Someones friend - Just a child chapter 1
Someones friend - Just a child chapter 1 belongs to the following groups:
WMGSomeone’s Friend
Her name is Jane, she’s someone’s friend
We talked for hours, a bottle of wine or 4
She has a story, one of when she was a child
We laughed and laughed, and then we stopped
Her story is merely reflection of who she is
Just a Child
Eye’s flickering in the dim morning light Jane rolls onto her back, the lounge littered with the sleeping bodies of her family, Sister to the right and Brother to the left. Through the waffled glass doors is the tinkering of dishes in the sink, in the corner the blinking lights of the Christmas tree stacked to bursting with a million gifts. Quietly she pushes back the covers, Sister murmurs in her sleep, Jane stifles a giggle and creeps out of the lounge. Careful so as not to wake her many sleeping cousins she slides the doors apart just enough for her little frame to squeeze through. Nana is at the sink busily preparing for the big day ahead, Poppy sitting in his usual place at the end of the table, tobacco stuck to his lip and sprinkled on the table top. As quiet as the house is one minute, Poppy spots Jane watching by the door and breaks into to song ‘Good Morning, Good Morning, Good Morning to You! Behind her the whole house seems to erupt, like a rooster’s call everyone is up, the kitchen is fit to bust, the noise level ascends decency and Christmas day begins.
Skipping along the sidewalk, Jane’s tiny soft hand clasped in Mothers larger rougher one. The white fluffy clouds drift on a bright blue sky, the breeze ripples through the tall gum trees, Baby Boy quietly sleeps as the stroller rolls along. ’Mummy look I’m galloping’ Jane prances around the stroller, her costume for the kindergarten pageant clinging to her skinny frame. Made of old stockings and coat hangers the horses head wobbles precariously atop her baby face. Giggles and shouts rise into the air as Jane, Mother and Baby Boy near the gates. Jane’s smile starts to falter, waver and with a silent tear sliding down her cheek disappears altogether. The day no longer seems bright and happy as mother opens the gate and ushers Jane through. Jane turns and stands, watching as Mother and Baby Boy head back the way they came, sun shining in her eyes, spots and shadows all that she can see.
It was quiet in the grade 3 class room, the teacher at her desk. The other students happily reading their chosen story book. Jane sat watching, watching to see if anyone would notice, notice a small girl uncomfortable in the silence. Looking to her best friend, sitting next to her engrossed in a fairy tale, Jane attempted to distract her. “Shhhhh!” said the best friend “We’ll get in trouble!” Glancing up Jane saw that the teacher had not noticed, what will it take she thought. As suddenly as she thought it Jane collapsed sideways in her chair, hitting the floor with a thud, and just lay there still and silent. The teacher jumped, the students pounced, a swarm of bodies surrounded her. Jane opened her eyes, blinking back her smile, chaos restored.
Copyright 2008 T.Bell
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