#32 Phobia
It was a beautiful Fall morning. The grass was still thick and green and the oak and maple trees that lined the street in front of my house were laden with all of the vibrant oranges, reds, and yellows of the season. My older siblings had boarded the school bus about ten minutes ago. I wasn't yet old enough to join them and on such a fine morning, envy was the farthest thing from my mind.
I lay there on the front lawn staring up through the yellow leaves at the deep blue sky beyond. The breeze was cool and smelled of fallen leaves and chimney smoke. It blew through the tree-tops causing the sun beams to flicker and dance about underneath the leafy oak canopy. I could feel the cool blades of grass pressed against the back of my neck. My mind wandered as I lay there in that blissful state.
The Holidays were not far off. The festivities and family gatherings of such occasions evoked not fervor but melancholy. For I was a plump boy of five, with big eyes and ruddy cheeks. The kind of cheeks that drove old ladies to what I perceived to be pure sadism. Grandmothers and aunts would corner me before exploding into a pinching frenzy. I'd even been attacked by old women in the supermarket and even at Mass!
It was confusing. How could my being "adorable" merit the ripping of my flesh from my face?! They did things that I would not even consider doing to play-doh!!! And my mother only laughed when I asked for a catcher's mask on my fourth birthday.
I was jarred from my brooding as my nostrils were assailed by the scent of out-dated perfume and Bengay. Time seemed to slow as I turned my head and blinked. A most horrific scene met me. I opened my mouth to scream but it was too late. The roving band of geriatric neighborhood speed walkers was upon me! The ocean of rustling lycra and colorful metallic wind suits engulfed me. Oh, the humanity!!!
I lay there on the front lawn staring up through the yellow leaves at the deep blue sky beyond. The breeze was cool and smelled of fallen leaves and chimney smoke. It blew through the tree-tops causing the sun beams to flicker and dance about underneath the leafy oak canopy. I could feel the cool blades of grass pressed against the back of my neck. My mind wandered as I lay there in that blissful state.
The Holidays were not far off. The festivities and family gatherings of such occasions evoked not fervor but melancholy. For I was a plump boy of five, with big eyes and ruddy cheeks. The kind of cheeks that drove old ladies to what I perceived to be pure sadism. Grandmothers and aunts would corner me before exploding into a pinching frenzy. I'd even been attacked by old women in the supermarket and even at Mass!
It was confusing. How could my being "adorable" merit the ripping of my flesh from my face?! They did things that I would not even consider doing to play-doh!!! And my mother only laughed when I asked for a catcher's mask on my fourth birthday.
I was jarred from my brooding as my nostrils were assailed by the scent of out-dated perfume and Bengay. Time seemed to slow as I turned my head and blinked. A most horrific scene met me. I opened my mouth to scream but it was too late. The roving band of geriatric neighborhood speed walkers was upon me! The ocean of rustling lycra and colorful metallic wind suits engulfed me. Oh, the humanity!!!
posted by Reckless at 8:03 AM
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