Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Adolescence/Teen Years (07/16/09)
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TITLE: Downsized | Previous Challenge Entry
By Marita Thelander
07/21/09 -
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Giggles erupted from the dressing room while Mindy struck a glamour pose in front of the multiple mirrors. The attendant shook her head and smiled.
It had been all fun and games until…
“I’m not kidding, Mom, lets just buy a package of Mickey Mouse Band-aides and I’ll be set for the school year. Or how about an Ace bandage?”
“Mindy, your turn will come. Look at all your aunts and grandma and me. There’s hope. You’ll blossom.”
“What about Aunt Susan on Dad’s side?” Mindy frowned in the mirror. “She must have been eternal queen of the itty-bitty committee.”
“The rest of you is nothing like Aunt Susan. You are a Wilson woman through and through.”
“Why can’t I be proportioned like everyone else my age?” Mindy reached up and covered her yet-to-bloom buds and then turned to see her already blossomed bootie.
I slipped out and left my thirteen-year-old distraught daughter in near tears as she stared at her body.
“Try these, Min,” I returned full of hope. “They have cute matching panties, too.”
“Separately, I hope. Lord knows I’m not the same size on the bottom as I am the top,” Mindy spat sarcastically.
She automatically went for the size tag and I snatched it away. “Mindy, just try it on.”
“It’s cute,” Mindy turned to see from several angles. “Hand me my shirt so I can see what it looks like with clothes on.”
As Mindy admired the appearance of a shape, I had to fight my own tears. “You’re growing up fast enough for me, Min. Please don’t rush it.”
She ignored my sentimental moment and excitedly stripped her shirt off to put back on her old garment. “Let’s find undies now.”
Soon we trudged to the car, bags in tow. With the mood light and satisfied I asked, “Shall we celebrate a job well done?”
“Ooo, let’s go get a deliciously-yummy-chocolaty-blended-caffeinated-something.”
I stared at her. She had this crazed wide-eyed desire about her. It made me wonder if I had created a monster when I let her have her first deliciously-yummy-chocolaty-blended-caffeinated-something a few weeks ago.
“With whip cream,” Mindy nodded firm, completing her order.
I enjoyed this part the best. With the shopping done, we were able to relax and laugh. Jazz music played overhead and we tapped our feet to the sultry rhythm. We lounged under green umbrellas and soaked up the mid-August warmth in front of the home of our caffeinated-something treat.
Well, I relaxed. Mindy got hyped up and talked a mile a minute and shifted directions of conversation so much I just smiled and nodded.
Slurp. Slurp. “Let’s go home, Mom.” Mindy hopped up to throw her empty cup away.
I tilted mine and indicated I hadn’t finished yet and gave her my best pouty lip.
“I wanna try my stuff on.” Mindy determined to interrupt my yummy treat.
At home, I intentionally blocked the path through the door as I stood and announced, “Honey, I’m home.”
Mindy gave me a playful shove. “Please, Mom, that’s so old.”
Ted greeted me with a smooch as Mindy proclaimed, “Eww, get a room.”
“Okay,” Ted replied.
“Gross,” Mindy traipsed towards her room loaded down with her goods.
“I take it you had a good time?” Ted asked as he poured us sweet tea.
“We hit a snag with a certain garment. I’m sure you’ll fully understand soon.”
Just moments later we heard a screech from Mindy’s room. Ted started to run to see what the fuss was all about. I motioned him to stay put.
Mindy stomped down the hall waving the offending garment in the air like David must have swung his slingshot before he slew Goliath. “Mom, you downsized me.”
“Pffft”, Ted spewed his tea all over me. “Is that possible?” He blurted.
Mindy glared, not caring that she waved her pink and lime-green wares in front of her father.
She gasped in almost mock horror. “Nearly ‘A’?”
I wiped Ted’s spittle-tea from my face. This tragic affair needed a mom hug. Mindy’s pink and green garment flung behind me as she accepted my embrace.
We rocked and laugh-cried, a strange female phenomenon, while I held her close. I whispered, “You won’t be queen of the committee forever, but for now you can wear your royal garment with pride. It really is pretty.”
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