Fifteen

Katie’s body is peppered with bruises. The most colorful is on her right ankle from teaching her cousin how to ride her bike; Katie’s glad the weather has taken a turn for the nasty, halting the riding lessons. Another on her left calf, growing darker by the day, from where her sister threw a tree branch at her leg, point first; Katie and playfully shoved her into the snow. There’s a nearly invisible sore spot on her left hip, doubtlessly from sledding down Mad Dog Hill the day before. The last is on the back of her head, a goose egg really, from hitting her head on the corner of the bathroom counter; she’d been naked and trying to reach the garment her sister had tossed just outside the door, just out of reach.

Katie makes a mental note to hit her sister a little harder next time the opportunity arises. Though her only reward will be short lived; Katie’s sister has a rule: You hit me, I hit back twice as hard. And damn, if she doesn’t follow that rule like religion. Katie takes two Advil before settling down on the couch, wondering what shade of purple, red, yellow, and green, the various bruises will be tomorrow.