In Whose Eyes?

Guess who was a stranger in a strange land taking away work?

Kim stood in perfect stillness; too afraid, too shocked to move. Her chin firmly pressed against the books that she clutched to her chest. In this position, she guaranteed that no one could see her cry. Life had told her long ago how to cry quietly so the enemy could not hear. Not five minutes ago, she was running up the walk to her classroom eager to start the day because she had managed to write the most wonderful paper for class. The joy sucked from her heart over a conversation she overheard.

She barely heard the soft sound of rustling linen that announced Sister Rose Anthony's arrival. She felt her body tighten and condense. "Please, Lord, just let me evaporate!” There was nothing worse than being late to Sr. Rose Anthony's class. "What, Lord, things that slow in Heaven you have to pick on me?” A sigh.

"Kim, is there a reason you're still standing outside the door?” Rose-Tony had a way of asking a question with an even tone hiding her real intention. She knew the guilty always slipped up, there was no need for yelling or accusations just keep them talking and eventually, the lies would catch up.

Slowly, brown eyes peeked from underneath long black lashes; she lifted her head slightly. "I...well, I was....” What was the use? "No, Sister.” The callused hand of Sr. Rose Anthony slipped under Kim's chin and slowly, gently lifted it. Now she was looking into the eyes of her favorite teacher. She knew that lying would be futile for two reasons: the Sisters always found out the truth, and she was not a good liar. From somewhere beneath the folds of her habit, Rose-Tony produced a handkerchief. The action brought a smile because it was a long-standing source of awe with the students. No magician could produce the number of items that mysteriously appeared from under the multitude of folds in one of those dear sisters’ habits!

With her free hand, the sister wiped away Kim's tears. She then proceeded with the ancient nurturing ritual of straightening Kim's blouse collar, quickly tidying wisp's of her black hair, and taking a visual inventory. With the task completed, she resumed her teacher stance and demanded an explanation. Fighting back the threat of further tears, she gutted her way through the scene that had taken place just five minutes before. When she finished Sr. Rose Anthony looked off to some imaginary scene over Kim's head. Kim had never visited Mount Rushmore but at this moment, she felt she was seeing the living equivalent. Her blood ran cold when Rose-Tony finally spoke, "Well, we shall see about that.” No words ever spoken could shut down even hardest core student more quickly than those. Sister motioned Kim to enter the room before her.

As Kim walked to her seat, it was evident that all eyes were on her. Just as quickly all eyes flicked to Sr. Rose Anthony, taking in the whole situation: student late and obviously had been crying, Rose-Tony looking eight feet tall and face set like stone. Whatever had happened was bad, the lunchroom would be a wasp nest of sound as fact, and fiction would mate to give birth to one great story about how a straight "A" student could have gotten into so much trouble before the school day even started.

"We have reports due today," Rose-Tony began,” and for a change I think we shall read them aloud.” The air was sucked out of the room! What in the world was happening here? Whispered questions bounced off the wall like a racquetball championship. They were in high school; they didn't read out loud like a bunch of kids. It was undignified, more importantly, it was harder to fake your way out of the "F" for not doing the assignment. "I see, you are all excited about this new activity, so let's begin." She paused to look around the room, sweeping the room, her eyes stopped on a desk situated in the middle of room. Sister smiled sweetly, "Kathy, why don't you begin with your report.” Kathy Easterly was a perky little thing: cheerleader, student council, and leader of the most prestigious group of girls. Oh, yeah, she was ready. She flipped her hair back and pranced to the front of the room making sure everyone took full measure of her beauty.

Once she established herself as the focus of attention she began to read, "Why America Is Great," by Kathryn Easterly. Our country is the best on earth because we allow anyone to be what they want to be. In this great country, anyone can make their dream come true if....” "Excuse me, Kathy, I don't mean that one," said Sister Rose Anthony in her even tone. "Pardon me, Sister?” She replied sweetly. "I want you to read the other paper you wrote. The one you said you were going to turn in that would help open my ignorant eyes," still in that even nonjudgmental tone. Kathy's eyes looked like green marbles, mouth agape. Her eyelashes fluttered and she swallowed. "Well, you see, Sister, that report was just a joke. I didn't mean....” She could see her words fell far short of their mark and there was nothing to do but retrieve the condemning paper.

Making her way to her seat, Kathy noticed that not an eye was on her. Even her friends either looked away or down at their desks. She felt like the trip back was three times as long, as she approached the front she hesitated to take "center stage" as was her custom. She paused and spoke; "Do I have to read it aloud?"

“I thought you were proud of that paper. I thought you wanted the whole world to wake up and see the truth?” Kathy merely hung her head and did not speak. "No, you do not have to read it just bring it to me.” Kathy gladly complied and hurried back to her desk. Sister scanned the page with a well-practiced eye, trained to take in the basic theme of a paper in seconds.

"Hmm, well, it says that you believe that the country would be better if we closed all the borders and didn't allow any foreigners in and take all of the jobs. Does that summarize the theme of your paper adequately?” Now that she sat in the midst of her court, Kathy regained her composure.

"Yes, Sister, I think that just about sums it up and it's all true. History proves it.” She sat back with her arms crossed certain that she had scored a mortal blow. Rose-Tony walked to a window and looked out, a cryptic smile on her face. "History shows this does it?” She then turned facing Kathy, "I will make it a point to inform Sister Margaret of this fact because she's under the impression we are a nation of immigrants.” There was a voice in the back of the room, "Not that again!"

She chuckled, "No, not that again. No, this is about Jesus. Or more accurately His parents.” Silence fell over the room; this was a different tact, where was she going with this one.

"You will recall that after Jesus was born and angel appeared and instructed Joseph to take Mary and the Child to Egypt. They were not from Egypt; they did not know the language or the customs. I can assure you that when Joseph found a nice town in which to settle his little family he opened shop as a carpenter."

Again, Kathy blurted out, "That's different, Sister, you're taking about St. Joseph, and the Mother of God and, well, the Savior of the World."

“No, Kathy, to the people in that Egyptian town they were just Joseph, Mary, and Jesus, ordinary Hebrews who had come across their border and set up shop. It's the same thing, just a different time.” She paused to let the story settle before continuing, "No one in this room is pure American. We are all products of peoples who sought these shores for as many reasons as there are stars in the skies. Some families have been here for over 200 years, some for only a few years, but they all make this country and our lives better.” She paused one more time to take the measure of the room, and looked into the dark eyes of Kim who shyly smiled back.

"Now, if you will open your Literature books we will continue with today's lessons."