The detail of the eighth-graders and "his layaway on layaway" — that's the kind of specific cruelty you don't forget forty years later. Grateful you're willing to put it down on the page.
Not remembering what the jeans cost but remembering every book bought instead. That's the whole economy in one line.
And then the payoff, that The One Tree was rubbish. The shame taught you something real and the thing it cost you was worth nothing. Both true at once, which is the part people leave out.
Brought back memories of having to be an adult when I was a kid, and of the adults in my life just trying to be ones (fail.) What a delight it is to read you.
Remembering vividly when the wash of denim could raise or lower the « cool « status and how desperate it could get just rewashing those cardboard lees.
Thrilled to see you into this, your shares have been hot shit. I just hope after you write it all out and step back to see it whole, you'll go back to your brother. If that doesn't snap all the bones in a heart.
I've been trying to reach my daughter "want," versus "need" and the opportunity cost associated with it. Most of the stuff we buy is thrifted. Reading her "Those Shoes" by Maribeth Boelts, helps to explain this.
This essay makes me love you like family. Wearing out clothes while buying new books, going back and forth between the books and the jeans, getting excited about having five pairs of jeans and not having to repeat... I don't know, it just feels like family.
In high school, I worked in Red Bank, in a bakery directly across from a Mr. Paperback store. The clothing shops were a block away but there was a whole poetry section in there.
Also reminded me I used to steal my brother’s jeans.
Writing like this is a gift. Thank you.
The detail of the eighth-graders and "his layaway on layaway" — that's the kind of specific cruelty you don't forget forty years later. Grateful you're willing to put it down on the page.
Brilliant.
Means the world coming from you Sherman
Not remembering what the jeans cost but remembering every book bought instead. That's the whole economy in one line.
And then the payoff, that The One Tree was rubbish. The shame taught you something real and the thing it cost you was worth nothing. Both true at once, which is the part people leave out.
This one was painful for me. I felt it because it brought some memories back.
Brought back memories of having to be an adult when I was a kid, and of the adults in my life just trying to be ones (fail.) What a delight it is to read you.
Beautiful work. So moving.
Remembering vividly when the wash of denim could raise or lower the « cool « status and how desperate it could get just rewashing those cardboard lees.
Jeans and books -- I've never seen them in that combination. Now I'll never forget.
Thrilled to see you into this, your shares have been hot shit. I just hope after you write it all out and step back to see it whole, you'll go back to your brother. If that doesn't snap all the bones in a heart.
Fiend Folio was totally worth it. All those monsters!
I've been trying to reach my daughter "want," versus "need" and the opportunity cost associated with it. Most of the stuff we buy is thrifted. Reading her "Those Shoes" by Maribeth Boelts, helps to explain this.
Super moving. Thank you.
Thank you for writing this story. May I use it in my classroom?
Sending light-Jackie
Of course
This essay makes me love you like family. Wearing out clothes while buying new books, going back and forth between the books and the jeans, getting excited about having five pairs of jeans and not having to repeat... I don't know, it just feels like family.
Love this early dealing with priorities.
I had the same dilemma every payday.
In high school, I worked in Red Bank, in a bakery directly across from a Mr. Paperback store. The clothing shops were a block away but there was a whole poetry section in there.
Also reminded me I used to steal my brother’s jeans.