This is the Story

this is the story of a rebel wannabe

this is the story of two inseparable preteen girls trying to be cool and popular 

this is the story of wearing CPO jackets and walking around with cigarettes hanging from their mouths 

this is the story of sitting in the back of the bus with the cool kids, basking in the laughter but keeping their mouths shut lest they say something stupid

this is the story of sharing secrets of insecurity and desire

this is the story of the lost feeling after her best friend and fellow rebel moved away 

this is the story of a rebel wannabe 

this is the story of being too afraid to skip classes 

this is the story of only pretending to drink alcohol at the parties with her friends and the cool kids

this is the story of always, yes always getting in before her curfew

this is the story of feeling grown up and dangerous by dating inappropriate boys - Dave at 21 to her 17 years, Joe always high who carried around nunchaku sticks because he “had enemies”

this is the story of smoking with Genny Ciccone in the balcony of the Holiday Theatre and thinking that was the epitome of rebellion

this is the story of a rebel wannabe who skipped college parties to stay home and wait for her boyfriend to call 

this is the story of a college girl whose nickname was “Sappy”.

this is the story of trying to be a “wild woman” and changing her name to Monica said in a breathless, sexy way 

this is the story of a girl named “Monica” who was no more rebellious than “Sappy”

this is the story of joining the Organization of Latin American Students and a Black Gospel Choir and thinking it was just a little bit eccentric and a little bit rebellious because she was neither Latino nor Black

this is the story of loneliness, self doubt and timidity and wishing it was one of rebellion, defiance and nonconformity

this is the story of a rebel wannabe

this is the story of a young midwestern woman moving across the country to California despite her parents’ misgivings

this is the story of having a home birth in an act of defiance against the medical profession

this is the story of shaving her head and finally feeling her inner beauty and liberation

this is the story of getting a tattoo on her right hip and another one on her left wrist

this is the story of getting her nose pierced even though some of her friends and family objected

this is the story of doing things her way minus the Catholic guilt and desire to please

this is the story of a 68 year woman who finally learned how to be a proper rebel