Thursday, June 29, 2006
My Sister
Relaxed by the consistent noise from the motor and wheels and the swaying of the bus, Carol's mind was engaged on the novel in her hands. Suddenly her head came up, her hands began gripping the book, her eyes widened and her breathing and pulse quickened. No one else seemed to be responding this way. A young child was whaling as she kicked her seat and pounded her fists on the back on the seat in front of her. As the racket continued, other passengers shook their heads and stared at the child. Carol's focus was not on the disruptive child but on the older girl sitting beside the child. This girl's lanky body was very still and her head was bent as her eyes studied her hands that she twisted around and around each other. In a quiet voice she pleaded, "Please, oh please, don't do this." The younger child stopped for a moment, looked at her seatmate, who shook her head back and forth, and then resumed her tirade.
Carol gave a deep sigh and looked away. Her memories came rushing back with such vivid clarity that it seemed like the events from her childhood, so long ago, had just happened.
Relaxed by the consistent noise from the motor and wheels and the swaying of the bus, Carol's mind was engaged on the novel in her hands. Suddenly her head came up, her hands began gripping the book, her eyes widened and her breathing and pulse quickened. No one else seemed to be responding this way. A young child was whaling as she kicked her seat and pounded her fists on the back on the seat in front of her. As the racket continued, other passengers shook their heads and stared at the child. Carol's focus was not on the disruptive child but on the older girl sitting beside the child. This girl's lanky body was very still and her head was bent as her eyes studied her hands that she twisted around and around each other. In a quiet voice she pleaded, "Please, oh please, don't do this." The younger child stopped for a moment, looked at her seatmate, who shook her head back and forth, and then resumed her tirade.
Carol gave a deep sigh and looked away. Her memories came rushing back with such vivid clarity that it seemed like the events from her childhood, so long ago, had just happened.
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Bit of Writing
From the bottom of the stairs, Mike's eyes moved up to the kitchen. With a sigh, he realized never before had he looked at these stairs, or any stairs for that matter. He'd simply rushed through the door and bounded into the kitchen. His feet must have touched wood but he had no recollection of it.
But now his eyes sized up the steps just as a three-year-old did the pile of clothes and shoes he had been told to use to dress himself. How many were there? Where should he begin? Could he just do part of them? Would he ever succeed or would he always have to have someone help him?
He understood the fear from the charging of a snaring dog but the sweaty palms and quickened pulse he now felt made no sense.
From the bottom of the stairs, Mike's eyes moved up to the kitchen. With a sigh, he realized never before had he looked at these stairs, or any stairs for that matter. He'd simply rushed through the door and bounded into the kitchen. His feet must have touched wood but he had no recollection of it.
But now his eyes sized up the steps just as a three-year-old did the pile of clothes and shoes he had been told to use to dress himself. How many were there? Where should he begin? Could he just do part of them? Would he ever succeed or would he always have to have someone help him?
He understood the fear from the charging of a snaring dog but the sweaty palms and quickened pulse he now felt made no sense.
