Hammock Talk (a short story)

   

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     Once upon a morning, on the type of day where the air smells as crisp as it feels and light breezes draw everyone out of their dull homes, into sunshine bright with the happy promise of a beautiful day, Jane Bentley was swinging in her hammock with her phone turned off and her face turned up at blue sky. Deeply, she breathed in and then out, letting all her muscles relax and all her cares float off into the wind. She had her favorite novel tucked cozily at her side.  Her lids closed over big blue eyes, which, in color, didn't look too different from the sky. Jane imagined herself from above, like the eyes in which she saw through were that of a bird, high in the branches. She fancied herself looking very peaceful just then. Back and forth she swung, not caring what happen yesterday and how much she dreaded having to return to those awful people on Monday, but today was Saturday and Jane was in the process of forgetting her troubles.
     Just as she was reaching down to pick up  novel, she caught sight of an excited little boy running towards her. His name was Charles Bentley, but Jane was fond of calling him Charlie. At five year of age, Charlie had a full head of golden brown curls, which could be compared to curly fries, Jane watched in delight as they bounced when his small legs galloped. When he first arrived at the hammock, little Charlie had lost his breath and had to bend over to find it again. 
     "What's the rush?" Jane laughed. "You ran so fast Charlie! Do you have something to tell me?"
     Charlie straitened as a proud, boyish grin spread across his cheeks, he looked up at her with big brown eyes. Jane sat up expectantly. 
     "Look at my muscles!" Charlie flexed his slightly toned arm and Jane laughed as she poked his bicep. She set her face into an impressed look.
     "Wow Charlie! You are strong. Really strong!" 
     "I know. And I don't even workout that much!" This made Jane laugh so hard her shoulders shook, but her brother's serious face made her force her features likewise.
     "If you don't workout," Jane tilted her head as if the puzzle of Charlie's muscles baffled her, "then how did you get so strong?"
     "Well its cause I play toys a lot! I do toy battles all the time too!"
     "Mind blown, bro!" She lifted her hands to her head and made explosion noises. "So what you are saying is, if I play toys all the time, then I could have muscles like you?"
     "Yes!" replied Charlie his tan face shown with enthusiasm. "But!" He waved a finger at Jane, "You have to play toy battles everyday. Everyday!" 
     "Everyday, huh? Charlie, I bet you are really good at toy battles because you play so much." Jane smiled at him in a most approving way. 
     "Actually...I'm not. I am bad." Charlie stated in a matter-of-factly manner, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, when it was truly a shocking, or at least perplexing, thing to Jane. What would make him think he was bad at playing toys? Jane didn't stay in this flabbergasted state, Charlie quickly explained. 
     He told Jane that he never won at toys or toy battles because everyone else was good therefore he was bad, which would imply that everyone was better than him. Such was not the case though, he always lost because he was different. Since he was dedicated to being different, the opposite would also work, Charlie stated that if everyone was bad than he would be good and that he liked it this way. Then the charming child ran off to show his muscles to someone else, leaving his sister Jane with the memories of her schooldays floating in the air around her. Echoes of hurtful words danced in her ears. Why had she held so tightly to these unwanted comments. 
     The thought smacked in her head like a water balloon against pavement, she had let them affect her because she thought it would change her, make her like everyone else, but really they just held her back, limited her diversity. What was so wrong with different? It's not better or worse, just different. That's what Jane choose to be.


     This story was based off of a conversation I had with my youngest brother. I thought how wonderful was his way of thinking. It inspired me as I hope it will inspire you. Let's be different together.