LisaRae* :
“Duck!”
Tita Cat is holding my hand as we walk across the yard
towards the sidewalk. I saw a ball and wanted to play with it – that’s why we
were walking over there. But then I saw IT.
towards the sidewalk. I saw a ball and wanted to play with it – that’s why we
were walking over there. But then I saw IT.
And the second I saw it, I knew I had chase it.
So I tug Tita Cat’s hand, and we start running.
“Duck!”
I scream and laugh, and Tita Cat laughs too. She’s a good
runner. She keeps up with me really good.
runner. She keeps up with me really good.
Well, mostly.
Ate Megan is following the duck too, I see out of the corner
of my eye, with RickyBobby* on one hand and Tyrone* on the other.
of my eye, with RickyBobby* on one hand and Tyrone* on the other.
But they’re walking.
They’ll never catch up.
The duck knows we’re coming, and he runs.
Away from the water tower.
Away from the water tower.
Past the red cars.
Under the hut.
I bend down to look underneath, and so does Tita Cat, but
she’s too tall to see what I see.
she’s too tall to see what I see.
The duck is still running.
Right back to the water tower.
“Duck!”
I scream again, and start running when he comes back out,
with Tita Cat right at my side.
with Tita Cat right at my side.
He’s not going to get away this time.
Even if he runs towards the van and the driveway, where the
boys are playing basketball.
boys are playing basketball.
Which he does.
But I’m not fast enough, and the duck does get away.
When I can’t see him anymore, I look back at the water tank.
He’ll be back. I know it.
* names changed for the protection of the children
