Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Who's That?


The phone rang in our house recently and my husband, William, answered.

"Hello?"

"Who's this?" a small demanding voice responded.

"Well, who's this?" he replied.

"It's Wendy!"

To hear William tell it, the child was full of authority.

"Who did you wish to speak with, Wendy?"

"Ms. Ryane!"

"She's not here right now. Would you like to leave a message with your phone number?"

Wendy did leave her number and I called it when I arrived home. There was no answer and no answering machine.

A few days later the phone rang and I answered.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Ms. Ryane!" All chipper and sweet.

"Well, hello. Who's this?"

"Wendy," she answered in a meek shy fashion that had me picturing a dropped chin and big eyes.

"Hi, Wendy. How are you?"

"Fine."

"Good."

Breathing.

"How was your summer, Wendy?"

"Good."

"How's fourth grade working out?"

"Good."

"Is your best friend Krystal still at the school or did she move?"

"She's still here."

"Is she still your best friend?"

"Yes. But she might move in November."

"Ah."

Silence.

"Wendy, was there something you wanted to ask me or tell me?"

"Yeah."

"What's that?"

"When's Shakespeare Club starting?" She asked this is in a big, bold voice.

"Well, auditions will be in October, so you have to do that, and then meetings start in January after winter break. How does that sound?"

"Good."

"Anything else, Wendy?"

"No."

"Okay. See ya later, alligator."

"In a while, crocodile."

Click.

I'm in this for life.

I dropped in to the school the other day to organize some paperwork and a seven-year-old girl stopped me.

"I'm going to do Shakespeare Club, you know!" she cried. "I have to wait a year but I'm doing it, you know."

For life.


CHILDREN'S WRITES: A Journal Entry
Duncan

My name is Duncan. I live in a castle as big as the size of 3 football felds. My room is the size of 3 apartments. In the morning I eat bread, chees and drink ale. I have many friends.
Henry, 4th grade

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