I am scared. The people that took me away from my mother are sending me to live with my father’s sister in New York City. I’ve never met my aunt. The stewardess has buckled my thin, frightened body into my seat for the long flight. After the plane takes off I fall asleep. I hope she treats me better than my mother did.
I get off the plane and find my aunt holding a sign that says DAVE PELZER so I can find her. She seems nice but should I trust her? We take a couple buses to reach her apartment in Harlem. On the trip she explains to me that she is a nurse and she enjoys painting in her spare time. She also told me where I will be going to school.
Harlem is nothing like my old home in San Francisco. In San Francisco it’s very clean with lots of very nice houses. Harlem is full of poorly kept apartment buildings, including the one my aunt lives in, with many people living on the streets. Many of the people we see on the street are begging for money, food, and clothing, similar to me when I had to live with mother.
As we make our way into her apartment she sees one of her neighbors.
“Hello, Miss Pelzer,” he said.
“Hello, Alfred. This is my nephew David. David this is a nice boy that lives right down the hall named Alfred Brooks,” she replied.
“Nice to meet you David,” he said. I hid behind my aunt.
“It’s okay. Alfred is a nice boy. He won’t hurt you,” she said reassuringly. Alfred is a black, late teenager that is well built. We shook hands and he went down the stairs while we went up to her apartment.
While we were putting my belongings away in the apartment, my aunt’s phone rang.
“I’m very sorry David, that was the hospital. They need me to come in to work now,” she said with a frown. She changed and hurried down the stairs. She came up a few minutes later with Alfred, the boy we met in the stairway. “Alfred is going to stay here and watch you until I get back. Bye David!” as she rushed out of the apartment.
“Why are you here living with your aunt, David?” Alfred asked curiously.
“My mother abused me for several years and they just took me away from her yesterday,” I said.
“That’s terrible! What would she do to you?” he asked.
“She hurt me a lot. She wouldn’t feed me, she made me sit on the bottom of the basement stairs while the rest of my family was eating, she choked me, and she smacked my face into a mirror. One day she stabbed me in the chest and didn’t take me to the hospital. Her favorite way of hurting me was making me sit in the bathtub in freezing cold water for an hour or so. I was also made fun of a lot at school because I stole lunches from the other kids because I never got food at home,” I told him.
“That’s awful!” Alfred exclaimed.
“I’m glad to be away from that now. When I was in school yesterday they called me to the principal’s office. I told them what my mother was doing to me. They decided that the best place for me would be here with my aunt. Do you live with your mother and father?” I asked.
“No. My mother died and my father left when I was young,” Alfred explains.
“Sorry,” David replies. “My dad left us, too.”
“Now I live with my aunt and my three cousins. I dropped out of high school. I was doing drugs and getting in a lot of trouble. Now I’m working at a grocery store down the street. I work at after school programs for kids when I can. I like to go to the gym to see some of the up and coming fighters. I used to box because I needed to prove to myself that I could be somebody. Now I’m going to night school to get my high school diploma,” Alfred said.
Wow! Alfred and I aren’t really that different from each other. The problems we’ve had in our lives are different but we were both strong enough to fight through our troubles. At least now I know I’m not the only one that has lived a hard life. Maybe I’ll be a teacher someday so I can help kids with problems like mine.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
A Day in England with David and Daisy by Megan P
Dave Pelzer, who is now free from his mother and with a family of his own, looked at his caller ID and saw that he was receiving a long distance call. He answered the phone, very unsure of who might be on the other end.
"Hello?" Dave asked.
"Hello. Is this David Pelzer?" the voice questioned.
"Yes, this is him," Dave answered.
"Hi Dave, my name is Daisy."
Daisy talked to him on the phone for a brief amount of time. She told him that she had learned from her father and wicked step mother about his troubles in his childhood with his mother. She explained how she had also been in a difficult situation as a child, and wanted to know more about what he went through. He agreed to meet her and talk about his past. She told him to meet her at her old farm house in England to refresh her memory.
At first, Dave was startled. He didn't know if he wanted to go to England. But
Daisy sounded like she really wanted to discuss their problems, so he agreed to go. He got tickets in the mail a couple days later and the next morning he was on his way to England to meet Daisy, his unknown admirer. Before he left, he said good-bye to his own family and on the plane he tried to think of every single one of the horrible things his mother put him through.
Once Dave arrived in England at the old farm house, it looked really beat up. The siding was falling off, the roof was caving in, and it all together looked like a mess. He was now really nervous to know what happened here. He walked up and knocked on the door and almost instantly a girl answered the door.
"David?" she asked unsteadily.
"Yes, are you Daisy?" Dave replied.
"Yes, please come in!" Daisy beamed.
Inside wasn't much nicer. There were shelves missing and glass in the kitchen and everything was so dirty. Dave could not believe it. But then he walked into the next room and saw two people out in the garden. He asked Daisy who they were, and she told him he was better off meeting them.
When he got closer, he saw that they all looked the same: skinny, pale, dark hair, and sullen faces. It looked as though they haven't eaten or cared for themselves in weeks. But Dave was not one to start troubles, so he put that past him and he met them with a smile. There was a girl and a boy, Piper and Edmund. Piper walked straight up to him and gave him a hug, and Edmund gave him a very weak handshake, but that was fine with him.
Daisy then took him inside and gave him a cup of tea. Anyone who looked at Dave could tell about his troubled past. He had many scars and he looked beat up here and there. Daisy also looked into his eyes like she used to with Edmund and she could see that Dave was a strong man. After the life he had growing up, he found good in every day that kept him strong and alive. She was so curious to know this good, it just blurted out of her mouth.
"Dave, what was your drive to stay living?" Daisy quickly covered her mouth thinking she wasn't supposed to ask, but Dave answered right away.
"I wanted to defeat my mother," he said. "I wanted to get past the abuse and act like it never hurt me, just to make her cringe. Then one day, I did defeat her. They day I was free from her wrath for good. It was the best day of my life."
Daisy then questioned what exactly she did to him and why she did it. Dave told her about his father. He told her how her father was hard working and worked long hours and how his mother would then turn to alcohol to make her feel better. That's when she started getting out of control. When he explained to Daisy about the times she made him swallow ammonia and all the nights she made him sit in the bathroom either freezing in the tub being laughed at or choking on her cleaning gasses, she was in complete shock and utter amazement of how horrible someone could be.
David could see the horror on her face and asked what she was thinking.
She simply replied, "That is the worst thing to ever happen to a child."
David then asked her what she had gone through. She explained about how she was sent to England by her father and evil step-mother. Then when she got there, there was a war and she got separated from her cousin, and true love, Edmund. She started explaining about the friendships that started and ended for numerous reasons between her and Piper and the generals they stayed with. Daisy also talked about the war sights they saw, her most vivid memory on that farm where she thought she was meeting Edmund, but when she got there all she saw were dead people and animals.
While Daisy was explaining her vivid memories, David was taking it all in and following along. He then got curious and wanted to ask more questions, so he asked a few.
"Daisy," David wondered. "How did you find Edmund and how did you know you loved him even though he was your cousin?"
"Well," Daisy started to answer. "I found him because if I looked deep into my own soul and dreams, I saw Edmund there with me. He would direct me where to go, and it was all the help I needed to find him. And I knew I loved him because of that. Even before I could look into his eyes, and I knew we were meant to be. There was some disagreement when we saw each other for the first time after the war, but we fixed it up, and now we are perfect. How are your family, and your mother?"
"My family is amazing. I love my wife very much and I have a son. And I look back on my past every day and I make sure I don't see the signs of my mom in my wife or me, because I don't want my child to have a life like I did, it was horrible. And my mother was doing okay last time I saw her. The last time we visited was the Christmas after my son was born about 7 years ago. All she wanted was to see her grandson."
"That's good. I hope everything works out." Daisy exclaimed.
"I hope the same for you and Edmund, too." David smiled.
And with that, they looked at the clock and they had been talking for hours. It was time for bed for both of them. The next morning, David said his goodbyes to everyone and he headed back to home. When he got home, he saw Daisy's email address on the table, and they have kept in touch ever since.
"Hello?" Dave asked.
"Hello. Is this David Pelzer?" the voice questioned.
"Yes, this is him," Dave answered.
"Hi Dave, my name is Daisy."
Daisy talked to him on the phone for a brief amount of time. She told him that she had learned from her father and wicked step mother about his troubles in his childhood with his mother. She explained how she had also been in a difficult situation as a child, and wanted to know more about what he went through. He agreed to meet her and talk about his past. She told him to meet her at her old farm house in England to refresh her memory.
At first, Dave was startled. He didn't know if he wanted to go to England. But
Daisy sounded like she really wanted to discuss their problems, so he agreed to go. He got tickets in the mail a couple days later and the next morning he was on his way to England to meet Daisy, his unknown admirer. Before he left, he said good-bye to his own family and on the plane he tried to think of every single one of the horrible things his mother put him through.
Once Dave arrived in England at the old farm house, it looked really beat up. The siding was falling off, the roof was caving in, and it all together looked like a mess. He was now really nervous to know what happened here. He walked up and knocked on the door and almost instantly a girl answered the door.
"David?" she asked unsteadily.
"Yes, are you Daisy?" Dave replied.
"Yes, please come in!" Daisy beamed.
Inside wasn't much nicer. There were shelves missing and glass in the kitchen and everything was so dirty. Dave could not believe it. But then he walked into the next room and saw two people out in the garden. He asked Daisy who they were, and she told him he was better off meeting them.
When he got closer, he saw that they all looked the same: skinny, pale, dark hair, and sullen faces. It looked as though they haven't eaten or cared for themselves in weeks. But Dave was not one to start troubles, so he put that past him and he met them with a smile. There was a girl and a boy, Piper and Edmund. Piper walked straight up to him and gave him a hug, and Edmund gave him a very weak handshake, but that was fine with him.
Daisy then took him inside and gave him a cup of tea. Anyone who looked at Dave could tell about his troubled past. He had many scars and he looked beat up here and there. Daisy also looked into his eyes like she used to with Edmund and she could see that Dave was a strong man. After the life he had growing up, he found good in every day that kept him strong and alive. She was so curious to know this good, it just blurted out of her mouth.
"Dave, what was your drive to stay living?" Daisy quickly covered her mouth thinking she wasn't supposed to ask, but Dave answered right away.
"I wanted to defeat my mother," he said. "I wanted to get past the abuse and act like it never hurt me, just to make her cringe. Then one day, I did defeat her. They day I was free from her wrath for good. It was the best day of my life."
Daisy then questioned what exactly she did to him and why she did it. Dave told her about his father. He told her how her father was hard working and worked long hours and how his mother would then turn to alcohol to make her feel better. That's when she started getting out of control. When he explained to Daisy about the times she made him swallow ammonia and all the nights she made him sit in the bathroom either freezing in the tub being laughed at or choking on her cleaning gasses, she was in complete shock and utter amazement of how horrible someone could be.
David could see the horror on her face and asked what she was thinking.
She simply replied, "That is the worst thing to ever happen to a child."
David then asked her what she had gone through. She explained about how she was sent to England by her father and evil step-mother. Then when she got there, there was a war and she got separated from her cousin, and true love, Edmund. She started explaining about the friendships that started and ended for numerous reasons between her and Piper and the generals they stayed with. Daisy also talked about the war sights they saw, her most vivid memory on that farm where she thought she was meeting Edmund, but when she got there all she saw were dead people and animals.
While Daisy was explaining her vivid memories, David was taking it all in and following along. He then got curious and wanted to ask more questions, so he asked a few.
"Daisy," David wondered. "How did you find Edmund and how did you know you loved him even though he was your cousin?"
"Well," Daisy started to answer. "I found him because if I looked deep into my own soul and dreams, I saw Edmund there with me. He would direct me where to go, and it was all the help I needed to find him. And I knew I loved him because of that. Even before I could look into his eyes, and I knew we were meant to be. There was some disagreement when we saw each other for the first time after the war, but we fixed it up, and now we are perfect. How are your family, and your mother?"
"My family is amazing. I love my wife very much and I have a son. And I look back on my past every day and I make sure I don't see the signs of my mom in my wife or me, because I don't want my child to have a life like I did, it was horrible. And my mother was doing okay last time I saw her. The last time we visited was the Christmas after my son was born about 7 years ago. All she wanted was to see her grandson."
"That's good. I hope everything works out." Daisy exclaimed.
"I hope the same for you and Edmund, too." David smiled.
And with that, they looked at the clock and they had been talking for hours. It was time for bed for both of them. The next morning, David said his goodbyes to everyone and he headed back to home. When he got home, he saw Daisy's email address on the table, and they have kept in touch ever since.
Time to be free by Juliette C
David Pelzer was a young boy who didn’t deserve living such a hard life. With an abusive mother and a never home father, David never had a childhood like normal kids. On days when his father never came home, Dave’s mother would turn to alcohal and beat him until walking was a huge task for him. Most days he wouldn’t get meals to eat and instead he would be left to eat the scraps off plates or none at all. During dinner, he was told to sit on te back steps until the family was done.
During an evening of being outisde, David noticed his neighbor bringing his trash to his barrels. Almost the whole neighborhood knew about David’s beatings but no one ever reported it. Hoawever, his neighbor, Joseph, kept a close eye on him since he was little.
Since before his mother beat him, David and his brothers used to go over Joseph’s house to hear stories about the war and what it was like for him being in Polond during the Holocaust. Joseph was always an interesting old man, but David knew there was something hiding about him in his personality. He was a single man but from what the boys knew, there was once a woman in his life but joseph never went in depth about her.
As David secretly waved to him, Joseph motioned for David to go over to him to talk.
“Should I go over to him?” David thought, “It’d be a risky move and I couldn’t go in and ask mother if it was okay.”
He noticed that his family was only about halfway through their meal from what he saw through the window. David decided to not go over to him since he knew if he got caught he’d get a severe beating for leaving without permission. David shook his head “no” to Joseph who was waiting at the fence. The old man just shrugged his shoulders and walked back inside.
The next day as David was on his usual step outisde, Joseph was there again. This time, he walked up to the fence separating yards and talked to the boy.
“How are you doing David?” Joseph asked in a low voice.
“Okay I guess.” He replied. David kept checking in the windows in case anyone was watching.
“Are you being fed lately?”
The last time I had a piece of food was from lunch two days ago.” David had to think about that answer since he hadn’t had a meal in awhile.
“How about you and I get out of here? We both need something better in life.” Joseph asked.
David was taken aback by this question. He looked quickly at the window. By this time, from the looks of the plates, dinner was getting close to an end. He knew his mother wouldn’t see Joe but didn’t want to know what would happen if she found out.
“I would love to, but I can’t just leave my family.” David said nervously.
“Of course you can david! I know how that so-called family of yours treats you and I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but you havent lived a life like a boy like you should have. That’s why you and I deserve to be exploring. We’ll travel the world! Go on adventures! What do you say?”
David knew his mother was going to be at the door to let him back in any second. “I don’t know. But you better leave before I get in trouble.” David knew it was a harsh thing to say but he wasn’t in the mood for a beating tonight (or any night).
Joseph didn’t need to be told twice so he said bye to David and told him to think again on that offer. Thankfully, the neighbor left just before his mother started opening the door.
“Get in here.” The boy’s mother said harshly.
“Yes mother.” He obeyed the order immediately and walked to the kitchen to start his chores. As he washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen, David thought about what his old friend has asked him. He coulnt mimagine what his mother would do or what life would like without his mother. However, he knew in his heart that he needed to get out of that house before his life might end.
It was three days after the talk with Joseph that David decided he wanted to get out of his house. He hadn’t eaten much besides the leftover pieces of dinner from two nights ago andhis mother decided to move his sleeping arrangements to the garage.
As usual, Dave was sitting on his little stairs waiting for Joseph to come outside. It wasn’t until late that he showed up. He stated that he wanted to leave and soon. Joseph was thrilled. Over the next couple of nights, they had quick conversations about planning the escape. The two males decided that the upcoming Tuesday would be the day that david left.
There were four hours to go until the time came for the boy to leave. That night, his mother threatened to kill him if he didn’t finish his chores on time. The family slave, as he was called, rushed through his dishes and cleaning just seconds before the time was up.
David couldn’t wait to get out. His mother seemed like she was in one of her “moods” and could strike at amny moment. Dinnertime was ust seconds away that meant the hurt boy would never have to see his family again. He was happy to get out but he thought about the old days where everything was right. However, he knew those days were over and he’d never be happy if he stayed.
Around 6 o’clock, David Pelzer was put outside for one last time. Just like planned, the boy was to crawl to the neighbors yard where Joseph would be waiting for him ready to go wherever they wanted. uHowever, before leaving to start his new life, David took one last look at his family he lost connection with so long ago and gently smiled knowing he was free.
During an evening of being outisde, David noticed his neighbor bringing his trash to his barrels. Almost the whole neighborhood knew about David’s beatings but no one ever reported it. Hoawever, his neighbor, Joseph, kept a close eye on him since he was little.
Since before his mother beat him, David and his brothers used to go over Joseph’s house to hear stories about the war and what it was like for him being in Polond during the Holocaust. Joseph was always an interesting old man, but David knew there was something hiding about him in his personality. He was a single man but from what the boys knew, there was once a woman in his life but joseph never went in depth about her.
As David secretly waved to him, Joseph motioned for David to go over to him to talk.
“Should I go over to him?” David thought, “It’d be a risky move and I couldn’t go in and ask mother if it was okay.”
He noticed that his family was only about halfway through their meal from what he saw through the window. David decided to not go over to him since he knew if he got caught he’d get a severe beating for leaving without permission. David shook his head “no” to Joseph who was waiting at the fence. The old man just shrugged his shoulders and walked back inside.
The next day as David was on his usual step outisde, Joseph was there again. This time, he walked up to the fence separating yards and talked to the boy.
“How are you doing David?” Joseph asked in a low voice.
“Okay I guess.” He replied. David kept checking in the windows in case anyone was watching.
“Are you being fed lately?”
The last time I had a piece of food was from lunch two days ago.” David had to think about that answer since he hadn’t had a meal in awhile.
“How about you and I get out of here? We both need something better in life.” Joseph asked.
David was taken aback by this question. He looked quickly at the window. By this time, from the looks of the plates, dinner was getting close to an end. He knew his mother wouldn’t see Joe but didn’t want to know what would happen if she found out.
“I would love to, but I can’t just leave my family.” David said nervously.
“Of course you can david! I know how that so-called family of yours treats you and I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but you havent lived a life like a boy like you should have. That’s why you and I deserve to be exploring. We’ll travel the world! Go on adventures! What do you say?”
David knew his mother was going to be at the door to let him back in any second. “I don’t know. But you better leave before I get in trouble.” David knew it was a harsh thing to say but he wasn’t in the mood for a beating tonight (or any night).
Joseph didn’t need to be told twice so he said bye to David and told him to think again on that offer. Thankfully, the neighbor left just before his mother started opening the door.
“Get in here.” The boy’s mother said harshly.
“Yes mother.” He obeyed the order immediately and walked to the kitchen to start his chores. As he washed the dishes and cleaned the kitchen, David thought about what his old friend has asked him. He coulnt mimagine what his mother would do or what life would like without his mother. However, he knew in his heart that he needed to get out of that house before his life might end.
It was three days after the talk with Joseph that David decided he wanted to get out of his house. He hadn’t eaten much besides the leftover pieces of dinner from two nights ago andhis mother decided to move his sleeping arrangements to the garage.
As usual, Dave was sitting on his little stairs waiting for Joseph to come outside. It wasn’t until late that he showed up. He stated that he wanted to leave and soon. Joseph was thrilled. Over the next couple of nights, they had quick conversations about planning the escape. The two males decided that the upcoming Tuesday would be the day that david left.
There were four hours to go until the time came for the boy to leave. That night, his mother threatened to kill him if he didn’t finish his chores on time. The family slave, as he was called, rushed through his dishes and cleaning just seconds before the time was up.
David couldn’t wait to get out. His mother seemed like she was in one of her “moods” and could strike at amny moment. Dinnertime was ust seconds away that meant the hurt boy would never have to see his family again. He was happy to get out but he thought about the old days where everything was right. However, he knew those days were over and he’d never be happy if he stayed.
Around 6 o’clock, David Pelzer was put outside for one last time. Just like planned, the boy was to crawl to the neighbors yard where Joseph would be waiting for him ready to go wherever they wanted. uHowever, before leaving to start his new life, David took one last look at his family he lost connection with so long ago and gently smiled knowing he was free.
Summer reading essay by Jill B
“I have to get out of this house!” Screamed David in frustration. David Pelzer is a young boy. His father was a fireman and, according to David, his mother was once a loving, kind, and wonderful person that would do anything for her family. But it turned out, later in his life, that when his father gave up on him, so did his, now, alcoholic mother. And he found out that she was abusive toward him. It was even at a point where she began to make him go without food for exstensive periods of time. So his only way of getting something to eat, was to steal from the kids at school.
One day, David was on his way to school. His mother made him run sometimes in order to get there faster, because she didn’t feel like driving him. When he got there, he noticed it was a little too late because all of the kids were already inside and had there lunches with them. “No food today.” Sighed David. As he was on his way into his classroom, he saw another kid playing on the swings. He had looked a little worn out, so he decided to go into school late and see what was up. David ran up to him and gave him a quick hello.
“Hi, what’s your name?” he asked.
“Alfred. But you can call me Al for short. You?”
“My name is David, and you can call me Dave if you want.”
“So where are you doing here?” asked David.
“Oh, I’m just trying to get away from my old town.”
“I’ll tell you right now that this isn’t a town to come to, too get away.”
“Right now for me it doesn’t matter.”
David asked Alfred about himself. To start off, he said that his full name was Alfred Brooks. He told David that he has to go through many changes, both physical and emotional. He told him how he was growing up in a dangerous neighborhood, has financial struggles, drug and crime temptations, lack of education and lack of confidence. He told him about his best friend, James, who was into all the drugs and crime. Last, he told him about his job in the grocery store and how he is training to be a boxer. David immediately thought about how alike they were. So even though he wasn’t supposed to, he told Alfred about his abusive mother and all the awful things that he does to her, Alfred felt terrible after David told him everything.
“Why don’t you move out of that house?” asked Alfred.
“Because I don’t want to get in trouble with my mother.”
“You should come with me.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not? Even though I don’t have a wonderful life, it is better then being abused.”
“Look Alfred, I just can’t.”
“But, I didn’t mean for you to…” and before he could say anymore, David ran off.
In the distance, Alfred could hear David screaming not to tell anyone about what he told him. He was going to scream back ok I promise I won’t, but it was too late.
When David got to his house, he quietly sneaked in, knowing he was a little late to the time he was supposed to be getting home. He was lucky today, his mom wasn’t waiting for him at the door like usual. So he just went into his room in the dark, musty cellar. He heard his mother calling him upstairs. He was scared, but he obeyed her and slowly went up the steps one by one until he reached the devil on the top. She pulled him by the ear and went into the bathroom to do her routine of putting him into a bathtub full off ice cold water. He was petrified of her, and there was nothing he could do about it.
Meanwhile, Alfred met up with James at his clubhouse cave they went to. Alfred told him about how he met David. But he didn’t tell him about his abusive mother, obeeying his promise. James was just worried about stealing stuff from the grocery store that Alfred had worked at. And Alfred was trying to get him to stop. Alfred had to accomplish many situations with James to stay friends with him. He wanted to help him. And that is the reason why he also wanted to help David with his mother’s problem. Soon after, Alfred remembered his appointment at the gym he had with his coach, Mr. Donatelli, so he had to leave.
The next day of school came, and again, Alfred was there on the swings. David tried to not let Alfred see him going into the classroom. But it was too late, and he saw him. So he decided to skip school again today.
“Hi.” David said quietly
“Dave, I am going to do something about it.”
“About what?”
“You’re mother’s problem”
“Please don’t Al. I don’t want to get in any more trouble with her.”
“You won’t get in trouble if I help you. You can live with me!”
Soon afterwards, Alfred finally convinced David to take him home with him. David was still very scared of his mother and didn’t no what she would do to him if she found out were he was. When they got to his house, Alfred introduced his Aunt Pearl to David.
“Well it’s nice to meet you David.” Said Aunt Pearl.
“You too.” Replied David.
“So what brought you here to day?”
“Oh, he’s just…”
“It’s ok Al, I think it’s best to tell an adult.” Said David.
“Tell an adult what?” Aunt Pearl started getting worried.
When David told Alfred’s aunt, she immediately called D.S.S and told them the situation. She decided to adopt David so he could live a normal life. David told Alfred how much he appreciated him to convincing him to come to his house.
“You don’t need to thank me Dave.”
“Yes I do! If it wasn’t for you to convince me to come to your house, I would have never had the guts to do anything about it.”
“Well, I never thought of it that way”
So everything turned out alright and pretty soon, Alfred and David became “brothers”.
One day, David was on his way to school. His mother made him run sometimes in order to get there faster, because she didn’t feel like driving him. When he got there, he noticed it was a little too late because all of the kids were already inside and had there lunches with them. “No food today.” Sighed David. As he was on his way into his classroom, he saw another kid playing on the swings. He had looked a little worn out, so he decided to go into school late and see what was up. David ran up to him and gave him a quick hello.
“Hi, what’s your name?” he asked.
“Alfred. But you can call me Al for short. You?”
“My name is David, and you can call me Dave if you want.”
“So where are you doing here?” asked David.
“Oh, I’m just trying to get away from my old town.”
“I’ll tell you right now that this isn’t a town to come to, too get away.”
“Right now for me it doesn’t matter.”
David asked Alfred about himself. To start off, he said that his full name was Alfred Brooks. He told David that he has to go through many changes, both physical and emotional. He told him how he was growing up in a dangerous neighborhood, has financial struggles, drug and crime temptations, lack of education and lack of confidence. He told him about his best friend, James, who was into all the drugs and crime. Last, he told him about his job in the grocery store and how he is training to be a boxer. David immediately thought about how alike they were. So even though he wasn’t supposed to, he told Alfred about his abusive mother and all the awful things that he does to her, Alfred felt terrible after David told him everything.
“Why don’t you move out of that house?” asked Alfred.
“Because I don’t want to get in trouble with my mother.”
“You should come with me.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not? Even though I don’t have a wonderful life, it is better then being abused.”
“Look Alfred, I just can’t.”
“But, I didn’t mean for you to…” and before he could say anymore, David ran off.
In the distance, Alfred could hear David screaming not to tell anyone about what he told him. He was going to scream back ok I promise I won’t, but it was too late.
When David got to his house, he quietly sneaked in, knowing he was a little late to the time he was supposed to be getting home. He was lucky today, his mom wasn’t waiting for him at the door like usual. So he just went into his room in the dark, musty cellar. He heard his mother calling him upstairs. He was scared, but he obeyed her and slowly went up the steps one by one until he reached the devil on the top. She pulled him by the ear and went into the bathroom to do her routine of putting him into a bathtub full off ice cold water. He was petrified of her, and there was nothing he could do about it.
Meanwhile, Alfred met up with James at his clubhouse cave they went to. Alfred told him about how he met David. But he didn’t tell him about his abusive mother, obeeying his promise. James was just worried about stealing stuff from the grocery store that Alfred had worked at. And Alfred was trying to get him to stop. Alfred had to accomplish many situations with James to stay friends with him. He wanted to help him. And that is the reason why he also wanted to help David with his mother’s problem. Soon after, Alfred remembered his appointment at the gym he had with his coach, Mr. Donatelli, so he had to leave.
The next day of school came, and again, Alfred was there on the swings. David tried to not let Alfred see him going into the classroom. But it was too late, and he saw him. So he decided to skip school again today.
“Hi.” David said quietly
“Dave, I am going to do something about it.”
“About what?”
“You’re mother’s problem”
“Please don’t Al. I don’t want to get in any more trouble with her.”
“You won’t get in trouble if I help you. You can live with me!”
Soon afterwards, Alfred finally convinced David to take him home with him. David was still very scared of his mother and didn’t no what she would do to him if she found out were he was. When they got to his house, Alfred introduced his Aunt Pearl to David.
“Well it’s nice to meet you David.” Said Aunt Pearl.
“You too.” Replied David.
“So what brought you here to day?”
“Oh, he’s just…”
“It’s ok Al, I think it’s best to tell an adult.” Said David.
“Tell an adult what?” Aunt Pearl started getting worried.
When David told Alfred’s aunt, she immediately called D.S.S and told them the situation. She decided to adopt David so he could live a normal life. David told Alfred how much he appreciated him to convincing him to come to his house.
“You don’t need to thank me Dave.”
“Yes I do! If it wasn’t for you to convince me to come to your house, I would have never had the guts to do anything about it.”
“Well, I never thought of it that way”
So everything turned out alright and pretty soon, Alfred and David became “brothers”.
Summer reading essay by Betty C
The nurse wrapped her arms tightly around me, after I showed her the mark from where mother stabbed me. I sighed in her embrace. Please don’t let go, I thought. I held on to her so tight that my gash started to hurt. But I ignored it, focusing on the fruity smell of her hair. I squeezed her once more and then reluctantly let go. I didn’t want to go home. I didn’t want to go anywhere but where Mrs. Norse was going. I have to say something I decided.
“Ms. N?” I squeaked.
“Yes David?
Oh no. I was shaking already.
“Well I….I was wondering if…there would be any chance that I could spend the afternoon with you. Wherever you’re going is fine. I just….no one will be home and I finished my chores and…”
“David,” she cut me off. I knew it. No. “I’m volunteering at a local Nursing home today. I would love it if you came, but ill be working with the residents mostly and …”
“That’s ok!” I blurted. Oops. “I’d love to come”
She paused to think.” Will your mother be all right with that?”
Mother. I flinched. Then the questions came, hard and fast. What would mother do when I was out? Call the police? Come search for me? Will she even notice? I prayed mother would stay drunk, laying on the couch today.
“Yes. I….I mentioned to her that I might not be home right after school today.” I lied. I was instantly thankful that she had no knowledge of my life at home.
“Well then, let me pack up my things, and we’ll get out of here!” She smiled her broad, inviting smile that I loved, and then hurried to get her briefcase. I followed her into her office.
“I’m sorry if I get caught up with the volunteer work, I don’t want you to think I don’t care that you’re here!”
She cares, I thought. She truly cares. We were out of the school and in Mrs. N car in less than 10 minutes. The drive took a very short amount of time, and I liked not listening to the usual screaming and bickering of my family. I daydreamed the whole ride and was brought out of my daze with Mrs. Norse’s sweet voice when we arrived at the nursing home on Cabot Street. It was a long, rectangular white building with trimmed hedges and a walkway lined with red and white roses. When we entered the square entry hall, there was a musicale being led by a man with almost no hair holding a banjo. Oh Susanna I thought. That use to be one of mothers favorites. I sighed and listened to the familiar melody, trying to remember the good old days.
Mrs. N had to drag me away from the performance to the elevator. She caught the door just as it was closing. The two chatty dark haired girls, who looked like twins and a younger red-head already in the elevator, eyed us as we walked in and found a place to stand in the opposite corner. The red-head smiled at me, and I shyly returned the smile, and then hid behind Mrs. N. For the short ride up, the redhead never took her concerned eyes off of me. I look down and notice my bruises and holey shirt. What’s not to look at I thought.
We got out on the third floor, and Mrs. N found out that the first room she was volunteering in was the grandmother of the three girls. We turned into her room, number 310, and on her bed, tucked in a bear claw quilt was the grandmother. The brittle skinned woman had faded blue eyes and red hair, which must have once been beautiful, I thought. She awoke and started reciting some fairytale I didn’t recognize. I spent my time looking at the redhead. After 20 silent minutes of watching the old woman, who fell asleep again, the two identical sisters left, and the redhead sat on the edge of her bed. Then she woke with a start and raised her voice at the redhead.
“I am briar rose!” she repeated.
Who’s briar rose? I thought. I heard her telling the redhead to find her castle, and that it was all she had left. She’s making no sense! She must be crazy I reasoned. But there was something in the tone of her voice that was very, very serious. The woman was soon back on her bed, asleep, and my nerves calmed. I walked over to the redhead, who was now crying, and put my hand on her shaking shoulder. She turned and smiled at me again, and I returned the smile more confident this time.
“Wh…” I couldn’t find my words, “Who is Briar Rosey?” I asked.
I offered her what was left of my sleeve to dry her eyes.
“Briar rose,” she finally said, “was the princess in the old story she use to tell us. It was a version of sleeping beauty. It was my favorite” a single tear rolled down her cheek.
“Do you remember the story?” I asked.
“Word for word. I used to recite some parts with gemma, that’s my grandmother. I’m Rebecca,”
“Dave Pelzer,” she shook my right hand. I flinched and pulled it back. She looked at me, with those same concerned eyes.
“Where did you get all of those bruises? And cuts? Are you ok?” she asked, suddenly panicked.
Oh no! I thought. A skeptic. She started circling me, pulling up my sleeves, and feeling the top of my head. She became more frantic as she searched me. I bit my lip.
And then, I don’t know what to call it, but something came over me….something that had to let someone, somewhere know what I was really going through. I was then tempted to tell her my life story. About mother, and father, and what my life use to be like. To a complete stranger! I tried arguing with myself, but it didn’t work. No, I said to myself, I have to protect mother. No matter how much she tortures me…I can’t. I just can’t!
And it all came pouring out.
I sobbed as I told her about how our life used to be perfect, the “Brady bunch” family, we were called. About how mother began drinking, and became angrier, and almost crazy, and how it scared and worried me. About how my father tried to protect me, but gave up, and started spending more time away from home. About how I was fed the scraps of my brothers lucky charms and I was lucky if I got a piece of bacon. I told her of the horrible games mother played with me, and how she beat me regularly. And most of all, how I wanted to be loved. By someone, somewhere.
Becca kept her eyes on me the whole time. Concerned, intense, and worried. After I finished I just sat there and cried. I cried for mother, for father and my brothers, for becca and her grandmother, and for myself. Becca ran up and hugged me, and she started crying too.
I let go of her sometime later, and wiped my eyes.
“I’m sorry, for throwing all of this at you,” I finally said.
She hugged me again and told me that she didn’t mind, and that she wanted to help me. Whatever I needed, that she would help me find it. A home, a family, and love.
“And what about you?” I asked, my eyes finally drying, “What is your family like?”
“Well,” she said, reluctant to change the subject to herself,” My Sisters are oblivious to life, and Gemma, but I still love them. I have to. They each have husbands, and children, so I guess I’m the odd one out in my family, I always have been. And I work for a local newspaper. ” She sighed, “and now I have to go search for a castle!”
I chuckled, and she did too.
“I suppose I could help you…with your search. But you’d have to tell me the story first, you know so I would have some background information.”
Then she looked at me, and smiled.
“Once upon a time,” she started, “which is all times and no times but not the very best of times, there was a castle and in it lived a king who wanted nothing more in the world than a child………
“Ms. N?” I squeaked.
“Yes David?
Oh no. I was shaking already.
“Well I….I was wondering if…there would be any chance that I could spend the afternoon with you. Wherever you’re going is fine. I just….no one will be home and I finished my chores and…”
“David,” she cut me off. I knew it. No. “I’m volunteering at a local Nursing home today. I would love it if you came, but ill be working with the residents mostly and …”
“That’s ok!” I blurted. Oops. “I’d love to come”
She paused to think.” Will your mother be all right with that?”
Mother. I flinched. Then the questions came, hard and fast. What would mother do when I was out? Call the police? Come search for me? Will she even notice? I prayed mother would stay drunk, laying on the couch today.
“Yes. I….I mentioned to her that I might not be home right after school today.” I lied. I was instantly thankful that she had no knowledge of my life at home.
“Well then, let me pack up my things, and we’ll get out of here!” She smiled her broad, inviting smile that I loved, and then hurried to get her briefcase. I followed her into her office.
“I’m sorry if I get caught up with the volunteer work, I don’t want you to think I don’t care that you’re here!”
She cares, I thought. She truly cares. We were out of the school and in Mrs. N car in less than 10 minutes. The drive took a very short amount of time, and I liked not listening to the usual screaming and bickering of my family. I daydreamed the whole ride and was brought out of my daze with Mrs. Norse’s sweet voice when we arrived at the nursing home on Cabot Street. It was a long, rectangular white building with trimmed hedges and a walkway lined with red and white roses. When we entered the square entry hall, there was a musicale being led by a man with almost no hair holding a banjo. Oh Susanna I thought. That use to be one of mothers favorites. I sighed and listened to the familiar melody, trying to remember the good old days.
Mrs. N had to drag me away from the performance to the elevator. She caught the door just as it was closing. The two chatty dark haired girls, who looked like twins and a younger red-head already in the elevator, eyed us as we walked in and found a place to stand in the opposite corner. The red-head smiled at me, and I shyly returned the smile, and then hid behind Mrs. N. For the short ride up, the redhead never took her concerned eyes off of me. I look down and notice my bruises and holey shirt. What’s not to look at I thought.
We got out on the third floor, and Mrs. N found out that the first room she was volunteering in was the grandmother of the three girls. We turned into her room, number 310, and on her bed, tucked in a bear claw quilt was the grandmother. The brittle skinned woman had faded blue eyes and red hair, which must have once been beautiful, I thought. She awoke and started reciting some fairytale I didn’t recognize. I spent my time looking at the redhead. After 20 silent minutes of watching the old woman, who fell asleep again, the two identical sisters left, and the redhead sat on the edge of her bed. Then she woke with a start and raised her voice at the redhead.
“I am briar rose!” she repeated.
Who’s briar rose? I thought. I heard her telling the redhead to find her castle, and that it was all she had left. She’s making no sense! She must be crazy I reasoned. But there was something in the tone of her voice that was very, very serious. The woman was soon back on her bed, asleep, and my nerves calmed. I walked over to the redhead, who was now crying, and put my hand on her shaking shoulder. She turned and smiled at me again, and I returned the smile more confident this time.
“Wh…” I couldn’t find my words, “Who is Briar Rosey?” I asked.
I offered her what was left of my sleeve to dry her eyes.
“Briar rose,” she finally said, “was the princess in the old story she use to tell us. It was a version of sleeping beauty. It was my favorite” a single tear rolled down her cheek.
“Do you remember the story?” I asked.
“Word for word. I used to recite some parts with gemma, that’s my grandmother. I’m Rebecca,”
“Dave Pelzer,” she shook my right hand. I flinched and pulled it back. She looked at me, with those same concerned eyes.
“Where did you get all of those bruises? And cuts? Are you ok?” she asked, suddenly panicked.
Oh no! I thought. A skeptic. She started circling me, pulling up my sleeves, and feeling the top of my head. She became more frantic as she searched me. I bit my lip.
And then, I don’t know what to call it, but something came over me….something that had to let someone, somewhere know what I was really going through. I was then tempted to tell her my life story. About mother, and father, and what my life use to be like. To a complete stranger! I tried arguing with myself, but it didn’t work. No, I said to myself, I have to protect mother. No matter how much she tortures me…I can’t. I just can’t!
And it all came pouring out.
I sobbed as I told her about how our life used to be perfect, the “Brady bunch” family, we were called. About how mother began drinking, and became angrier, and almost crazy, and how it scared and worried me. About how my father tried to protect me, but gave up, and started spending more time away from home. About how I was fed the scraps of my brothers lucky charms and I was lucky if I got a piece of bacon. I told her of the horrible games mother played with me, and how she beat me regularly. And most of all, how I wanted to be loved. By someone, somewhere.
Becca kept her eyes on me the whole time. Concerned, intense, and worried. After I finished I just sat there and cried. I cried for mother, for father and my brothers, for becca and her grandmother, and for myself. Becca ran up and hugged me, and she started crying too.
I let go of her sometime later, and wiped my eyes.
“I’m sorry, for throwing all of this at you,” I finally said.
She hugged me again and told me that she didn’t mind, and that she wanted to help me. Whatever I needed, that she would help me find it. A home, a family, and love.
“And what about you?” I asked, my eyes finally drying, “What is your family like?”
“Well,” she said, reluctant to change the subject to herself,” My Sisters are oblivious to life, and Gemma, but I still love them. I have to. They each have husbands, and children, so I guess I’m the odd one out in my family, I always have been. And I work for a local newspaper. ” She sighed, “and now I have to go search for a castle!”
I chuckled, and she did too.
“I suppose I could help you…with your search. But you’d have to tell me the story first, you know so I would have some background information.”
Then she looked at me, and smiled.
“Once upon a time,” she started, “which is all times and no times but not the very best of times, there was a castle and in it lived a king who wanted nothing more in the world than a child………
Thursday, April 12, 2007
That Day Changed The World Forever by Nicole C.
I was in fourth grade at school
The September weather was cool
The leaves were about to sever
That day changed the World forever
The towers were under attack
All the while we were having snack
Kids all in a clump together
That day changed the World forever
Teachers didn’t want to tell us
I had to find out on the bus
No one expected this ever
That day changed the World forever
The September weather was cool
The leaves were about to sever
That day changed the World forever
The towers were under attack
All the while we were having snack
Kids all in a clump together
That day changed the World forever
Teachers didn’t want to tell us
I had to find out on the bus
No one expected this ever
That day changed the World forever
The Cliffs of Moher by Kieran B.
Green, high, long everywhere you look.
In every nook.
You look up high,
They fill the sky.
People say they are beautiful.
Not at all dull.
They give you back
The trust you lack.
Oh Cliffs of Moher, why o why,
Can’t you just try?
To make us smile
For every mile.
In every nook.
You look up high,
They fill the sky.
People say they are beautiful.
Not at all dull.
They give you back
The trust you lack.
Oh Cliffs of Moher, why o why,
Can’t you just try?
To make us smile
For every mile.
Downhill by Wylee M.
I sit and cry and weep all day,
and twist and turn the night away.
I look around for a pill,
while the tears in my eyes start to fill.
And as I cry people just stare,
but look at me without a care.
They have seen it happened time after time,
the person who crosses that safety line.
The line that tells you when to stop,
before you head down that bid drop.
The drop that makes you start to fall,
the drop that begins to end it all.
I regretted doing it the very first day,
and because I did it, I had to pay.
and twist and turn the night away.
I look around for a pill,
while the tears in my eyes start to fill.
And as I cry people just stare,
but look at me without a care.
They have seen it happened time after time,
the person who crosses that safety line.
The line that tells you when to stop,
before you head down that bid drop.
The drop that makes you start to fall,
the drop that begins to end it all.
I regretted doing it the very first day,
and because I did it, I had to pay.
Anti Ode by Alyssa M.
Let’s begin
I hate you.
You leave your marks
Across my body,
With your sharp edges
And make me live in regret.
Glorify? You?
You are not glorious.
You are a secret.
A feeling.
A nothing.
A pest on my skin
Running down my fingertips.
And there’s nothing glorious about that.
I hate you.
You leave your marks
Across my body,
With your sharp edges
And make me live in regret.
Glorify? You?
You are not glorious.
You are a secret.
A feeling.
A nothing.
A pest on my skin
Running down my fingertips.
And there’s nothing glorious about that.
Mista Devlin by Rachel P.
His long, flowing hair blew in the breeze
He always ate bagels with cream cheese
He had a hairy chest
He always looked his best
He’s Mr. Devlin, or Mr. D
He always ate bagels with cream cheese
He had a hairy chest
He always looked his best
He’s Mr. Devlin, or Mr. D
Twilight by Kylie L.
Tranquil,
Wispy clouds making an
Intense sight that
‘Luminates and compliments this
Incomprehensible and
Gorgeously
Harmonious moment in
Time
Wispy clouds making an
Intense sight that
‘Luminates and compliments this
Incomprehensible and
Gorgeously
Harmonious moment in
Time
Chase & Tackle by Matt R.
I search the field for the running back
Knowing that he has the football
Eyes moving from side to side
I spot him running left
I sprint towards him
Hard collision
He whimpers
Fumble!
Win.
Knowing that he has the football
Eyes moving from side to side
I spot him running left
I sprint towards him
Hard collision
He whimpers
Fumble!
Win.
Ode to Elephants by Katie S.
You intimidate most people,
But not I.
There being 4000 muscles in your trunk
Compared with a measly 650 in me.
You are truly an inspiration
You have a soul,
And are so trusting even
Nevertheless poached for the mineral
You carry with you.
In Africa, the parks and the people,
They work tirelessly to save you,
But their resources are slim
There is only so much they are capable of
Why can’t the rest of the world step in?
You are a giant that needs to be around
For longer than long.
I wish there were more
I could do,
Alas, I’m just a kid.
Who will help you?
But not I.
There being 4000 muscles in your trunk
Compared with a measly 650 in me.
You are truly an inspiration
You have a soul,
And are so trusting even
Nevertheless poached for the mineral
You carry with you.
In Africa, the parks and the people,
They work tirelessly to save you,
But their resources are slim
There is only so much they are capable of
Why can’t the rest of the world step in?
You are a giant that needs to be around
For longer than long.
I wish there were more
I could do,
Alas, I’m just a kid.
Who will help you?
Ode to Steven by Tim P.
I have a cousin named Steven,
He always helps me out.
Sometimes things are uneven,
But we always find a rout.
He always tells me what’s right,
And what is wrong.
He and I never fight,
We will always stay strong.
Steven is very kind and funny.
He always gives me things
Such as money.
Steven is my wings.
He always helps me out.
Sometimes things are uneven,
But we always find a rout.
He always tells me what’s right,
And what is wrong.
He and I never fight,
We will always stay strong.
Steven is very kind and funny.
He always gives me things
Such as money.
Steven is my wings.
The Pact by Yong K.
Together we made a pact
Helping each other succeed
Enjoying our lives
Peter became a doctor
Adrian a technician
Conclude me, I became a doctor
Together our pact has been accomplished.
Helping each other succeed
Enjoying our lives
Peter became a doctor
Adrian a technician
Conclude me, I became a doctor
Together our pact has been accomplished.
The Eternal City by Morgan D.
The temperature was perfect,
The shopping was a dream.
The streets were stone,
And the buildings beautiful.
Painted sunsets
Upon gleaming fountains,
With food to die for,
And the desserts of a life time.
Crowds of people
With amazing accents and
Tall dark men
Playing futbol on every curb.
Mopeds and small vehicles,
Swerving through the traffic
With clubs and restaurants on every sidewalks end.
Homes of marble
And architectural design
Sleek and jaw dropping
Way of life.
This is the best city in all the world,
Theres never a dull moment
On the vacation that
Will force you to move …
Rome
The shopping was a dream.
The streets were stone,
And the buildings beautiful.
Painted sunsets
Upon gleaming fountains,
With food to die for,
And the desserts of a life time.
Crowds of people
With amazing accents and
Tall dark men
Playing futbol on every curb.
Mopeds and small vehicles,
Swerving through the traffic
With clubs and restaurants on every sidewalks end.
Homes of marble
And architectural design
Sleek and jaw dropping
Way of life.
This is the best city in all the world,
Theres never a dull moment
On the vacation that
Will force you to move …
Rome
The Cat by Parker K.
The cat sat on the porch
While listening to the birds
He picked up his torch
He used many words
The cat jumped off the rail
While thinking about fish
He ran from the house trying to bail
Hoping for his wish
The cat chased the mouse
He tripped and fell on the ground
While he chewed on his owners blouse
He had to stomp and pound
The cat breaks his hand
And then he becomes a man
While listening to the birds
He picked up his torch
He used many words
The cat jumped off the rail
While thinking about fish
He ran from the house trying to bail
Hoping for his wish
The cat chased the mouse
He tripped and fell on the ground
While he chewed on his owners blouse
He had to stomp and pound
The cat breaks his hand
And then he becomes a man
Beware of Dog by Max H.
I walked up to the fence to see him.
he lay there in his wooden home.
Today he didn’t look so bad.
I tossed him a small stick.
‘Click…’ his ears perked up.
There’s that mean look.
And there goes
My pants.
Mutt.
he lay there in his wooden home.
Today he didn’t look so bad.
I tossed him a small stick.
‘Click…’ his ears perked up.
There’s that mean look.
And there goes
My pants.
Mutt.
The Umpire by James M.
The umpire was blind in one eye
On bad calls all we could do was sigh
He messed up the game
Every game is the same
I almost wish he would just go die.
On bad calls all we could do was sigh
He messed up the game
Every game is the same
I almost wish he would just go die.
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