Pierced Ears

I have begged Matilda to pierce her ears for years.

She'd ask: "Does it hurt?"

I'd tell the truth. "Yes, for a little while. Then the hurt goes away."

"NO," Matilda would say.

We had this conversation 100 times. Last Friday we were at the mall.  Out of nowhere, she tugged on my arm. "I want to pierce my ears," she said.

"Right now? " I asked.  "Because we can do it right now."

Matilda looked afraid and hunched her shoulders. "Yes," she said. "I want to do it now."

We walked down to Claire's. I tried to call Eric (because I would KILL HIM for doing this without talking to me) but he didn't answer.

I spoke with the piercer at Claire's.  She kept trying to talk to Matilda,  who just shook and nodded. I could tell the piercer was unsure.

"Matilda, do you want your ears pierced?" I asked. "This is your choice."

"Yes," she said, still shaking with her hands in little fists.

She chose the second - worst pair. The worst were Hello Kitty.  She got sparkly pink hearts.

She was angry as it was done - it hurt! Then she saw herself in the mirror and couldn't stop smiling.

After, I asked her what made her suddenly want it done. "I just wanted to get it over with," she replied happily.