1. Write about something you felt was unfair as a child.
When I was growing up our Nintendo used to freeze up or blink on and off or just display a black screen unless we blew in it or performed some kind of chant.
I don’t know how, but I somehow convinced my little brother that I had the magic touch. I would cup the game in my hand and blow in the corner and then I would do the same to the inside of the console.
This one time my brother told me I couldn’t play and then he had trouble getting the game started and I was all “neener neener…that’s what you get!” and he was all “fix it!” and I was all, “No! You’re rude!” and he was all “FIIIXXXX ITTTT!” because we know how boys get about their video games when they won’t work.
But I refused. I relished in the power I had over his game. I would not fix the Nintendo.
And then my Mom was all, “what’s the problem in here??” and my brother was all, “Kathy won’t fix the Nintendo!!!!” and my Mom looked at me and was all, “Kathy fix the Nintendo.” And I just kind of stood there…stunned…because can moms actually do that? I mean, I know they can make us clean our rooms and say sorry and change our underwear, but can they actually force us to fix Nintendos? He could blow into the game himself!
“Go on!” she said, “Fix the Nintendo! NOW!”
Defeated, I walked over to the Nintendo and blew into the corner of the game and then into the console. I pressed power and willed it not to work, but the damn thing turned on. My brother was all “Neener neener!” and I just couldn’t really believe my life.
To this day I think it contributed to my irritation with any kind of authority bossing me around. THAT was not fair. I will never fix his stupid game again.
John Holton says
Little brothers, amirite? I had two of them, one of whom was a real pain in the backside. Didn’t he know how to blow into the game cartridge and the game to get them to work? How many times did you do it for him, and he never paid attention?
Patty says
Have to love that sibling rivalry.
Seems the oldest child in the mix always bore the brunt of “have to’s” and the younger ones loved sitting back and having some twisted control over a situation. The oldest had the responsibility of always having to set a good example while the next ones in line got away with whatever they could.