Come Sit By Me

Was she a bully? I’m not sure. I can’t remember a single time that she was really mean to me, but it was a long time ago. I remember her as a loner. She didn’t fit in. Didn’t have many friends. Was behind in school. She seemed hard and unfriendly.

One day in the swimming pool she snarled at me and said something rude. I retorted with something equally rude. I think she swore. My friend told the lifeguard, who asked me for details. I don’t know why, but I stretched the truth. I made it sound much worse than it was, and the “bully” was tossed out of the swimming pool, not for just the day, but for the season.

She was a lonely girl with not much going for her. In one thoughtless instant, I made her life worse.

I wish I could take it back.

I don’t know her name, or where she lives, but I wish I could tell her how sorry I am. I wish I could say “Come sit by me.” “Let’s go to lunch.” “Tell me how you’re feeling.” “Let’s go for a walk.” I’d like to show her that people can change. I’d like to make her laugh. I’d like to see her smile.

I don’t know how to reach out to her, but maybe I can reach out to someone else.

Come sit by me.

Linda Garner