Dear Reader,
Today our guest writer is, Laura Shaffer, one of the 2021 Honorable Mentions from my Write a DearReader Contest. Thank you so much Laura for sharing your story with us.
I am the youngest of four girls. If our mother asked, "Who broke the vase?," we responded by birth order.
Sarah, the oldest, said, "Lisa."
Lisa said, "Becky."
Becky said, "Laura."
I had no one's name to say. Until the day I created Mary Lousa. If anything got broken or misplaced, Mary Lousa did it. She took the brunt of my childhood misdeeds. Our parents didn't condone lying, but I think they knew I needed Mary Lousa for a while.
Mary Lousa first came to my parents' home when I was about eight. I can't remember how old I was when she disappeared. After my sisters and I moved and had families of our own, Mary Lousa resurfaced once again.
After a family gathering, my mother emailed us something like this:
It was great seeing everybody. Now that you all have gone, I am missing a few things. My blue knitting needles and small silver scissors. They were both by my big chair. Did anyone see them?
We responded with four "nos." Someone typed one name: "Mary Lousa."
Mary Lousa was an active member of our family once again. She took the strangest things. She hid the remote control, a throw pillow, and a can opener. Usually, she returned the items to out-of-reach places, making us scratch our heads and ask, 'Why would she put the remote control under the sofa?'
Once while I cat sat, Mary Loosa stole the kitty litter scooper. I never did find it.
Our mother sent us another email after a long weekend visit. In the subject line, she wrote "Mary Loosa on the Loose."
Mum typed, "That girl has been busy."
Trash talking began as emails flew back and forth.
"She is so bad."
"What a slut!"
That message went too far. "Don't call her names," I typed. "I created her. I will defend her."
"When did you start defending a thief?" another sister retorted.
Poor Mary Lousa/Loosa. Even with the name calling, she insisted on visiting our mother's house. Her antics halted during COVID, however. She stayed away like everybody else.
Once restrictions were lifted, Mary Lousa reappeared after we visited our mother. Fortunately, she only removed items from one table to another.
As adults, I believe Mary Lousa reflects a bit of each of us. She helps us to laugh at ourselves and understand the need for make believe when we take ourselves too seriously.
This summer, my 93-year-old mother, a rug hooker, completed a pre-stamped piece. A young girl about twelve faces the sea. We can only see the back of her turquoise dress. The wind whips her black hair about her shoulders. Appropriately, Mum has titled the piece "Mary Loosa." To Mary Loosa's left is a cliff. On the other side of it, I imagine Mary Loosa has pitched an item or two from my mother's house, such as a kitty litter scooper. If I listen closely, I can hear her giggles float out to sea.
--- Laura Shaffer
Honorable Mention, 2021 Write a DearReader Contest
Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.
Suzanne Beecher
[email protected]
AUTHORBUZZ: With so many new books out every week, we promise these titles deserve your attention:
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