athletic event
A half dozen kids—all first graders—regularly gathered to play in a small green triangular patch in our Mt. Washington neighborhood. In just a few days, we will start the new school year at Mt. Washington Elementary, about a quarter mile away. We planned to walk to school together.
Each of the kids in our group had their own made up name. One of the kids, Eric, had a talent for giving everyone nicknames, and they stuck. Dimitri became “Meathead.” Carol, who always spoke in a whisper, was called “Soft Mouth.” I’ve forgotten Lila’s nickname, but I’ll never forget Clutches—also known as Tammy.
Clutches was really cute, with dark braids and a constant smile. She had been born with a disability and couldn’t walk without crutches. Eric had trouble pronouncing the word crutches, so she became “Clutches.” Her healthy twin brother was nicknamed “Spaceball” because he always seemed to be staring off into space.
The kids would gather in the grassy triangle in the midst of little community and kick a football around. The ball bounced from one kid to another, and every once in a while it would make its way to Clutches. She would struggle to kick it, and the ball would shoot off in some unintended direction. Clutches laughed—and so did the rest of us.
When school time came, Spaceball told us his sister would be going to a special school and wouldn’t be joining us at Mt. Washington. Eric didn’t think that was right.
“Clutches should go to school with us,” he said.
Somehow, we convinced her parents that we would walk to school with her every day. One of us would always stay next to Clutches, carrying her books and her lunch.
The first day went well. So did the second.
At the end of the third day school, all the kids—including Clutches—gathered in a small field next to the school and kicked around a soccer ball. One of the parents was there too, along with their golden retriever, Cosmo—named after their favorite team, the New York Cosmos. The ball rolled through the grass, kids chased it, and Cosmo chased kids and ball. It was joyful chaos.
Meathead kicked the ball toward Clutches. One of the kids standing behind her grabbed her leg to help her kick it. The ball spun straight out into the center of the field. Cosmo, unable to resist, charged after the ball and then ran straight into Clutches. She fell backward onto the grass. As she lay there, Cosmo rushed over and started licking her face.
Clutches laughed. We all laughed.
Eventually, we headed home together.
On the way back, Clutches stumbled and fell, scraping her knees raw and red. I don’t remember how it happened, but Soft Mouth helped her up, and they continued on.
The next day, Clutches wasn’t there before the start of school.
Eric asked Spaceball, “Where’s your sister?”
He didn’t answer. His eyes filled up, and he walked away.
From that day on, Clutches no longer walked to school with us. She didn’t show up for kickball anymore either.
We missed Clutches.
We will never forget Clutches.