A Girl Becomes a Young Woman - For Adult Contest

A girl around 13, sitting at a kitchen table of the home where she baby sits, is waiting for the woman of the house to finish getting ready to leave. She is startled by two brazen hands coming surreptitiously from behind her, fingers and thumbs beginning to gently squeeze her prepubescent breasts. Frightened and aghast, the young girl stays transfixed and says nothing. The man’s wife calls out to her husband, and the fondling abruptly ceases. The girl knows something is wrong, but she doesn’t want to give up the babysitting. She enjoys the children and likes earning money on her own. All she can do is fervently and silently hope the incident will not reoccur as she continues, on and off, to watch the children of that disgusting man. The girl’s mind and body mature; by age 17, she is coming into her own. She has been reading, watching, experiencing, and . . . . learning. Once again, in those later years, she has the occasion to watch the children of that man whose invading hands had long ago so repulsed her! As he drives her home late at night, he reaches out for breasts now much larger. The girl is waiting for it. Shaking inside, she summons up her small bit of courage. Pushing his hands away, she calmly but assertively declares: “Leave me alone. You can never do that to me again.” She now realizes there are not always others that can help you. No longer a scared little girl, she's a woman who can take care of herself. I know because that girl was me. For the TRUE Meaning of Being Adult Poetry Contest of F J Thomas
Copyright © | Year Posted 2015

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Fraser Avatar
June 17, 2015 at 2:11 PM
Never expected the last line Andrea, oh my! It's something I never allowed my daughter to do, for your right, society is changing, and not for the best, James....
Thomas Avatar
May 3, 2015 at 4:15 AM
Bravo!! I love this poem that deals with girl power. :) a 7 for sure
Martin Avatar
May 2, 2015 at 5:27 PM
Your poetry is always so imaginative (hmm, not sure here, sounds too real!)
Martin Avatar
May 2, 2015 at 10:18 PM
Realized real, And real of course. . .so sorry if I offended you! Enjoy reading all your poetry! Consider you one ofbest poets here
Garg Avatar
April 30, 2015 at 6:14 AM
"He slapped me once, his fault. He slapped me twice, my fault." I don't know who said this but you proved it by not allowing him. Bravo....Congrats for you showed such boldness to refuse... ... Archana
Martin Avatar
April 28, 2015 at 5:17 PM
Brava!!! Andrea! Enjoyed the read,
Onclaud Avatar
April 26, 2015 at 5:01 PM
powerful write, andie.. most of us have gone through this phase.. how brave you were then... very well done!.. huggs
Richards Avatar
April 26, 2015 at 2:53 PM
A very candid and courageous poem, Andrea. Such things do happen, (I remember one such frightful moment ) and it is not something a young girl ever forgets! Good luck in the contest!
Anish Avatar
April 26, 2015 at 11:46 AM
The poem is quite moving. Glad you got through your sad experience. I wrote a confessional poem not long ago. It was about my inability to commit. I have had plenty of girlfriends (Jewish and not Jewish) but still remain a bachelor. That is not such bad thing to be - especially in Manhattan. Hope you win the contest because of your courageous poem. All best Matthew Anish
Peranteau Avatar
April 26, 2015 at 9:13 AM
I pray for your recovery my dear poet and I am happy that you have a forum to vent this most disturbing episode in your life. And bravo for you Andrea for defending yourself and now empowering other souls to prevent and also end such mind and heart wrenching moments ! Have a blessed week my friend.......much love, james
Chakrabarty Avatar
April 26, 2015 at 8:07 AM
This is really unfortunate Andie. I know some men who did not spare their own daughters. How horrible. That way world is sickening and out of all human values.TRUE Meaning of Being Adult is a much much confident writing and you deserve my thanks ---R
Walker Avatar
April 25, 2015 at 5:28 PM
Oh, I hope that he never touched the little girl that way. I remember freezing at the touch but then again, I didn't develop until late so what he fondled was nothing. He did move his hand down toward my leg and I don't know what made me do it, but I leaped up and told him that since he was home now I was leaving and I walked home.
Walker Avatar
April 25, 2015 at 5:24 PM
Andrea, didn't you tell anyone? It would have helped me when it happened to me. I told Mom and she didn't believe me, but if you had told her she would have listened. I know exactly who you are talking about and I'm so thankful that the lovely woman who was the wife left him many years ago.
Dietrich Avatar
April 26, 2015 at 1:19 AM
yes, I told mom, and she acted like it was no big deal. Can you believe it??? I had no idea it happened to you too!! I feel bad that i did not get my courage earlier because he must have been doing it to his stepdaughter as well. i think her name was Jodi, right? Do you know what became of her? I know Ricky did not end up too great. Lovely Myrna is so lucky to have escaped that man
Pinet Avatar
April 25, 2015 at 9:52 AM
A personal and up close look into the private life of the author. She pours out her soul and has come to peace with herself. Her words gently take the reader to her private place where the pain of this memory is still fresh and piercing. Emile. #7
Horne Avatar
April 25, 2015 at 8:17 AM
oh, what a truly awful thing - so glad to read the final few lines, and was thinking 'Good for her' - was that seriously your reality? Crikey, how horrid, my friend x
Dietrich Avatar
April 25, 2015 at 9:41 AM
Yes, it was a true story, told the way I remembered it. I am just grateful I was not one of those girls who faced horrible sex abuse many of them in their very homes, which is something that happens a lot to young girls today.
Parker Avatar
April 25, 2015 at 7:25 AM
the sickness of one human being compared to the inner strength of another.I'm glad you found that strength when needed, its moments like that that form the person you are today
Dietrich Avatar
April 25, 2015 at 9:44 AM
thanks, Frederic. It seems like such a small thing, but readying myself to tell that guy off took a lot out of me~(I am often a passive person. It takes a lot to set me off)
Kendrick Avatar
April 25, 2015 at 7:18 AM
This happens to so many young ladies and men need to grow up and be real men..Reads like a winner..Way to go for the contest..Thanks for the visit to my page..Glad that you got a laugh at my bigfoot write..Sara
Hamilton Avatar
April 25, 2015 at 4:45 AM
tragic Andrea this happens too often. Terrible experience for you to suffer yet you got strength from it. Gut wrenching write. hugs 7
Dietrich Avatar
April 25, 2015 at 9:45 AM
thanks, Shadow.
Smith Avatar
April 25, 2015 at 12:23 AM
I worry a lot about my kids with society the way it has become. Especially my oldest daughter who will be turning 16 in a couple months.
Dietrich Avatar
April 25, 2015 at 9:43 AM
Tim, society is turning so ugly. The internet is promoting it with all the porn and much of the porn is beyond sicko. Let's hope those young people we know will escape this ugliness
Smith Avatar
April 24, 2015 at 11:36 PM
Glad you were strong enough to exit the situation....many don't
Dietrich Avatar
April 25, 2015 at 12:18 AM
there was not really any danger to me, since everyone knew where i had been. Recently a young girl at our school has gone missing, a precious and beautiful young woman gone a week now. I can't imagine the horror. That is the kind of thing I am grateful never to have faced.
Ackerson Avatar
April 24, 2015 at 10:25 PM
A heart felt narration of two fold courage. 7 from me...
Das Avatar
April 24, 2015 at 9:49 PM
Such an honest write. I really admire the fact that you had the courage to stand up for yourself. #7
Carmack Avatar
April 24, 2015 at 9:33 PM
Sorry you had to learn the lesson that way. Impressive you stood up for yourself. What did he say after you rejected his advances? Good luck in the contest.
Dietrich Avatar
April 25, 2015 at 12:21 AM
I can't remember his exact words, Rob. I think I really surprised him though and he was just kind of silent until I exited the car. A few years later, he came into the restaurant where I worked and I felt so stupid having to serve him coffee and stuff at the counter. if he had any decency, he'd have turned around and left the place. His wife divorced him but I think it was just for their own issues. (his to stepkids adored him. too bad they never knew the real guy)
May Avatar
April 24, 2015 at 8:29 PM
So sorry that this happened to you Andrea, but glad you had the courage to stand up for yourself...best wishes
Bauer Avatar
April 24, 2015 at 8:27 PM
wow! this is a powerful telling of your story, andrea, and the perfect description of capturing the moment of becoming a woman. more power to you! maybe you even prevented that man from accosting someone else. still, i'm sorry it happened to you...
Dietrich Avatar
April 25, 2015 at 9:46 AM
that's a good thought, Ilene. I don't think he was as dangerous as some men can be. I hope he wasn't.
Nunez Avatar
April 24, 2015 at 8:02 PM
Wow...I really love poetry that deals with a woman's turning point in life, that of deciding to make a stand for her own life direction...Loved this Andrea...:) Kim
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