Allison Asks for a Guitar

Life, Failure / Mishap

Allison asks for aguitar and lessons for her birthday, and Daniel and Emma get into a fight about it.

Her mother had said a guitar was a boy’s instrument and that she had no business learning it; it would be better to learn the flute or piano. Her voice when Allison then mentioned wanting an electric guitar was enough to reduce Allison to tears. It wasn’t the denial of permission that affected her​—​even at the age of ten, Allison knew there were some things she couldn’t have​—​it was the fact her mother seemed so angry she even wanted one. Her dad had stepped in to defend Allison saying it wouldn’t cost much more than the bike they planned to get for her birthday, and if Allison wanted to learn to play, that was her own business. Her mum seemed to have little belief in Allison’s ability to continue with lessons which would make the purchase a waste of money. Her dad then reminded her that in a few years the bike would need to be replaced anyway, and if Allison kept with the guitar, then it would be a better investment. Throughout the conversation their voices grew louder, and Allison retreated to the other side of the room, crying. Her mother eventually gave in, but the repercussions of that event lasted for over a week, and Allison worried, more than once, that her parents may separate. She didn’t want to feel like that again.