Memory Prison

Gray is Grey

Marie slipped on her white blouse, and her flower necklace her uncle brought home from his trip to Africa. She pulled out a green floral skirt from her drawer, and slipped it on her thin waist. She took one last look in the mirror. She squinted at herself, and grabbed her cherry lipstick. She nearly smeared it on her lips leaving a clean finish. She pinched her cheeks and headed downstairs. Lorain greeted Marie with new saddle shoes.
"Your mama says if you mess these up again, you're gonna loose your radio privileges." Lorain warned her.
Marie gasped. "Mother can't-"
"Your mama is the leader of this house. You obey her rules." Lorain warned Marie once more.
"She doesn't have the right to-"
"Girl, your mother most certainly does have the right to do that, she created you!" She said shoving the shoes at Marie, and walking away. Marie humphed and rolled her eyes. She put on the new shoes, and walked into the kitchen.
"Morning Marie." Her father said not looking up from the news paper.
"Morning father." She said elegantly sitting down at the table. She grabbed a glass of orange juice and began to sip it.
"Marie," her mother started. Marie knew this was going to be a serious talk. She could tell by he tone in her mothers voice; "I was talking with Ms. Gertrude yesterday, and she said that you're becoming a beautiful young woman. Now, I couldn't agree more, but she said you reading too often is bad for girls your age. Darling, you'll never get a husband if you keep reading!" Her mother chuckled, bringing over toast to the table.
Not so serious after all, just idiotic, she thought.
"Your mothers right. Little women like you don't need to worry about books and all. Save it for school. Vivian, don't let your mother fill Marie's head with anymore nonsense." He said chuckling as well.
Marie's mom giggled.

Marie was mad.
Reading was a way to escape,
To escape reality. Just a tad.
Her parents can't just take it away,
Marie doesn't even have a say!

Marie was too bewildered and irritated to say anything in her defense. She stayed silent and ate her breakfast.

They can't let me stop seeing Grandmama! She thought. They won't, she thought once more, After all, Grandmama created mother.

Marie gave her parents a hug and kiss, grabbed her school books, and walked out the door. Her soft brown curls bounced against her shoulders as she walked down the driveway. She kept walking, as if a single thought never occurred in her mind. Then, she saw Gray. Something inside her sparked like fireworks when she saw him, and she didn't know why.
"Hello Gray!" She said waving to him.
"Hey Marie." He said saluting back to her. Her pace picked up a bit more as she walked towards him. When she finally reached him, he raised an eyebrow.
"Boy, you're in a hurry to see me." He said smirking, but it quickly faded.
Marie pouted; "What's wrong?" She asked.
He managed a small giggle. "My parents forgot it was my birthday."
Marie gasped. "Gray, that's horrid! Did you tell them?"
"Nah, I wanna see the looks on their faces when I tell them." He said in a light mood, but it faded even faster this time.
Marie thought for a moment. She remembers how when she's in the worst of moods, even she tries to keep it light and cheery. Her actions matched perfectly with Grays.
"Gray, I know you're upset. I can see it."
Gray looked up into her eyes. His big brown puppy dog eyes stared directly into her crystal blue eyes.
"I'll tell you what," she said crossing her arms.
"Oh boy..." Gray said taking a step back.
"I know we barely know each other, but I'm gonna get you a present. Meet me at my house after school, and don't you dare ring that doorbell." She said pointing at him.
He nodded his head and shook her hand.
"Hopefully if the weather is nice."
They continued walking, all the way to Marie's school.
"I'll be going back now." He said turning on his heel.
"Wait," she said grabbing his arm, "don't you have to come too?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "I'm homeschooled."
Marie looked puzzled. She knew what it'd meant, but he seemed far too intelligent for that. Wait. She quickly erased that thought from her mind. He wasn't exactly the most intelligent type, but she still couldn't imagine him being homeschooled.
"What do you do at home?" She asked, tucking hair behind her ear.
"Well since my mom is really sick, I have to stay home and watch her while my dad works. Lucky for me, she was a school teacher. She gives me lessons while I help her." He said putting his hands in his pockets.
"Oh. That's so kind of you, Gray."
She noticed him blushing.
There was a moment of silence.
"Well I gotta go now, bye!" He said taking off. Marie giggled and rolled her eyes.
"Boys..." she muttered walking to school.