Kiwi Jones

A Reminiscence by Oliver Cassidy



Kiwi Jones was an eight-year-old secret agent and the first black girl I ever met. She used to call me "fool." She wore at least a dozen brightly-colored barrettes in her hair at all times and usually wore the same yellow dress with orange flowers. We became friends because I had none.

The kids picked on her relentlessly and said awful things, and I never once had the courage to stand up for her. Honestly, I was relieved to have the attention diverted. I'd try to disappear at those times so she wouldn't see my paralyzed cowardice.



She sends me a postcard this time every year and reminds me to dream.