Washika Read Free

to attract attention. André believed firmly that the emptiness in his life could instantly be relieved by the numerous pranks that he played on his classmates. He did not perform these pranks to be boisterous and wild like his fellow classmates; his pranks were meant solely to attract attention. This was the only path to self-esteem that he understood. This was what he believed, what kept him going in his social life, the only life he knew. There was another student, Henri Morin, who seemed not to fit the same mold as the other students.
    Alphonse had noticed Henri’s enthusiasm and his keen interest in all that surrounded him. Henri accepted the teasing and the jokes played on him by the others with an attitude almost approaching the philosophical. In their discussions, Alphonse admired the young man’s maturity while, at the same time, he was astounded by his innocence. At the risk of sounding mysterious, or even mystical, one might say that Henri possessed a personality that attracted people who seemed to have a deeper understanding than most, whose compassion for their fellow human beings was surpassed only by their desire to illustrate the importance of living life to the full. Alphonse belonged to this group and he had singled out Henri Morin as a young man that might be in need of his support however limited that might be.
    Before Henri arrived at Washika, another such person had entered his life. Brother André, a member of the Brothers of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, was a mathematics and science teacher at the high school. He had noticed Henri’s diligence in his studies and his precocious attitude to life, but he had also detected an inner struggle, a certain innocence that the young man camouflaged with his outwardly open personality. After a time, especially during the last semester at high school, Henri and Brother André spent a great deal of time together. Henri would remain after the mathematics or biology classes and, there, he and Brother André would discuss all manner of subjects. Brother André always expressed a great interest in Henri’s opinions and this, coming from such a highly educated person, had a profound effect on Henri.
    Throughout these discussions it soon became apparent that, deep inside this young man, there were ongoing perturbations that needed to be addressed. The discussions became somewhat more personal. Henri disclosed more of his inner self. The good brother offered more opinions. Henri was unable to live the carefree life of the other students, he explained to Brother André. To partake in boisterous behaviour at the games, or at the dances, was something so foreign to his nature that it almost prevented him from attending these events. To be carefree and wild was not something that came naturally to him. He had had a girlfriend, a year earlier, he told Brother André, and he believed that he had loved her very much. He had loved her and she had loved him. He was convinced that he had done everything right. But she had left him for no reason that he understood. He had been respectful and honest, and he had openly expressed his love for her. But, she was gone and Henri had died some with her leaving.
    One afternoon, immediately following the algebra class, Brother André sat on top of the desk next to Henri’s.
    â€œHenri,” he said, calmly. “I think that we should talk about you today.”
    â€œIf you like,” Henri replied. He closed his notebook and the algebra text. “I seem to be catching on to the equations now.”
    â€œOh yes, I’m not worried about that. You know, Henri, there are things in our lives that we do not always understand. We give them names and sometimes that helps us to deal with them.”
    â€œAnd that helps?”
    â€œSometimes, but there are occasions when we give a problem a name that implies permanency, with no hope for solutions. You know how you are, Henri. You’re unable to fall