I’m the oldest of seven girls
that grew up as sisters
four first cousins
two sisters
and me
they called
and call
me
“Betty Boss”
(the name needs no explanation)
the seven of us
were stairstep in age
without missing a year
until you get to number six
skip one year
and number seven
sister nurse, the baby, was born
we grew up together
had each others back
and for the most part
still do today
we played
and learned
and laughed
and sang
and explored
together
every
single day
our parents
had a 40 acre track of land
left to them from my grandfather
so we were all
just a
trail away
from each other
thats where we spent a lot of our time
“in the trails”
we called it..
we could holler from our back steps
to the others’ front steps
and the holler usually began
“MEET ME IN THE TRAILS”
we had a clubhouse
in the middle of the trails
that was more like a shack
only 3 sides
best I can recall
not sure which of our parents built it
just always remember it being there
we played school in the clubhouse
and baby
and house
and store
and bank
it was great.
dirt floors and all..
and if weren’t at the clubhouse
in the trails
we were at the creek
it was right behind my uncle’s house
his name is Tony
thus the name of our neighborhood
Tony Creek
he is Precious’s oldest brother.
the creek
was our VERY FAVORITE place in the whole wide world
trails that lead to the creek
were all over the property
we either started or ended MOST of our play days
at the creek
we had a rope swing that went across the creek
we would fly solo
or sometimes see how many of us could hang on and make it across
all flying together
some days we
cleaned out the branches
other days
we would dam it up
we swam
and sang
and played house in the woods
by the creek
lots
and lots of days
and if we weren’t
in the trails
or at the creek
we were
at each others houses
we had a list of games or activities
to vote from each day
when trying to do decide what to do
although
I must admit
many days
we did what I persuaded them to do
now days
I would be referred to as a bully
for sure
but whatever we did
whether
school or circus
creek or trails
house or store
we did it together
and it was great
being a part
then
and now
of
“the Tony Creek Gang”