"So tell me about my new student." Zac said walking into the front office at two. He'd seen Jakob already in there, so he decided to kill two birds with one stone.
Jakob didn't even raise his head, but smiled down at the counter where his fingers were running over the smooth bumps of Braille. "That’s five bucks, Doreen." He said smugly, and held his hand out.
Zac looked at them curiously, "Five bucks for what?" He asked hopping up onto the counter next to his friend.
"I bet five buck that you'd ask about her." Jakob stated, looking up at him and grinning. "And I was right." He taunted.
"That's great to know." Zac said chuckling lightly, "But seriously, who is she?"
"Seriously?" Jakob questioned.
Zac groaned, "Jakob." He whined.
"Her name is Mechelle, spelt M-E-C-H-E-L-L-E. She's two months younger than you, and has been blind for a month now." Jakob relayed, his fingers still moving over the Braille.
"Is that her file you're reading?" Zac inquired peering over and down at it.
Jakob covered it with his hands. "Yes." He replied, teasing his young friend.
"Does it say how she went blind?"
"Yes."
Zac groaned, "You're doing this on purpose." He complained loudly.
Doreen laughed from her side of the counter, "Just give 'em the dish." She ordered.
"Take away all my fun." Jakob grumbled before continuing on with reading it. "Born in Missouri," He stopped there and laughed. "Yeah, those people are smart."
"Bad gene pool." Zac commented, "Now come on, continue!"
Jakob laughed, "Okay, okay, sheesh. Impatient, aren't we?"
"Only with you." Zac muttered.
"Heard that."
"I said it loud."
"Model student, four-point-o average. Captain of the basketball and track team, model citizen as well…" That's when Jakob stopped. His forehead furrowed in thought and then ran his fingertips over the line he just read.
Zac caught the look. "What?" He asked peering down at the folder again.
"She was in a car accident." He responded quietly. "That's how she got blind."
"So?" Zac asked, confused as to why that was such a shock.
"She was driving while intoxicated, Zac."
The statement made him pale, "What happened?"
Jakob started shaking his head, "It doesn't say much." He said as his fingers moved faster. "Except that she was driving drunk, got her and her friend in a wreck…"
"Did anyone die?" Zac's voice cracked on the last word, his question betraying his thoughts and emotions.
He looked up from the file, "It doesn't say."
Zac's eyes flared, "Let me see." Not only did his eyes scam over the print, but his fingers also went over the Braille.
"I wouldn't lie to you, Zac." Jakob said softly. "You know I wouldn't.
Guilt plagued him for the second time that day. It seemed that emotion was dominating now that he had his sight back. In frustration he threw the file back down on the counter, jumped down, and pulled at his hair in his neat low ponytail. "I think I need some fresh air." He said weakly.
"Want some company?" Jakob asked straightening up.
Zac nodded, "I think I need it." He confessed.
Nodding as well, Jakob reached his hand out and felt along the counter until he stood next to him. "Well, let's go." He said grabbing onto Zac's elbow.
"See ya later, Doreen." Zac called out as they walked to the door.
"Bye, Zac. Bye, Jakob." She answered back.
"Bye, Doreen. I'll be back later for the other stuff." Jakob said as they stepped out into the hallway.
Doreen smiled weakly, "Take your time." She replied.
With that, the duo walked out of sight.
