6:18 p.m. - Wednesday, Jul. 21, 2010
Tommy
She was training her mind, her body, her soul . . .preparing it for the journey. Ignoring those who loved her. Inviting those who hated her to take their piece.
They had known each other since they were 5 years old. Tommy was always the star of the school play, and Sara's little heart fluttered whenever their eyes met. Year after year, their last names often made them desk partners at St. Matthew's. As they grew older, Sara learned how to turn her doubts inward. She learned how to hate herself. Tommy learned how to turn his doubts outward. He learned how to hate others. Sara was an easy target.
Sometimes they were the best of friends, and sometimes the worst of enemies. Sara loved the days when she felt a connection to Tommy. A good conversation. A shared secret. And her first kiss. But Tommy cared too much about his reputation to love Sara. The taunting grew worse. He whispered about her to his friends . . .and once, she tripped down the stairs on her way to First Friday Mass - and he laughed at her, encouraging his friends to laugh, too. She blushed as she picked herself up and examined her torn stockings . . .blood stained from her scraped knees. She blushed. As if she was wrong to have fallen . . .as if he had a right to laugh. It was the nature of their defenses. They were the same. But they reacted in opposition. After their 8th grade graduation, they never spoke again.
Until now. She invited him in, this blast from the past. Maybe his presense would make her decision easier. She invited him to take any strength she had left. Make it easy for her, Tommy. Remind her that she is worthless.
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