School become a hostile place for Charley. Β When boys and girls started pairing off, Charley found herself on the outside. Β Finding no particular boy attractive, she was confused to hear Β girls continuously chatter “Johnny, David, or Mark is cute.” None of them were cute to her. Β They were just boys, no different than last month or last year. Β Wanting to fit in, she offered up the observation, Β “Robert is cute.” Β They snide group burst Β into laughter. and began ridiculing her and Robert. Β Apparent, the skinny red-headed lad hadn’t made the standard cute list. Sing-song shouts Β of “Charley loves Robert” rang to the treetops. Β Bashful Robert was humiliated to find himself the focus of the girls’ ridicule and fled the crowd. Β From then on he avoided Charley like the plague. Β Shame and rejection darkened her perception of herself. Β She withdrew and it was as though she had a target on her back. Β The meaner of her tormentors them resurrected stories about her mother’s madness Β and labeled her Β “Crazy Charlsie!” Β The torment was relentless.
The Barnes children from next door were as familiar to Charley as breathing, a bright spot n her dessert. Β The twin boys were a year older and Julia a year younger. Β They’d played cops and robbers, ball, ridden bicycles and built a treehouse together. Β When the darkness descended at schoole snde group she ended even more on their friendship. Β They were always able to take her mind off the confusing changes she faced. Β With Charley approaching puberty, Mrs. Barnes sought to put some distance between Charley and the boys. Β She forbade horseplay and physical contact, fearing it would awaken young sexuality. Β This abrupt change disturbed Charley Β further. Β Perhaps Mrs. Barnes saw disturbing changes in Charley and put a stop to sleepovers with Julia.
One morning Charley wouldn’t come down when Cora called her for breakfast. Β Cora found her in the bathroom staring dully at her bloodstained panties. Β “I’m dying, Cora. Β Why is this happening to me? Β You’d better call my father.” She spoke in a monotone.
“Aw Lawdy, Honey. Β You ain’t dying. Β You just got the curse. Β That means you can have a baby now. Β Don’t you let no boys be kissing you. Β You gonna bleed a few days ever’ twenty-eight days now till you ’bout forty. Β You’ll git used to it. Β I meant to talk to you ‘fore it happened an’ it done slipped up on us. Β Let me get you a pad and beltΒ an’ I’ll show you what to do.” Β Cora thought she was comforting Charlie.
Charley was appalled at this unwelcome news. Β “I don’t want to be a woman. Β What if somebody finds out about this. Β I ain’t going to school. Β Everybody already laughs at me. Β I wish I could just run off somewhere and live by myself. Β I can’t stand this!” Β Charley wailed.
“Yes, you can! Won’t nobody know if you don’t tell ’em. Β Ain’t no way nobody would Β as long as you keep your pad changed an’ don’t slip up an’ soil yourself. Β You need keep a spare pad in your purse. Β If you start at school, you can get one from the gym teacher.” Β Cora continued her talk. Β “You can’t swim, take a bath, ner wash you hair during your period or you might make it stop. Be real careful not to go out barefooted with dew on the ground, neither. Β That’s the worst. Β I had a friend once that done all that an’ once she finally had chillun’ Β ever’ one of ’em had fits. Β You know what fits is, don’t you? Β You wouldn’t want to do nuthin’ to make yore pore little chillun’ have fits, would you?” Β Cora waxed colorful in her warnings as Charley’s spirits hit the dirt.
“Cora, I never carried a purse in my life. Β Can you imagine all the laughing if if start dragging a purse a few days a month? Β There ain’t no way I could ask the gym teacher for nothing. Β She hates me. Β How can I go to school if I can’t take a bath? I’ll just stay home if I get another curse and you don’t need to worry about me kissing a boy! Β I’d sooner kiss a pig than that mean bunch up at school. Β I ain’t gonna marry so there ain’t gonna be no kids to have fits.” Β Charley was working up a good mad as though Cora was responsible for the insult of her menstrual cycle.
“Charley, ain’t no use in carrying on so over God’s doing. Β Now you just git yourself ready an’ git on to school. Β Take a pad with you an’ you’ll do fine. Β You can put it in your lunch bag an’ leave it in your locker to change after lunch. Β Now, scoot!”
With a miserable scowl, Charley collected her things and stomped out the back door.
Β
Β
Β
Β
Β