My Accident (Nanowrimo2018)

Chapter 6

Michael said, "I know something is also bothering you. I can tell by the look on your face." "I am just wondering if you really got all my favorite teachers here." Michael said, "I understand it's a tall order, but I was able to do it. I just had to get them all in one space. By the way, I had to pull some money out of the savings to do i" t." "I figured you did, but I know it was for good reason. I still love you and always will. You continue to surprise me. Michael said, "that's the whole idea. I also need you to go get one of those journals out the car. I parked in the front, second row and the third car." "I got you." He handed her the keys and she went out to the car. He waited for her by the cafeteria. When she came back, she said, "okay now why did I need one of my journals?" "You'll see." Katrina and Michael went into the cafeteria. When they walked into the cafeteria, Katrina saw all of her teachers from when she was in Delaware with her parents. Katrina threw her hands up and said, "okay, you are truly the best husband ever."

Michael said, "I figured you would say that. I know you talk about them all the time. I have also looked at some of your stories and journals. Man, you went through some heavy situations." Katrina said, "yeah, I told you there are reasons for my madness." After that, they walked over to the tables and Katrina sat down. She started talking to everyone. She found out her former Spanish teacher left the high school, to work with the elementary schoolers. Katrina literally went around the table and talked to everyone. They asked about her books and how she has been doing. Katrina told them about everything. Katrina said, "since the accident, everything has been a whirlwind, but with having my husband here with me, it's made me a lot stronger." One of her former Chorus teachers, Mrs. Jones said, "that's a good thing. It means you have the support you need." Katrina said, "I believe I do and all it does, is just fuel me more to get to where I want to be as a wife, an author, and a person."

"She has spoken very highly of all of you. When she looks at the old journals she has, I see how her emotions are all over. she literally tells me stories about all of you." "Babe, you are going to spill all my secrets. Shhh." Everyone started laughing. Mrs. Workman said, "she is still the same." "I wasn't going to change all the way. I know I can still be uptight and controlling. Those parts won't leave, but I know I have gotten better. I think about what you guys have taught me on a daily. When I learned from you as a student, it helped me as an adult. It helped me to know I must go after my dreams and what I want. I learned no one else was going to do it for me." "It's very true," explained Mr. Doakes. Michael said, "she ha a big heart and she loves to pour it into her writing. On our anniversary, she was trying to get me an anniversary gift when she got into the accident." "To correct him, I was getting a card to go with it. I had gotten his gift already." Michael said, "I had actually gotten her a series of gifts. One of them was having all of you here." He leaned over to Katrina. He said, "dump out the journal you have?" Katrina looked puzzled.

She opened the journal, and out came a sheet of paper. She picked up the sheet of paper. It was a letter to all her former teachers in her handwriting. Michael said, "I saw the list on your bucket list. I know you wanted to tell them how much they have meant to you. Go ahead." Katrina cleared her throat and began to read. It said, 

Dear All Former Teachers and Mentors,

               Yes, that's what all of you are to me. I spent four years around you. Many of you I kept in contact with on social media. Yet, we all know when it comes to me wanting to say something, I say it best in writing. For the time I knew all of you I was able to learn a whole heap of things. Each of you taught me ways to build my confidence. You taught me how to build upon the person I am. You showed me what it means to really believe in myself. Even when I posted about wanting to give up writing, all of you decided to blow up my message box. It really taught me who was here for me and who wasn't. At times when I make decisions, I still think about what one of you would say if you heard I did it. I know even though I am an adult, you guys still wouldn't believe it. It would shock you. Of course, it always shocks me too.

              I have gained the respect from all of you. All of you have left an impression on me. I know some of you have said I have taught you something too. I know that's what happens when you have students. Of course, your influences were very powerful on me. There have been many times when I wanted to give up on life. There were times when I thought about just giving up on myself because I felt like I couldn't do it. then I begin to think about all the times each one of you has told me not to say, "I can't." I remember when I would be so excited to come to class. I remember how many times each one of you has told me I needed to remember I was okay because I always did my work, and I took everything too seriously. As you know there have been many times up to when I graduated, I came to you for advice about things outside of school. I felt comfortable enough to come to you. I was overwhelmed a lot and I felt so much at ease with being able to come to those I know weren't going to lie.

             I am very thankful for everything you have taught me and have done for me. I know at times I was shutting down and you guys have stepped in and talked to me. I know when Mr. Geunther read my college essay it made him shocked. I'm sorry to say that when I was sixteen I did try to commit suicide twice. It had nothing to do with what was going on at school. It was more of what was going on at home and how I couldn't deal with it anymore. Yet, somehow, I made it through all of it. I made it through a whole bunch of drama over the years, and I kept all the things you taught me in my head. I used them when I knew I really needed to. For being like my little angels and being imperfect and teaching me how to be the same, I truly want to say thank you and I do love all of you.

                  Sincerely all yours,

                  Katrina Taylor Mitchell

When Katrina was finished, the room was still silent. Katrina folded up the paper and stuck it in the back of the journal. Mrs. Bassett, one of Katrina's all-time favorite teachers said, "knowing you probably won't remember all of this, I would like to see that notebook of yours." Katrina said, "it's empty." Michael said, "I just bought a whole heap of them for her." Ms. Debutron said, "aww, how sweet." Katrina handed her the notebook. Mrs. Bassett took the pen off her name tag and started writing. When she finished, she passed it on and each teacher took a turn writing in the notebook. Katrina was in utter disbelief at how they were all writing and being so focused. When the notebook got back to Katrina, she said, "thank you. I really do appreciate this. None of this was done out of pity for me or out of a stunt. This was a gift given to me and I really have felt the way I do in the letter wholeheartedly. I am just very good at hiding my work until I feel it's the right time." Mr. Doakes said, "something you are very good at. I am proud of the recent work you just put out. The book is a really interesting read."

Katrina stopped, and her mouth dropped. She didn't think any of them had read her boos. She said, "you have actually read my book?" Mrs. Collison said, "we know you haven't reached the best seller list yet. It doesn't mean we haven't checked up on you and seen what you have accomplished since you left being our student." "I really appreciate you saying that. It takes a long time to sit down and pour your heart out. Some days it's easy, and other days it seems like the hardest thing in the world. Somehow, it all comes together in the end to be an amazing piece of work." Michael said, "she will lock herself in her writing space and not come out until her story is complete. She will literally fall asleep on the keyboard typing." Katrina started laughing. "It's some of my best and worst moments. Yet, the stories just continue to keep coming out of me. I am thankful for the first time I spent with all of you. I have so much to go on about. I am just a better person because of it' Once they were all done chatting and collecting their belongings, they gave Katrina a hug. Everyone headed out and Katrina had a big grin on her face.