The Swing and the Fire

Title: The Swing Set and the Fire

Welcome to another story by Baby Flo.

Now… this story?

It’s not a joke.

It’s not funny.

It’s one of the saddest things I’ve ever seen.

But it really happened…to me! 

I was just five years old, playing outside on Anzac Avenue with one of my best friends and our neighbor across the street — my best friend,  we’ll call her Baby S.

We were in the backyard, swinging on the swing set.

I’ll never forget that warm day…

Right across the street was the Black Panther house.

And next door?

A white family had just moved into the neighborhood.

While we were playing,

Baby S’s friend went home for a minute.

She came back shortly after…

And then— the grass under Baby S’s swing was on fire. 🔥

I remember it like it was yesterday.

I was five…

watching the flames catch onto my friend’s body.

Her skin was on fire.

Her sister grabbed the garden hose

and tried to put the fire out.

I watched, frozen,

as her skin started peeling off…

I looked through the back screen door,

and I saw my friend—burned.

Hurt.

Screaming.

And that little girl who went home…

The one who came back…She ran back to her house and never came back.

Her family moved away not long after.

No goodbye.

No apology.

Just gone.

This happened in Watts, but it could and can happen any where!!

I spent months going to the hospital with Baby S.

I didn’t know what it was back then,

but now I do—

Skin grafts.

She had to have them.

This story…

It doesn’t end with a laugh.

There’s no “Ha ha ha.”

Just truth.

Because even as a child—

that little girl had hate in her heart.

Where did it come from?

Somebody taught her that.

That’s why I say:

Be careful what you teach your kids.

Watch what you say around them.

Because that hate?

It can grow.

So in these times we’re living in…

Take heed.

Teach love.

Protect innocence.

From Baby Flo.

Another story by Baby Flo. Not all a “Ha Ha Ha” moment! Stay tune for more truths and laughs.