“Good Morning Cori, I’m Christine, nice to meet you.”

We were sitting in her car. A 1978 Plymouth, light blue 4 door sedan. Clean as a whistle. Fake leather seats that would squeak if I moved and the new car smell was still strong. One lone French fry was on the car mat by the passenger seat. The clock ticked on the dashboard. 7:45 am. I needed to be at school by 8.

The car idled in the driveway. Drops of water covering the window and hood. I could see the trees outside the window, surrounded by light fog. It was still cold in the car, as the heater hadn’t kicked in yet.

Me, long Brown hair, my favorite Jordache jeans and a stylish little sweat shirt. There was not the usual ribbon in my hair, as only Mom put ribbons in my hair and she was still in the hospital.

Christine was in the driver’s seat. Her perfectly manicured hands placed at 3 and 9 on the steering wheel. Dark blonde hair that stopped right at her shoulders. A light blue business suit that matched the cars exterior. The jacket with silver buttons matched the skirt that stopped right at her knees. Nude hose and tan pumps. She was perfect. She looked like a Barbie and if she came in a box, she would have been called “Business Barbie.”

The one thing that stood out to me, to my 10 year old eyes…. that made “Business Barbie” look like “Sexy Barbie” was the anklet she wore.

I stared at her ankle in curiosity. The anklet was set firmly in place under her nude hose.

I wondered… is this her? The secretary that Mom and Dad fight about? The one Mom refers to as “the Nazi Spy, home wrecker with piano legs and big fat ankles.” Christine’s ankles looked slim.

I looked up and shyly replied,

“Hi, I’m Cori.”