Memories

Growing up.

It is my 8th birthday and all I want is a baseball and bat. I'm sitting on the wood floor listening to grandma Martha and mother talk. Ann is in the corner playing with the doll she had gotten for her 11th birthday just weeks ago. I know that isn't what she wanted but she still played with it so mothers feelings wouldn't get hurt. We both knew money was tight and if We would have had a father she probably would have gotten the dress she wanted. Oh well. I looked at mother and she smiled at me. Why are adults so boring I thought to myself. I stood up and asked if I could eat a piece of bread. Mother said yes and Ann jumped up, "may I have one too mother?" She held the doll in one hand. Mother smiled, "yes, of course you may." I was so hungry. Ann and I ran to the kitchen and grabbed a slice of bread each. And sat at the table enjoying the dry bread. Ann looked at me and whispered. "Mother doesn't have a lot of money and you know that. And I know what she bought you. But you need to not get upset. She is trying her hardest." I nodded. And asked, "what did she get me?" She smiled and shook her head. "I can't tell you." We finished our bread and then went back to playing.
***
Mother handed me a brown paper sack. It was kind of heavy. I reached in and pulled out a baseball. I was so happy. "Thank you mother. I wanted this so much!" I ran over and hugged her. "Happy birthday Joshua. I love you."