Brigida took one step into the classroom and knew she was in trouble. Why her mother had decided to send her to a Catholic school, she did not know. She looked in upon a class of 36 white girls in uniform and a angry looking white nun. “I am sorry, Miss Peterson. I-”
“You apologize for your rude disrespect to the Lord! I am Sister Peterson. Do not ever be late again, or your rear end will pay for it.”
Brigida silenced herself. She had gotten lost on her way to the classroom and everyone had refused to help her. Her first day of 5th grade in America had not started off very well.
“Sit down and pray for your misbehavior to be forgiven!”
Brigida looked once again at the array of blond hair and blue eyes. She felt that the entire class was glaring down upon her. She caught a glimpse of one smile. There was a small black girl with puffy hair sitting in the far left corner. The chairs around her were all empty. Brigida walked toward her. “May I s-sit here?” She cursed herself for almost forgetting the English words that her mother had forced her to learn.
“Of course!” The other girl grinned harder.
Brigida noticed that the whole class was still glaring at them. She opened her mouth to introduce herself to the girl, “I am-”
“Sit down and be silent!” Sister Peterson barked.
Brigida sat quietly. Ten minutes into the class, the other girl handed her a small slip of paper:
My name is Lílian,
but you can call me Líli.
Brigida picked up her pencil and thought long and hard about how to write the English version of her name.
Brigida
Bridget
Líli smiled and whispered, “I like your name.”
YOU ARE READING
Time Passes
RomanceFollow Líli and Brigida as they grow up, and see their lives change through the years.
