The teacher calls roll. As she speaks each name, she has us move to newly assigned seats. Angelo’s last name begins with an “A” mine with an “M” — we are no longer near one another.
I feel afraid. Not the fear some of the other children express, but the fear of being alone. I hear those next to me whispering and giggling. I try to ignore it. They begin speaking louder. My initial enthusiasm dims. I try to hide within myself.
It is no use.
The whispering changes and they are now speaking louder.
“Fatso!”
The student closest grabs my stomach. A tear streaks down my cheek. The teacher hears and yells. The others, for the moment, stop making fun of me.
“Who am I?”
I am an independent, self-published teller of tales,
an author of scarcely any renown.
However, as a storyteller, I know who I am,
and with that persona,
I am both confident and comfortable.
I invite you to visit my website,
and/or Amazon Author Pages
if you are so inclined please purchase a copy and leave a review.
Thank you,
Joe
Short Story Scribe 