Children and Swimsuits

Children and Swimsuits

I was at the mall with my friends and they all wanted to go get lunch. I told them I'd catch up with them later, I was suppose to go shopping for a swimsuit. Why I went through with actually looking, I don't know. The girls in the store gave me dirty looks as I skimmed through the selection. The cashier never bothered to ask if I needed help, maybe she was just busy. I found a one piece that was purple and black, filled with swirly designs. I waited until the changing room was clear before I actually tried it on. The suit itself looked nice, but the body it was on looked ugly. The mirror was in the hall way and I pulled the courage to leave the confined room to look at myself. I was looking sullenly in the mirror when I saw a little girl sitting on a bench behind me, she smiled as I turned. Her smiled quickly faded when she saw the marks all over my exposed body parts. We stared at each other for what felt like forever. She sat herself straight up and looked at me with questioning eyes. %u201CDid all of them hurt?%u201D I was slightly shocked at the question, but forced a smile.


%u201COnly a few.%u201D
%u201CWhy'd you do it?%u201D
%u201CI was sad.%u201D
%u201C..But you shouldn't be sad! You don't seem like a bad person.%u201D


I was kneeling in front of her at this point with a small but genuine smile on my face. I was about to say some life moral, but the door next to us clicked and started to open as I fled back into my chamber. The mom spoke softly and asked her daughter if whatever she was wearing looked nice. You could hear the little girl smile and say yes. After a few moments, the mom and daughter got their stuff and started to leave. As they walked out, I heard the little girl bounce in excitement as she spoke to her mother.


%u201CYou missed her mom!%u201D
%u201CMissed who, honey?%u201D
%u201CThis girl, she came out in a swimsuit two stalls down. Gosh mom, she looked beautiful!%u201D



I could feel the smile on my face turn into a grin, I sat down and felt myself about to weep. Children's hearts are so small and fragile, but so pure and innocent.

I wonder if she knows she just saved someone's life.