The Lou Experience Melissa Perry
"My dad
my my dad was
the funnest guy in the whole world!" That was
is
absolute conviction at age six and the best thing to
do with
There was never any doubt that a trip to town meant unspeakable enjoyment - unspeakable because we couldn't tell
to take a trip to town.
mom all the details. Going to town with my dad was so much fun that even my little Lou - three years younger - coming along, could not faze my elation. She was very outgoing and loved to talk to everyone, and I always had to baby-sit her. Even so I would never pass up a trip to town. She could never do anything embarrassing enough to warrant passing up sister
the trip
...
or so
thought.
I
This particular day Lou and
I
were to have the pleasure of accom-
panying our dad to Bennett's Electrical and Plumbing
"Now remember, Melissa," my dad store,
"watch out for your
Uttle sister.
instructed as
It's
its
I
don't
up to the want
in."
eyes wide with sincerity,
I
promised, "Don't
her."
Walking through the big of fantasy. With
pulled
a big store and
her getting into anything she shouldn't be
Head nodding and worry. Daddy I'll watch
store.
we
glass
doors was
like entering into a
land
thousands of light fixtures and cascading crystals
me spellbound. I walked through the aisles in awe. The had splashed everything in the store with colour; rainbows danced over the walls. There were a myriad of shapes, designs, and figthe store held crystals
ures to discover
store of sparkling glass
stood
still.
Suddenly the "Melissa! Lou! It
seemed
spell
It's
Uke none
I
It
broke with the sound of Daddy's voice.
time to go!"
though we had
as
more beauty than the last. had ever seen before. Time
the next always holding
-
was a
just entered the store.
"Coming,"
I
replied.
realized Lou wasn't with me. My heart started to My palms began to sweat. My stomach tied in knots as a lump formed in my throat. Panic seized me. raced up and down the aisles.
Then suddenly
I
race.
I
Where could didn't dare
Had someone taken her? know where she was. I was her
she be? Did she wander away?
call.
I
was supposed
to
guardian, her protector, her sentinel! 18
I
