Ellie cried when she couldn’t wear her Halloween costume to school one year. Except for one caring instructor, who was soon to become more essential in her life and heart, no one cared.
Despite the fact that it was Ellie’s favorite day of school, she hoped no one would notice her.
Children costumed in all shapes and hues of horror and amazement were scattered across the school auditorium. Some arrived dressed as princes and princesses, some as vampires and superheroes, and yet others as astronauts and historical figures.
But one small girl entered with her shoulders stooped and her face hidden, hoping no one noticed her gray leggings and white T-shirt.
Ellie had decided to dress up as a princess for Halloween that year. “I promise your costume will get a lot of attention!” Ellie’s father told her that a few months ago. But you know how busy dads are, and how they sometimes neglect the little things that matter while taking care of the major things that matter.
So Ellie wasn’t upset with her father when he failed to put money aside for her princess costume for the school Halloween celebration that year. But when the bad kids in her class made fun of her, she couldn’t stop crying.
“What should you be wearing, Ellie?” As he held up the end of Ellie’s ponytail, one of the boys laughed and looked offended.
When she heard the other kids laughing and shouting her new moniker, Ellie put her hands over her ears and wailed. Only one individual in her immediate vicinity was sympathetic to her plight.
So Ellie wasn’t upset with her father when he failed to put money aside for her princess costume for the school Halloween celebration that year. But when the bad kids in her class made fun of her, she couldn’t stop crying.
“What should you be wearing, Ellie?” As he held up the end of Ellie’s ponytail, one of the boys laughed and looked offended.
When she heard the other kids laughing and shouting her new moniker, Ellie put her hands over her ears and wailed. Only one individual in her immediate vicinity was sympathetic to her plight.
“Why do you have that?” Ellie scratched her head and asked.
“This? It’s for your costume for Halloween. And it will be the best Halloween costume ever!” Mr. Borges looked as happy as a kid.
Ellie just stood there like a statue, not knowing what to do. At the same time, her teacher started wrapping toilet paper around her waist and up toward her neck, checking every few seconds to make sure she was comfortable. Then he started wrapping the toilet paper around her stomach, legs, arms, and even her tiny fingers and toes.
“Woah, Mr. Borges!” Ellie was finally beginning to get the idea for the great costume. “I look like a—”
“Wait a minute. Don’t let your mind wander. There’s one more thing…” the man said as he wrapped the last few rolls of tissue around and across her face, leaving just enough space for her eyes, nose, and lips.
“NOW,” Mr. Borges said, splattering red ink all over the wrapped roll of toilet paper. “It’s ready!”
The impact of a teacher lasts a lifetime.
Ellie couldn’t stop jumping up and down and clapping her papery hands when she saw herself in the mirror. “It’s great! Mr. Borges, I love it. Thank you!”
Ellie gave her hero a big hug and gave him a small kiss on the cheek.
When she returned to the group of excited children, they covered their lips so they wouldn’t laugh.
Mr. Borges may have thought it was just a creative attempt to cheer up an unhappy child, but it meant everything to Ellie. Nobody had ever been that friendly to her at school before. Mr. Borges was the first person to recognize and assist her at an area where she had previously been laughed at or ignored.
Ellie would go to any length to be near Mr. Borges, the compassionate adult. She got more engaged in art, which improved her heart’s condition over time.
Mr. Borges also went out of his way to assist the young girl who lived alone with her constantly ill father. Ellie could confide in Mr. Borges about her deepest concerns and hopes.
And when Ellie’s beloved father died after a long and difficult battle with sickness, Mr. Borges was the only person who could calm the bereaved daughter down at the funeral.
As he held her hand, he made a promise to the dead girl’s father: “She will have everything you wanted for her.” I swear!”
Nobody knew, but Mr. Borges had been through horrible catastrophes himself. After losing the woman he loved when she was pregnant, he never had the confidence to dream of having a family again.
“My little daughter would have been just like her!” she exclaimed. Mr. Borges often thought to himself as he watched Ellie laugh and cry.
Taking care of Ellie was a goal that gave the fatigued man a sense of purpose, joy, and childish desire.
Ellie was meant to be cared for by her grandma, who lived with her. Mr. Borges, on the other hand, served as her protector, father figure, and hero.
As he held her hand, he made a promise to the dead girl’s father: “She will have everything you wanted for her.” I swear!”
Years went by, and Ellie got through each grade with the help and love of Mr. Borges. She did well in high school and won a scholarship to one of the best colleges in the country.
It had been seven years since Mr. Borges waved goodbye to Ellie with tears in his eyes as she left for a new city and a new life as a college student…
“I wonder how she is doing…” Mr. Borges was sitting alone in his house in front of a cup of coffee he had forgotten to drink.
He often thought about Ellie and felt bad that he hadn’t done more to stay in touch with her. When he heard a knock on the door and saw a box on his doorstep, he wondered, “Does she remember me?”
He opened it and found a three-piece suit that looked expensive and was neatly packed. The man thought, “Someone went to the wrong house,” and started to put the suit back in its bag when an envelope fell out of one of its pockets.
It was a beautiful invitation to a wedding, and the name of the bride surprised him. “Ellie, who wouldn’t let go of my hand when she was little, is getting married! The older man thought, “She’s gotten so big!” as tears came to his eyes.
That wasn’t all, though. On the back of the invitation card was a note, and Mr. Borges could tell right away that it was written in Ellie’s beautiful cursive handwriting.
