i was six, transferred to a new school. first day of my new first grade class, mrs. dillinger told me to do something, but i didn't comply because i didn't understand. she repeated herself several more times, i continued to give her a blank face, she blew up at me. i cried, she became frustrated, i felt bad.

a year later, a girl with the help of her mother gave the class decorated candy canes. it had fuzzy antlers, eyes, rudolph's red nose. i grew up poor, so gifts and sweets were something special to me. but remembering mrs. dillinger next door, i gave my reindeer candy cane to her. her eyes lit up, she exclaimed, i was happy. she asked me if i made it. i gave her a blank face. she asked me again, with wider eyes and a bigger smile. i nodded. she gave me a hug, and i was happy.

in walks the girl, with another one of her candy canes, for mrs. dillinger. she figured out the situation and became a combination of sad and angry. why did you give away my candy cane, i made it for you! mrs. dillinger gave me back my candy cane, and as i walked out, i heard her say i was a bad person for lying.

i don't remember what i did with the candy cane after that. in a way, i still have it. i kept it to myself all these years. but now i'm sharing it, and the taste is bittersweet.

12/18/2009 12:51:03 AM

12/18/2009 12:54:35 AM

tl:dr

12/18/2009 12:54:52 AM

Yo Holmes.

12/18/2009 12:56:06 AM