Little Town, Great Big Life by Curtiss Ann Matlock

Author:Curtiss Ann Matlock
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MIRA
Published: 2010-09-21T16:00:00+00:00

Gabby came on her bicycle, all giggles and curly hair flying. Hopping off her bike, Gabby threw herself at Willie Lee and hugged his neck. That was always the first thing she did with him, or most anyone. Willie Lee liked the hug, and the sweet way Gabby smelled, and the way her hair was so curly and shiny. He also liked that she was small for her age, like he was, and not yet taller than him. Corrine said that since Gabby was small at her age, it was quite possible that she might always stay small.

One time Willie Lee had said to her, “I hope you stay smaller than me.”

Gabby had asked, “Why is that?”

And Willie Lee had said shyly, “Be-cause I am re-tard-ed and you are not, so-o I would like you to not be big-ger.”

And Gabby promptly, her hand to her hip, said, “You are not retarded—you are special. And now I don’t want to get bigger, either, so I will ask God to not let me get taller than you.” Her curls had bounced as she jutted her chin for emphasis.

Willie Lee had thought this over for some time. He had asked God to make him be like other boys, and that had not happened. He kept watching Gabby, thinking that she would grow up and leave him behind, as all his other friends had done. But so far she had not only not gone away, she had not grown taller than him. He had discussed this matter with Mr. Winston, and Mr. Winston said some prayers were answered as expected, and some were answered in a different way, but always just right. When Willie Lee confided that he had prayed to be made smart like other boys, Mr. Winston had said, “Son, we need you just the way you are. You don’t see me tryin’ to be like anybody else, do you?”

This was true and clear. Papa Tate was always saying that Mr. Winston was not like anybody else.

“And if you were smart like other boys,” said Mr. Winston, “your intellect would only get in the way of your wider knowledge.”

Mr. Winston often spoke of Willie Lee’s wider knowledge, something that Willie Lee was not quite clear on.

“And Gabby gal might not like you as much, would she?” continued Mr. Winston. “Do you really think she could like you any more than she does?”

“Well…I guess not.”

“There you go…. And who would be here to be my friend and help me like you do? Or take care of Munro, and give Munro somebody to take care of? And what about your mother and Corrine? And all those pets and birds and rabbits you keep savin’? Nope, buddy, we all need and love you just like you are. God has special work for you. Be proud…stand up straight. There you go…work on bein’ proud. I think you gained an inch right there.”

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