Student Publishing Program ::

Paige L.

Fat Lip

I remember when I was out on the softball field. Waiting for the ball to be hit to me.
The next thing I knew the ball was rolling towards my glove.

I remember being set up for that ball to come right into my glove.
I remember that at the last second the ball took a bad hop and popped me in the mouth.

I remember the rich, red blood pouring from my lip, but having to throw the ball in to get the girl out.
I remember picking up that ball and throwing it in.

I remember my dad rushing out onto the field, like a field agent on a bomb field to help an injured on, to cuddle me in his giant, bear arms.

I remember my coach and the opposite team's coach scurrying around, like rats, trying to find me some gauze so that the red blood would stop coming from my lip.

I remember being taken off the field in my dad's bear arms and being clapped for as if I was a hero.
I remember being taken to the bench and being cleaned up, like a soldier back from the war, by my dad and coach.

I remember my dad asking me if I wanted to go home, clean myself up, and then go to the hospital.
I remember saying "no" and staying with team to finish the game.

I remember after the game my coach buying me a cherry slush puppy and feeling the ice on my lip.
I remember getting into the car to go to my brother's baseball game with my slush puppy in my frozen hands.

I remember getting to my brother's game and getting another slush puppy. A grape one this time.
I remember my mom asking me what had happened and me explaining everything to her.

I remember her giving me money to get, yet another, slush puppy to heal my lip. The final one was blue raspberry.
I remember my brother's coach asking if I wanted an ice pack for my lip to make it feel better.

And I remember showing my brother's coach all the slush puppy cups I had held onto all through the night as little trophies and he realized that I was all set.

[TABLE OF CONTENTS, LHS CLASS OF 2011 EDITION]