April 15, 1984
Mary Ann: Hunter, I can't be alone with you anymore because my Mama said I'm a woman today.
Hunter: So... you weren't a woman yesterday? Only today? Can you start being a woman tomorrow because I wanted to show you the pond down the dirt path by the corner store? We could go fishing there.
Mary Ann: That's not how it works, and I don't feel up to playing, anyway, because I'm having cramps.
Hunter: Awe, you got your periods now so you are basically grown, and no more kid stuff for you.
Mary Ann: Shut up Hunter! This is serious.
Hunter: Okay, I get it. I just feel like I'm losing my friend.
Mary Ann: Why do you care? You'll be 14 next month and starting high school and won't be bothered with kids like me.
Hunter: Whatever. I thought when you became a woman you would have a big butt and huge hips and big breasts, and you don't have any of those.
Mary Ann: I may not have those things, but you had to look to notice what I don't have. See, that's why my mama said we can't be alone together and you are lucky she is still letting us hang out at church.
Hunter: You think she really going to stop us from seeing each other?
Mary Ann: Nah, I think she said that just so I can tell people she said it. Mama too tired to stop me and Daddy work too much to notice.
Hunter: Your folks have a lot going on. You are the youngest and they are just counting down time. 8 kids are a lot to handle.
Mary Ann: They could have used protection.
Hunter: What do you mean?
Mary Ann: Like condoms. So, they wouldn't have so many kids.
Hunter: I don't think married people use condoms.
Mary Ann: They can if they want to.
Hunter: I'm not going to use them when I get married.
Mary Ann: When? You mean if. Who going to marry your scrawny behind?
Hunter: Some lucky lady will. We gotta stop writing. I feel my dad staring at me from the pulpit.
April 29, 1984
Mary Ann: Why aren't you talking to me?
Hunter: I am talking.
Mary Ann: No, you aren't joking with me today. Last Sunday you didn't talk to me either. You didn't sit next to me so we could pass the book.
Hunter: Look, you aren't my only friend and I can hang out with other people. We don't have to be attached at the hip all the time. We aren't kids anymore.
Mary Ann: I see it's your time of the month now
Hunter: Bye
May 13, 1984
Mary Ann: Quit poking me, Hunter.
Hunter: I've been trying to talk to you.
Mary Ann: You have been an awful friend the past month and I don't really want to talk to you.
Hunter: I'm sorry. I've had a lot going on, okay?
Mary Ann: No excuse.
Hunter: We just aren't going to be friends anymore?
YOU ARE READING
The Ashes of Marriage
General FictionAlisha Carmike, better known as Ali, is at a crossroads in her life. After surviving a life altering childhood trauma, Ali has been on an emotional spiral, and is controlled by her obsession to find her mother's killer. Can she pull herself together...
