I run around, brandishing my wooden sword exuberantly, jabbing it this way and that, laughing to kill myself. My long brown hair is flying, blue eyes twinkling. Johnny, my brother smashes his sword against mine, blocking my blows, and landing a few of his own.

'Gwendolyn! That is not how a lady comports herself! You are acting like a seven-year-old boy!' My mother tsks.

'Ya, Wendy! Grow up! You're acting like me!' My brother taunts.

'You must become a lady, like me and Mother.' My older sister, Michelle gives me a condescending grin.

'Perhaps I do not wish that! I want to stay young forever, and never grow up, and have adventures, and not have to be lady!'

'Don't ask for that, or you might end up like Great-Aunt Wendy, who's name I despise you taking on as even a nickname, she went mad at a young age! You mustn't turn out like her!'

'I would have liked her I believe! Since in this family, I'm as mad as it gets.' I stare at my wooden sword. 'If only it were real! Imagine the adventures I could have!'

'You mustn't think like that! All the adventures that needed to have been taken are finished. There are no more adventures!' My older sister rolls hers eyes.

'Never say that again! Or when I get my real sword, I'll run it through you! There's always an adventure to be had!'

'Gwendolyn! Go to your room, and don't come out until you are sorry for what you just said!' My mother cries, scowling at me.

'Then I shall be in there for the rest of my life!' I shout, stomping up to my room.

I slam the door to my room, and throw myself on my bed staring at the wall. 'I hate having to grow up! Why can't I be young forever? What an adventure that would be!'

'So you like adventures too?' A voice above me asks, and I slowly turn on my back.

My mouth is agape, a small squeak of a scream coming out. He falls from the ceiling, landing on top of me, his finger to my mouth and blond curls bouncing slightly on his head. He smiles at me, before shooting out the window.

'Who was-?'

'Gwendolyn? Can you come out? Mother wants to take us out to dinner but refuses if you won't apologize. Please don't ruin the night for the rest of us.'

Out of the corner of my eye, I see a face near the edge of the window sill, shaking slowly. 'I'm sorry I said such hateful things to you.' The face flies away, frowning.

'Come on, we're going now.'

'Yes Ma'm.' Before I leave the room, I run over and close the window.

The memory of the boy still frightened me even while I tucked Johnny into bed that night. I make sure his window is closed even in the stifling heat of summer.