Mae's six years old, in first grade.
She's the kind of forthright kid who, when we sit down for an interview,
before I can get to any of the things that I want to ask her,
she launches into a few get to know you questions of her own.
Hi, Mae.
Uh, what's your favorite color?
We discuss favorite colors, and then she. Moves on to
what's your middle name?
I'm glad you're asking me that.
My middle name is.
We move on to last names, and soon she's instructing me on the pronunciation of her last name.
Can you say Zmuzenski?
That's how you say it.
Zmuzenski.
Zmuzenski.
Z M U D C Z Y N S K I
the story I. Was there to talk to Ms. Mujinsky about
happened this fall at the beginning of the school year
in St. Louis, where she lives.
It was hot out.