"Pippi Longstocking"

No one likes to grow old, but some people are more desperate to hold onto their youth than others.

The other day, I saw what appeared to be a teenage girl sitting on a bench. I only saw her from behind, but her long blonde "Pippi Longstocking" pigtails were the giveaway to her age. Her choice of clothing added to the impression that she was no older than 16. The collar of a white blouse was visible under her faded blue denim jacket and she wore equally faded blue jeans.

When I passed her from the front and got a look at her face, I was reminded of the moment in Stanley Kubrick’s film version of The Shining when a beautiful woman steps out of a bathtub, embraces Jack Nicholson and kisses him full on the lips. Then we hear her cackling. Nicholson pushes her away and sees that she’s an old hag, and a dead one at that.

The “girl” with the blonde Pippi Longstocking pigtails must have been at least 65, maybe older, but shhh, don't tell her.

© 2013 Brian W. Fairbanks

VISIT MY KINDLE STORE AT AMAZON