Recently I wrote about going to Orchard Beach with my best childhood friend. (See Driving with Susy). Here’s a story about a younger Susy and me.
Home from school, a hurried snack, bread with both sides buttered, chocolate milk, an apple offered but rudely refused. (“Don’t be fresh, young lady.”)
Skates strapped over shoes, no purse, no house key, no hanky, just a skate key on a ribbon around her neck, then out the door. (”Be careful.”)
Down the block, wind in her hair to Susy’s house, a snack offered, now politely refused, and out again. (“Be careful girls!”)
Now two wild skaters with wind in their hair.
Did they know those strapped-on skates had wings, taking them to magic places just around the block.
– Dana Susan Lehrman
I love your stories! You have learned to find special times from your life and make them come alive and even universal.
Thanx for the kind words Shel!
Wonderful memory, Dana. Delightful to read!
Thanx Mary Lou, let’s hold on to the sweet memories!
Delightful, poetic, and very evocative !!
Thanx Robin, a sweet memory!
So loved this. As a boy raised amid closely built three deckers in South Boston, my first freedom came with flying across the asphalt playground near my home, my roller skate key draped around my neck. I also recall the knee scrapes that came if the skate came flying off my shoe. Small price for the glory. Thanks for the memory!
Thanx Mike, nice to know that Boston boys flew across the asphalt with their skate keys around their necks just like us Bronx girls, scraped knees and all!