"Tomorrow's Wish"

CONTEXT: Juniper is a shy young woman with learning disabilities. She lives in a small town with her grandmother, sheltered away from most of the world. In this scene, she is talking her cousin, Megan, about her first and only kiss.

JUNIPER: "I kissed a boy once. At least I tried. I don't know if it counts if they don't kiss back. But I tried to kiss a boy and it almost worked. Most of the time Grandma and I don't get to see folks much, but we go into town. Sometimes. And Grandma says I just have to be careful to mind my manners, and Grandma says I'm real good at being careful, but sometimes I get so bored in that little town. Only one video store. Only two churches. And the park only has two swings and a pool that never gets filled up anymore. But in our little town there is a boy named Samuel. He's a bagboy at the grocery store. He does it just right and never squishes the eggs. And he has red hair and green eyes. And...freckles all over his face! And Samuel is so nice. So nice to me and Gram. He would always smile and always say "thank you" and "you're welcome." if he says, "have a nice day," then you do. That's how good he is at his job. And I always wanted...I always wanted to be close to him, or talk to him, without Gram around. And one day when Gram had a really bad cold I got to go to the store all by myself. And I bought some oyster crackers and medicine. Then I got to watch Samuel all by myself. Watch him do his bagboy job. I just stared and stared, trying to count all of those handsome freckles. Then, he asked if there was anything else I wanted. I just whispered "Yes." And then I grabbed him by the ears and MMmmmmph! That was my first kiss. It was the most romantic moment of my life. Until the manager pulled me off of him."