Category : Stories

Sub Category : Drama

 I have a story to tell about a young girl in a light blue nightgown. 
It was in the middle of summer, the once lush green grass between her toes had all turned yellow, stabbing into her chubby feet. Her tangled hair lay on the back of her neck like a wool blanket. 
The unbearable warmth sent sweat glistening down her forehead into her eyes. Taking matters into her own hands, she turned to the green snake of a hose that had settled into the ground. Lifting it up, leaving its imprint behind in the yellow grass. She squealed in delight feeling the cold water pour down over her head. 
Curious siblings joined in. Laughter and happy screams echoed down the street, luring neighborhood kids, sitting out bored on their porch steps, to run over to take part in the midsummer fun. Running barefoot through the sprinklers they played until the street lights came on. 
One by one, they disappeared into their cozy homes. The night layover our street like a thick fog slowly moving into the bay. The warm glow of lights flickered in the streets showing the true signs that the day had ended.
Friday night was date night for the little girl and her two older brother's parents. She sat in the bath washing off the heat of the summer from her skin. Soon, the smell of the familiar tin foil TV dinners filled the air, causing her tummy to rumble. All clean and dry, she slipped on her light blue nightgown and her favorite strawberry shortcake panties. 
Sitting at the kitchen table underneath the light that hung from the ceiling, she and her brothers gobbled up their dinners and then plopped themselves in front of the tv. 
Friday night date nights meant popcorn and a movie which is something the little trio often looked forward to. Tonight was going to be extra special. Her best friend's older brother from down the street agreed to babysit. Secretly the little girl in the light blue dress had a crush on him, and was excited that he was finally there.
 A kiss goodbye to her mom and dad and they were off. Laying on their tummies, the popcorn bowl lay just in front of them. Grubby little hands reached in grabbing the salty treat and shoving it into their mouths without caution.
The movie they were watching, gave the little girl in the light blue nightgown a fright. The older boy from down the street offered comfort by lifting her onto his lap. Feeling a little shy sitting up on him, she tensed up watching her brothers continue to gobble handfuls of the popcorn, unaware that she was no longer next to them. 
The boy from down the street felt her body tense as she sat on his lap. He cautiously combed his fingers through her damp hair in hopes to relax her. The little girl in the light blue nightgown, frozen in fear, did not move away from his touch. Taking that as an invitation, the boy from down the street, slipped his hand up her light blue nightgown to caress her back. She felt yucky inside. These touches didn't feel ok, but too afraid she would upset him, she remained quiet, while her little lip quivered. "Relax, sweetheart," he whispered softly into her ear. 
He slipped his hands around the front, gently rubbing her tummy. She sat there and said nothing while he slipped his hands inside her favorite strawberry shortcake panties. The little girl lost her innocence that night, living a life in shame that somehow this was all her fault. 
Too many girls, like the little girl in the light blue nightgown have been sexually victimized by people close to home. Growing up in a world where the victim shaming is the norm, she was too afraid to speak out. 
Too afraid to tell the story of the boy down the street. This was now her new normal, a normal where she allowed people to take advantage of her, they each took a piece of her soul...in the end she was left with nothing. 
Hitting the ground was all it took to finally have the strength to stand up against these monsters. The little girl in the light blue nightgown is me, and I vow to stand up and speak out against sexual violence. It is not your fault, you did not ask for this. No means no. You, are not alone.