A Small Star Poem by anais vionet

I spent Fall Break with Lisa (one of my college suite-mates) in NYC. They live in a Central Park South high-rise. I hope to spend Thanksgiving there someday because the Macy's Day Parade goes right by their front window. "Yeah, " Lisa says in a bored voice, "right down there." (They're about 8 floors above it.)

Lisa has a younger sister (12) , named Elizabeth (who likes to be called Leeza (pronounced LeeZa) and yeah, that can be confusing) . Pretty, little, stick-figured Leeza, wears braces, has fluorescent green eyes, long, curly, red hair, and gorgeous, fair, vampire-like skin that's freckled to perfection.

Leeza is one of the funniest people I've ever met - so she's always surrounded with laughter - and goaded by laughter, she's fearless. We're at this posh "On the Green" restaurant (outdoor, terrace dining) and Leeza won't take her Airpods off (no matter how mad her mom gets) . Her dad finally says, "What are you listening to? "

When asked, Leeza stands up and starts singing, clapping and herky-jerky beat-dancing "the Monster Mash." It was so sudden and funny that I coughed cherry coke out of my nose. The entire restaurant erupted in laughter and then applause at this crazy, scarecrow beauty's brief, comic performance.

Someday that girl's gonna be a STAR