The Idealists: Part IV

The Idealists – Part IV


Stars

“Mr. Stone?”

Derick looks up from his grading to see a teenage Korean girl standing in the classroom doorway. He’s sure her skirt is a dress code violation, but lets it pass because he can’t remember her name. The Asian girls tend to blend together; they are quiet in class and spend their free time chattering together in their native tongues.

She steps closer, and he recognizes her.

“Yes, Star?” He says. Most of the Korean girls choose English words as names rather than suffer through four years of mispronunciation.

“Merry Christmas!” She says, offering a gift-wrapped box. It has been a tradition that students give their teachers gifts at the beginning of the year and on holidays, but in the last few years, only the Asian kids have kept up the practice.

“Well thank you, Star,” he says. She looks nervous, so he asks, “Is something the matter?”

“I got it in Korea.” She pauses. “I thought Mrs. Stone would be my English teacher,” she adds.

“Oh, well, I hope you haven’t been too disappointed. But I think we can have a lot of fun.”

The girl remains for an awkward moment and then runs off. He starts to say something about running in the building, but lets it go.

At lunchtime, he unwraps the box. Nestled inside is a pair of silver earrings shaped like stars. He laughs, puts them back in the box, and shoves the whole thing into his desk.

“I can’t believe we have duty on the last weekend before the break,” Ruthie says in the lunchroom.

“Tough break,” Christine says, “But it should be light, right? There’s, what, a movie trip?”

“And a day trip to Longwood Gardens,” Ruthie says, groaning.

“I hope you don’t get stuck with that,” Christine says

“I’ll tag along if you do,” Derick says, “might be nice to see the lights.”

* * *

Longwood Gardens is cold and as bleak as a place can be with every square inch of plant-life glowing with electric light. Inside the old manor house, Derick and Ruthie stop to admire the ornaments.

“Oh, look at that,” Ruthie says, eying an elaborate star.

“It looks like a Faberge egg,” Derick says. “How much is it?”

“Too much,” Ruthie says. She reaches for it, but doesn’t touch it.

“How about this one?” Derick says. It’s smaller. Cheaper.

“Can we really afford it?”

“It’s Christmas.” Derick smiles and takes it to the register.

“I like buying one a year,” Ruthie says. “It’s more meaningful that way.”

They admire the other ornaments until the students catch up.

“Look at that one,” a blond girl says, pointing at the star. “My mom had those on her tree a couple years ago,” she says. “We made her throw them out.”

“I think it’s nice,” Ruthie says.

“Yeah, maybe I’ll buy it for my room,” the girl says, but soon loses interest.

* * *

Christmas morning, Derick hands Ruthie a small package.

“What’s this?” She says. She unwraps the package and examines the earrings inside. Joy opens in her face like a rose.

“They’re wonderful,” she says, putting the earrings in her ears. “How did we afford them?”

“We’re fine,” Derick says.

They spend a lazy day in front of the fireplace. It’s quiet with all the kids off-campus. That night, Derick notices Ruthie removing the earrings. She turns, catches him watching, smiles wide, and slips her arms around him.

‘We’re okay,” she says.

Over her shoulder, he can see the silver stars sitting on top of her dresser.



C. L. Bledsoe

Posted over on Troubadour 21