The Mansion Across the Street

Daniel stood out in a crowd of people. Most telling was the joy he radiated. It wasn't a superficial joy, but the deep, abiding fulfillment of someone who drank from streams overflowing. His calm demeanor, his careful attention to detail spoke of someone who was in service to the King. Most incredible, he was someone who sought me out intentionally.

As I think of it now, in my child's mind, it was like being Cinderella and suddenly meeting the prince. And not unlike the tale of Cinderella, there would be the inevitable stroke of midnight, the return to rags and obscurity, and unbeknown to to me, a slipper left behind that my prince could incredibly find me again.

Shortly after this decision, I became ill with pneumonia that was later complicated by measles. Although I recall feeling quite ill while my fever climbed, I was really rather excited to be in need of hospitalization. There was a great deal of monotony and tedium about the life I knew, and this offered, at least, a glimpse of something else. I was admitted to the pediatric floor to semiprivate room with a roommate about my age. My parents hadn't told anyone that my brothers and sisters had contracted measles and I had been exposed. There was quite an uproar when the red spots appeared on my torso, and outrage from the family of the sick child in the next bed. When I was put in isolation, I had the feeling that it was punishment for something that my family had collectively done. I truly wanted to make it up to these nice folks I had just met.