Little, Part Two
June 18, 2009
Little sat atop the hairdresser’s booster seat, very still so as to not topple forward onto the bland linoleum floor. She fiddled under the cape, picking at her cuticles. They were often picked at and chewed. A nervous habit that never went so far as her tiny nails. Biting her nails was something she never could do. The hard snap and the slip of teeth grinding together made her spine tingle and her back teeth ache. Even the thought made her queasy.
She looked at her reflection in the mirror, displeased. Her white skin was too white. Her friends all had olive or dark skin. The freckles were a reminder of an embarrassment suffered at the hands of her mother. During an Avon party, her mother had excitedly called her into the room full of women to announce that Avon now sold freckle remover. As Little began to grin wildly, the women all broke out in laughter and Little was crushed. She glared at her mother, looked down to the parquet floor and fled the room in tears.
Her eyes met the mirror once again and she studied her mousy brown hair. The hairdresser had asked her what she wanted but she couldn’t articulate a shoulder length bob with bangs. She couldn’t find the right words and desperately tried to show the woman before her mother noticed or the hairdresser became impatient. Little finally looked at her mother for help. Her mother knew the last thing Little wanted was short hair.
Her mother’s lips pursed as she stared at Little. Disapproval was thrown into Little’s lap for her to clutch.
“Cut it all off. Short. Pixie cut.”
Whatever tears Little had behind her big blue eyes had to wait. She bit the sides of her cheeks and watched the locks fall to the floor.
June 18th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
These are very well written, but they make me sad. I think we’ve all felt this, at some point. Right?
.-= Faiqa´s last blog ..Shoo Fly =-.
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admin Reply:
June 23rd, 2009 at 5:30 am
maybe. i’m just writing from my own perspective. sometimes i look back at my childhood and feel like i’m looking at some other little girl. it’s tough to write these because i know where they go.
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June 19th, 2009 at 3:34 am
I’m starting to feel a compulsion to save Little, and I fear it will only get stronger as the subsequent parts are published.
.-= SciFi Dad´s last blog ..Blogs By Dads =-.
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admin Reply:
June 23rd, 2009 at 5:31 am
like i said to faiqa, it does feel like she is a completely different person to me. i wish i could spare her what comes, but then i wouldn’t be here, would i?
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June 19th, 2009 at 6:06 am
I want to punch Little’s mother in the face.
That’s not some internet cliche.
I am seriously resisting violent urges right now.
.-= Miss Britt´s last blog ..Strange and Unusual Tests: A Photo Essay =-.
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admin Reply:
June 23rd, 2009 at 5:31 am
i can honestly say i’m no longer angry over any of this.
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June 19th, 2009 at 9:31 am
My mom did that same shit to me, made fun of me, only in front of a large gathering, though.
And chopped my hair off in a pixie when it was the last thing I wanted. She kept that up for 3 years (and it HURT to get it cut, I swear Mr. what’s-his-name PULLED my hair). I would cry, then I would get home and see it and cry some more cuz I hated it but she was too lazy to brush it.
Those TWO THINGS RIGHT THERE are at the top of my list for damaging me for life!
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admin Reply:
June 23rd, 2009 at 5:32 am
i’m sorry annie. i hope to never ever embarrass and humiliate my children in that way. i can’t imagine making another person feel that badly.
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June 20th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Karen….keep writing. You have my undivided attention. I think I know where you are going with this. Keep it up!
I am relating to this very deeply via a “Little” girl I once had taken under my wing.
Looking forward to reading more chapters.
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admin Reply:
June 23rd, 2009 at 5:32 am
thanks nic. xo
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June 20th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Poor Little, I wanna smack the shit out of her mom =(
I love your writing, even though it made me cry…you inspire me.
.-= Sarcastica´s last blog ..To Breathe Easier =-.
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admin Reply:
June 23rd, 2009 at 5:33 am
don’t cry…you know the ending. and it turns out good!
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June 21st, 2009 at 12:32 pm
I am tore, on one hand I want to grab Little and run far away or on the other hand, just tell that one day she would become an amazing writer, wife, mother, business woman and all round lovely person and maybe it would be a little easier to bare.
This is so touching Karen. You are such a great writer. Best wishes to you.
.-= J from Ireland´s last blog ..Irish Summer =-.
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admin Reply:
June 23rd, 2009 at 5:33 am
thanks j. xoxo
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June 21st, 2009 at 6:17 pm
I’m with Miss Brit. Little’s Mother is horrid. And Little should be proud to be the lovely loving mother she is today.
Kisses and loves to Little.
R
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admin Reply:
June 23rd, 2009 at 5:33 am
thanks rachael.
xo
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June 22nd, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Wow Karen. Great writing, both parts!
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admin Reply:
June 23rd, 2009 at 5:33 am
thanks J. xo
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June 26th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Awww! ;(
*sadface*
Gah.
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