Marlene was caught up in the crowd leaving school, unaware of the steely eyes that had followed her every move for weeks … waiting.

On the playground, she separated from the others and headed for home. That’s when it happened. Marlene never saw it coming; didn’t feel the pain as someone grabbed her by the hair and dragged her beneath the Jungle Gym.

It happened so fast the girl was shocked, speechless. No one noticed; they were in a hurry to get home.

The blonde-haired girl heard Johnny Quinn’s gravelly voice from behind, “I been watchin’ you every day and you’re gonna be my girlfriend.”  He babbled on and on. Then took a stick and drew a heart in the dirt. Inside he carved their initials, J.Q. + M.M.

He pushed her head toward the dirt, “See that? That’s you and me.”

He never let go of her hair; she never said a word.

It was close to an hour before he finally let her go. When Marlene reached home and was scolded for being late, the 9yr. old said nothing.

She changed her clothes and went to sit on the swing in the backyard. Her stomach hurt.

This story is true. It happened to me.

Why did Johnny do this? Why didn’t Marlene say anything? To him? To defend herself?

I still have no answers.

Has anything like this ever happened to you?

May Your Glass Always Be Half Full

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 This story is based on my very first post, only I didn’t reveal it was about me.

 If you would like to tell your story send it to:
maxi8@cfl.rr.com