ANNE'S PROMISE.

A 12 YEAR OLD GIRL AND 11 YEAR OLD BOY IN A NURSING HOME IN 1950S ENGLAND

Anne was sitting along
the avenue of trees
in her wheelchair

the other kids
were on the lawn
playing on the slide
or swings or sitting
on chairs around
white tables

I approached her
keeping to the gravel path
studying her one leg
emerging from her blue dress
her dark hair
tied back tight

where have you been Kid?
she asked

been helping Sister Bridget
with the breakfast things
I said

come here Kid
she said

I stood next
to her wheelchair
do you want me to push
you along the beach?
I asked

later maybe
she said

I looked back
at the nursing home

hey Kid
have you ever seen
a vulva?

I looked back at her
no don't think so
I said
is it a fruit?
sounds like a fruit

she smiled
no not a fruit

is it some kind
of animal?
I asked
looking to where
her stump's outline
showed on her dress

she looked at me
her eyes searching me
no not an animal
she said

I looked at her
brown sandal
her toes showing
on the one foot

I can show you one
if you like
Anne said

have you one to show?

she looked at me
sure I have
maybe later
she said
I 'll show you

I nodded wondering
what this thing could be

how about the beach now Kid?
she asked

ok
I said
and began to push
her wheelchair
out the back gate
looking at her black hair
tied in a bun
at the back

is it an ornament
of some kind?
I asked

wait and see Kid
she said
don't worry
your 11 year old head

I pushed her
along the path
by the beach
the sea was far out
the sky a soft blue

don't worry Kid
she said
let me
a 12 year old girl
show you.