Exactly: 100 words
“Shivers That Linger”
When you’re ten you don’t think you might die.
Life is eternal, like midwest summer, and everything’s interesting.
So my friend and I found a Masterlock, layers of metal, no key.
“We can smash it open. Get a sledge hammer.”
We put it on the anvil and I took first swing. Only swing.
Came down hard. Bang, like a bullet it shot at me, parting my hair.
I dizzied, swayed.
Later told my parents.
“What’s wrong with you? Have you no brains?”
An inch or so lower and I wouldn’t have.
Talk about a shiver that lingers.
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