A Lasting Impression

 It was a warm bright sunny day in Spring. On my April birthday, I had turned fourteen.There was a neighborhood city fair in the Bronx and although we certainly had no money for the rides and treats, my friend and I looked forward to strolling around and enjoying this annual event. I was particularly excited about modeling my new clothes. My mother, an amazing seamstress had made me a beautiful red and white striped cotton dress. Edged around the square neckline was a short white ruffle. Four white pearl buttons met the gathered dropped waistline. I had seen the exact dress in a woman’s clothing store on Southern Boulevard and had copied it in my small notebook. Momma reproduced an exact duplicate on her Singer treadle sewing machine. I also had new white sling back big girl shoes. I felt as beautiful as the beauty of that cloudless day. 

So off to the fair my friend Bea and I went. While she had strolled away, a very cute boy, who looked around sixteen approached me. He seemed to have a smile on his face when he flirtatiously asked me if I wanted to go on the Carousel. I was very flattered and promptly replied, “Yes, sure.” He responded with a smirk and a sneer, said, “Good luck” and slid away. What I naively thought was friendliness, was viciousness, malice and hostility. The belligerent bully could now boast to his friends. 

I was totally humiliated. Dark clouds seemed to block out the sunshine as I walked home and cried.

Ethyl Haber