#29

Today I saw Anna at the parking lot. It was four o’clock and the place was deserted. Students from school had already been picked up by their parents or they had extra-curricular activities. Anna was alone; alone with her book. She was holding the same book that she held the previous day.

I decided once again to approach her.

“Still reading that book?”

“It’s a good book!” She exclaimed. I could tell too, she was barely through the first 3 chapters yesterday, but today she had less than thirty pages left. “It’s a page turner.”

“I could tell. So I guess you like books.”

“Well, my parents aren’t too keen on television. We’re never in one place long enough to enjoy cable. And the local channels are boring.”

“You can say that again. I couldn’t live without cable. Have you heard of Ben 10?”

“No. What is it?”

“It’s a cartoon.”

“Cartoons are for kids.”

That was like a stab to the heart. Here I was trying to strike up a conversation, and she already gutted me with a knife. I tried to defend myself, “But we are kids.”

“How can you enjoy something fake like cartoons? There’s so much life in this world that hasn't yet been discovered! This world is a huge miracle!”

I was offended. “Well, what about you!” I said a little louder than I intended. “You’re just sitting there with a book. Why aren’t you discovering life?”

The conversation crumbled after that point. But I didn’t leave. I sat on a bench juxtaposed to hers. We sat there in silence for what seemed like ages.

Then Anna said, “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what?”

“Well, I clearly offended you. I don’t get along with other people well. It’s just, I can’t relate with you; with your cable television, your class games. I’ve grew up under the wings of my parents and was never in one place long enough to really make close friends.” She put down her book as though it was a heavy burden that she had borne her whole life.

“Oh. I’m sorry.”

More awkward silence.

“Hey, you know what? You can come over to my place. We’ll watch some cartoons; I’ll culturalize you.”

She looked up and gave me a nod.

“My house is just a few blocks away. I’ve got my bike. You can ride on the back. I’ve got pegs that you can stand on . . . Quick, Ben 10 starts at 4:30.”

“Thanks,” she said. It was the first time she gave me a real smile. I felt warm inside.