Andria was cleared to go back to school for half days.  Today would be her first day.  The left foot gas pedal was installed before they came home and Sarah drove it several times in the previous two days.  The two women rode to the cars in their wheel chairs, pushed them in the back seat and used their crutches to get into the SUV.

At the school Andria and Sarah got out, got their chairs and wheeled to the school office.  Sarah signed the papers, gave them the medications and said good-by to Andria. 

The first period of classes had just started when Andria rolled down the hall to the classroom.  She found she couldn’t pull open the door and she was about to knock when it slowly opened.  The face in the doorway was one of a girl in the class, Sandy Williams.  Andria had tried several times to be a friend but Sandy had pushed her away.  The girl recognized her, carefully pushed the door open and held it.  Andria thanked her and rolled in.

Mrs. Roberts looked over and said, “Andria, good to have you back.”  Suddenly all twenty students were on their feet clapping.  When they stopped Sandy walked to where she could face Andria.  Her head lowered.  “I am so sorry.”

“Don’t feel bad.  I will be fine.”

“No.  You don’t understand.  I was a, I treated you.  I called you some nasty names.  Then I saw that news report, you going out there.  My cousins.  They were the girls you pulled in.”

Andria looked up at her.  “That is the past.  Let’s see if we can start from here.”

Sandy looked at the teacher.  “Mrs. Roberts, if you get mad about this I will have to take the detention.  Andria, the day of the shooting you were following me in the hall.  I went through the double doors and let them fly back at you.  I wasn’t going to hold a door for a white person, but I didn’t call you exactly that.  I, well,  I should be punished some how for that.”

Andria looked up at her.  “You have been punished more than you deserved already.  I didn’t know you did it, I didn’t know you thought it but I hope I can do something to help.  I don’t care.  I forgive you.”