Splinters: Part One

Part One | 12

Seeing Ursanne and her happy attitude made my world so much brighter at that moment. The ride home was dreadful. Not a single word had been spoken between Melissa and I after she said I wouldn't be returning to Dr. Hamelon's.

"What?"

"C'mon! I didn't want to open them until you got here!"

Ursanne led me upstairs into my room where a brown box sat on my bed unopened. I dreaded this moment. Ursanne left my room for a split second to get a pair of scissors. When she returned, she sliced the tape and opened the box.

The first costume was Grady's. The size was a big contrast compared to mine, and it almost made me feel bad. Even though Grady was very open about his weight, I couldn't help but wonder if he was self-concious about it and covered it up by trying to just be okay with it.

"Get in it! I'll come back in a second in my costume!"

I watched her slowly leave me room. "What's your costume?"

She smirked. "You'll see."

I pressed my lips together and waited for the door to shut. When it was closed, I lifted the Spider-Man costume and stared at it. I shut my eyes, praying that it would look decent on me. Making sure the door was locked, I stripped of my clothing and tugged on the Spider-Man suit.

Two words: very tight.

I just barely managed to get the mask on when my door knocked.

"Are you done yet?"

My answer was muffled, vaguely sounding like I was being strangled. I might as well have been with how small the costume was. I hoped Grady's would fit him.

"I don't know what you said, but I'm taking it as a yes."

I waited for Ursanne to come inside until I realized I had locked the door. Unlocking it, she strode in.

I gulped, realizing who she was.

"Well? I'm Mary-Jane!"

I struggled not to laugh. Ursanne was a very bad looking Mary-Jane, but I had to give her some props for her creativity. I shook my head and went back to the box. Lifting the anti-Spider-Man, I showed it to my sister.

I lifted my mask, so that I could speak. "Do you think this'll fit Grady?"

She eyed the costume and made a face.

"I hope so."

"I don't want him to get embarrassed."

Ursanne agreed. "Yeah, me neither."

I frowned, hoping to God that Grady's would fit him. His self-esteem, although he didn't show it, was already pretty low. The constant fat jokes and insults got to him, but I knew that he wanted to look and act like someone who didn't care. I think that behind his nice smile and 'who cares' shrugs, he takes things to heart and is a lot more sensitive than people assume.

...

When Monday came around, I was up and ready for school. Tomorrow would be Halloween, and I was really excited for it. On Sunday after Church, Ursanne and I invited Grady over to see if he'd fit into his suit. Thank God he did.

Ursanne asked him if he lost weight, and I knew that once the question was asked, Grady would feel bad - even though it was meant for him to feel the exact opposite.

"Must be your eyes, Ursa," he joked. "I couldn't lose a pound even if I starved myself."

I frowned, looking over at Ursanne who just shrugged. I knew that she was trying to make him feel better, because in all honesty, he wasn't really that obese. Yes, overweight, but not so much that you'd call him obese.