Mercy: Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the October girls’ spotlight. Today, I’ll be interviewing Anna Stone.
Anna: Hello?
Micah: Um, hi. Don’t you live in Georgia?
Anna: Yeah, I’m here for my interview.
Micah: What interview?
Anna: Your sister is going to interview me for her spotlight position.
Micah: She has a spotlight position?
Mercy: Really?
Micah: How was I supposed to know that?
Mercy: You sound like Joshua, you know that right?
Joshua: Maybe I sound like Joshua… because I am.
Mercy: Woah. Wait. What?
Micah: Oh, hey.
Mercy: YOU KNEW HE WAS COMING AND YOU DIDN’T TELL ME?
Micah: Yeah, of course.
Mercy: Ok then. Well, wait. Where did Anna go? I’m supposed to interview her… you know, before the day of the deadline. (glares at Joshua)
Joshua: Hey, what can I say? Sure I wrote them a little later than I should’ve but everyone still loved my articles.
Mercy: Yeah, well people like mine better.
Joshua: No they do not.
Mercy: Yeah, well. You’re wrong. Anyway, we should start the interview.
Anna: (in the corner, making a fedora tower)
Mercy: Alright, age, grade, and where you live and have lived. Go.
Micah: I’m 14, 9th grade…
Mercy: Bro, I wasn’t talking to you, but I guess she’s the same age and grade so I’ll take it. Where do you live?
Micah: I…
Mercy: Don’t you dare.
Anna: I live in Batumi, Georgia.
Joshua: The country, everybody. Not in America.
Micah: I don’t think there’s a city in Georgia thats named Batumi… but okay.
Mercy: Where have you lived?
Anna: I was born and raised in Turkey until I moved to Georgia a year ago.
Mercy: Oh wow, you actually answered. I was expecting one of my brothers to answer. What’s your favorite place you have lived?
Anna: Turkey. 100%.
Mercy: I totally agree. Do you have any siblings?
Anna: I have three older brothers: Sam, Jon, and David.
Mercy: Ah yes, having three older brothers. I know what that’s like far too well. (shakes head)
Joshua: Oh yeah. I interviewed David back when I used to write articles.
Mercy: You’re making it sound like you’re old. Anyway, what TPS classes are you taking?
Anna: American History Literature, and Composition (Honors).
Mercy: Why do I keep interviewing people with only one class? Oh well. What’s a fun fact about you?
Anna: I own eleven fedoras, two beanies, two caps, one bucket hat, and (dramatic silence) you and I have the same middle name.
Micah: That’s a lot of hats…
(awkward silence)
Joshua: So, Anna, (steals Mercy’s list) if you could sum up yourself in three words what would they be?
Anna: Creative, random, and an ambivert.
Mercy: (takes list back) How did we meet?
Micah: I know how you met her. You tagged along with me to hang out with some people you’d never met.
Mercy: Yup, sounds like me.
Anna: So, in other words. We met at a park.
Mercy: Exactly. What about your talents?
Anna: I’m good with little kids.
Joshua: Nice. (takes list, reads once, memorizes it immediately, gives it back) What are some of your hobbies?
Anna: Let’s see… singing, songwriting, playing ukulele, baking, sketching, painting, and a lot more.
Mercy: Sounds like fun. If money was no object, what would you do all day?
Anna: Read a ton of books, then go see friends all over the world.
Mercy: Oo, fun. What about an interesting story that’s happened in your life?
Anna: When I was little, my parents had caught me scribbling on a wall and my mom pointed at the mark and asked, “Anna, who did this?” With my sweet five-year-old face full of innocence, I responded, “Sammy did it.” My mom tried again, “Anna who did this?” I scrunched up my face thinking hard then with a smile said, “Once upon a time… Sammy did it.”
Micah: Great story.
Mercy: Perfect, alright can you list some of your favorites?
Anna: Blue, All the Wrong Questions by Lemony Snickett, black, fedoras, wolves, vanilla, and chocolate milkshakes.
Micah: (mutters “mmm, chocolate milkshakes”)
Mercy: You love your black don’t you?
Micah: Yeah, that’s because black is awesome.
Mercy: For the last time, Micah, I wasn’t talking to you.
Micah: I know.
Mercy: (rolls her eyes) Anyway, back to the interview. Anna, who’s someone you want to be like and why?
Anna: My older brother Jon. He’s very patient and can always redirect a situation that’s going the wrong way. He’s kind, good at talking to people, and he’s always been there for me.
Mercy: Mm, sounds like Joshua.
Joshua: It does, doesn’t it?
Mercy: (jumps) Why do I keep forgetting you’re here?
Joshua: (smirks) So, Anna, do you have a favorite Bible verse?
Anna: I don’t have a favorite, but I recently memorized 1 Corinthians 13, and it is one of my favorites to repeat to myself especially when I catch myself thinking and acting in ways that aren’t loving.
Mercy: Great. Anything else you would like to say to the reader before we close?
Luke: (pops his head in) Beach balls are spherical like the moon.
Micah: And the moon is actually a giraffe.
Mercy: Why…
Joshua: And remember kids, God made you special…
Luke and Micah: And He loves you very much!
Mercy: (rolls her eyes)
Anna: (tilts fedora at readers and proceeds to jump out the window)
Joshua, Luke, Micah, and Mercy: Bye!
Photo credits: Anna Stone