Through The Eyes of Friendship
by
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Later that evening Lucille Jorgensen related the terrifying news about the fire to her husband. "When I heard the news bulletin on TV," she said, "I immediately went to the school. The police had all traffic stopped for blocks around. Edward, you can't imagine how horrible it was," she sobbed. "Seeing all that smoke and knowing Ellie was inside somewhere. I . . . I was simply paralyzed with fear," she stammered. "Mother," interjected Ellie, "I was never in any danger today. The fire was underneath the bleachers behind the gym. They were in the old section that we don't even use any more. It was because they were made of wood that they burned so easily and caused a lot of smoke." "But, just knowing you were so close to the burning structure," her mother continued excitedly. "Why, you could have been trampled by everyone trying to get out of the gym, Ellie. Don't you realize . . . ?" "No!" pleaded Ellie. "It wasn't like that. When the fire alarm sounded we all followed the fire drill procedure and quietly exited the building. The boy sitting next to me took my arm and guided me out with the rest of the students. He never once left me alone." Her mother chose not to respond directly to Ellie. Instead she said, "Edward, you should realize how traumatic this afternoon has been for me. Surely, you must agree that Ellie does not need to be educated in a public classroom setting any longer. I should never be able to bear it if Ellie were ever taken away, too, like . . . . like little Eddie." "Lucy," Ellie's father said gently, but firmly. "We must let Ellie experience life as normally as possible. I do realize how you feel. I, too, lost a son when Eddie died. But no harm came to Ellie today." "But . . ." "Please, Lucy. Hear me out," he said. "I firmly believe we should allow Ellie to continue her education at Lancaster High School. I feel that not only Ellie, but the other students as well, acted quite responsibly during the emergency today." Ellie listened to her parents come as close to arguing as she had ever heard in her life. She was frightened by the unfamiliar tone of their voices. She hurried from the room, unnoticed by her parents. Questionable thoughts raced through her mind. Should I withdraw from school? Do I owe Mother that much? But what about me? Does it matter what I want? Oh, but I do so want to remain in school at Lancaster High. And like Papa said, lead a normal lifestyle. Why can't Mother understand? Once safely behind the closed door of her bedroom, Ellie threw herself onto her bed, sobbing uncontrollably. It was much later that night, the pillow moist from her hot tears, she finally drifted off into a restless sleep, the unanswered questions cavorting through her dreams like a herd of wild horses.
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About the Book
In the fall of 1990, fifteen-year-old Ellie Jorgensen, blind since early childhood and driven by a strong desire for independence, enters a regular high school among sighted peers against the desires of her protective and controlling mother. Far from Ellie's home on the Gulf Coast, another fifteen-year-old, Laraby Davis and her family participate in the puppy raising program of Guiding Eyes for the Blind. The girls become pen pals and exchange letters throughout the book. Ellie, however, chooses not to disclose her blindness to Laraby, not wanting to be seen as different.
Ellie strongly believes a guide dog will enable her to live independently but must overcome the strong objections of her mother. During the summer of 1991, Ellie is accepted as a candidate to receive a guide dog. She enters a twenty-six day training program and is paired with Tyler, the dog Laraby's family raised as a puppy. Ellie and Tyler return home for Ellie's senior year of high school.
From the start Ellie faces many challenges, physical and emotional. She cannot let Laraby know Tyler is now her guide dog, for her pen pal doesn't know she is blind. After Ellie's graduation from high school and being accepted for enrollment for the fall term by an out of state university, her mother suffers a debilitating illness. Ellie must choose between giving in to what may be a final controlling measure by her mother to keep her at home and moving forward down the long sought road to freedom, with Tyler by her side.
About the Author
Elizabeth T. Peters holds a BS in Psychology, a MA in Psychology and a MA in Teaching. She has also completed doctoral studies in Counselor Education. After retiring from the field of teaching, Ms Peters is pursuing a career in writing, having completed courses with the Institute of Children's Literature and the Long Ridge Writers Group. She has previously been published in Good Old Days magazine. Through The Eyes of Friendship is her first novel. She lives on the Central Gulf Coast with her husband of fifty-three years. They have three adult children.