BY: Antonella
FEEDBACK TO: antonella_stelitano@virgilio.it
It’s almost 7.30 pm.
Mrs. Kline casts me another indulgent glance.
I know well what that look means; it's closing time.
I have been in my favourite place all day.
As always.
Me and Naomi, my mom, have been in this little city for about 2 months, but mom went away for a retreat with of her old friends, 15 days ago.
I’m staying with Frank, another guy in the long list that fallen in love with my errant mother.
He knows already that won't last, mom isn’t so the type to stay in a place too long. Anyway he has agreed to keep me for a while.
For me, it’s all right. Frank is a good man, he is kind with me and also funny, sometimes, but he works the whole day, therefore, after I get home from school I'm alone until dinnertime.
Fortunately there is Mrs. Kline and her little but incredible, very well supplied library.
In the afternoons passed to exploring the shelves, I discovered so many interesting books.
I love to read. I read practically everything: history, science, study of fauna, novels, biographies too.
Mrs. Kline has been always very nice with this little keen reading brat, allowing me to stay however long I wanted in her library.
On the other hand, I don’t know where to go otherwise and here, with the books is definitely much better than to be out on the street for a twelve years old like me.
Besides, yesterday, I found a really interesting book.
It’s an anthropology text and a large part is based on the myths and legends of the past.
In this book, there is a chapter dedicated to Richard Burton’s (the explorer, clearly, not the actor) theories and research.
In all, today I’m struck by one theory particularly: the Sentinels.
Ancestral guardians that had the task of protecting their tribes from any danger. Those ancient sentries were, however, very special: they had an extraordinary gift, according to Burton’s affirmations, enhanced senses!
Unfortunately, the tome does not go into this essential point of the explorer’s studies.
Enhanced senses…
This subject really thrilled me.
To see, to hear, to smell, something that no one could. Maybe it was a genetic trait.
********************
He knew that some people could have a greater ‘sensibility’ like the smell or the hearing, the latter, for example for the blind. But all five senses?
Perhaps it was a simple sharpening obtained with a particular training like athletes in their disciplines.
The book, besides, said that in order for those guardians to accomplish fully and efficaciously their role, they had need of someone with them. This didn't explain the reason, so it was another concept that he wanted to investigate. He too liked to have somebody with him. A best friend, or better, a big brother.
But his reality was completely different.
He was alone, with a mother unable to stay in a one place for more than a few months.
No father, no friends, no home, no stability.
How it would have been his future with those premises. In spite of everything, he was rather trusting of his destiny.
A hand on his shoulder disrupted the little curly-headed child's reverie. He looked up, his huge blue eyes meeting the round face of Mrs. Kline smiling at him.
"Blair, it’s time to go home, sweety."
"Yes ma'am, I’m sorry, I was really engrossed in reading this manuscript."
"I see. Anthropology. Blair, isn’t it a bit too old for you, honey?"
"Oh no, Mrs. Kline, I love to learn about the people, their customs and use, traditions."
"You are a smart kid, Blair. I’m sure that you’ll succeed to fulfil a great future. You have something special in you. Believe firmly in yourself and you can do anything in your life. I bet that you have the dreams, isn't that so?"
"Oh yeah! Lots of them! I want to explore the world. To study and to learn much more possible."
*And perhaps, to find a modern sentinel* Blair said to himself, a little smile on his lips. *Yes, I want to know more of Burton’s studies, of the sentinels and theirs sensorial ability.*
********************
With this resolution in my mind and my heart, I say goodbye to Mrs. Kline, to go home, to Frank.
Even if I’m alone, I have my dreams, my hope, and maybe one day in my life there will be someone of importance in my life, mayb