Skin (1616 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1.84 on 58 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by nitty (View user info) at 2005-10-14 12:19:51 EDT
It started with the bruise.
And Sarah Beth is scared.
A volleyball game 3 weeks ago. Diving for a ball, Sarah Beth hit the hardwood floor harder than usual. She shook it off, finished the game, forgot about it. The next day she noticed a grapefruit-sized bruise on her left hip; the hip that hit the ground. She touched it gingerly, admired her injury, forgot about it.
The bruise is still there.
And Sarah Beth is scared.
She's sitting a waiting room at the doctor's office. Not the big waiting room, but the smaller one they put you in after they're already examined you. Her mom is sitting to her left, and her dad is standing to her right. Sarah Beth and her mom are leafing through old magazines, and her dad is staring at a poster of CPR techniques on the wall.
None of the three are reading. They're just sitting. Sitting in silence until the nurse opened the door, and asked them to please follow her.
Sarah Beth is sitting in the back of her parent's car on the way home from the doctor. The window is fogging up, one of those fogs where it's neither too hot, nor too cold outside. It's raining slightly, and nothing her dad does to the buttons and dials on the dash is helping. The windows are going to stay cloudy. Just like their thoughts.
None are talking, but all are thinking the same thing. Thinking about what the doctor said.
Thinking about Sarah Beth's red cells and her white cells and how something's not right with the ratio between them.
Thinking about the chances the doctor gave her. 6 in 10 seems like a decent shot when you're talking about someone else. Sarah Beth doesn't see it as being so decent.
Thinking about the treatment options, the ramifications, the side effects. Brand new therapy, they said. The strongest there is.
Thinking about the last words the doctor said; "We're going to take care of you. Don't worry."
Sarah Beth is scared, and worried.
She closes her eyes and dreams. The kind of dreams that pop into your head, even though you're wide awake. She dreams of dancing. Of being alone in a ballroom, the long flowing dress, spinning around in the arms of her very first love, with a soft wind blowing through her hair. Dancing and forgetting all other worries that make up her world.
Sarah Beth is scared, and crying.
When she woke up she found the cruelest of surprises on her pillow. They said it was coming, but no one could have predicted how soon. She'd only been on the treatment for a couple of weeks, but there it was.
She cried as she gathered it into her hands, and softly squeezed it as if there was some way she could make it reattach itself to her scalp. She didn't want to look in the mirror, for fear of what she might see. She didn't need to look in the mirror, because she knew.
When her mom walked into her room, they cried together.
Her mother cried because no parent wants to see a child in pain. Emotional, physical, it doesn't matter.
Sarah Beth cried because she knew that it would be a mistake to take a girl with no hair to the prom.
And she closes her eyes and dreams.
And she dreams she's dancing. Spinning around and around with her feet never touching the ground. And her very first love is holding her close to his chest - and the soft wind is blowing her hair.
Sarah Beth is scared, and nervous.
Nervous because her makeup had to be perfect. Her dress had to be perfect. Her shoes had to be perfect. She had so much to make up for - the parts of her that, for the moment, weren't perfect.
Sweet Trevor. The goofy boy in class. The boy who wore the same boots, jeans, and hat wherever he went. The boy who drove the muscle car that was 10 years past cool. The boy who was never afraid to go his own way, regardless of what others though. The boy who was man enough to ask her to the prom, regardless of what she may have thought of herself.
She told herself she didn't want to go. Something told her to say yes.
Sarah Beth heard the doorbell ring, and heard her father usher her date into the living room. Heard her father comment on the car. Heard her mother comment on the tuxedo.
She made her way down the stairs, trying to put on a brave face, fully aware of how silly she must look.
She entered the room, and almost had to laugh. The jeans were gone, but along with the tux was the signature boots and hat.
Then Sarah Beth, her mother, and her father all began to cry.
As Trevor made his way over to her to place the corsage on her wrist, he nonchalantly laid his hat on the table by the stairs.
Sarah Beth reached up to where his hat had been, where this morning his hair had been.
And softly she touched only skin.
And they both went dancing. Around and around, with the strong arms of her very first true love holding her close.
And for the moment, she isn't scared.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Heard this new song by Rascal Flatts on XM in the car yesterday, and thought it was amazing. Coincidentally, I have this print hanging over my dining room table.
-nitty
User Reviews
Submitted by pragmatic (user info) at 2006-04-11 21:20:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I read this ages ago, before I was user
and Now i get to rate accordingly
Submitted by phuzzygish (user info) at 2006-01-03 10:49:53 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by cha-chi (user info) at 2006-01-03 10:33:39 EST (#)
Ranking: 2
yours is obviously superior.
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2005-10-24 05:55:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by TigerLilly (user info) at 2005-10-15 06:46:55 (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by crazyaardvark (user info) at 2005-10-14 23:09:02 (#)
Ranking: -1
Hmm...Amateur fiction *vomits*
Instructions for you.
Go to hardware store.
Go inside hardware store.
Buy a big hammer
Put hammer in your right hand
Smack your head with hammer.
Do this over and over until you
bleed from your eyes.
Fuck with my boyfriend. Ohhh...Yeah
that's right...did you all hear me????
Nitts is my boyfriend so eat it. I'm done
here. """
<dies>
Submitted by RamJetMax (user info) at 2005-10-17 10:42:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Meh.
Needs more pronouns.
Submitted by uberfoxyroxy (user info) at 2005-10-15 12:52:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
WOW!!!
i've gone all shivery... my little friend had cancer when he was 6, yeah, 6, but he didnt let it get in his way, and fought, and now is all better. that made me think of him... aww....
Submitted by kaos-king (user info) at 2005-10-15 11:58:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Fucking perfect, Nitty. Damn good work...
Submitted by TigerLilly (user info) at 2005-10-15 07:12:13 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Ok...I fibbed a bit...Nitts 'ISN'T' my
boyfriend .... but a girl can dream can't she?
Submitted by TigerLilly (user info) at 2005-10-15 06:46:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by crazyaardvark (user info) at 2005-10-14 23:09:02 (#)
Ranking: -1
Hmm...Amateur fiction *vomits*
Instructions for you.
Go to hardware store.
Go inside hardware store.
Buy a big hammer
Put hammer in your right hand
Smack your head with hammer.
Do this over and over until you
bleed from your eyes.
Fuck with my boyfriend. Ohhh...Yeah
that's right...did you all hear me????
Nitts is my boyfriend so eat it. I'm done
here.
Submitted by crazyaardvark (user info) at 2005-10-14 23:09:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: -1
Hmm...Amateur fiction *vomits*
Submitted by Phallic_Cymbals (user info) at 2005-10-14 23:05:00 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Sweet.
Submitted by Dead_0hi0_Sky (user info) at 2005-10-14 23:04:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
needs more cowbell.
i had to, nitty.
Submitted by Fungah (user info) at 2005-10-14 22:59:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by Crystle (user info) at 2005-10-14 16:44:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I cried SO much when I first heard that song..
I love the way you handled it.
Submitted by Brdn_Nkd (user info) at 2005-10-14 16:02:57 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by sideshow (user info) at 2005-10-14 14:57:33 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Nice story. Good of that guy to shave his head too.
Submitted by MyNameIsTim (user info) at 2005-10-14 14:38:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
nicely done. i knew this one was coming. you gotta c ry the first time you hear that song. the first line, "sarabeth...is scared to death" is powerful and simply. powerfully simple, and simply powerful.
Submitted by SiskelandFatboy (user info) at 2005-10-14 14:26:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I don't get it.
Did he sell something to buy her a comb, while she sold her hair to buy him something for the udda thing he sold to buy her the comb in which she won't need because she sold her hair to by the udda thing.....hell, I am more confused than I was before.....
Good post anyway.
Submitted by TigerLilly (user info) at 2005-10-14 14:25:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Hey coke head...check your mail.
Submitted by cocaine (user info) at 2005-10-14 14:13:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
ok, rob fells
Submitted by LiquidPaper (user info) at 2005-10-14 13:59:22 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Kickass post man
Submitted by dawnmarie (user info) at 2005-10-14 13:51:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Tiger is my girlfriend. She
told me to read your stories.
You're very good. And cute
to boot.
Submitted by jack11058 (user info) at 2005-10-14 13:39:37 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by pen_name (user info) at 2005-10-14 13:33:32 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
"And if that diamond ring turns brass"
>CUNT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"...Mamma's gonna buy you a looking glass...."
<why don't you have another drink, you lush
"And if that Looking Glass gets broke...."
> I would if you didn't spend out money on your fucking nut implant
"Mamma's gonna buy you a billy goat..."
>That was a necessary medical procedure
Submitted by cocaine (user info) at 2005-10-14 13:29:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No gots the yahoo. And I can't download it here at work. Oh well. Another time. It can wait.
Submitted by bigbabylons (user info) at 2005-10-14 13:27:28 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
gigady gigady gigady gigady gooo
Submitted by nitty34 (user info) at 2005-10-14 13:27:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
nitty34 on yahoo
Submitted by pen_name (user info) at 2005-10-14 13:26:45 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I hate it when mommy and daddy fight
*rocking*
"hush little baby don't say a word, momma's going to buy you..."
>you whore, you fucking whore!
"...a mocking bird and if that mocking bird don't..."
<eat me, tom. EAT ME.
"...sing, momma's going to buy you a diamond ring
Submitted by nitty34 (user info) at 2005-10-14 13:26:21 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
I was waiting on Dyke McCarpetmunch to make an appearance.
Word.
Submitted by cocaine (user info) at 2005-10-14 13:26:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Nitty, do you have AIM or an email address? I'd actually like to talk to you on a medium other than this website.
Submitted by cuberat (user info) at 2005-10-14 13:25:19 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
No Comment
Submitted by ShadowFacsimile (user info) at 2005-10-14 13:24:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
i have an idea
lets make a post about a song
then when everyone is too scared to -2 it because im the resident token fag,
ill do it again and again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again again and again
shut the fuck up with this ignorant hillbilly bullshit
Submitted by nitty34 (user info) at 2005-10-14 13:24:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
My posts always cause drama.
I've got a big breasted sex kitten defending me, and a highly addictive narcotic on the other side.
I'm going to -2 myself only cause I know it doesn't count.
Badass - -2 me. Cocksmoker.
Submitted by TigerLilly (user info) at 2005-10-14 13:20:25 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Yep. True that. Alter boy. But we know 'Jason' so whateva.
Submitted by cocaine (user info) at 2005-10-14 13:17:59 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You can all believe whatever you all like. Since the second I registed on this site, you've implied that I'm another user. I've never insinuated anything and all you people have to go on are accusations and assumptions.
Submitted by TigerLilly (user info) at 2005-10-14 13:15:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
So you're not denying that you are, in fact, Eric?
Cause, we all know.
Submitted by cocaine (user info) at 2005-10-14 13:13:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
My only point was that you, Katie, said that ratings don't matter at all. Yet you are now getting in a tizzy. And you too, Nitty. Ratings should not matter. You should be above the 3rd grade name calling.
But more to the subject matter (which should be of greatest importance here), it was a great read and I enjoyed it greatly.
Submitted by TigerLilly (user info) at 2005-10-14 13:06:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Apparently you don't get my sarcasm ... I don't even
own a pair of cowboy boots. Nice way to be a tool
though. You can just go right ahead and post under
your original name. Everyone here knows who you are.
http://www.ubersite.com/cgi-bin/message_get.cgi?user_id=13163
Submitted by nitty34 (user info) at 2005-10-14 13:04:46 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Thanks, Lester
douche
Submitted by cocaine (user info) at 2005-10-14 13:01:09 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by TigerLilly (user info) at 2005-10-14 12:54:15 (#)
Ranking: 2
some fucker is going to ruin your ratings.
i'm gonna have to put on my cowboy hat and
boots and kick some ass.
--------
what happened to: http://www.ubersite.com/m/76933#1637702
Submitted by Jack_Burton (user info) at 2005-10-14 12:55:23 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Have you paid your dues?
Submitted by TigerLilly (user info) at 2005-10-14 12:54:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
some fucker is going to ruin your ratings.
i'm gonna have to put on my cowboy hat and
boots and kick some ass.
get on yahoo...im back, bitch.
Submitted by glasscock (user info) at 2005-10-14 12:48:24 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
whenver I log in I look for your stuff
I'm never disappointed
Submitted by pen_name (user info) at 2005-10-14 12:48:15 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
i'm fixated with large, hairy, mythical creatures today.
I bet it's my spidey sense telling me that jonukah will post soon.
Submitted by nitty34 (user info) at 2005-10-14 12:47:29 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
kiss - I've thought of that one.
I'll try to get it done.
Submitted by GoodInTheSac (user info) at 2005-10-14 12:47:02 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Great read. Thanks
Submitted by pen_name (user info) at 2005-10-14 12:45:35 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Submitted by nitty34 (user info) at 2005-10-14 12:38:36 (#)
Ranking: 0
Teeph -
I've already emailed it to her. She says to tell you 'hi'
_______________________________________________
she also says that you need to take out the trash--ten pounds of used sasquatch rubbers
uh, she says some guy left them on the stoop.
Submitted by kissmyarse (user info) at 2005-10-14 12:43:27 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You are the seriously genius. I teared a lil. Maybe because I'm PMSing, or maybe because I just have a vagina. I'm not sure.
Please do "Live Like You're Dying" by the great Tim McGraw. ((hopefully you haven't done that one yet))
Submitted by Teephphah (user info) at 2005-10-14 12:40:20 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
<fume>
whyIoughta . . .
</fume>
Submitted by nitty34 (user info) at 2005-10-14 12:38:36 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Teeph -
I've already emailed it to her. She says to tell you 'hi'
Submitted by Orla (user info) at 2005-10-14 12:37:43 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Wow. . . I'm crying.
I had a similar experience, thought I wasn't the one with cancer. I can't imagine.
Thanks.
Submitted by Teephphah (user info) at 2005-10-14 12:36:39 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You bastard.
I love it when you do that to me. When you and country music get together it's the best thing since chocolate and peanut butter.
This may be the first Uber post I ever e-mail my wife. (Besides the picture of the bunny with the pancake on its head.)
Submitted by TigerLilly (user info) at 2005-10-14 12:31:38 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
This was fantastic.
I especially like this:
"Nervous because her makeup had to be perfect. Her dress had to be perfect. Her shoes had to be perfect. She had so much to make up for - the parts of her that, for the moment, weren't perfect."
I can't begin to tell you how much I can relate to that.
Excellent Nitts.
<3
Submitted by pen_name (user info) at 2005-10-14 12:29:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.ubersite.com/m/76904
i love whoring that out.
___________________
What's with you trying to give me itty bitty nitty tears? I only cry at monster truck races when they bring out bigfoot.
Oh, God, i love Bigfoot.
Submitted by Shlongy (user info) at 2005-10-14 12:24:47 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
You really are a fucking hick, aren't you, boy?
Bring back Hank Sr!
Submitted by Berty (user info) at 2005-10-14 12:23:17 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
*hides face from co-workers*
Dammit man, stop doing that!
Submitted by VengefulDaddy (user info) at 2005-10-14 12:23:05 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
Fucking awesome!
Submitted by Mike00295 (user info) at 2005-10-14 12:21:53 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
http://www.ubersite.com/m/77046
Read it and weep like a school girl.
Or just read it.
Whichever.