100-Word Memoir: Chelsea

When Chelsea joined our homeschool group, she was, as usual, the only other girl in the group. “Be friendly,” Mom said. 

When Chelsea and I talked, she said I was sheltered because I didn’t watch violent movies or go to sleepovers at other kids’ houses. As one eight-year-old to another, she said I needed to be independent.

I played it cool, giving her nonchalant glances (like Jimmy Stewart in Destry Rides Again) as I explained that I didn’t feel the need to assert my independence from my parents (I might have even used that phrasing).

Later, I bawled.

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