Thoughts of the Past

With a groan, you load your oversized suitcase into the hatch of your Aunt Katy's compact car. With the slight frame and lean muscles you enjoy, nobody had ever accused you of being overly muscular. Not that you'd want anyone to think of you that way. In school, the guys with the biggest muscles has always been the biggest jerks. It didn't matter to the jocks that you were athletic in your own way, jogging in the cool of the mornings, staying limber with dance lessons. If you weren't a big meathead, then they felt they had license to push you around.

As your aunt speeds down the freeway toward her apartment building, you try to focus on her friendly chatter, but instead are drawn back to the previous years of high school. You had hoped that graduating would free you from the trauma of being bullied, but when you zoned out, when you let your mind wander, it very quickly went to a dark place. Faces of classmates flick through your mind, a running tally of cruel words they spoke along-side them. How many years would you carry their cruelty with you? How long until you healed?

You notice that your aunt has stopped talking.

"I'm sorry Auntie Katy," you say with a smile, "I must have zoned out. I didn't mean to be rude."

"Oh that's okay, sweatheart," she says with a matronly tone, "I was just saying that I've made the couch up for you. Our apartment isn't huge, only two bedrooms. And while I'm sure Emily is excited to spend some time with her cousin, I think she might not feel comfortable sharing a room."

"I'm sure she wouldn't," you agree with a chuckle, "Besides, I think I snore."

"Oh well, then," she says through a mischievous grin, "that settles it! You're sleeping on the balcony!"

You both laugh. It feels good to be with family. This week, the only week you have planned to take a vacation before you start working to save for school, is going to be great. It's exactly what you need. A change of scenery, a change or perspective. Soon enough, you'll be a new man.

That's when the truck hits you.