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- Story Listed as: Fiction For Kids
- Theme: Family & Friends
- Subject: Flash / Mini / Very Short
- Published: 01/30/2025
The Cross-eyed Crew
Born 1947, M, from Oceanside, United StatesThe Cross-eyed Crew
An only child, Elle, who was nine, lived with her mother in a modest little cottage-like house within walking distance of her school. As the new school year was about to begin, Elle was feeling less than enthusiastic about going back.
“Mom,” she asked one morning, “can I be homeschooled?”
Her mother stopped washing the breakfast dishes and turned to Elle sitting at the kitchen table. “I thought you liked your school and your teachers?”
“I do but . . .”
“But what?”
Elle hesitated then said, “There’s this new girl who started at my school toward the end of last year. Ever since she arrived, she’s been making fun of my eyes. She even got a couple of my friends to tease me” Elle was cross-eyed.
Her mother looked at Elle sympathetically. “You know I can’t stay home all day. I have clients I have to meet with.” Elle had been hoping, but she knew her mother couldn’t stop work to teach her.
Seeing her daughter’s disappointment, Elle’s mother said, “If she continues to bother you, tell the principal to call me and I’ll meet with him.”
Elle felt a bit of fear tug at her stomach. She didn’t want to be known as a tattletale. But sure enough, once the school year began, the new girl, whose name was Karen, continued to make fun of her. Elle tried to ignore her taunts.
Then one night while on her computer, she explained her situation. In the process, she happened to mention the school she attended.
A week later, she came out of the building and saw two girls standing on the sidewalk holding signs, each of which had her name scrolled on them.
Surprised as well as curious, Elle strolled over to the girls, both of whom looked about her age. That’s when she noticed that both girls were cross-eyed. “Holy cow!” Elle exclaimed. “Who are you and what are you doing here?”
“My name is Billie,” said one of the girls. Then pointing to the other explained, “Her name is Terry. We’re part of the same crew.”
“What crew is that?”
“The Cross-eyed Crew! We saw your story on the web and decided to ask you to become a member.”
Elle stood startled. Not only was she surprised that they wanted her to be part of their group but couldn’t believe that there were other cross-eyed girls living in the same area. But that’s when she learned that only Terry lived close by. Billie lived a half hour away.
“We talk to each other using Zoom,” said Billie. This was perfect for Elle because, she also had Zoom on her computer.
Then Terry explained how, after they saw Elle’s post, they asked their mothers to drive them to Elle’s school to meet with her in person.
After that day, Elle became a member of the Cross-eyed Crew.
As for Karen, she stopped teasing Elle, especially after she found herself participating in a couple of the projects the Cross-eyed Crew along with Elle’s school did for the community.
The Cross-eyed Crew(Tom Di Roma)
The Cross-eyed Crew
An only child, Elle, who was nine, lived with her mother in a modest little cottage-like house within walking distance of her school. As the new school year was about to begin, Elle was feeling less than enthusiastic about going back.
“Mom,” she asked one morning, “can I be homeschooled?”
Her mother stopped washing the breakfast dishes and turned to Elle sitting at the kitchen table. “I thought you liked your school and your teachers?”
“I do but . . .”
“But what?”
Elle hesitated then said, “There’s this new girl who started at my school toward the end of last year. Ever since she arrived, she’s been making fun of my eyes. She even got a couple of my friends to tease me” Elle was cross-eyed.
Her mother looked at Elle sympathetically. “You know I can’t stay home all day. I have clients I have to meet with.” Elle had been hoping, but she knew her mother couldn’t stop work to teach her.
Seeing her daughter’s disappointment, Elle’s mother said, “If she continues to bother you, tell the principal to call me and I’ll meet with him.”
Elle felt a bit of fear tug at her stomach. She didn’t want to be known as a tattletale. But sure enough, once the school year began, the new girl, whose name was Karen, continued to make fun of her. Elle tried to ignore her taunts.
Then one night while on her computer, she explained her situation. In the process, she happened to mention the school she attended.
A week later, she came out of the building and saw two girls standing on the sidewalk holding signs, each of which had her name scrolled on them.
Surprised as well as curious, Elle strolled over to the girls, both of whom looked about her age. That’s when she noticed that both girls were cross-eyed. “Holy cow!” Elle exclaimed. “Who are you and what are you doing here?”
“My name is Billie,” said one of the girls. Then pointing to the other explained, “Her name is Terry. We’re part of the same crew.”
“What crew is that?”
“The Cross-eyed Crew! We saw your story on the web and decided to ask you to become a member.”
Elle stood startled. Not only was she surprised that they wanted her to be part of their group but couldn’t believe that there were other cross-eyed girls living in the same area. But that’s when she learned that only Terry lived close by. Billie lived a half hour away.
“We talk to each other using Zoom,” said Billie. This was perfect for Elle because, she also had Zoom on her computer.
Then Terry explained how, after they saw Elle’s post, they asked their mothers to drive them to Elle’s school to meet with her in person.
After that day, Elle became a member of the Cross-eyed Crew.
As for Karen, she stopped teasing Elle, especially after she found herself participating in a couple of the projects the Cross-eyed Crew along with Elle’s school did for the community.
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