Untitled Fan Fic

[fol_fan1989]

Here's a little more.
***
Chapter Five
Monday morning when she had time between appointments, Jo dialed Mr. Alderman's number. "I'm concerned about Julia." She explained her concerns and told him about what Julia had said to her a few nights earlier.
"It sounds like she needs to be interacting with other blind children. She's doing so well in school that I'm not sure sending her to the state school for the blind is the best option right now. There's a much closer option that I think would be beneficial."
Jo was glad there was a closer option. She remembered the state school for the blind coming up in conversation when the twins started school, and she also remembered that it was several hours away. Sending Julia there would be like sending her to Eastland, if Eastland were five hours away, allowed boys, and only accepted blind students. Jo wanted both Jamie and Julia to attend Eastland if they wanted to when they were older, but not now. "What's the other option," she asked Mr. Alderman.
"It's called the Vision Center on Blindness. They offer weekend activities for blind children and their families. She'll be able to socialize with other blind children, and it might help you network with other parents. It's in Spring Valley. I think their next activity is in two weeks. I can send some brochures home with Julia."
"That sounds great. Thank you so much."
"You're welcome. Let me know if you have any other concerns."
"I will. Thanks again."
"Any time. Good bye."
"Bye, Mr. Alderman." She hung up and started to organize some papers on her desk.

[fol_fan1989]

Chapter Six
"Blair, I told Mrs. G exactly what I'm going to tell you. I'm taking Jamie and Julia to that Vision Center thing on Saturday. It starts at 2:30, and I'm not sure when it'll be over. We'll be there, but we might be late for dinner."
"Well, I'm glad you'll be there, Jo. I miss you and the girls. I feel like I never see you anymore."
"I know, it's been a while." Jo held the phone to her ear with her shoulder as she looked for a can of peas in the cabinet.
"Tell me about the vision center."
"I don't know a whole lot about it. I just know that they offer activities for blind kids and their siblings and kind of a support group for parents. Mr. Alderman said it would be a good way for Julia to socialize with other blind kids."
"How do you feel about it?"
"I hope it will be just what she needs."
"I hope so, too. Tell us all about it at dinner Saturday, okay?"
Jo smiled. "Okay, Blair."
"Are the girls excited?"
"Julia's excited, but I don't think Jamie's too sure about it. I want her to go at least once."
"But aren't you mostly doing this for Julia?"
"Yeah, but I think it would be good for Jamie to be exposed to something a little different. If she doesn't want to go again, she doesn't have to. I have to finish making dinner. I'll see you Saturday, okay."
"Jo, I didn't mean to upset you."
"Blair, I'm not upset. I'm sorry if I sounded short with you. It's been a long week. I have a pot of water that's about to boil over on the stove. I'll see you Saturday, okay?"
"Okay, Jo. Bye."
"Bye, Blair." Jo hung up and rushed to take care of the pot on the stove.

[fol_fan1989]

Chapter Seven

"Jamie, come on. Let's go," Jo called. She was standing at the kitchen table looking at a map to make sure she knew where she was going.
Jamie came out dragging her feet a little.
"Jamie, are you ready yet," Julia asked. She'd been standing by the door with her coat on and cane in hand for at least ten minutes.
"Yeah, I'm ready," Jamie grumbled.
"Come on, James," Jo said, shouldering her purse. "it'll be fun. Put your coat on." She turned off the light in the kitchen as Jamie put on her coat.

Jo led her daughters down a few hallways in the Vision Center building. They heard voices coming from behind a set of heavy double doors.
Inside, children, many with canes, were excitedly chattering and moving about. A group of adults stood near a blond woman, who had a black lab sitting at her feet.
"Hello," a dark-haired man greeted them.
"Hi," Jo said. "Um, we're new. This is our first time here. Do we need to check in or anything?"
The man smiled. Jo liked his smile. "There's no sign in sheet or anything. They'll make a circle and introduce themselves in a few minutes. If you want, you can let Marie know you're new."
"Where is Marie?"
The man motioned towards the blond woman with the black lab.
"Thanks. Does she run the program for the kids all by herself?"
"There are sighted volunteers who help out, but Marie's the leader."
"Can I ask you one more question?"
"Sure."
"Do you know where I go for the parents meeting?"
He nodded. "I'm heading that way. I'll wait, and we can walk there together, if you want. I was just dropping off my daughter."
Jo smiled. "That would be great."
"I'm Paul Martin, by the way."
Jo introduced herself and Jamie and Julia before going over to introduce herself and her daughters to Marie.
"Hi, girls." Marie said. "It's nice to meet you. Are you both blind?"
Jamie shook her head.
"No," Julia said.
"Jamie can see. Julia cannot," Jo explained.
"Okay," Marie smiled. "if you'd like, you can join the other children, and we'll get started soon." She turned to Jo. "Are you going to the parents meeting?"
"Yes, I am."
"Okay. Just come back here when it's over. We usually finish at about the same time as the parents. It was nice meeting you."
"You, too. Thanks."
Jo sent the girls over to the group of children and met Mr. Martin at the door.
Jo sat beside Mr. Martin in the group of parents assembled in a room down the hall from where the children were gathered with Marie.
They went around and introduced themselves before the group leader, a tall red-headed man, announced that anyone was free to speak.
Jo sat quietly and listened. Some parents told horror stories about how their children were struggling in public school and not getting absolutely everything they needed. Jo said a silent prayer of thanks for Mr. Alderman.
When there was a break in conversation, Jo quietly stood up and explained her situation.
"This is a great group for our kids to meet other blind and disabled children." A woman with short black hair said. Everyone else agreed.
"Come back a few more times," a man sitting a few seats to her right said, "and your daughter will have made at least a few friends."
"She'll be begging you to come every week," another woman assured her.

Chapter Eight

Julia had fallen asleep in the car on the way home from Mrs. Garrett's, and Jo carried her upstairs. She dressed her in her pajamas while Jamie changed on the other side of the room. She put Julia to bed and walked across the room to tuck Jamie into bed.
Jo pulled back the covers on Jamie's bed. "You were pretty quiet tonight. You okay, Jamie?"
Jamie nodded.
"Are you sure?"
Jamie waited until she was covered up to answer. "Mom, some of the kids there today... they weren't just blind. Some of them couldn't walk too good, either."
Jo nodded. "Sometimes people have lots of challenges."
"How'd they get that way? Not everyone got sick like sissy."
"No, everyone's different. Some of them might have been born not being able to see. Sometimes people have health problems that make them unable to walk."
"Can I go with you and sissy again next time?"
"Of course."
"Good. 'Cause I was talking to the boy who was in a wheelchair, and I like him. I want to talk to him some more. I think we could be friends."
Jo pulled Jamie close. All she could manage to whisper was, "You're a good girl, Jamie," before she kissed her goodnight and turned out the light.

[fol_fan1989]

I've been thinking about starting to work on this story again. Anyone still interested in reading?