“You’re going to do whatever I say because you’re in love with Barbara, and if you don’t, I’m going to tell Barbara and then she’ll laugh.”

“You can’t make me.”

“I’m gonna tell Barbara.”

“You’re too chicken. I’ll tell your mom that you’re a tattletale.”

“Then you’ll be a tattletale!”

I wanted to tell Susie that she was ugly. She stood in front of me, hands on her hips and smug.

“I’m tired. Hunch on the ground so I can sit on you.”

I stared silently.

“Hunch. On. The. Ground.”

I would not.

“Barbara!”

I hunched for a long time. Susie called her friends over, and they played barbies. Their toys were scattered all around me. I had three girls sitting on my back! I’m small. I don’t know how they all fit.

The ice cream truck rang.

“No ice cream for you, or else I’ll tell.”

Five minutes later, Susie screamed. Her barbies no longer had heads.

But I didn’t get any ice cream, so she can’t tell.