I Love to Write
Capricorn in Aquarius - Part Two
I didn't see Johnny for several days after that. Not that I was actively LOOKING for him, no. I knew better than that. Daddy's threat was still hanging over my head. I had never heard it said before and I wondered if both he AND Mom were both disgusted with me and the things that happened when Johnny was around.
Daddy still took me to school and picked me up. I no longer paid attention to the idiots who stared and snickered behind their hands at the little girl getting picked up and trundled to kindergarten. I just stared out the car window, with wide, stretched eyes and my mouth working against tears. I wouldn't cry in front of them. Not if I could help it. I felt so confused...
When I got home, although I knew that I should go to the kitchen and offer to help Mom with dinner (and she would appreciate it, I was sure) I stamped upstairs, slammed my door and locked myself into my room. Then I threw myself on the bed and cried for a long, long time, burying my face in blankets and pillow so no one heard. I wouldn't emerge until I was called to dinner. I went downstairs - and if Daddy noticed my swollen eyes and red nose, he made no mention of it.
This "Camillle" act went on for a few weeks. Then, on a Friday in December, just before Christmas break, my homeroom teacher humiliated me in front of the entire class.
"Where's your coursebook, young lady?" she demanded.
I was stunned. I had forgotten we were supposed to turn the books in the day after we took them home to sign. I had left mine in my purse...I think...
"Have you fallen asleep, Merrilee? What have you done with it? Didn't you get on or the other of your parents to sign it?"
I went blank. I licked my lips and shook my head.
"And why not?"
Why not indeed? I thought silently.
(To Be Continued.)
I didn't see Johnny for several days after that. Not that I was actively LOOKING for him, no. I knew better than that. Daddy's threat was still hanging over my head. I had never heard it said before and I wondered if both he AND Mom were both disgusted with me and the things that happened when Johnny was around.
Daddy still took me to school and picked me up. I no longer paid attention to the idiots who stared and snickered behind their hands at the little girl getting picked up and trundled to kindergarten. I just stared out the car window, with wide, stretched eyes and my mouth working against tears. I wouldn't cry in front of them. Not if I could help it. I felt so confused...
When I got home, although I knew that I should go to the kitchen and offer to help Mom with dinner (and she would appreciate it, I was sure) I stamped upstairs, slammed my door and locked myself into my room. Then I threw myself on the bed and cried for a long, long time, burying my face in blankets and pillow so no one heard. I wouldn't emerge until I was called to dinner. I went downstairs - and if Daddy noticed my swollen eyes and red nose, he made no mention of it.
This "Camillle" act went on for a few weeks. Then, on a Friday in December, just before Christmas break, my homeroom teacher humiliated me in front of the entire class.
"Where's your coursebook, young lady?" she demanded.
I was stunned. I had forgotten we were supposed to turn the books in the day after we took them home to sign. I had left mine in my purse...I think...
"Have you fallen asleep, Merrilee? What have you done with it? Didn't you get on or the other of your parents to sign it?"
I went blank. I licked my lips and shook my head.
"And why not?"
Why not indeed? I thought silently.
(To Be Continued.)
70-79, F