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Author: Leslie Mann

As I brushed my teeth and climbed into bed, my mother told me that tomorrow was going to be even better than today. Today was loads of fun, I can’t wait for tomorrow. She tucked me in, kissed me on the cheek then, like any other night, told me to blow out the lights. They never went out on the first try. Those lights are hard to blow out. Now it’s dark. I’m not afraid.

I hear the sound of our neighbors lawnmower. It was Mr. Jordan a very nice man. The sound of the lawnmower makes me sleepy.

Tomorrow I’m going to build a fort. A big fort. Only my best friend Scott Jordan and I are allowed in the fort. No one else, not even Billy Parker. We may have to tie Billy up again, even if he cries.

Billy’s older sister, Elizabeth asked Scott and I to play doctor with her today. We said “no”, she said “why?” We said “cuz we’re not sick” that’s why!”. Elizabeth Parker always wanted to play doctor.

I like to fly in my dreams, I hope I fly tonight.

S u m m e r o f 1 9 6 6

A crack in the curtain let the sun in. I can hear the birds outside my window. I am so happy that I can fly just like them. They are very busy, talking to each other. Grandpa Ladouceur taught me how to catch a bird by shaking salt on its tail. It sure was fun trying. I miss Grandpa.

I am going outside to make popcorn with my tricycle. It’s fun. I turn my tricycle upside down then fill the fender up with small gravel stones from the driveway.. Then I grab the peddle and turn the wheel really fast until the gravel magically turn into kernels and start to pop as they fly out of the end of the fender. Popcorn tastes good.

I hope Scott is awake. I’m going next door to ring the bell. Can Scott come out to play? Mr. Jordan said “sure, let me go get him”.

“Let’s go climb the apple tree” I said. “OK”, said Scott, “no one will find us there” not even Elizabeth Parker. “Wanna build a fort? “ I asked. Scott said “that would be great but were going to need some nails”.

We looked everywhere but could not find any nails.

“I have an idea” . “What is it?” said Scott. Let’s draw a picture and sell it to Mrs. Smith down the street. Last week I saw her give money to a boy who had some cookies. “OK” said Scott, “That’s a good idea, then we can go and buy some nails with the money”. What kind of picture do you want to make?” asked Scott. “I dunno” I replied. “I like clowns”. “So do I” said Scott.

We took our picture and walked down to Mrs. Smith’s house. Scott pushed the doorbell and we waited. Scott pushed the doorbell again, and we waited.. It seemed like forever but Mrs. Smith finally opened the door and asked “can I help you?” “Yes,” said Scott. “We made this picture (which I proudly held up) and we need to buy some nails so that we can build a fort. Would you like to buy this from us?” Mrs. Smith smiled and said, “How much are you asking for this picture?” We both said “Fifteen Cents” ! This was a price Scott and I both agreed would be a fair price well before we arrived at Mrs. Scott’s house.

“Fifteen cents huh?” said Mrs. Smith, “very well then I will buy your picture for fifteen cents. Wait here and I will be right back with your money.”

Scott and I looked at each other, smiled then stared at the door until Mrs. Smith returned with our $0.15.

We ran home to tell anyone who would listen about our recent transaction. My mother was the first to greet us; “What are you boys up to?” She asked. In-between breaths, Scott and I explained our situation, “we need to buy nails for our tree fort” Scott replied. Then Scott held out his hand and produced the fifteen cents Mrs. Smith gave us. My mother smiled, congratulated us, but with a confused look on her face asked us why we were still in possession of the painting if it was sold to Mrs. Smith.

Scott and I looked at each other and started to laugh. We laughed so hard it made my mother laugh too. We were so excited to sell our picture to Mrs. Smith we forgot to hand it over. I guess Mrs. Smith does not like clowns.

Scott’s mom called out, supper is on the table. I said goodbye to Scott and went inside to wash my hands. My mother is a good cook. We are having spaghetti tonight.

The painting never made it back to Mrs. Smiths house but we built a really neat fort in the apple tree.

You can buy a lot of nails for fifteen cents.

Title: “The Clown” Medium: magic marker on wooden cabinet doorDate: Summer of 1966Artists: Scott Jordan & Leslie MannAge: 5&6 Original Selling Price: $0.15Patron: Mrs. Smith

Footnote: On November 22, 2009 I ran into Scott Jordan while I was visiting our old house in Guelph, Ontario. Scott just happened to be visiting his parents that weekend. We talked about the 5 or 6 years that we shared together growing up as neighbors and best friends. I mentioned the painting and Scott was quick to point out that he was still in possession of it. A few days later Scott sent me a photo of the “Clown”.

42 years have passed by since Scott and I hung out in our tree fort. Apparently clowns had seven fingers back then.

Original 12 “ x 28 “ The Clown by: Leslie Mann 2002 ©