I just got this text from my brother:
when u really think about it, it was in the best interest of the family that u got stuck under/behind that dresser
You can learn at least 3 things from this text.
- My brother is one of those people who texts things like, “how r u,” whereas I’m one of those people who texts things like, “How are you?”
- Once, I got stuck under a dresser.
- Mock seriousness is a staple of our family humor.
I don’t know why he pulled this story out. It happened more than 10 years ago. In my family, we usually turn things like this into stories right away, and they take on a life of their own right there. But, unlike the story of when I fell down the stairs with a box of my stuff on top of me and then made it to my feet just to step on the backs of earrings that were scattered all over the landing . . . yeah, unlike that, this story has been lying dormant.
This is what actually happened. And, you can trust me, because when it comes to family stories, I’m preoccupied with the facts. I’m the only one. There was this dresser that we’d had forever. In my room, it sat at and angle, so there was a little triangle of space between the back of the dresser and where the two walls met. The dresser sat up on legs, with quite a bit of space underneath. I, genius that I am, thought that I could crawl under the dresser and into the free space behind it. I was wrong. Instead, I got myself stuck, so that I couldn’t crawl into that space or crawl back the way I came. I had to yell for help, and my brother, step-dad, and mom freed me.
The way my brother told it on Christmas, I was stuck under the dresser and my face was all smooshed against the wall on the other side. And, instead of yelling for help, barely above a whisper, I was saying something that sounded more like “-elp” with no real “h.” “-elp me please.”
The good thing is that when my brother tells the story, it sounds like I’m much younger than I really was. Part of the charm is that Little Soft-spoken Ashley got herself in a bind and had to ask for help.
They were all repeating “-elp” to me the rest of the day.
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
Hahahaha this is such a cute story. It entertained me, which is good because I am slowly dying of boredom here, in my cubicle.
Also, I hate when people do not spell out words in texts. Unless it is ‘fab,’ ‘bff,’ ‘awk’ or ‘obvs.’
That sounds roughly like the family stories in my home too…
That’s a way cuter story than the ones we tell in mine. Ours are way more embarassing.
I love how stories take on live of their own. I love your blog Ashley and I check it almost daily even though I never comment :(
What I’m interested to know is how was that incident in the best interest of your family? That merits some explanation, haha.
Thanks for this story, it made me laugh so much at the mental image of your face smooshed up against the wall!
Why haven’t I heard this story before?
LOL, what a wonderful story!
You know I’m not much of a short texter either. I prefer to type haha instead of lol. I also don’t like to type u r. It just feels awkward. I guess the only time I ever do type like that is when I have a lot to say and I have to shorten my text messages so I don’t have to send two of them. I think we are only allowed like 160 characters in a text message so it makes it difficult to write a book to someone sometimes, which I tend to do a lot.
The story was great! Siblings are the best at bringing up past embarassing moments. Those are the best laughs.
Oh and I have to punctuate my text messages. The phone that I have now doesn’t allow me to do that easily and it bothers the crap out of me. I miss my full keyboard blackberry!
I’m glad I could provide some entertainment.
I know I’m alone in this, but I like bff.
Ha ha. Ours are all pretty nice. Some of them felt much more serious when they happened, but after so many retellings, they’re just funny instead.
No worries, Laycie! Just let me know you’re still reading every once in a while.
I think he’s just BSing, but I guess it gave us all a chance to laugh together.
Ha ha. Glad I could make you laugh, Paula!
Sorry! Like I said, it’s been in the vault for a long time.
I’m surprised people like it!