Blindsided by Priscilla Cummings Read Free Book Online Page B

. With her fingertips, Natalie tried to feel each piece of material, slowly— thoughtfully , the way her Braille teacher instructed.
    “It’s all tactile,” Miss Karen emphasized. “Your sense of touch becomes all-important with Braille. Try the workbook page again. Just recognizing when a line of Braille ends is a major accomplishment.”
    Miss Karen, herself blind, was enormously patient, but Natalie didn’t think any of these crazy bumps on paper could ever translate themselves into letters and words, never mind complete sentences.
    As always, the day ended with dreaded O and M lessons. Cane instruction.
    “You need to coordinate your steps with the cane. When the cane is at your left, you’re stepping with your right. Remember,” Miss Audra repeated, “the cane previews what is coming and where you are going.”
    What an awful phrase, Natalie thought. Previews what is coming. What they thought was coming was a horrible world of darkness. Natalie did not want to go there. She certainly didn’t want a preview of the place!
    Natalie swung the cane so hard it whacked into the wall on her right.
    “No! Stop, Natalie! Again, now. More gently ,” Miss Audra begged. “Sweep only two inches wider than your body. Think about it. . . .”
    No. She did not want to think about it.
     
    Natalie’s roommate arrived after school when the kids were gathered for Teen Group in the library. Teen Group was mandatory. It was supposed to be fun, an activity followed by dinner, although it appeared no one had been told about the fun part. The kids sat stiffly at tables arranged in a horseshoe, canes folded and placed under their chairs. As they did introductions, Natalie recognized most of the faces, although there were a couple new ones, too, including Thomas, who had brought his knitting.
    “Do we have to come every week?” Murph asked sourly.
    “Yes,” said Miss Simon, a social worker in charge of the program.
    “It’s part of your schedule, Murph.” She sounded tired, but forced a little more enthusiasm when she introduced four young women from a nearby state college. Their names seemed to run together—Mindy-Ellen-Sasha-Latanya. “They’re special education majors here to help us.”
    Suddenly, a door opened at the side of the library.
    “People,” Miss Simon said, “I want you to meet a new student. Her name is Gabriella. This is her first day.”
    Natalie was sure this was her roommate and sat up to get a better look. But the girl’s head was down, her face obscured by long, wavy hair that was either white or very blond, Natalie couldn’t quite tell. She appeared neither fat nor skinny, just kind of ordinary, with no other apparent disability, which was a relief to Natalie.
    “Gabriella is from Baltimore,” Miss Simon said. She turned to the girl. “Is there a nickname you would like us to use?”
    Gabriella remained as still as a statue.
    “Is there anything you’d like to be called other than Gabriella?”
    But the adult might just as well have been talking to the wall.
    “Gabby maybe?”
    Nothing. The silence that followed made Natalie uncomfortable. Maybe there was something wrong with her.
    “Well, I hope each of you will take the time to introduce yourselves to Gabriella later.” Miss Simon pulled out a chair, whispered something, and Gabriella sat down.
    “Okay, guys. I’m Mindy!” One of the college students took over by clapping her hands together, like a cheerleader, Natalie thought. “I thought tonight we’d share some pizza—it’s on its way—and maybe just talk a little. Get to know each other. Like, maybe you guys can give us an understanding of your world.”
    Sheldon shot to an upright position and slapped both his hands on the table. “Our world is the same world as yours!” he exclaimed. “It pisses me off when people like you make comments like that.”
    Miss Simon stepped back. It was obvious she was going to let the college students handle it.
    “Okay!” another of the