Fat Girls
Mary’s mother always said, “Fat girls can’t wear white.†Save for her christening dress, and her First Communion dress, Mary didn’t, until she left for nursing school.
She worked nights, her quiet measured pace and steady presence a comfort to patients and reassuring to the staff. “I want that nurse in white,†some querulous old woman would demand, and they would send for Mary, who wore white like it was the very distillation of the sun—pure and incandescent.
And she would tuck and straighten, whisper and soothe, ‘til all was quiet on her floor.
2 Responses to “Fat Girls”
June 22nd, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Eric is right, your writing is lovely. This one truly sings to the very heart of me – I am one of the fat girls. Mary is ineffably beautiful just as you say, pure and incandescent – I am, as of this moment, a devoted fan.
June 23rd, 2008 at 7:28 am
Thank you, Nancy. I’m happy to be writing again.
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