Genre: Growing Pains

Easter Monday
by Mary E. Latela @LatelaMary

I wore my new pink coat, silk, princess-style,

lined with satin and crinoline, to school.

Fifth grader, I pretended my brother,

who also walked, was a stranger,

And he pretended not to know me either.
 
 

From the left, a mighty little neighbor boy

rushed out like a little rebellious skunk

and he pulled on my coat,

tore the crinoline, pulled on the hem, delicately stitched.

Kids gathered, some laughing, and I assumed they were mocking me.

Finally, the mother came out and shouted,

“Harold! Come in now! Don’t you bother that girl!”

He slumped away. My brother said nothing.

Just as I could feel my breath again, relieved that the assault was over,

I walked into school and my teacher saw me,

asked me what happened …. the only word I could utter was “boy.”

Nosy Peggy filled in the details.

Teacher folded the coat carefully, slid it into a paper bag for safekeeping,

until my mother could use her magic touch to repair the coat,

Stitch by stitch.

I never felt safe again.

* * * * *

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