When I Was a Kid...Part VIII

I'm trying folks. I'm trying real hard. But the hearts floating around my head are hindering my thought process.

But I can only seem to think of one thing...

and Mary's song "I've Found My Everything" is on repeat...

What's a girl to do?! Tomorrow morning I'm supposed to meet him in NY so that we can go to Philly.

I really want to go to this shoe district in Philly that I've been hearing about. Then, we're flying to Boston for another show. After that I might not see him for two weeks when we fly to Detroit.

With the exception of Boston, I've never been to these places. I went to Boston when I was in the 6th grade. It was the most exciting thing that had ever happened to me at that time. I remember staying up all night because I was afraid I was gonna mysteriously die in my sleep and miss the opportunity to ride on a bus for 17 hours just to ride on a boat and shop with $5 at Quincy Market.

I didn't even have enough money to buy food. My mom gave me $5 when everyone else had $20. I ended up buying something to drink and two tapes (Janet Jackson and Onyx) for $1.99 each.

Well I let for school extra early that morning and waited outside the school in my purple jean shorts and purple jean bra top to match. Yeah, I fit in with the "splaboo" of my town and I aint ashamed to admit it.

You see, my mom allowed me to wear these types of things because I had no body to show off. I had no breasts, hips, or booty. While my sisters couldn't wear biker shorts, sports bras, or shirts that were half sheer at the bottom I was able to wear these things outdoors.

And boy did I embarrass myself.

My mom made me wear a windbreaker jacket over this jean set because we'd be near water. I remember someone taking a picture off all the girls and just before they snapped the picture I unzipped the jacket to show off my non-existent breasts. I remember that photo and cringe. I was a hot mess.

The worst part of that outfit was the baseball cap. To this day I can't explain why I decided to flip the brim upwards.... yes, I flipped the brim.

I figured it was the cool thing to do. Especially since I saw DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince doing it....

I got laughed at.

So, a tragic thing happened on this trip. A boy named Raymond- (we'll call him Rain Man to protect his privacy), he and another kid were playing with a rubber snake near the shopping mall or museum or whatever. The building was the kind where the walls on the outside are made of glass. The kid threw the snake and Rain Man went after it, tripped on it, and fell into the huge glass wall.

Now, you'd think this glass wall was sturdy enough to withstand the weight of this sixth grader - although he was the biggest kid in class. But no, it cracked. And the sound of it cracking was the worst part because we were all suspended in motion knowing what would happen next.

Yes. The glass came crashing down first sounding like a thousand wind chimes then changing to that of a demolition. And it all fell on top of Raymond -I mean, Rain Man. He covered his face so the glass fell on his back.

One of the teachers ran over to him and pushed him aside just as a huge chunk of glass - with a point at the end smashed into the concrete. I honestly believe that teacher saved Rain Man's life.

The glass had hit him so hard, his shirt was literally ripped to shreds. They ambulance took him away but he was back with us by the time we arrived at Quincy Market.

I wonder if his parent's ever sued?