Free Christmas Daisy by Christine Bush Page A

energetic students disrobed and handed their outfits to Mr. Andy and Miss Gracie who were flinging them onto hangers, and trying to keep order.
    “See you tomorrow.”  The happy kids began to leave.
    “Tell your neighbors we have plenty of tickets.”
    “Great job!”
    Within minutes, the stage was empty, except for the remai ning teachers scurrying to put things in order.
    “I’ll see you both tomorrow,” Ben called to his staff, as he turned on his heel and headed for the side door where Daisy had disappeared.  They answered with affirmation, and he waved to them over his head, not even turning around. He had only one thing on his mind. Where had she gone?
    Ben headed up to her classroom, suspecting Daisy might find solace there.  But the room was deserted, almost dark, the only light coming in through the classroom windows from the street lights outside. Slight rays angled down to make a pattern on the floor, casting shadows among the desks and the kids’ hanging mobiles.  She was not there, and he saw in a flash that her woolen poncho, which usually hung from the back of her chair, was gone.  Ben’s heart lurched.  Had she felt so bad she actually left school in her desolate state?  His mouth felt dry.  Poor Daisy. Sad and alone in the cold night.  He felt sadness creep into his own bones, chilling him to the core.  He wanted to help her. He wanted to ease her pain, even to share her pain.  Though he strongly suspected she would not want it. She kept so much to herself.
    With a deep sigh, a mind blowing realization washed over him again as he stood helplessly in the empty classroom, staring at the hazy light patterns on the wooden floor.  He really loved her. Deeper than ever. Daisy Donovan, the energetic little ball of fire brought joy and laughter to all she touched, despite her own pain.  But like that ball of fire that she was, she  was untouchable.  Unreachable.  Where was she?   In her heart, she was used to being alone.  And the thought  left him feeling very, very alone too.
    Within minutes, after the end of rehearsal, the school had emptied out as fast as a fire drill.  Clattering up and down the steps with their daily belongings, they all trooped out into the cold night air to be met by their various busses and car pools. A few who lived close enough slugged their way up the street, walking toward home. Night came early in December, along with the cold air.
    Ben walked slowly back down to his office, where lights still burned brightly.  The school was silent around him.  He stood in the front hallway at the bottom of the steps, and sucked in a deep breath.  Even in the quiet, he loved this school.  Filled with students, he loved it even more.  And now, daring to acknowledge the burgeoning feelings in his heart, he loved it even more with Daisy Donovan at his side.  But would she ever really be by his side?  Or was she gone?
    He had build New Horizons by himself, though he had the support of strong and caring individuals like Hugh Highfield.  It had been his dream, his goal, his mission in his life.  And though people had had his back, especially financially, he had never had anyone he felt was so totally by his side.  His staff had been great, and he was enormously thankful for each of them.
    But it had been different with Daisy.  Maybe it was because of her pain that she could identify so strongly with these kids who had experienced differing pains in their lives.   He reached up and ran a hand through his hair, trying to think, to understand.
    Christmas.  He had always felt it was such an important time of year. An d it was.  But obviously not always in a good way.  It had been a catalyst to unhinge it all.    It had increased that pain that resided so deep in Daisy Donovan, until that pain was so acute she had had to leave.  What if she was gone for good?

 
     
     
     
    Chapter Nine
     
     
     
    Humiliated she had no way to stop the tears that had cascaded