 students to work with and they all can understand how I speak now. it's just that Anna is new and I have to be mindful of that.

Walking back to the counter were I had left Anna, my stride was shortened by the sorrowful look on her face.

"What is it?" I ask knowing fully well my expression ask before my words.

"I am soo sorry." Anna holds her hands out showing me the clay doll I had made back home in st Kitts. It is also the last thing Xavier ever handed to me.

Xavier had passed this to me just before we crashed. It was chipped in the accident and it still have splits I have not yet fixed but it is still in fairly good shape. But now, the clay dolls head is in Anna's left hand and the body in her right."It fell over when I closed the draw."

A cold feeling wash over me. If she only knew what that doll meant to me. Its the only thing I've brought from home that is of any value to me.

I am not sure what expression I have on my face but Anna's sorrowful look is now mix with worry.

Closing my eyes and taking a deep breath I give her the biggest fake smile I can conjure up, my lips tightly press together.

Seems like this smile is scaring her now, may be it's a little to much. I step towards her and she steps back.

"Don't worry about it." Trying my best to avoid giving her a heart attack from what would have been my real reaction."It's not that important."

My husband always said there are times when lying is needed, well I guess this is one those times.

Xavier, I am learning.