Untitled WIP

Prologue

    ABCD...

Did you know it takes approximately twenty seconds to sing the entire alphabet song? This is a fact that I learned at an early age.

EFG...

I would never refer to myself as socially awkward or anything of the sort. I make friends rather easily and I get along with most everyone.

HIJK...

All through school I was the girl who was neither popular, nor an outcast. I didn't fit into any of the labeled categories that seemed to be handed out on the first day of high school either. I was just me, Lydia Dawson.

LMNOP...

I just get a little nervous from time to time. Singing the alphabet song is how I cope, how I settle my nerves.

QRS...

Weird? Maybe. But we all have our idiosyncrasies.

TUV...

Not many people know this little odd fact about me. One of those people is my best friend, Mae.

WXY and Z...

The other two were my parents. The alphabet thing is something my Mom started the day before I began kindergarten. I was so nervous the night before that she came to sleep in my room with me. My Dad had to work early the next day so she insisted we have girl time, just the two of us. I was so excited. I put away Dr. Bear, my teddy I got when I had my tonsils out the year before, and made extra room for my Mom beside me. As we lay in bed and talked about all the exciting things tomorrow would include, I finally began to relax and fall asleep.

Now I know my ABC's...

"Mama," I whispered.

"Yes, Sweat Pea?"

"What happens tomorrow when you aren't there, what if I get scared or nervous?"

"Hmmm, well, let's see. What can you do to settle your mind? Oh, I have an idea. Okay, here is what you can do. Tomorrow, when you are at school, any time you get nervous just hum the alphabet song to yourself. Concentrate on the words in your head and maybe that will help you not think about what is making you nervous. I think I am going to do that too. Tomorrow, while you are at school and I am home, if I begin to miss you I will sing the alphabet song. I am going to count how many times I sing it and you count how many times you sing it and when you come home we can tell each other our number."

"Mama, that's a silly idea," I giggled at my Mom. She smiled at me and I smiled back and giggled some more.

"Well, Sweat Pea, if you are giggling at your silly Mommy then I know you won't have time to be nervous." She winked at me and kissed my forehead.

"Let's get some sleep. When you wake up in the morning I will make you special first day of school pancakes."

"I love you, Mama."

"I love you more, Sweat Pea."

Next time won't you sing with me?

My parents died almost two months ago. I can't tell you how many times I sang the alphabet song that day.

I lost count.