43789

Chapter 7

Lunch was over and we all went back to our rooms. When we went up the stairs together, I noticed the other doors in the hallway. Mine was the first one on the right; my number 43789 was written with white paint on the wooden door. Santiago’s room was the last room on the right, next to mine. His number was 56203. On the left side of the hallway were the girls’ rooms. Amelia’s was the first one right across from mine. Her number was 13457. The last one on the left across from Santiago’s was Elizabeth’s room. Her number was 07842. I went inside my room, closed the door behind me and flopped on my bed. I noticed a clock above the doorway; it was 1:14pm. I walked around the room looking at things. I found a wooden box under my bed. It was wide and long enough to put two pairs of my shoes in, if lying flat on the ground. It was about a foot deep. I opened it and inside I found two books; Count of Monte Cristo (in braille) and I couldn’t tell what the other one was called because it was in regular print (hey don’t laugh, all I’ve read in my life is braille). I also found a journal, two sharpened pencils and a box of colored pencils. There were also two cans of paint and two thick brushes. One can was dark blue and the other was light blue. On the bottom I found a note, and get this, it was in braille! It felt so strange looking at the array of raised dots on the paper. At first I didn’t know what it was, but when I felt the paper I smiled. I closed my eyes and read the note.

Ricky Jr. I put this in here while you were in lunch; I know that you don’t know how to read regular words yet so, here you go. Use this paint to decorate the walls how ever you want my treat. I went on a trip today and I won’t come back until tomorrow after your lunch time. Enjoy these little gifts!

-     Joe Jones

P.S. The book that isn’t in braille is called Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. 

After I finished reading this note, I studied the cover of Treasure Island. It showed the ocean lapping at a huge ship. I changed into my old t shirt and slacks. I tried to open the dark blue can of paint, after about 20 tries I finally got it open. I dipped the brush in the blue paint and stained the white wall with a mark about as high as my elbow. I painted the ocean, with squiggles and points and waves it looked pretty good for my first artwork ever. I ended up doing it all around the room. It looked as if though I was surrounded by an ocean. I wasn’t done though. I had to put some finishing touches with the light blue paint I hadn’t opened yet. I would do that tomorrow after this paint dried. I smiled in approval at my handiwork. I looked at the clock it read 5:50.  The only reason I knew what time it was, was because I had learned how to read a clock in a book I had read in braille about two months ago. I changed back into the uniform Mr. Jones had brought me. When I was done changing there was a knock at the door.

“Come in.” I said smoothing back my hair (I really needed a haircut).

The door opened, revealing the old lady that had served us food at lunch. She held a tray of food.

“Here you go, enjoy!” The lady said with a three tooth smile.

I grabbed the tray from her hands. “Thank you Mrs.…”

“Dollop, My name is Susan Dollop.”

“Thank You Mrs. Dollop.”

“You’re welcome, sweetie.” She wobbled out of the room and closed the door behind her.

I gave a deep sigh and opened the door to head to Elizabeth’s room with my tray of victuals.