That afternoon

Rosalind

It was a normal afternoon for everyone else; we played and laughed, we decorated our clubhouse (an aged creaky wood treehouse my dad built for my fifth birthday) with anything we could find laying around. We carried my cat Gary around and ran around the block. Then ate popsicles in the blazing sun. But for me it was different. Suddenly my head felt weird, kind of foggy but there was a tingling sensation as well. It made me feel warm and dizzy. I started slowly losing my breath. As I ran to the restroom saying I had to pee, my head started to speed up, it still had the sensation, but now a million thoughts were rushing through my head and I couldn't stand still without falling down. I didn't know what was happening, I didn't know what had caused it, all I knew was that I did not feel ok and all I thought was that I was not going to be ok. My first panic attack.

Lucy

I remember that afternoon quite well. My mother phoned Mrs. Monacan to see if I could come over. She said that I hadn't seen Rosalind enough lately but I knew it was because of my Dad. I had overheard them recently (it would have been hard not to) they had been yelling non-stop when I was supposed to be asleep, but of course, I heard them. From what I pieced together my Dad had gotten a job offer in Phoenix and wanted to move there, my mom was not pleased. They had been fighting a lot lately, mostly about small things. I hadn't told anyone about the fighting yet but I was ready to have my happy family back. Even when I was around, they were neglectful and hostile to one another. That's why I was so excited to go over to Rosalind’s, I thought I could get a break. That afternoon was fun, but all I could think about was my parents back home. When we took a walk around the block and passed my house I walked extra fast because I knew if I stayed for too long I would be able to hear them. Then we had popsicles, and as the melted artificial cherry (which tasted alarmingly like cough medicine) ran down my hand I tried to forget the matter. I think my dad is going to leave us soon. 

Arthur

When Rosalind's Mom phoned my house that afternoon I was thrilled, then frightened. Lucy, Rosalind, and Maggie are my closest friends. We tell each other everything from crushes to what we ate for dinner. It's great, except for the black eyes and skinned knees. That day we ate popsicles, ran around, went in the treehouse, and played with Rosalind’s cat. All of it was great, correction most of it was great. The cat was fun, the hissing and scratching were not quite as pleasant but I had a great time anyway. Then, we always hang out in the treehouse (the others prefer to call it a clubhouse but I think that’s childish and stupid). We have a blast decorating it, talking in it, and everything in between. This time was no different. I got a grape popsicle, which is obviously the best flavor, and slurped the thin plastic tube filled with delicious purple juice down in what felt like seconds. 

And of course, there was the running around the block. See, most of the kids think it's weird that I’m only friends with girls, I think they are kinder and easier to talk to. But Bruce takes an especial dislike to the fact. He calls me slurs and likes to hit me, and I mean I can take it, but sometimes it really does hurt. Maybe one day I will be brave and stand up.

Maggie

That afternoon in the wet grass and the blazing sun I felt it. Love. I felt happy, for the first time in a while. My Mom works long shifts, and I get it. We don't have a ton of money so she waitresses as a side job while trying to become a writer. Soon I think she is going to quit her dream. I don't want her to, but the bills came yesterday and I don't think we can do it. My mom says not to worry about it, that I'm a kid, and don't need to think about it. I know she's right but sometimes it doesn't feel like it. But when I got there all that went away it felt like a wave of support came to me. I saw people who knew me, who loved me. They all seemed pretty distracted, but I knew they loved me. They got me. Then when I got home it all came flooding back. I got home early, something to do with Rosalind. But when I got there my Mom was full of tears with mascara slowly running down her cheek. Envelopes and bills piled around her. The second she saw me it was obvious she wanted to hide the distress. She quickly pulled her hand out from under the paper and wiped her smooth skin. But, true pain, can’t just be wiped away.

Narrator

Maggie, Arthur, and Lucy walked up to Rosalind's house 2 minutes apart from each other. They walked in the gate onto the green grass that was recently watered. The treehouse creaked as each one of them climbed up piled with blankets, lights, and other various things used to accessorize the place they love. They ate popsicles, melting in the burning hot sun. They ran around the block, Arthur afraid, Maggie thrilled, Rosalind panicked, and Lucy worried. They came back, Rosalind ran to the restroom, Maggie went home scared, Arthur went home terrified, Lucy went home saddened. Each of their eyes glimmered as they walked, eyes that were only full of hope for seconds.

You will never know what a person’s situation is, comparing only causes discontentedness and fear.