D-L Nelson is an American-born Swiss-Canadian writer and journalist. Visit her website www.dlnelsonwriter.com
Friday, January 18, 2019
Sally Pierce Price
This is the third "interview" with one of my four main characters for my novel Day Care. I am using the interviews as a tool to get to know the women better.
I found Sally Pierce Price in her classroom at the Parker Junior High where she teaches math to seventh and eighth graders.
At 33, Sally looks younger, more like a college student. Her hair was in a pony tail, but tendrils hung around her face. I suspected they had escaped rather than being a style statement.
She was shoveling blue books into her brief case, which surprised me. I thought blue books were used just for written tests. I asked her.
SPP: It's easier to keep track of them than sheets of paper. Between my daughter and my cat, my desk is never quite safe.
Me: Can you tell me where you grew up, please.
SPP: A small town in Maine and in a small-thinking family.
Me: (I looked confused.)
SPP: My father was an evangelical pastor where anything beautiful or fun was considered sinful. They home schooled me to keep me from spiritual danger until I revolted.
Me: And then?
SPP: A teacher helped me get a scholarship to a private school in Lowell. From there I went to Salem State and majored in math, which I love. I love teaching. I love my daughter.
Me: Tell me about her, please.
SPP: Grace is four and the center of my life. (She takes out her phone and shows me photos of a little girl on a swing, in her PJs looking at a book, patting a goat.)
Me:Adorable. Are you in touch with your folks.
SPP: Thank you. I've tried. My father hangs up on me. I think my mother would talk to me, even though I lived in sin with Grace's father.
Me: Are you in touch with your folks.
SPP: I've tried. My father hangs up on me. I think my mother would talk to me, even though I lived in sin with Grace's father.
Me: You didn't marry him then?
SPP: No. We were planning on it but he ran up $10,000 on my credit card and didn't pay the bills I thought he was paying. It took me two years to dig myself out.
Me: And?
SPP: I threw him out. If you excuse me, I need to pick up Grace at Day Care. I'll be happy to talk to you more if you need more information for your book.
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