Silence

"And fifty percent is a ratio of..." Josephine could barely concentrate on the day's lesson, it was the first completely cloudless day in weeks. The sun shone high in bright white circle of light against the deep blue sky. She was at once pleased that she chose her seat by the window back in fall, even when the dreary grey outside seemed so sad and bleak. Now she fancied the window melting into air, and the walls of the schoolhouse shrinking into tiny planks so the whole class was sitting outside in the glory of spring. She felt lifted and wondered at her levity for a moment.

It was when she realized she hadn't thought of Mitch that day that Josephine almost burst into sobs. Her guilt squeezed her throat like a vise--choking hot tears from her eyes and leaving her face red and flushed.

The school mistress caught sight of Jo by her window seat, as she wiped her face. She had been keeping an eye on the poor girl since hearing about her brother. "Alright, everyone, I think we might stop here and go out for a spell, be back by the bell please."

Josephine turned so that her face was toward the window and away from the others rushing to the door. She didn't hear the soft steps of the schoolmistress but felt a warm hand graze her shoulder.

"Josephine, dear, I want you to know--I understand what you're going through," she paused a moment, trying to discern the younger girl's feelings, "and if you need to talk to someone, or if you want me to give your mother some lessons for you at home..." she trailed off as Josephine turned to meet her face fully. The schoolmistress made a small start, Josephine's eyes looked steely and utterly cold. The tears from moments before had vanished and her stare was not blank, but devoid of the spark always present in the young girl.