STORIES | ESSAYS: Spirit Rising

Spirit is a 13-year-old girl in the difficult transition from childhood to womanhood. One minute she is sensual and sexual, full of the knowledge of her power as a woman, the next a giggling girl, joking with her friends and acting silly. Her days are spent at Hermann Middle School, challenging her teachers, passing notes and sometimes ending up in the office. The romance in her life is inconsistent, and she admits she has a talent for choosing the wrong boys. In her past she has faced painful situations where she had no control and they have left their mark. Spirit can be moody, defiant, and brazen and when attacked responds with vengeance. At these times it is hard to remember that she is only 13, still discovering who she is. And small towns can be unforgiving. Some see Spirit as a delinquent and she is often accused of dressing and acting inappropriately. In a community where lack of options and lack of excitement can lead to trouble, many girls only a few years older than Spirit have babies, often more than one. At 13 it is hard to believe that the path may already be set. The question remains, will Spirit be rising or falling?