This story does not have a happy ending,
And yes, it did actually happen:
For a long time, Galia the service year volunteer
was feeling that something good was happening with her tutoring. Hilly, whom
was reserved and suspicious in the beginning, was showing first signs of
closeness. After a few weeks of school sessions, she invited Galia to tutor her
at home. Galia went over there excited, and returned even more excited – and
not necessarily for the same reasons. Hilly shared a little with her on what's
happening at home. With childlike innocence – mixed with signs of awareness and
shame, she spoke about her family. Mom's not home, Dad's in trouble. Telling
and not telling. Galia saw and understood, or at least tried to understand. In
her own way, she tried to offer a helping hand.
Soul touching a soul.
Galia found herself devoting all her efforts
in trying to understand Hilly. The guys at the commune joked that she already
had a PhD on Hilly… She agreed to share her insights with us. I, who
coordinated the learning center where Hilly studied, tried not to be taken by
her charming shy smile and pretty eyes, and treat Hilly firmly, provide her
with the clear structure she needed (or at least so I thought).
Once, when I saw her curled up on a mattress
and chided her to get up and study, Galia quietly scolded me – "Let her,
she's not at home. She wants to finally be a kid. She's allowed to". I got
the message. After all, it was her doctorate.
A week ago, Galia entered the learning center
upset. Furious. They're transferring Hilly to an apartment in Arad, in two
days. A month and a half before the end of 6th grade, her father
decided to take her and her brother with him south. Galia was angry, they were
already starting rehearsals for the grade's graduation party, were thinking
together on a middle school that would suit her. What is she going to do there
in Arad? How will she start over now the year is ending? What will happen to
their shared process? Galia took a deep breath and whispered – what was the
point of this entire encounter?
The next day she explained to me, in a choked
voice trying to sound calm – they've offered Hilly's father a rehabilitation program
in Arad and he's decided to try and start over. Hilly, a month before the end
of the year, was taken away from her friends and environment to start over
again with him.
On her last day, Hilly left before they even
got to give her a parting gift, with her eyes down, she gave half a hug to
Galia, and ran to a car waiting for her earlier than planned, leaving no time
to say goodbye.
He's her father; Galia explained to me, he's
trying to save his family.
I recognized in her eyes a sobered look, almost
devoid of anger.
And when the anger is over, what probably
remains is mostly pain.
I remembered, the same look I saw on Lior a
service year volunteer from a year ago, who got caught in similar story with a
child she cared for and loved, whose parents kept away from her.
It’s the same understanding I'm familiar with
from my service time.
That moment when I find myself standing in
front of a very bad situation.
Me against the world.
The world against the ones I love.
The world against itself, and I'm trying to
keep order.
And then one moment afterwards, the
realization hits me that there aren't really bad or good guys in this story,
and probably no right or wrong. And order – I won't be able to make here any
longer.
This is a true story.
It doesn't have a happy ending.
But maybe perhaps, in the manner of true
stories, it doesn't really have an ending,
It keeps on spinning, keeps rolling in the
world.
And in that hidden corner where the soul
touched another soul, this eternal encounter will keep going on, it's
impression imprinted, no matter how many rotations it goes through.
This is a warning for anyone who wants to
touch these lives.
Honestly.
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