Two Strings and a Smile

Back in the day, almost every little girl I knew--my cousins, friends, everybody--already had their ears pierced.  And let me tell you, this wasn't no trip to Claire's I the mall.  Nope.  It was a needle, some alcohol, and your mama holding you still.  

I remember sitting there wanting to look just as cute as everybody else, begging Ma to let me get mine done.  For the longest time, she wouldn't she know I scared I was of needles.  I watched everybody else walk around with their little gold studs in and I was the only one with bare ears.

Then one day...Ma finally said, "come on." She pulled out that needle and that alcohol, and I swore she was trying to kill me.  I screamed like somebody was tearing me apart! She got one ear done and then pressed on and did the other.  It was horrifying--but after all that pain, I felt pretty and proud.  To this day though...I only have one piercing.