Day 17... Someone from childhood

Dear Amy-

I don't know why you crossed my mind the other day, but I thought I would write to you because there was something I never understood. I never got a chance to ask....
WHAT THE HELL WAS GOING ON IN 7TH GRADE?

Okay let me back up... As kids we had a lot of fun hanging around and playing. You were one of the few people that I actually knew and hung around with in the neighborhood. It wasn't easy being the "spoiled ballerina girl" on the block. You understood where I was coming from since they often called you stuck up as you sat out side playing your clarinet. I know 7th grade was a weird time for all of us, puberty hit, we were making more friends and learning more about our art.

I remember the day you whispered "I got my period"... then your azz disappeared for like 2 weeks. Hell once a month you disappeared for at least a week. Who the hell does that? Very soon we realized what was going on, you didn't go to school when it was that time of the month, but girl you didn't even come outside. What was up with that? I would come by the house to check on you, everyone in your house was at home but ya'll wouldn't open the door. I was so confused... just wanted to tell you this ish was normal and most women go through it. Some days I just wanted to give you the homework you missed.

Then it happened your brother said you were changing schools and the family was moving away. Only that wasn't true -- you transferred but the family didn't move. You became the lonely girl on the front steps with no friends. After that it was too strange to approach you, and left you to your life.

I still feel bad sometimes when I ride past your parents house. Feel like I could have tried harder. There were so many rumors about you... but I just ignored them... refused to spread them...

Just want to say THAT WAS DUMB AS HELL to let the first year of your period cause you to fail the 7th grade... Yes I know you failed, child I was nosey as hell. All over teachers desks. All your absences caused you to fail. Who the hell does that?

Just wanted to know--

Tisiphani