I am the only one in my family with "colors". Or, I'm the only one that sees colors and textures connected with sounds. It's not much fun because nobody in my family knows. Knowing my mom, she'd think I had some sort of infectious disease.
So I choose not to tell anyone. Especially not after that time in first grade…
***
I was at the board doing a math problem and I've always had trouble with math so it was no surprise that I was having trouble with this one too. I was trying to stall and willing the bell to ring so no one would know that I had trouble with this when I saw some colored chalk that my teacher sometimes used sitting next to me. So I decided to put the numbers into their correct colors.
At this point, I thought everyone saw the colors that I did so I thought everyone would understand.
When I began copying the problem down, my teacher, Ms. Morris asked me what I was doing. I told her "I'm putting the numbers in their right colors." "Now Grace," said Ms. Morris, "We don't have time for silly games. Just do 12 times 3 and go back to your seat." I replied by saying "But don't all the numbers have colors?" I was confused. I turned to my classmates to back me up.
When I looked out at the class, I saw people whispering to each other and snickering. I could feel myself heating up. I didn't know what to do. My teacher, thinking I was sick and hallucinating, called my parents and had them take me home.
They took me to the doctor and he claimed there was nothing wrong with me.
So I went home and sat in my room and pondered why no one else saw my colors.
***
My grandma saw them.
I remember dancing with her in the living room to music and talking about how beautiful the colors are from all the sounds of the instruments.
So, now, seven years later, the day after summer vacation started, I am going on the computer to find out something about what's happening to me.
I'm sure there'll be someone else.