Moon Creek

When I was born, I was dropped into a ditch. It was 1958, and people were still going hungry. It hadn’t been many years since the whole country was liberated. I was born at the worst possible time. I don’t actually remember whether I went hungry as a child, but I was always skinny and sallow. I said to my mom, “You should’ve had me earlier or later. Why have me at a time when there isn’t even enough to eat?” Mom gave me a sidelong glance and said, “You two-legged beast, and you’re blaming me for coming into the world? I ate tree bark and wild greens, and I still fed you three or five times a day!” As she spoke, Mom started complaining about Dad again.