Let me introduce myself.
I’m that girl the boys would take home to their Mum and then ravish at the drive in. That kid who worked hard at school and moved out before she was an inconvenience to her family. I’m the voyeur who slipped secret notes into strangers pockets in the street, and sent flowers to oldies who lived alone. The woman who takes a squirt of perfume from department stores to see if her lover will accuse her of infidelity. I’m that chick who spits around the boys and wears high heels to the dentist.
When I got home today my pantyhose had ladders all up the backs. I pulled out a pen and drew little ladders through the holes all up my skin. Maybe tomorrow I’ll go to the tattoo parlor and keep them forever. Like that puppy I always wanted. I ran out of tonic last night, not that it matters. If I dig the pen into my legs the alcohol will burn my ladders down. I wonder if I could start a real fire in here? If I could trust myself to watch it and not let it spread. Or if I’d burn the lot?
That guy I’m seeing said he’d head over later. I wonder if he’ll be wearing his belt? My last boyfriend had the same one but it wasn’t for holding up his pants.
Tomorrow is some family thing. I’m supposed to bring a salad. I bought lettuce on the way home, and asked this ugly dude near the fruit if I could take him on a date. He was married, which of course is the only reason I asked. I got to the check out and they’d run out of my cigarettes. My family doesn’t know I smoke anyway, and so long as I arrive with a salad in my arms they will pretend along with me that I’m still that girl from two decades ago.
I still am, only now I take it for granted. Being smart and subtle might have taken me far once, but the way the world is now, I’m just another anybody. It’s actually smarter and more subtle to pretend I’m not.
John Robb, 2 months ago
Great work Jo.
Col Finnie, 2 months ago
What an excellent example of snapping out a body blow at the end of each para. Nice one.
Dennis Klau, 2 months ago
very interesting,
very cool
Ash rebeltherace, 2 months ago
great read
its odd, this girl
she seems so far away from me
but there are things that when i read it
i think, wow
this is me?
Tom Broderick, 2 months ago
very interesting. tom
Bevsimages, 2 months ago
quirky, in your face & honest…Just shows its best to just be you… ;) x
theyellowfury, 2 months ago
Very edgy. Nice one.
berndt2, 2 months ago
Cool 8)
James Price, 2 months ago
ok, i’ve decided waht it is I really love aboutt his girl… She lives her life the way we all want to live. To have her cake and eat it too… She can be anyone people expect ehr to be… She’s respectible but knows all to well how to be bad, you can take her out but she’s more fun to keep in, she’s a flirt, but in a way that makes you feel good about yourself, not bad. Most of all, she’s very strong, but at the same time fragile and just wants to be loved.
TeriLee, 2 months ago
Fantastic read! Great writing! :)
Nicole Ryan, 2 months ago
great writing .. had me all the way through .. i can relate to that character too :)