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The Other Side Of The Mirror

Eight Years Old

Billy-Boy's desk was beside Mrs. Livingston's at the back of the classroom. Sometimes Billy-Boy sang. Sometimes he swore. He always laughed.
Minnie sat near the back of the classroom, too.
She would watch Billy-Boy. His nostrils were big, naturally, and she was certain he was doing no good for himself picking his nose all the time.
He had a lot of boogers and they were usually big.
He would look at them, study them. Sometimes reaching back up to catch more.
He would smile suddenly, looking at his finger, then start rolling the snot between his fingers, sometimes for minutes.
Minnie would watch Billy-Boy take aim and flick his boogers at some of the other kids.
Mostly the boys who beat him up at recess.
Billy-Boy seldom missed his target.

Billy-Boy loved playing baseball.
He was glad for gym class.
The teacher had picked two people to make up the teams. Billy-Boy did not even look to see who the captains were.
It mattered little to him they would groan, whichever team got him.
He stood at the back of the small crowd of excited laughter.
"Billy-Boy, I'll take him," Minnie said loudly.
There was suddenly no sound and everyone turned.
And Billy-Boy stood still for a moment, with the long stares burning into him. He felt his face redden. He breathed deep, head down and started walking to the front of the crowd. He took his place beside Minnie.
"I'll take Alex," Cory said and there was sound again.
The teams were made and they started outside for the ball diamond.
Minnie walked beside Billy-Boy. So, no one walked beside her.
"I do not mind being last," Billy-Boy said to Minnie, looking at her, hoping she loved him.
"Sometimes, it is nice to be first," she replied.
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Comments

Jennifer said…
When you sit at the back of the classroom, you see a lot of what goes on. I think the people at the back are smarter. Minnie sure was nice to pick Billy-Boy... but she also knows he can aim well and hit his target.
Friday, 17 September 2004 at 10:13:00 GMT-4
Karri Bowman said…
minnie is "the one". poor billy-boy won't get over her. it won't be 10 years till he has his own blog and it's post after post about minnie.

you just watch.
Friday, 17 September 2004 at 22:57:00 GMT-4
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