One, Two Punch

Where did that come from? I remember as a child running along the fence in our backyard. One of those wood fences that has alternating boards – looked it up and its called a shadowbox fence (who knew) – and I remember how the sun would flash in my eyesight like a strobe light. Flash. Flash. Flash. It felt like I was running so fast. I think the yard had a slope to it so I could really pick up speed when running back toward the house. Not sure why I was running – maybe just to see the flash.

That house. Blue I think. Big tree in the front yard perhaps. Definitely had caterpillars sometimes – those big green squishy ones. We played red light – green light and tag. Inside the house, two memories – the dark green carpet that had a pattern grooves all over it, and sitting outside the swinging kitchen doors waiting for breakfast. The kitchen doors were like slatted shutters like the old saloon doors. Think they may have been only half the length of the opening but outside of them we sat. We waited for the arguing to stop. We waited for breakfast. Flash.

Other memories seem to have been provided by viewing photographs since I have no true connection to anything. Little bits and pieces. Just a Flash. Peeking out the small windows in the basement that sat level with the front yard. Looking for a tornado because the siren went off. Just us kids. Going to a small convenience store and buying candy ($100,000 bar – you know it was the long bar of caramel covered in chocolate – and no not the 100 grand bar). Can’t picture mom or dad there. But I remember when things changed. Flash.

Dad pulled each one of us aside. I don’t know if I was first, last, in the middle. But I definitely remember the question. “Do you want to stay with me or go with your mom?” I was six. I was the baby. Of course I said “go with mom” plus I figured I was going with my sisters and brother. Little did I know that one little question could have such a detrimental affect. Flash.