Reactions
A Child . . .
Curious with wonder
knows this person is different
but he is not afraid
he lingers . . .
and reaches forward
as if he needs to know who this person is
The Mother . . .
A look of embarrassment on her face
pulling the child away
lifting the your child up turns away
making their escape
The child . . .
Continues to reach towards
the person that is different . . .
he is curious that is all!
The Woman in the wheelchair. . .
Sits in her wheelchair drooling
Shifting uncomfortably trying to smile.
The child . . .
Smiles back
and laughs
The mother . . .
Snatches him away.
The woman in the wheelchair . . .
Wonders if this is how attitudes are formed
The checkout chick . . .
It’s been a long day
her feet hurt
her mind is on picking up the kids
cooking dinner
Sam’s soccer practice
she mumbles ‘How are you?’
failing to make eye contact
The woman in the wheelchair . . .
Fine
she is annoyed as she fumbles through her purse
The checkout chick. . .
Looks impatient
tapping on the counter
looking at the growing queue
as she takes the money
Other customers
Smile
the lady behind the woman tells her not to rush
gentleman at the back changes queues
others shift on their feet
The checkout chick
Almost throws four full bags
at the woman
have a nice day
no eye contact again
begins scanning the next ladies items
'How are you today?'
not that she cares
Teenagers at the taxi rank . . .
Hair hangs over their faces
laughing
nudging each other
chewing on gum
what you looking at?
The woman in the wheelchair . . .
Looks away
she knows she was staring
it is her turn to feel embarrassed
she feels ashamed
she is also nervous
there’s a group of them
and one of her
Teenagers at the taxi rank . . .
Laugh louder
two eyeball each other
one spits on the ground
they all laugh
another spits out his gum
hey spastic you got a smoke
more laughter
The woman in the wheelchair . . .
Tries to slide down in her chair
she tucks her head in her collar
hoping they grow bored and go away
Teenagers at the taxi rank
see her cowering
they laugh
they know they have a game on their hands
The woman in the wheelchair . . .
Relieved
her taxi has just pulled up
Taxi driver . . .
Looks at his watch
its almost knock off time
on a Friday afternoon
he’s going to the game tonight
getting home is all he thinks about
as he lowers the lift
The woman in the wheelchair . . .
Wheels on the lift
she clutches on while she is raised
then wheels into the van
Taxi diver . . .
Grunts instructions
forwards
back . . . back
woo . . . woo . . . woo!
he throws straps everywhere
impatient
he is thinking of getting to the game on time
he is aware the clock is ticking
he jumps off the ramp
to fold it away
The woman in the wheelchair and the taxi driver . . .
Do not speak during the journey
she is exhausted
he needs to get to the game on time
both are relieved when she pays her fare
The woman in the wheelchair . . .
Yawns
she feels disheartened
placing the shopping in the kitchen
her mind searches for understanding
then she smiles
she has remembered the child
and the patient lady behind her at the checkout
suddenly the world seems a better place.
Debbie Chilton 2010
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