Simple Words

Simple Words

Sometimes simple words spoken in anger can change your life forever. In the same respect, words not spoken out of anger can do the same.

It was Friday December 14, 1990, almost 3:30 in the afternoon. My friend Kerry and I were in sixth period Ag class itching for the bell to ring. We were so excited about our plans for the night; we had a double date lined up. Kerry was dating my older brother, Mark, and I had a date with one of his best friends Alex. I had waited what seemed like an eternity for Alex to ask me out; it had finally happened this week.

Kerry and I went straight to my house after school. When we walked in to the house, my mom was in the kitchen cooking supper. She always had supper going when we came in from school. Tonight it was pork chops, green beans, and cornbread. You could smell the cornbread baking in the oven. I loved the smells when we would come in from school; it was home. Since we were going out with the guys, she was just cooking for my dad. She asked if we were ready for our big night. We laughed and said that of course we were.

Kerry and I went to my room to get ready since, we were leaving at 6:00. Everything needed to be perfect. After about the fourth outfit change finally, we were ready for our big night. We would be leaving any minute, so we headed to the living room to wait for the guys.

While we were waiting, my mom asked what our big plans were for the night. I told her we were going to El Chico's and to see the new Van Dame movie. Then probably come back to town and ride around for a while. She asked if we were going to Shreveport or Marshall, I told her Shreveport. She got the, “I want something smile,” on her face and rubbed her hands together very fast; she always did that when she was excited about something. She asked if we would pick her up some donuts from Southern Maid on Hearn Ave. on our way home from town. She had a weakness for those donuts. She loved them when they were fresh and hot and would melt in you mouth. She could eat half a dozen and never gain a pound.

I remember standing in the hall looking at her through the wooden spindle dividers of the half wall. She had that smile on her face waiting for my answer; I gave her this look of astonishment. I told her, “I cannot believe you want me to do that this is my night out.” Then, I said, “If you want the donuts go to get them yourself.” I was so mad at her for this I could