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Be Very Afraid : “Toe Story”

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Erin, 11, is in the gifted magnet program at Palms Middle School. She is enrolled in the Creative Writing Program taught by Mrs. Bourman. Erin, her mother Stephanie O'Brien and their dog Cleo live in Los Angeles

Last week I woke up and my toe was gone. There was no blood. There was no pain, but it was completely gone. I panicked and ran screaming down the hall.

My dad said, “Go talk to your mom. I’m late for work.”

My mom was drinking her coffee and reading the L.A. Times.

“Mom, Mom, I’ve lost my toe!”

“That’s too bad, dear. I’ve told you before you wouldn’t lose so many things if you kept your room neater.”

“But Mom!”

I tried to tell my teachers. They seemed concerned, but only asked me if I wanted to go to the nurse. I went to the nurse. The nurse laid me down on a cot and stuck a thermometer in my mouth. My temperature was normal. The nurse called my mom. The nurse told her to take me to the doctor.

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My mom took me to the doctor. The doctor did some tests and asked me medical questions. Then, he asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I was confused.

“A writer. Why?”

“Well, at least you didn’t want to be a ballerina,” he smirked.

He told me he didn’t yet have the remedy for my condition, but he would get back to me.

Each and every day another toe would be gone. It was horrible. When I would wake up, my mom would ask, “Another one gone, honey?”

The kids at school would tease me. They called me “5-4-3-2-1 Toes!”

It was almost a relief when the last toe was due to disappear. It was funny-lookin’ just to have one toe. It had been sort of sticking out all day.

Finally, I woke up and it was gone. It was over. That was yesterday.

This morning I woke up and my finger was gone.

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