[Ginger]

I remember getting to Lake Texarkana after all the other families had arrived, and my sister and I had to change into our swimsuits in a tent with two boys sleeping on cots. I remember feeling grownup in my irritation. Kind of a proud moment.

I remember the rope slowly looping around my legs while I was waiting for the boat to take off. It went taut, but my skis didn't come out of the water. I remember my dad's and my uncle's faces looking puzzled, as they watched from the back of the boat, and my uncle diving into the water just as the rope tightened around my legs and I was dragged under the water. I remember seeing the surface of the water above me, but not being afraid. I thought it was beautiful. I was seven.

I remember the night my parents woke me up by turning on the overhead light in my bedroom, and my mom's twisted face, as she cradled one arm with the other. My dad said they were going to the hospital, and we never talked about it again.

I remember cranking up the stereo really, really loud as soon as my parents' blue Buick station wagon pulled out of the driveway, and my sister and I dancing to Aretha's Gold. One time in our dancing, we turned to see them standing in the doorway, having just driven around the block and returned, to trick us. I remember my elation that we didn't get in big trouble. I think they were completely disarmed by the licentious way their little girls danced with each other. I remember panting and looking at them triumphantly.