Sissy trudged slowly along the path focusing on the rustling sound of disturbed fallen leaves.  Fall was early this year.  The lazy cold winds stirred the trees causing more leaves to fall and Sissy's breath to look like smoke. 

Walking home after the Holmes High School Homecoming football game, Sissy remembered - - -

-----Remembered the homecoming game last year. The players breath like smoke and steam rising from their heads when they removed their helmets.  But, she remembered Todd most of all.  Her eyes always focused on him.  Todd had been her heart's desire since the seventh grade. 

The happiest day of her life was when he asked her to go to the homecoming dance last year and again this year.  Todd was the star wide receiver and a senior. Every girl in high school was pea-green with envy. Sissy danced on cloud nine all evening. Her voice was scratchy from cheering for the team and especially for Todd. He said he liked her voice.  It was soft and sweet. Holmes High School beat their rival Madison by one touchdown scored by Todd making a perfect day.

Sissy had spent hours pouring over catalogs and department store ads to find the perfect gown for tonight's homecoming dance.  The black silk halter-top with an overskirt of black georgette with a gored skirt would complement her blonde hair and fair complexion.  Her flowing skirt would twirl around her legs and feet displaying tiny feet in a pair of black strap heels.  Todd's six-feet-two height would still make her seem tiny. 

They would have to walk twelve blocks to the homecoming dance through fallen leaves and cold wind.  Sissy's feet would be half frozen. Open-toed pumps were not meant for long cold walks or sometimes even short walks.  It didn't matter.  Todd was beside her.

Todd's mother couldn't afford a car.  She struggled to support her son and daughter by working as a waitress at the local diner. Todd's father, injured in a high school hockey game, walked away from his family. His dreams of going pro had been shattered. He turned his back on his dream, his family and everything he had ever known. He simply walked away.

Todd worked as a stock boy for the local grocery in the evenings and on weekends.  His morning newspaper route brought in moneys to pay for football camp, shoes, and school expenses for him and his twelve-year-old sister, Olivia.

Sissy picked up speed, thinking -- I'd better hurry.  I have a lot to do.  I have chemistry homework.  I have to do my hair.  I'll probably have to press my dress.  Maybe, Mom will help me.  I'm not sure how to press it.  I sure don't want to burn it.  I'll ask if I can wear her long
coat tonight. 

"Sissy, is that you?" her Mother called when she heard the back door close.
"Yeah, Mama it's me."
"You're late.  You know how your father likes his dinner on time.  You'd better get started."
"Okay.  What are we having?  I thought you were going to put the roast in the oven."
"I didn't feel well enough.  You know how sick I am."
"But, what can I fix in time now."
"There's hamburger.  Do something with that."
"Do what?" Sissy asked in a tearful voice.
"Don't use that tone with me.  I'll tell your father.  Think of something.  You're an A student.  Use your brain."

Sissy frantically decided to fix instant potatoes, hamburger gravy, green beans and corn.  Rushing around, clattering pots and pans on the stove, she hurried to get the meal on the table. Dad liked anything with gravy and mashed potatoes.  The rest didn't really matter.  She knew he would fill up on that and end with a bowl of ice cream. Mother ate very little and preferred to exist on tranquilizers and pain pills. 

Sissy's father came into the kitchen as she was placing food on the table.  "Hi, Sis, what are we having tonight?" Henry asked in his usual tired voice. 
"Hi, Dad. Hungry?"
"Yeah, I guess so.  How's your mother."
"I don't know.  She's in the bedroom, I guess."
"Come on, Helen.  Supper's ready." 
"I'll eat later.  You go on.  I'm not very hungry."

Henry sighed and sat down, "How was your day, Sis?"
"Pretty good, Dad.  I got an A in Calculus."
"Calculus, huh.  I hear that's not easy." He smiled.
"Oh, it's not too hard."
"Well, not for a brain like you, anyways.  Me, I have enough trouble with plain math. Keep those grades up.  You’ll need it when you go to college.  We’ll have to start looking around for money to take care of that.”
“Sure, Dad.” Sissy gave the usual reply, knowing he would forget all about college and money before the evening was over.  I’ll do it myself gritting her teeth and repeating her silent promise to make it to college as soon as she possible.  Todd would get a football scholarship and she would with him. 
"How's things at the store?" Sissy asked. Henry had managed the local hardware store for as long as she could remember. 
"About the same.  Enough to keep food on the table and the debtors away."
"Well, that's pretty good sometimes."
"I'll clean up the table later, okay.  I have some homework to finish."
"Don't worry about that.  I'll do the dishes and save a plate for your mother.  Go do your homework.  I'm sure you have other things you want to do tonight."  Henry replied with a wink.
"Thanks, Dad." Thankfully, he always volunteered to do
the dishes.

Sissy hurried to her room and closed the door.  She rushed through her homework.  Rushed through her shower and shampoo, she applied a rinse to highlight her blonde curls.  Then back to the bedroom, head and body wrapped in towels. Smoothing lotion on, touching perfume behind her ears and on her throat (Todd liked perfume), completed a pedicure and manicure applying light pink polish before dressing.

Spinning and twirling around her bedroom dreaming about her evening in Todd's arms.  Just the thought of dancing the night away with her sweetheart made her heart beat faster and her eyes sparkle. 

Helen threw the bedroom door open so hard it to bounced off the wall.  "I thought so.  You're in here dreaming about that boy again.  When are you going to get it in your head he don't want you.  Nobody would want you.  With that stringy hair and washed out face and . . ."
"Helen, stop it.  Leave her alone. You have no reason to make her miserable.  She's a good girl." Henry protested weakly.
"You always say she's a good girl.  Don't you have anything good to say about me?  What about me."
"Helen. . . "Henry stammered.
"Just stop wasting your time, Sissy."  Helen yelled.  "Why do you waste your time daydreaming anyway?"

"Because it's my secret place and all I have." whispered Sissy with a tear sliding down her cheek. "for now, anyway."
Myrna Caudill
MCAUDILL7@CINCI.RR.COM
12 Thornhill Dr.
Hamilton, OH 45013
513-863-8607
Word Count - 1032