Growing Into An Oak Tree

Every great oak tree grew from an acorn.

Ms. Leslie believed this from all her heart. That’s why she became a teacher, to nurture the great oaks of tomorrow from the tiny little acorns that sat in rows and made immature noises. They didn’t look like much but Ms. Leslie always made her predictions on who they would be when grown up. It was kind of a fun game. But at the same time, she put in effort and observance. Lily loved to dance. She was always moving and every single flutter had a the unhoned talent of a prima ballerina. James was a sports fanatic. Considering how he kicked and how he ran, the kid was going to be a football star one day. Edmund could have a great future as a writer. His words had a grace and richness rarely seen in a 2nd grader’s writing. Ms. Leslie found it much harder to make predictions for others. Some acorns were shinier than others.

“The last to bloom, is the strongest.” - Rune Lazuli

Jaxon sat at the back of the room. He had none of the spirit the other 2nd graders had. He just sat there. Never raised his hand. Did the bare minimum on everything. Never socialized. Ms. Leslie tried to put him in the front but he just put his head down. She tried bribing him with candy but he never cared. Even in group projects, he’d just accept his division of work and complete it. Eventually, Jaxon moved on to the next grade. But Ms. Leslie wasn’t letting go of him that easily. On her student evaluation she wrote, “Every great oak tree grew from an acorn and the last to bloom is the strongest of them all.” And in the notes at the very bottom, “Pass this message on and contact me when Jaxon finally blooms.”

“In the garden of life, late bloomers are especially beautiful.” - Susan Gale

It was a cold wintry morning. He could have taken the bus, but Jaxon stubbornly walked. He didn’t deserve the bus. He deserved the punishment of the freezing air and the solitude. He tucked his chin towards his chest and kept walking. The high school was just up ahead. He had been in 9th grade for almost three months and the only people who knew his name were in his classes. Jaxon would be willing to bet that half the people in his classes didn’t know his name. Suddenly, he heard clattering, of teeth. He looked around and noticed a tiny little girl walking on the other sidewalk. She only had a thin jacket on and her fingers looked blue even from a distance. Disregarding the fact that he was going to be late for school, Jaxon darted across the street. He tore of his thick jacket and slung it over the little girl’s shoulders.The sleeves fell past her hands and the hem brushed her ankles. Chilly wind assaulted Jaxon’s lightly-clothed torso but he picked up the girl and held her close as he turned back toward the school.

“I’m Jaxon. Where were you going?”

“I’m Hope. You’re an angel.” Hope’s eyes shone with wonder.

“I’m no angel kiddo. But tell me where you were going so that I can get you there before I go to school.”

“I don’t know. Mommy and Daddy brought me here for vacation but they’re gone now.”

“They left you here? In the winter?” This was no vacation town. There was an inn for tourists passing through and a hotel for businessmen. They abandoned her.

Hope nodded. She didn’t understand the situation. She was probably expecting them to come back as soon as they realized they “forgot” her. Jaxon sighed.

“Let’s take you to my school. You’ll be warm there and the security guards there can help you.”

Jaxon entered the brightly lit interior of the school and set Hope down. She immediately bounded towards the cafeteria. Jaxon panicked and ran after her. Security guards followed. He caught Hope reaching eagerly for the cookies on the snack counter. Grabbing her hands, he pulled her away. Then the tantrum started. Hope wailed for cookies as the entire cafeteria turned to watch. Jaxon paid them no mind and hushed Hope.

“Hope do you have any allergies?”

“Allergies?”

“Did your parents stop you from eating anything? Does your mouth feel weird when you eat anything?”

“No Mommy said I can eat whatever I want. But that I can’t touch her dishwashing gloves.”

“Okay then what kind of cookie would you like?”

“Chocolate chip! No! M&M! No! Sugar!”

Jaxon smiled and handed the lady a 5 dollar note. “Just give me one of everything and a plate. Thank you.” He then seated Hope against a wall with his jacket still on her and the cookies on her lap. “Yell for me if you need anything kiddo, and don’t run off. Okay?”

Jaxon then made his way to the security guards. He explained the situation and how had to get to school on time but also how he couldn’t leave her outside. They nodded and told him to make his way to class. The police would take it from there. Jaxon waved goodbye to Hope and went to his first class: visual arts.

15 minutes in, a dark blue streak of wool dashed into the classroom and onto Jaxon’s lap. He instinctively wrapped his arms around Hope to keep her from falling. A panting police officer ran into the room after her.

“She wouldn’t leave that spot against the wall until we told her we were bringing her to you. Then as soon as we started leading her to the car she understood and ran towards the hall. She opened classroom after classroom till we told her where you were.”

“Is that right Hope?”

Hope buried her head into Jaxon’s shoulder. “Let me stay with you. I promise I’ll be good.” A chord inside Jaxon rung out painfully.

Jaxon looked at the officer. “Can she stay? Just for today? I’ll make sure she stays quiet and then we can figure everything out after the day’s over.” He turned toward his teacher too, pleading with his eyes. Both of them nodded and he gently set Hope onto the stool next to him.

“Sit up straight or you’ll fall. That’s Mrs. Laurens. This is art class. We’re currently sketching stuff. Today is a work day which means inside voices and working. No yelling and no messing around. Go get some paper from that pile and grab a pencil. You can draw whatever you like.”

“Will you grade it Jaxon?”

“Sure Hope. Now, work.” Hope leapt off to get paper and Jaxon helped her back onto her stool. The class started to work and talk, occasionally sneaking glances at the tiny girl perched on a stool that was almost the same height as her. Jaxon looked at his sketch of a dahlia. It was just hitting him that he was in no position to be taking care of a little girl. He didn’t know the first thing about kids. He didn’t even have a little sibling! Oh gods.

A hand brushed Jaxon’s sleeve jerking him out of his thoughts. “Will you draw me Jaxon?”

“Sure hon.”

Pulling his sleeves up to his elbows, Jaxon grabbed his charcoal pencil and started to draw Hope. He carefully traced the contours of her rounded face and the light wisps of hair falling to her shoulders. As he finished the details of her eyes, an inspiration struck. Carefully, he drew wings behind her. He made sure they weren’t too big or too small. Just perfect. For the perfect little angel. After about half an hour, he set his sketchbook down and let Hope see. She squealed loudly and everyone turned. Jaxon winced as his teacher came by to see the work. Then, uncharacteristically she squealed too. Then everyone rushed to the table to get an eyeful of the masterpiece. The drawing was almost a perfect portrait. The curve at the edge of her mouth put a mischievous smile on Hope’s face that matched the mischief glimmering in her eyes. The sketch elicited emotion and seemed to burst out of the paper with a life of its own. Mrs. Laurens recovered from her shock.

“I didn’t know you could draw like that. Every piece done by you has been mundane. But this...this is heart wrenchingly beautiful.”

So much for staying off the radar. Well he might as well let go now. “It helps that I have a beautiful subject.” Hope blushed. “Also, I was trying to stay off of everyone’s radar. Those pieces I turned in were 10 minute drawings.” Jaxon pulled out his sketchbook. Every artwork had a date on it. Each coincided with the days projects were due. Except these projects were made to show off lighting, intricate details, and in some cases even bold strokes of color.

Mrs. Laurens gasped. “In all my years of teaching, I have never seen a freshman have such good grasp of the elements of art. Your pieces are going to have their own section during the art show. Maybe even an installment.”

Jaxon grinned as Hope jumped up and down in excitement. She was more excited than she was. Then his smile dimmed. Would she even be here to see?

The rest of the day went by quickly. For once in a long time, Jaxon tried on his assignments. The other teachers would grade them tonight and there would be more uproars tomorrow. Hope had stayed by his side all day, hopping and smiling. Girls had even come up to his table and cooed at her. Boys strode up to teach her cool tricks. Jaxon just sat there making sure she didn’t get hurt and that she didn’t do dumb things. As they walked to the police car after school, the same officer as before came up to Jaxon. Since Hope had such an attachment to him, he had the option to take her home for a few days till they found next of kin.

“Hell no! She isn’t coming home with me!” Hope started to cry and Jaxon calmed down. “She won’t be safe there.”

“What do you mean sir?” All of them ducked into the car. Hope marveled at her surroundings.

“My father isn’t exactly sober all the time and inviting a little girl into the house isn’t such a brilliant idea. I have bruises running up and down my torso most days. I am not bringing Hope into that house. She’s so bright. I refuse to let my father so much as lay eyes on her.”

“Sir this is child abuse. We will have to arrest him.”

“I don’t care. Arrest him and tack as many charges as you want on him.”

“Sir I believe the more important issue is what will be done with you. What about your mother? Your grandparents?”

“Mom is living in a nursing home because of schizophrenia. And all of my grandparents are dead.” They arrived at the police station. Another officer ran up.

“Randy we found next of kin for Hope! Her grandparents live in town!”

“Could I meet them Officer Randy?” Jaxon knew it was probably not his place but he wanted to personally ask them if Hope could visit him sometime, wherever he ends up.

“Yeah of course. We have to assess if the environment is suitable for a child. You may come along since Hope will probably also be more calm around you.”

The trio arrived at Hope’s grandparents’ house soon after. The house was huge. The grandmother opened the door and scooped Hope into her arms. Jaxon rushed forward before remembering that Hope was safe. But her grandfather noticed.

“Hey kid! Come on in. I wanna talk to you.”

Jaxon slowly walked inside. “Yes sir?”

Hope’s grandfather led him to the kitchen. “Call me either Roy or grandpa. I haven’t seen Hope since she was born. Her mother wouldn’t let us see her. Now what was that little move you made when my wife touched Hope?”

Jaxon gulped. Would they hate him if they knew about his family? Would they scorn him for having kept their granddaughter with his broken, dirty self all day? But under Roy’s piercing eyes the truth spilled past Jaxon’s lips. “My father hits me. He gets drunk every night and uses me as a punching bag. This has been happening ever since Mom was diagnosed with schizophrenia soon after I was born. He blames me for all his problems and every time I get closer to believing him. It scares me.”

Roy’s eyes narrowed with anger and Jaxon cowered against the counter. But then Roy’s head snapped to the right and he roared, “Officer! I want his father arrested! He’s going to live with us!”

The officer rushed in. “Sir, officers have already been dispatched to Jaxon’s father’s work and home address. In order to adopt him you’ll have to do some paperwork and what should be a brief hearing in court. It’s just red tape. With testimonies from Jaxon and I, you should get custody fairly easily.” 

Jaxon straightened and smiled. Hope ran in and leapt into his arms.

“You’re gonna be my big brother.”

“Indeed I am kiddo.”

“My big brother is going to be the best artist in the world!” Hope cheered and Jaxon started to laugh.

“The flower born into adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.” - Mulan Movie

Ms. Leslie was checking her email when she saw one from a Mrs. Laurens. Opening it, the first thing she noticed was the name Jaxon. She read on, “Your acorn had grown into a beautiful oak tree. Jaxon’s art is unparalleled. His soul is so pure and beautiful. He thinks he has kept beneath the radar thus far but really, everyone leaned towards him as if attracted by a magnet. Everyone wanted a piece of him. They were just afraid to ask. You were right. The flower that blooms last is always strong, rare, and beautiful.”