Chapter 25
When I was seven years old, I discovered roly poly bugs. I loved the fact that when I’d touch one, the bug would roll into a tight shell as a way to protect itself. I would find and gather as many of those bugs as I could until I’d have enough to play marbles with their hard, circular bodies. The instant one of the bugs began to relax from its shell, I’d touch it again and flick it into the other rolled-up bugs. I played this for almost an hour before my mom caught me and gave me a lecture about being kind to all creatures, especially those smaller than me.
I’d forgotten all about the bugs until the frigid ice water touched my skin. The Light within me retreated as quickly as a touched roly poly bug, leaving me to struggle on my own.
“Struggle” is too positive a word. I did m
