An unusual day at a country school

One day in eighth grade, the home room teacher called a girl to the front of the class. She put a hand on the girl’s shoulder and announced: “This is Mary’s last day in school. She is leaving tomorrow to get married.”

I thought: What? She can’t get married. She’s too young! We were all around 14, but I think Mary might have been a year older. I don’t remember ever talking to her, nor of her talking to me. I don’t even remember anything about her before that school year.

I don’t remember why, but I got the idea Mary’s parents had agreed that she could marry an older man.

I thought, too: She’s going to have sex.

I don’t remember anybody mentioning Mary again after that day.