Enjoy reading this bonus scene from Perfectly Imperfect. This is short scene will give you a peek into Grayson’s life as a child. Happy reading!
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Imperfect Past
Grayson
Greenville, South Carolina
I’m cold. I feel my body shiver and try to pull the blanket over me. Logan fights me with a tug-o-war battle with the blanket. I open my eyes, blinking softly. I feel the sun peek in. It must be time to wake up already. “Logan, wake up! We gotta get ready for school,” I say, nudging him on the shoulder. He turns over and gives me his back.
“Hmm…leave me alone, Grayson,” he growls at me. It’s the same thing every morning. I give him five more minutes while I get dressed for school. It’s a colder morning today, so I dress quickly to warm up.
“Logan! Get up. I gave you a few more minutes. We’re gonna to be late and you know Miss Jackie will get mad if we are. We can’t disappoint her. I also need to put the tent away before we go.”
Miss Jackie is my fourth grade teacher. She’s really nice and always making sure Logan and I are safe and cared for.
We slept out in the tent tonight so we won’t get in mom’s way. Her new husband is mean. The other night he tried to beat Logan for sneaking in through the window and I got in the middle to protect him. My ribs still hurt. He’s a real asshole.
“Camping was fun! Can we do it again?” Logan asks excitedly. He’s only eight so he doesn’t quite understand the reason behind our campout although he’s witnessed a lot of wrong behavior with our mom for his young age.
“Sure, buddy. Whenever you want, but only if you promise to wake up on time! We’re gonna be late.”
“Scouts honor!” he salutes me and I laugh. His innocence always makes me smile. I may only be ten years old, but I’ve got the temper of a drunken, old man. I’ve had to develop this attitude to keep Logan and myself safe from all of the men mom brings home and marries.
Somehow, we’re always in the way. She’s starting to become a real slut. She does whatever they want and is usually drunk or worse. We try to stay out of the house, but it’s difficult sometimes. We want to take a shower and sleep on a bed. Thank goodness Miss Jackie gave us this tent and a sleeping bag to share. I took the blanket from our house. No one will notice.
“Let’s go.” I guide Logan out of the forest and towards the main road. Thankfully our school is only a mile away. I notice Logan tremble. Fall is really kicking in. “Are you cold?”
“A little,” he says, wrapping his arms around himself.
“Here. Put this on.” I give him my jacket.
“Thanks,” he says gratefully and puts it on. “Won’t you be cold, though?”
“Nah. I’ve got thick skin to keep me warm.” He laughs at my comment.
“We have the same skin!” he says pulling on my skin and his, showing me that it’s the same exact thing. His eyes sparkle with delight. To be eight years old and oblivious to reality.
We make it to school ten minutes late. I rush Logan to his class and run to mine. I try to sneak in and take my seat, but Miss Jackie catches my eye.
“Grayson. Are you late again?” she asks, tight-lipped. I just nod, embarrassed to be called out in front of all my friends. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, ma’am. Sorry.”
“Try to be on time tomorrow.” She lets a smile slip and I relax into my chair. Thank god. I wish I had a mom like Miss Jackie instead of the crappy one we have at home. She would always take care of us and never let us sleep outside alone. Maybe one day I’ll meet a nice girl like her.
© Fabiola Francisco, 2015
Fabiola Francisco 