John Casey, it’s time for your speech lesson.”And then the torment began. As I gathered my books, and walked quickly toward the door, I heard the cruelty of my classmates who, under their breaths, would hiss a long “s” sound and snicker at the way I spoke.I had a pronounced lisp as a little boy, and I still have a very slight one if you listen closely.
I speak quickly and loudly, with a deep voice, so it might be hard to catch. When I’m tired, or have had a few drinks, I can sense my “S’s” slipping slightly, slowly and self-consciously out — this statement written purposely, spoken out loud as I wrote it, reminding me of the horror and vulnerability I still experience when I have to utter words riddled with “S’s.” Or when I hear someone.