This weeks prompt was Worry and I also managed to sneak in the last Carry on Tuesday prompt 🙂
I wandered lonely as a cloud. Shafts of sunlight stabbed through the trees, illuminating the dust I kicked up as I scuffed my tennis shoes along the dirt road. I love using new words. I-L-L-U-M-I-N-A-T-E – an interpretation that removes obstacles to understanding. I need all the understanding I can get.
Even though it is early, my brown hair is sticking to the back of my neck and sweat is trickling into my new training bra. Maybe a storm will come through this afternoon and knock out the power. They might have to close school tomorrow then, and that would be a relief.
Mama complained about buying the new Sears and Roebuck Personally Yours Training bra. She said she couldn’t see what all the fuss was about; it isn’t like I have anything to put in it. I happen to agree but then mama never had to go to gym class with Mary Sue Riley. Mary Sue, who has matching sweaters and skirts and make up and fancy underwear, even though we are only in the sixth grade. I was perfectly fine until she decided that she would make me her “project†for the year.
We were in gym class which I already hate. It’s not like I don’t get enough exercise doing chores after school. Like everything else about school, I go along with it because I don’t want to get noticed though for the life of me, I can’t see a reason for most of it. Getting noticed at school usually ends up with mama making me go get a switch off the lilac tree. People might think those little skinny branches wouldn’t do much damage, but mama must have gotten straight As in the switching class in school. She can make that thing whistle and sting. Wish she would use it on Mary Sue!
There we are in the cold dressing room. I had my shower and drug a brush through my hair as I half listened to the giggling and gossip. I pulled my tee shirt over my head, and Mary Sue declares in a too loud voice “ Katie I cannot believe you are not wearing a bra! “ Of course everyone heard and she smiled that fake friend smile at me as she sticks out her pink lace covered chest. I spent the rest of the day feeling like everyone was staring at my chest like I was wearing a sign or something!
That night I pestered mama til she took me to the store and bought me one. Now I hope we don’t have school tomorrow cuz who knows what stupid Mary Sue will decide needs “fixing†on me next.. Maybe I could develop some incurable disease that would let me get a note to say that I don’t need to go to gym class til the next century. Maybe Mary Sue will be worried about someone else’s underwear by then.
Hi, thanks for stopping by.
I loved your piece on worry; every one in this world be it the president of a country or little girl have big worries of their own! 🙂 Very nicely put.
Man, did that spark memories! Stuff like that always gets me railing about life being backwards, about the wisdom we get when we’re older that we could’ve put to some of the best use when we were kids worrying about fitting in. LOL!
Oh Golleeeee I remember that time so well … it finished me off from communal change rooms for life …. excellent post! Thank You for visiting and your comments 😉
In my experience, those who constantly go on about ‘fixing’ someone usually need fixing themselves 🙂
BeeBee – worry IS the great leveler isn’t it?
MissALister – too true, sending hugs!
Redness – it is probably what set me up for life to be a non-sports oriented person LOL
Anthony – I totally agree! Thanks for stopping by!
Worry and school seem to go hand in hand. Story well told.
Goodness me, I am learning so much via blogging. Do all little girls feel like that in the school change rooms all over the world, I know I did!. Great post.
i love the narrative voice in this story!
Thank you Gautami – glad you liked it!
Tammie – isn’t that the truth, no matter what age or stage.
Linda May – I think all girls feel that way and I would think even more so nowadays when they are expected to look so grown up when they are still so young.
Floreta – thank you. I pictured Katie in my mind while I was writing this. I think I would have liked her to be my friend in sixth grade 🙂
Dee, you’ve got this coming of age thing down! I have a 12 year old daughter and I can hear just the same sort of stuff happening here. Well done! And thanks for listening, I’m thrilled you are enjoying it! : )
Hmmm,worrying is for those whose lives are not complete!
Guess we are all in the same boat…now sit down before ya tip it over!
This is so well done. I feel like I know that girl. Oh, right, save for the accent, she could be me.
Michael – thanks and keep writing music 🙂
Whitesnake – calm down – it’s a story, I am sitting down, and rowing like crazy LOL
Patois – thanks and I think she is every girl!
Whoa. Been there, wanting to meld into the background. No one tried to improve ME, though. Good thing. I’d have probably rebelled by having a sex change.
I want to read more about this character. She’s very well drawn, very real.
Thank you! Sounds like you have a story to tell! I think Katie will be back. I like her 🙂