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`I can`t wait until I get my period` (GM?)

Posted by j_k on 2010-November-28 18:21:08 EST, Sunday
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Sitting on the library steps with ten-year-old Terry,
talking about fourth grade and Glee and Facebook games,
when out of nowhere she changes the subject...
`You know, I can`t wait until I get my period.`

I`m caught completely off guard.
`Sorry, your what?`
`My period. You know, menstruation? When I get blood coming out of my vagina?`

I glance sideways to meet her eyes.
The same clear-eyed, open gaze as always...
It doesn`t look like she`s trying to deliberately provoke a reaction from me.
It`s just another thing she wants to tell me about.

`Mom explained it to me so I know all about that already.
She said I`ll know when it`s coming because it`ll be white sticky stuff in my underpants first...
I`ve got my pad in here too so I`ll be prepared when it comes`
She opens her book bag and unzips a secret pocket to show me.
`See? All ready.`

`Wow, you`re completely prepared, that`s awesome!
But why are you in a hurry? Won`t it be a big bother?
I`m a boy so I don`t really know, but you`ll have to be putting pads in your underpants for the rest of your life...`

She fidgets a little, playing with her shoelaces.
`I guess, maybe... but I just want to be sure I`m normal, you know?`

`Normal, hmm...
10 is OK, but I think it`s a bit on the early side...
Are your friends getting theirs already?`

`Our class president does, and she`s my age.
No, her birthday`s after mine, so she`s younger than me.`

`Let me guess, she`s a lot bigger than you, isn`t she? Probably wears a bra too?`

`Yes she does! And she`s really tall, she plays on the basketball team with the sixth-graders...
How did you know?`

`I just figured she`d be growing up faster than you, so it`s only natural that she`ll get her period first.
Everyone grows up differently, so don`t worry about it. You`re fine just the way you are.`

`Really...?`
She looks so achingly, adorably vulnerable,
with her glasses, plain white shirt, and bagful of library books--
a pretty little bookworm girl, already thinking about growing up.
I nod, smiling, and put an arm around her, stroking her thin shoulder gently.

She`s quiet.
After a while, she sidles over to get in my lap for a cuddle.
I give her an extra tight hug, trying to tell her with my embrace what I want her to know in her heart.
Don`t worry. You`re fine, you`re wonderful just the way you are.



j_k

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