The New Door

Ages 12-15

Zivi reaches the school entrance without covering her ears.

The renovation noise is gone. So is the little chime above the old door.

The new door opens quietly.

Zivi pauses on the threshold. A pale scratch runs across its stone, left by the old door's bottom edge.

The entrance attendant sits at the same little desk.

Zivi takes one step in, then looks above the doorway.

There is no brass chime. The wall around its old fastening is freshly painted.

Her friend enters behind her. Zivi moves aside.

Zivi says "Good morning" to the attendant.

Her friend goes toward the classroom hall, and Zivi follows.

At dismissal, Zivi reaches the same entrance. The new door opens without a chime.

She raises one hand to the attendant, steps across the pale scratch, and goes outside.