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Lauren Thompson
Paul Donohoe
English 10.6
3 October, 2013
An Unfortunate Confrontation
A warm tropical breeze played across my back as I laid on my stomach atop a brightly
colored towel on a gorgeous beach in Maui, Hawaii. I opened my eyes to find my sister Elise
pulling faces at me. A restless nine year old at the time, I made faces back at her, until both of us
had dissolved into fits of giggles. The next few minutes carried on like this, until our parents,
frustrated with this sudden disturbance of the peace, suggested that Elise and I entertain
ourselves with the soccer ball somewhere else on the beach. Willingly, we leapt up and found
our way to the beach entrance where there was a field of grass perfect for kicking around a ball.
At this age, both my sister and I played on a classic soccer team, meaning we took ourselves
pretty seriously. Elise, being two and a half years older than me, loved showing off her superior
soccer-playing abilities, often to my displeasure, as she could kick the ball harder and higher, run
faster, and shove me around. She possessed a sick love of watching me desperately chase after
the balls she belted beyond my reach. Such a ball played by my sister was exactly the cause of
extreme discomfort for us both that day. We stood at opposite ends of the grassy area, and I
knew that she would kick hard. I watched helplessly as the ball speeded through the air, fairly
close to the ground, about ten feet to my left. I started to chase after it, and Elise began laughing,
but stopped when we saw the ball, now whizzing along the ground, hurtling towards a lumpy
black shape in the trees on the outskirts of the grass. With a thud, the ball hit the lump, which in
turn let out a muffled yell. A short, skinny woman untangled herself from the mass of rags and
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blankets that she had been resting in. I watched with horror as she limped towards me, her black
beanie hat askew, and her toothless mouth moving up and down, curses streaming out, her saggy
cheeks bouncing, and her eyes alive with fire. You crazy jungle kid! she bellowed at me, You
think its funny to go around kicking people in the head? She spat at the ground and threw the
ball back at me, then proceeded back to her nest of blankets.
Jesus Christ, Elise whispers when I rejoin her.
How could you just let that happen to me? It was all your fault anyway! I glare at her. We
bicker for a minute, and then Elise suggests that I go back and apologize. Apologize for
something you did? I was livid. But because Elise was older and stronger, she got her way. With
caution, I approached the woman once more, Elise standing a few feet back. Excuse me? I said
tentatively.
Get away from me! the woman screeched, scampering up and taking quick steps backwards.
I have a whistle! She yelled, The cops will be on their way soon! I desperately tried to
apologize without making a scene, aware of the onlookers from the crowded beach. My face
turning red, I said in my most polite voice,
I just wanted to say that Im sorry.
Sorry? She spat, Why dont you just go back to the jungle where you belong! With those
words, she started viciously blowing her whistle, glaring right at me. Desperately, I turned to my
sister, who was edging away from the scene. Deciding it best to follow suit, I walked away trying
my best to look like I had no idea what the woman was going on about. By the time I got back to
my parents, Elise had already recounted the tale, conveniently omitting the detail that the entire
situation had been her fault.
So thats what the whistle was! my mom laughed.
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I dont wanna talk about it! I snapped.
Unfortunately this didnt stop my sister from quoting her favorite parts of the confrontation all
afternoon.




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Works Cited