"Hi, sweetheart. What's your name?" The strange man greeted me peering down at me with sparkling green eyes, wide grin, & an unwavering sense of confidence.
I quickly grabbed Mom's dress attempting to hide. My beady little eyes peered at the man from behind Mom's dress.
"C'mon, sweetie. Tell 'em your name." She tried prying my hands off the skirt of her dress.
My tiny hands clutched the skirt even harder. I can't get the words to come out of my mouth. My mind kept screaming: 'tell him your name! It's Pumpkin. Pumpkin!' I mustered up the courage & let go of my mother's dress. "Pumpkin," I let out a tiny yelp. There wasn't much courage because I'd already hidden behind the dress before I could state my whole name.
My mother & the man let out chuckles. "No, sweetie. That's not your name, it's Victoria," chuckled my mother.
I felt so embarrassed, my cheeks got rosy, my jaw got tight, and my eyes were flooded with tears. I tried to hold back, but I couldn't. I was crying because of the bitter embarrassment.
