Believe (The Polar Express)

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧The Present *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

December 23, 1985

Snow. It was filled with so much crystalline wonder that it brought a smile to any child's face once upon its first sighting. Holiday, school cancelations, and Christmas. Those were the sensation brought with every snowfall. To Mrs. Allburg, it simply adorned the Earth with a wintry blanket that brought misery to commuters. While there were days where she got to reminisce about her rather distant childhood, as someone who was a working-mother, it was hard to find a time where she wasn't anxious about anything at all.

The only thing on her mind was picking her youngest child from school. He was a rather timid boy around others, but he always seemed filled with chatter and energy at home. Her little Benjamin clearly had a hard time in school, but it wasn't the work given to him. It was simply the way he interacted with others, and the way others interacted with him. Besides, Mrs. Allsburg couldn't blame him. He inherited nearly every aspect of her personality, from her mannerisms and the way he kept to himself. In fact, when the sound of honking melted into the brittle air and irritated her eardrums, all she thought about was having Ben in the back seat so they could be on their way.

At last, the cars cleared and Mrs. Allsburg was able to find a parking spot by Benjamin's K-8 School. It was a three story, rectangular shaped building with columns of windows draped with yellow curtains. An American flag stood high and mighty on a long pole that reached the rolling clouds. Children were outside, merrily tossing snowballs at one another and building fortresses. Their laughter were dim through the car window, but they were loud enough to be heard.

Before stepping out of the car, she pulled out her small, pocket mirror. It has become a habit of hers to check on her appearance before she left. Elegant ebony curls brought an illusion of thickness that was desired amongst women these days. This was one of the rare moments where she truly felt young; not having to cover the dark circles forming below her brown eyes, or the small gray hairs she had to hide. Confidence shone through in the way her hips moved, carrying her across the busy hallways. She did not let the awful memories of middle school torment plague her mind. She was an adult. A thirty-six year old adult.

It only took a few steps across the hallway to reach the security office, where her pride and joy that carried her DNA in his veins sat in the seat. He was preoccupied with a pencil, but he didn't bother picking it up when it fell. His cheeks lifted into a smile at the sight of his mom waiting for him. That was the only thing that mattered.

"Mom! You made it!" Benjamin ran over to her and gave her a quick hug.

"I hope you weren't waiting for me too long," Mrs. Allsburg said. She ruffled his bangs that nearly reached his eyes.

"Its fine, Mom. Mrs. Gaye waited with me."

Mrs. Allsburg looked up at the woman standing in front of her, who walked with such grace and elegance, someone who was so composed and assertive. The feature everyone seemed to notice was her eyes that were the mirror to her angelic soul. Despite her clear complexion that hid within her brown skin-or her hair that flowed down her back like black ink of a tilted piece of parchment-her beauty radiated from the smile greeted her with, and the way she cared for each of the children as if they were her own.

"Hello Mrs. Gaye," Mrs. Allsburg said. She offered her hand to shake, which Mrs. Gaye gladly returned.

"Hello to you too. I was hoping that I would be able to talk to you if you're not rushing to leave."

"Oh not at all. Is it concerning Benjamin again?"

Mrs. Gaye nodded, though it was slow and thoughtful, reflecting the concern she must've been feeling. "Yes, I'm a bit worried about him. He has been quieter than usual, and barely speaks to the other kids in the class, and even to me. Is there anything going on at home?"