Five

Never Hall

Iremember the girl on roller skates, and wanting her to teach me. I remember how it felt when she told me, no.

I remember the baby squirrel I found beneath the pine tree, and Dad saying, "Yeah, we can try."

I remember laughing at the sound of dry leaves under my bare feet, and the way they shushed me when the wind blew.

I remember playing in the rain, and how the scent and sound of storms made me want to nap under open windows.

I remember me and my dog, Rufus, digging for treasure under the willow tree. And the time we ate the pineapple cake my mom had baked.

I remember Mike wouldn't eat the fried plantains, cause he didn't know what they were.And, I remember his mother said she was allergic to shrimp.

Me and Dad laughed when Rufus barked and she dropped her cheeseburger.

I remember my fifth birthday, and my teacher saying, "That doesn't mean you're in the second grade now."

I remember the moment I realized I hadn't grown any taller, and thinking, I can't wait to grow up. Then, I remembered Peter Pan, the movie, and thinking, Maybe I'll just grow up a little bit.