"Thomas, what is this? Surely, I'm missing something; is there another page with more details?" Sachiko is at a loss, clearly astonished that my list is nowhere near as brilliant as her contract.
"Sachiko, there's no mistake; that's all there is to my list. Honestly, it took me a while to figure that out, because I wasn't trying to get stars before. But, if you follow what's presented here you're bound to ascend to lady-dom."
A lackluster idea wasn't listed as a reason to end the contract, and while my list wasn't a big one, I was still a tad bit afraid of how she'd react. She must have read over my list with as much need for clarification as I did when I read her scroll.
"Thomas Bax's Ace Galaxy Star Retrieval Plan!
Sachiko will get more stars if she does the following:
1). Help other orphans with their chores.
2). Help and show appreciation for teachers and other staff members of OGO.
3). Stay good in school.
Unless you think of something else, I can only add more ideas after you succeed with the first two."
Although her hair is the same color as pitch, black doom; her face expresses an odd emotion that's neither a sign of doom nor rejection.
"I knew you would have something I was unaware of up your sleeves, but how am I to help others with their chores, and still attend to my homework? Or as y-you say, 'stay good in school'? I'm no good with chores, either." Sachiko says as she looks down at her arms.
The bell rings before I have a chance to reply. The teachers then beckon us to their side, and escort us back to our respective classrooms. As uncomfortable as Sachiko looked before we were separated, I was just as surprised that I didn't see her for the rest of the day.
Lunch time approached, the following day, "There's th-th-the first gr-gra-graders; a lit-little later th-than usual, t-t-today." Clarence says while scratching his head. He's quite the observant lad, when he wants to be; because seconds later he resumes eating.
I examine the first graders until I find Sachiko; having a conversation with her teacher. I couldn't hear what they were saying; you know, loud children made that impossible, but it did seem like the teacher was trying to console her. Before I knew it, Sachiko and I locked eyes; which seemed to bring her some relief.
"Much obliged teacher, I'll consider that." The polite girl; in her typical fashion, says as she heads my way. The closer she gets the more bandages I see on her arms.
I open my mouth to comment on the observation; only to be interrupted by the bruised Sachiko.
"Mister Thomas, I'm afraid I can no longer use my arms. Is there perhaps another idea we can use instead of,"
Before she finishes her statement, I reply; "You're mad gal, I just saw you moving your arms around before meeting me!"
"No, you must have been looking at somebody else; MY arms can no longer be used to help others with their chores." Sachiko says while trying her hardest to make it look like her arms won't move on command. "See, Thomas..no movement at all. I'm afraid now I'll have to do my schoolwork with my feet, instead, too!"
I look at her for about three seconds; waiting for her to end the punchline to this sad excuse for a joke. But her unyielding expression made me burst out in laughter.
"You're mad! That doesn't make a lick of sense, Sachiko. You, for one know all too well that if what you said were true, your teacher, or even Lady Ortiz would have you casted up, by now!"
The gal pouted while giving me such a mean look, but she soon took a deep breath; having accepted her defeat. "What gave me away?"
"I just told you," I tell the girl, before continuing; "You're too smart, and the excuse you gave me was… kind of stupid! You wanna tell me what really happened, oh goodest of gals, Sachiko?"
"Fine," she replies while chuckling, "if you must know, boy; I hurt myself while trying to help some fourth graders with their chores. They conveyed their concern by getting my teacher's attention; who then took me to the nurse's office to get patched up."
"Did that happen this morning?" I question Sachiko, who then answers, "Yes, that is correct; this morning, indeed."
"But, what about yesterday, gal?"
"I reflected on what to do, got frustrated, chose to focus on my schoolwork instead. Then, this morning I saw some upperclassmen being assigned to some chores while I was returning to class, from the bathroom. I felt obliged to help them because whatever they were doing looked easy; from my perspective."
"Clearly difficult, innit?" I reply while pointing to her arms. "Good motivation, gal; poor execution. When I said to help other orphans with their chores, I meant those in your same grade."
"You're right, Thomas; my teacher just said something similar."
"What's easy for fourth graders can be very hard for first graders," I assure the girl, before she continues.
"Especially first graders like me! I'm not strong at all, Thomas, but what they were doing looked easy."
Sachiko's experience gave me an idea on how to help her move forward. "Dear rising lady, why not see what school related things you can help your teacher out with first; before helping the kids in your grade with their chores?"
She smiles as if life was just shot back into her. "That sounds ever so pleasant, Thomas; I can do that!"
Good news! I'm relieved to see Sachiko ready for action. We proceed to finishing our lunches, but not before Sachiko rejects sharing the last of her tater tots with Clarence.
"Girls must eat all of their potatoes if they're to retrieve their stars."
As the girl makes her exit, Clarence and I say to each other; "weak excuse."
The week progresses normally, but out of curiosity I find every opportunity to observe Sachiko, from afar; to see how her path to stardom is going. Things must have been going smoothly because she didn't hurt herself, was hanging with her friends when appropriate, and seemed to be the apple of her teacher's eye.
"Can you organize my paperwork again, miss Sachiko?"
"I definitely will teacher, it's a pleasure. What needs organizing today?"
"Just separate the quizzes by subject, and when you're done put them in the folder on my desk."
"Can do!" Although short, Sachiko's eagerness is as tall as a building. The girl then puts on a pair of the fanciest gloves I've ever seen; with frills from top to bottom; of a lavender color that matched her eyes.
"D-d-dude, let's go, th-the gang's bout t-t-to play basketball!" Clarence diverts my attention away from Sachiko; who once again chose to help her teacher, rather than play at recess.
Friday morning approached, and Lady Ortiz announced what would cause the loudest sound of glee I could have ever imagined.
"And the last Golden Star of the week goes to, our own, dearest, Sachiko."
"Magnificent!!!" The gal's excitement mirrored a dog who had just received toy. If Sachiko were a less civilized person there would be no doubt that she would have put the golden star into her mouth.
The rest of the younger orphans dash towards the cafeteria for breakfast; while Lady Ortiz readies herself to hand out golden stars to the older orphans. Sachiko then walks up, with an aura of accomplishment.
"Look at it Thomas, it's lovely is it not? This golden star is now at home with me." She talks as if it's her first golden star, ever, but I do understand her satisfaction. And as engaged as I want to stay in this conversation; I'm suddenly reminded of the other half of our deal. Will this proper gal, also be able to keep me out of Lady Ortiz's sight, during adoption day?