The girl with no toe

At least we didn't think she had a toe.  There was a rumor going around about a girl we all knew.  Supposedly she was mowing the grass one day and the mower took off her toe.  I don't think anyone had enough guts to actually ask her about it. I wondered how the mower could just take off a toe.  Did she stick her foot under the lawn mower? Did she get confused about where the grass cutting took place? 

In the 5th grade girls with no toes made alot of news.  Our small basketball team from our small school of about 40 was playing another small school and thats where the rumor started.  She was on the other team.  Our basketball teams were made up of 5th through 8th graders.  I don't really want to tell anyone that they made up a special "5th quarter" for players like me to get their turn at dribbling and shooting.  For our team picture in the local newspaper I had to hold the Greenfield Cubs stuffed teddy bear.  Not my shining moment really. 

I saw her again the next summer at bible school.  I still didn't ask her about the alleged missing toe.  I often tried to sneak peaks at her feet.  Clue 1:  She never wore sandals.  But, she never limped either.  I was sure if you did not have a big toe you would limp.  Actually, I had no other clues. 

That was the same bible camp that I got hit in the neck with a frisbee.  It's alot more painful and scarey than you might think.  I wasn't that great at playing frisbee either.  I thought my neck was closing and maintaining  composure when something like that happens is pretty hard to do.  As I was nodding that yes I was ok and I was sure my air was going to be cut off at any moment the tears started to come out.  I did get a few worried looks. 

I still don't know if she has all of her terminal digits.  I wish I could remember her name - that girl with the missing toe.  By the way I can even shoot a basket or two in a game of horse thanks to my "5th quarter" magic moment and I've never had a bit of trouble with my neck.