I believe Common Sense missed a beat in the on-going battle. She must have gotten distracted, because she really should have suggested something along the lines of, “hey stupid, if you’re going to do this, at least slide halfway down so you’re less likely to break your neck.”
But she didn’t. So at the very top of the slide I grasped the sides, fueled by the “fun” I was going to have, and the burst of adrenaline that surged through my veins. I curled into the somersault, my right shoulder landing safe and sound on the sun warmed slide, my left shoulder and legs catching air.
The next few seconds blur together. There was a sensation of flying and falling – I suppose because I was. A fairly solid landing and a whole lot of pain followed.
A shocked friend face bent over and peered into mine. I was sitting at the time.
I suppose I executed a triple or something equally impressive. Or maybe I just landed on the most solid part of my anatomy.
My whole body hurt, especially my neck and shoulders. I managed to groan, “Go get my grandma.”
“I don’t know her very well!”
I did not embellish the above statement, nor was it a hallucination.
I used the rest of my stamina to argue, plead and beg.
Two kids sauntered past, stopped and stared. One asked, “What happened to her?”
“Oh, she fell off the slide.” The kids moved on. The breeze carried silence except for the distant sound of little league. As the innocent passers-by reached a respectful distance loud guffaws reached my ears. I can’t blame them, I laugh now.
My friend finally scurried off and returned a long time later with my grandma, who was laughing.
Is it any wonder I’m twisted? No hope for normalcy. None. Nada.
To be continued – one more time in - Swing Batter Swing – Fish Story.
This Monday I’m planning to skip – so see you on Tuesday. Have a great long weekend!
