That Time Shyness Made Me A Liar

You gotta do what you gotta do

I was very shy as a kid, especially around grown-ups.

In 1994, a teacher’s assignment left me panic-stricken. I had to interview an ADULT with my dream job and present my findings.

Oh. Dear. God.

On the big day, with my parents in the audience, I delivered my report about author Walter Bosnoff and his book, The Circle.

The crowd clapped and I exhaled.

On the way home, my parents asked, “When did you meet Walter?”

I winced.

“I didn’t. He’s not real. I made it up.”

I waited for the scolding.

It never came.

They simply laughed.

Thank you Lucy Dan 蛋小姐 (she/her/她) for the prompt “Do you ever do and then ask for forgiveness?” What an interesting topic to explore. When I considered the answer, this long-buried gem popped up from my memories. I did many strange things to avoid social interaction as a kid, but this one may have been the most dramatic.

Here’s Lucy’s original poem and prompt: