This day we had afternoon recess.
Usually, the girls my age would play lava monster. It was a version of tag where we had to climb around the playscape and avoid whoever was it.
Since I was the shortest in my grade, and I learned quickly that it was harder for me to tag someone else if I got tagged. And the girls would often modify the rules when I was "it" so that tagging someone would be impossible.
When we played I'd climb to the highest point. They couldn't tag me, and so they'd avoid me. Plus, I had a bird's eye view of the playground.
Jacob Johnson and Dustin Johnson burst through the gym doors.
(No relation, only their names united them in my torment).
"Get her!" Jacob yelled, and they raced toward me.
I scrambled down the slide and ran, but I made the mistake of getting cornered against these rainbow-shaped monkey bars.
Dustin and Jacob pulled their arms back in their sleeves and proceeded to whip me with them.
My classmates gathered around us and cheered.
Eventually, the Teacher came over, and everyone dispersed.
"Are you hurt?" He asked.
"No," I said.
YOU ARE READING
What My Mother Forgot
Non-FictionBefore reading this, you should know... This is not a happy story. There is no happy ending. Simply put, this is a chronological account of the abuse, neglect, and bullying I suffered at the hands of loved ones from birth to 17 years old. It does no...
