MEETING LISA

MEETING LISA

GETTING TO KNOW LISA
The first time Lisa and I played dolls
together, we were in the room that Mr. Curletti had
added for Mrs. Curletti because she no longer could
make it up the stairs. This was once such a
beautiful room. I reason to myself, How could these
new people let it get so dirty? It saddened me. I
would come over and visit with Mrs. Curletti before
she became so sick. There was a special drawer
where she kept books, pencils, crayons, colored
paper, paste, scissors, just for me.

“Lisa that bottom drawer in the cabinet that’s
in the dining room. Is there still stuff of mine in
there?”

Lisa shrugs her shoulders and frowns “I don’t
know. Why?”

“That stuff was for me to play with, when I
came over.” I said.

PAGE 2

Noticing all the pictures of Lisa, her sister, her
mom, hanging on the wall above the once gleaming desk. 'It
just is not fair they are taking over Mrs. Curletti's home! So
much junk piled on Mrs Curletti"s desk.'

“Jeffy!” Mr. Curletti yells from the kitchen.

“Hi Mr. Curletti.”

“Awe Jeffy call me Charlie.” he wraps his arms around me.
I smell the familiar aftershave. He holds me at arms length.
wearing the same white shirt he always wears. The pen and
brown leather case clipped to the left pocket. My feelings no
longer are the same towards him. The fact that so soon after
Mrs. Curletti died, he disrespects her by marrying some
younger woman. How and why would he do that?

“Charlie, Jenn wants to now if the drawer still has her
stuff in it.”

“Well have a look through.” The once treasured drawer, now
crammed full of photographs.

“Awe Jeffy I am sorry, we will find your books, no worry
huh?” he reaches down to pet Blackie the familiar black
dog. Blackie would always remain at my feet as I would read to

PAGE 3

Mrs. Curletti. Lisa’s energetic voice pulls me back from
my place of sorrow.

“Come on Jenn lets play with my dolls!”
I think to myself, stupid dolls! I can't even fathom how
to play dolls. Where are the army men? I want to shoot and
kill the enemy.

“Here Jenn pick one out.”

Gazing at all the dolls. “I want that little one.” I point
to the 4-inch doll with the skinny body and long straight
brown hair. Rummaging through the box, Lisa pulls out more of
the little doll's. Here I sit with this pile of ugly dolls,
pondering what to do with them. My body is getting hot again,

"It's time for me to go home.” I run out of the door into the
front yard.

“Jenn you don’t have to go home what’s wrong.? Jenn wait
what’s wrong?” Lisa is rushing after me.
“Jenn what did I do? What happened?”
“I’m sorry.” Lisa said.

Stopping and turning around confused “What are you sorry
about?”

PAGE 4

She shrugs her shoulders, starts to giggle, "I am just
sorry.”

"That makes no sense, you can't say you're sorry for no
reason.”

“Jenn what do you want to do now?” Lisa asked.

“I don’t want to play dolls!” I scream.

“Please Jenn I don't have friends, we can spray each other
with the hose or go for a lawn mower ride.”

I start to giggle and can't stop. Lisa joining in. We fall
on the ground and laugh for no reason at all. No one ever
wanted to be my friend before.