Have you jumped off a roof?

I think I was seven. We had a back yard with a fence around it. The garage stood on one side of the enclosure around the yard. You could use the fence to climb up on the roof of the garage. It must have been a flat roof, seeing as it was California.

I think my brother and maybe my sister or another friend were there. I have no idea why I tried. The grass was very green and soft, maybe. So I jumped.

It was a bone-jarring landing. I’m surprised I didn’t break anything. I think the breath got knocked out of me. I remember just feeling all shook up, but on the inside, and on the inside of my bones. I guess I was a bit dazed.

I don’t think anyone ever told a parent. I survived, after all, with no injuries.