Change (11/14)

     It had been a long day at work. Anything that could've broken down did, and more. Normal tasks that should've taken mere minutes exceeded half hours making the day wholly unproductive. The "maintenance" man only seemed to be making things worse, causing a domino effect of broken appliances. I slid the key into the lock imagining the way my feather comforter would envelope my body when I plopped down on my bed for at least twelve hours. I opened my door and walked in a zombie like state to my bedroom. Just before throwing my body down on my bed I realized that it had been replaced with a large pool table. My bedside table had been swapped for a gaudy Orange bean bag chair. I quickly back tracked into my living room, only then noticing my brown, suede sectional couch was no where in sight, but there as a clear half sphere chair hanging from the ceiling.. right next to a multi colored disco ball. At this point my temple were starting to throb, and the Orange bean bag chair was looking more and more appealing. Warily, I walked into my guest bedroom which turned out to be the worst. Animal print, everywhere. I didn't despise anything as much as I did animal print. It was creepy and it convinced people that it was acceptable to wear black and brown at the same time. Not to mention the fact that it was no different than walking around in a human skin jacket because it was appealing to your visual senses. The zebra rug in the center of my floor seemed to spin in my brain suddenly making my stomach turn. I ran to the bathroom to toss my cookies, and the neon green and orange walls proved to induce more projectile vomit. When I was finished, I rinsed out my mouth and placed a cool rag on my forehead. I went to my kitchen, opened my fridge- ignoring the elephant tusk handle- and pulled out a cup of applesauce then went to lay on that God awful bean bag. Before I fell asleep flashes of my mother played on the inside of my eyelids. Her wild, red hair acted as the agents that were squeezing my brain and soul at the same time. The tight coils of hair squeezed my head until my eyes felt they were going to pop out of my head. I know she'd done this to my house. I had never agreed with her eccentric ways, however amusing they may be. I hadn't giver her a key to my apartment, so I contemplated the ways as I fell asleep having a sneaking suspicion Id have to replace a window.

Last day of school

     I looked at the picture of me and my best friend Hailey I kept in my locker. It was from freshman year and the two girls in the picture were smiling brightly at the camera, clearly eager for what they only knew to be the "best years of their lives". Their was a familiar screech from the halfway down the hall, and I turned just in time to see Hailey sprinting down the hallway at me.

    I grabbed her by the shoulder before she crashed headfirst in to the lockers, "Jesus Hailey is the building on fire?" I asked raising my eyebrows at her.

     "You have to come with me right now, it's a matter of life and death!" Hailey exclaimed looking terrified.

     Hailey was usually a bit dramatic, but something about the look on her face told me I should follow her instead of teasing and continuing to question her.

     She partially dragged me to the cafeteria where there was a multitude of men and women in uniform. I would've assumed it was just a recruiters fair if they weren't pushing around students and their hands weren't unconsciously hovering close to their service pistols.

"Hailey I really think we should get out of here," I said nervously grabbing her arm. Before I could get her to turn around and follow me to the parking lot there was a scream from across the cafeteria as a teenage boy was struck over the back of the head with the butt of a gun.

     "STOP!" Hailey yelled and I then realized it was her brother who they had apprehended.

     I snatched Hailey's arm and dragged her down the hall and out the nearest door before one of the soldiers noticed who had cried out.

     "We can't just leave my brother," she said starting to cry.

    "We aren't going to leave him, but what help are we going to be if we're in the same position he's in, we're going to my car and we are going to follow them wherever they are taking everyone to break your brother out," I explained, wiping the tears from her face, nodding at her comfortingly.

     "Ok ok fine let's go," she said walking to my car with determination.

     For once I was glad my Dad hadn't bought me the flashy Camaro that I had begged him for, my '99 Mitsubishi would be much less noticeable following the hoard of cars the soldiers had driven to the school.

     It seemed anyone left in the school had been rounded up and put into the back of the soldier's cars. When they started to file out one by one I told Hailey to keep her eye on the car that her brother was in while I followed the pack of cars without being detected.

     We drove for about an hour until we were at Fort Lee. I couldn't just drive my car in without being questioned, so I parked at a nearby grocery store and jogged with Hailey to the base. It wasn't difficult to sneak on base, and it was even easier to blend in with our civilian clothes with all the teenagers around. There seemed to be increased security, so Hailey and I followed a little behind all of the teens to make it seem like we were with them and just walking slow. When the soldiers led them into a large steel door, we ducked behind a building to figure out our next move.

     We hadn't known what to expect on the drive over, so we were kind of just making this up as we went along.

     When it seemed no one was watching we snuck into the building where all of our classmates had been taken. They were all in there looking terrified and staring at some screen that was rolling a slide show of some sort.

     "What do you two think you're doing?" A voice barked from behind us. I turned to see a brick wall of a man unconsciously flexing his biceps and clenching his jaw.

     "We, um, I, uhh-" I started to try and think of an excuse as to why we would be here.

    "Get in there now!" He yelled opening the door and pushing us in.

     "Found some stragglers Thomas," The guy who pushed us said to a soldier in the back of a room full of terrified people.

     The images on the screen were violent battle scenes come to life and I began to get nauseous. It only took a few minutes to figure out what was happening. The United States was entering another World War and we were the forced participants. .

15 year Secret/ Cafe (11/7)

I walked down fifth avenue in hunt of a new coffee shop. The one I frequented had gone bankrupt and had to close. I needed to find a new one soon that wouldn't be swarming with overly caffeinated work freaks. I needed a little laid back place where I could wind down after work and wouldn't make me late for work in the morning.
     As I was about to duck into 'Joe Beans' I noticed my best friend Lorry sitting in a shaded booth with a man I'd never seen. I would've continued on with my audit of the new coffee place if I didn't know Lorry was supposed to be at work. The fact that she was dating my brother and her little meeting seemed a little intimate didn't help curb my interest either.

    I pulled out my phone, texting Lorry asking where she was. I watched her look at her phone and text me back quickly. I heard my phone chime and looked down to see what she said.

    "Work," with a frowny face was her reply.

    Now I knew she was hiding something. I made my way across the street and pretended like I was going into the boutique so conveniently placed behind the table where Lorry and mystery man sat.

     As I was entering the little shop I 'noticed' Lorry.

    "Oh hi Lorry! I thought you were working today," I said with a wry smile before walking into the store.

    She quickly followed me and grabbed my arm.

     "It's not what it looks like," she said with pleading eyes.

     "Funny cause it looks like you're cheating on my brother- it's ok though I'll ask him and see if I'm wrong," I said curling my lip at her.

     "Look Angela I can't explain, but I love your brother,"


     "This is exactly why I didn't want you guys to date- I KNEW you'd hurt him!" I yelled pointing an accusatory finger at Lorry.

     At this point she was crying, but I didn't care. I would've taken her side over literally EVERYONE except my brother, and of course that's who she had to be screwing over at the moment. She was so damn selfish it made me sick.

     "Please don't tell him Angela, I love him and I'm not cheating on him, but I'm not ready to tell him yet!" she bawled grabbing at my hands. I jerked my hands out from her reach and sneered at her.

     "Why should I believe a word you say? The only reason I know you aren't at work is because I CAUGHT you in a lie," I said crossing my arms across my chest.

     "Just give me a day ok, not even a whole day, I'll come over tonight and explain everything," she promised.

     "Give you a day to come up with a convincing lie? No way, meet me in our usual cafe in an hour and a half," I said before stalking off.

     Although Lorry had completely ruined my mood, I still needed to find my new coffee shop by the morning. I crossed the street and made my way back into 'Joe Beans' hoping this was the one because I'd liked the atmosphere. After trying their chai tea latte I knew this would be the place to frequent. I put a ten dollar tip in the jar and walked back outside only to notice Lorry was gone, but the mystery man was still there. I probably shouldn't have, but I walked over to him glaring at him the whole way.

     "I don't know who you are, but leave Lorry alone- she's happy with my brother," I said matter-of-factly.

     "Leave who alone? ohh yeah, right, Lorry, ok chick whatever you say," he said before getting up leaving an excessive tip on the able, and walking away from me.

     Well that surely was strange, If they were really having an affair I think he would've put up more of a fight, and probably know her name too. I guess I should go hear this girl out and see what kind of trouble she'd gotten herself into.

    I shivered in disgust as I walked into Starbucks to meet Lorry. I had no clue why she liked this place- it was so overrated. I immediately saw her at our usual table at the back. I decided not to tell her I'd talked to the man after she had left.

     "Start talking," I said sitting down across from her.

     "Ok.. don't be mad I haven't told you this before, but I'm not supposed to be telling you now either. I just love your brother too much to lose him over a misunderstanding,"

     "I hear a lot of words that aren't telling me who that man was," I said. I knew I was being childish and petty, but I didn't care.

     "I'm in the witness protection program; I have been since we met in sixth grade," she admitted in a whispered rush.

      "So that man was..?"

     "My case worker- when I was younger my biological father was the leader of a gang. They ended up killing  my mother and I testified against them because I watched the whole thing happen- if they knew I was alive now I'd be in so much more danger. They think I died in a car crash 18 years ago," she said wiping a stray tear from her cheek.

    I quickly moved to the other side of the table to comfort her, I'm so sorry I doubted you,"

     "This is the first time I've really been happy- having you and your brother in my life,"

George

Beep, beep, beep. The alarm went off at 4:37 am just like every other morning. George rolled out of bed, rubbed his sleepy eyes and put his jogging clothes on. He checked his email to get the days workout from his trainer. When he'd committed it to memory he started the mile and a half jog to the track by his house. After a grueling three hour workout including sprints, stairs, and hurdles, George dragged his aching body home at a light jog. George sat in an ice bath for fifteen minutes before standing up to wash the sticky sweat off of the rest of his body. He got dressed and made himself a protein shake before heading out for school.

When he got to school it seemed everyone around him was whispering. When he got to his locker he saw his friend Jahmon waiting on him. Jahmon ran the 100m and 200m dash and was the state title holder. George had no doubt that he'd be successful at defending his title this year.

“It's bad George,” Jahmon said.

“What's happened?” George responded quickly.

“You remember Marquel Cartwright right?”

“How could I not? He won states in Cali last year the kid is a beast- no one can beat him. Their only hope racing him is not to get embarrassed,” George said in clear adoration.

“He just transferred here,”

George didn't even want to show his face at practice that day.

It was the longest practice ever to George despite being let out thirty minutes early.

“Pretty cold in Marquel's shadow huh George?” One of his teammates jeered.

George considered giving up his training al together, but the thought of it made him sick. He decided to work even harder. He didn't care if Marquel had never been beaten, he would be the first to do it.  

Fired

 He played the scene back in his head wondering how this had happened to him. It seemed like a nightmare he had been unable to control. He felt like he'd been watching his own life play out before him instead of actually being in his body.

Tim flinched as his boss screamed his name for the fifth time this hour. He hurriedly got up to see what the monster wanted.

“Yes, sir?” he asked politely containing the hatred in his voice.

“I need those RFP's on my desk NOW!” he barked at Tim.

Tim nodded and tried to explain that they were in his car and not due for another week.

“Five minutes Tom, FIVE minutes!

“Tim..not Tom..” Tim muttered.

“What was that Tom?”

“I'll go get them right now sir,” Tim said shaking his head and going to the elevator.

He'd already gotten to the parking deck when he realized he'd forgotten his keys.

Desperate and running out of time, Tim used his elbow to smash through the passenger window of his car. He grabbed the manila folder his boss had given to him at the end of the day yesterday and made his way back to the floor where his office was located. As soon as he stepped off of the elevator he was surrounded by a security team.

“We're going to need you to come with us, sir,” said a rather large man with a shining bald head and bulging biceps.

“I can't right now,” Tim said trying to shove passed the guards into his office. The guards each grabbed him lifting him off the ground. Tim began flailing around trying to hit one of the guards or get them to drop him, but their grip was like a vice.

In his struggle Tim accidentally dropped the folder and began to scream obscenities at the guards.

A few extra men had come around the corner and were now picking up the envelope and opening it.

“What in here is so important that you had to break into someone's car, sir?” Asked a bulky man with a blonde goatee.

“That was MY car!” Tim yelled with pleading eyes, finally calming down enough to be allowed to stand on his own.

“Likely story,” Goatee man said dumping the contents of the folder into his hand.

Tim was surprised to see two small plastic bags fall into the man's hand. One was filled with white powder and one was clearly full of weed.

“You've got to be fucking kidding me, that isn't even mine it's my bosses!” Tim exclaimed.

Speaking of Tim's boss, he picked then to come around the corner asking what was going on.

A security guard quickly told him about the drugs and accusation.

“That's preposterous- I always knew something was off with Tom- I should have never hired him- You're fired.”

Tim looked at the floor as officers came in to arrest him, wondering how he was going to explain this whole ordeal to his wife.   

Big G

     Big G moped and shuffled on his fins down the cobblestone path. The rocks hurt his fins nd he had no where to go. His parents had been separated from each other and isolated, so they wouldn't be capable of mating again and creating another awful creature like him.

     Big G was a new kind of creature; he was a Golphin. People assumed the lower half of his body was a shark; therefore, they should keep their distance, but it was really just dolphin. Big G was dolphin and alligator. From what he knew about his Gator mother, she'd never been a threat to anyone. Of course the zookeeper would say she was a threat to Big G's father, but they were in love. Big G noticed a small child on the side of the road looking lost. He shuffled over to offer his assistance when a woman, presumably the child's mother, started screaming hysterically while dragging her child away and yelling obscenities at Big G. Big G found a park bench, sat down, and began to cry into his fins. No one had ever given him a chance. He was always rejected on sight because of his appearance. Big G suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder. Startled, he turned to see a girl, probably in her late teens. She looked scared, but she didn't seem to cower from him.

     "You're name is Big G right?" she asked.

     Big G nodded suspiciously wondering what the young girl's motives were.

     "Well I'm Ramona, and I want to be your friend- you won't hurt me will you?"

     "Of course not, but why would you want to be friends with me? I'm a freak," Big G murmured looking at the ground.

     "I see the way people treat you; you're not a freak, and all you ever do is try to help ungrateful people," Ramona said looking disgusted.

     "And you're going to give me a chance?" Big G asked hopefully.

     "Yes sir I am,"

     Big G and Ramona proceeded to spend the day together, talking and laughing. They got ice cream, went to the park, and even saw a movie- pretending that they didn't notice the people staring and evacuating. This was slightly new to Big G seeing as before he would not have been granted admission to these places, and people never bothered to hide their discomfort before. At the end of the day when Ramona found out Big G had no where to go, she invited him back to her house. When they got there Ramona's father was very angry. He demanded Big G stay outside, and before he could leave the police and animal control were there. They made him get in a van where he was taken to a large facility and locked in a dark room..indefinitely.

Pants

     It was the first night all month that Jayla had slept peacefully through the night. It was the first time she'd woken up and the first thing on her mind hadn't been him. She sat up, stretching her arms dramatically over her head reveling in the feel of her cotton nightie sliding up her abdomen with the movement of her arms. She started to yawn, but caught a movement in her peripheral vision. She jerked her head to the left and saw nothing. Slightly creeped out she got up, walking to her closet to grab her favorite gray joggers, but she couldn't find them.
     There was a thump and Jayla turned quickly to find a woman with one leg in her pants, hopping around trying to get the other leg in the pants- bumping into the wall as she did.
     "What the hell are you doing in my house?!" She yelled at her, mostly pissed that she was stretching her pants out by being idiotic.
She walked across the room quickly, pushing her so she fell on her bottom on the wooden floor. Jayla quickly yanked the pants off of her legs and stood with them in her hands, debating if she should wash them. Eh, she hadn't gotten them all the way on , so Jayla slid them over her boy short underwear and continued to glare at the girl on the floor.
     "You can answer my question any day now," Jayla sneered at the girl still on her butt on the floor.
     She rolled her eyes, "I guess maybe I shouldn't have come here,"
     "Ya think?" Jayla asked raising her eyebrows.
     "Well I didn't have anywhere else to go- Roebert kicked me out,"
     "How is that my problem? You were the woman he cheated on me with and caused a divorce- a very expensive one thanks to his.." Jayla glared down at her pointedly, "..indiscretions,"
    "I'm so sorry for that- at first I didn't know he was married, and then I thought he was in love with me,"
     "Now you realize Roebert isn't capable of love and you come to me," Jayla stated.
     "I guess-pretty messed up right?" she said staring at the floor.
     "Very messed up, but I know how awful he can be and he'd be pissed if he knew I was helping you, so you can stay in my guest bedroom, but you're going to get a job and help out around here,"
     "Thank you so much Jayla I don't know how I'll ever repay you," she said clasping her hands in front of her,"
     "Stay out of my clothes," Jayla muttered walking away.

Camping

"I can't believe you guys talked me into this,"  Jazmine said, tripping over yet another twig on the hike up to the campsite.

"It's kind of romantic, though, isn't it?" Rajeen said squeezing her boyfriend, Tyson's, hand.

"Yeah babe- you don't want to sleep under the stars with  me?" Tyrone asked, wrapping his arms around Jazmine's waist.

"Hell no, there's absolutely nothing romantic about fleas, bug bites, and bears," Jazmine groaned, smacking a mosquito off her arm to emphasize her point, "the only reason I'm doing this is because next time I want to go somewhere and Tyrone doesn't- it's just gonna be too damn bad!" Jazmine finished, glaring at her boyfriend.

"Hey where are Keke and Liam?" Rajeen asked.

Before anyone could formulate an answer, a large musky smelling cloud of smoke came over the group.

"Nevermind," Rajeen mumbled, continuing her trek to the campsite.

"You'd think they could have at least waited until we got to the camp ground to set up," Tyson said shaking his head.

There was a snapping twig sound ahead of them and then a man appeared from the foliage.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" Tyrone yelled, clenching his fists.

"It's okay baby calm down," Jazmine said stroking his arm.

"I'm not going to calm down- he hit you!" Tyrone yelled.

The man took a step towards Jazmine and Tyrone immediately swung his fist- connecting with the man's jaw.

He fell to the ground and pulled out a knife, jabbing it wildly in the air when it sliced into Jazmine's calf muscle like warm butter.

"OW!," she screamed falling to the ground and clutching her leg. Tyrone jumped on top of the man throwing the knife aside and hitting him repeatedly until he wasn't moving anymore.

Tyson had already ripped a piece of his shirt to tie around Jazmine's bloody leg.

"It's going to be fine it's just a flesh wound," Rajeen said patting Jazmine's head.

Just then Keke and Liam came from behind a bush, both giggling until they'd processed the situation.

"What is your ex doing here Jazmine?" Keke asked.

Liam bent down and touched his neck, "better question is why's he dead?"

"Oh shit we've got to get rid of the body," Tyson said.

Only A Week

I would get a disease so rare that all they could tell me about it was how long I had left to live- only a week.  I didn't have nay options other than to live the last week of my life to the fullest.

I left the doctor's office, drying my eyes and walking down Rodeo drive when I hatched a plan. I went to the most expensive boutique I could find and started to browse.

"Can I help you?" the sales associate asked, looking down her nose at me.

"No, I'm just looking thanks," I said smiling.

"Maybe you should go to Macy's then, Les Moire isn't for 'just looking'," she said using air quotes to mock me.

I walked out of the store irritated and upset when a man in a thousand dollar Armani suit nearly knocked me over on the sidewalk.

I knelt down to pick up my bag and was surprised when he helped me pick up the spilled contents.

"I'm so sorry are you alright?" he asked in a deep, sexy voice.

"No- I'm not fucking okay!" I said storming off and leaving my things with the good looking stranger.

 I ran into a nearby bathroom and wasn't too shocked when he followed me in a few minutes later.

"I'm sorry I'm such a mess, I'm just having a really bad day,"

"Tell me about it," he said reaching for a silk handkerchief to wipe my tears away.

So I told him- about the mysterious disease, and only having a week, and the stupid sales lady.

"I can solve one issue right now," he said gritting his teeth and pulling me to my feet with one smooth pull of his defined arms. He must not have realized his own strength because I was pulled so hard I crashed into his chest. I looked up at him appreciating his dark features that contrasted so beautifully with his icy blue eyes.

I had to restrain myself from reaching up and rubbing the back of my hand over the light stubble on his cheek.

Before I could say anything he was leading me out of the bathroom.

He basically dragged me back into the store with the bitch sales lady.

She visibly swooned when she caught sight of him, but hesitated when she saw the fury in his eyes, and then she noticed me.

"Oh my gosh!" I'm so sorry ma'am for-"

"Save it," he cut her off, "you made  the biggest mistake of your career when you were rude to my fiancee- I just wanted to tell you we'd be taking our business elsewhere and you'd be lucky to work at Macy's when I'm done with you," he said before taking me to a different boutique and telling me to pick out whatever I'd like.

"You don't even know my name, why are you doing this for me?" I asked trying not to get emotional for the third time that day.

"Your name is Jasmine, I may have peeked at your ID when I was picking your things up," he said with a guilty smile.

"Well that isn't fair- I don't know your name,"

"I'm Liam," he said eyeing me as I looked over a rack of dresses.

"I've always liked evening gowns, but I never have anywhere to wear them," I stated randomly.

"Buy two, you'll wear them- promise," I couldn't keep the huge grin off of my face even though I was wondering why I had to meet him now? 

"Okay, but you can't see me in them until it's time to actually go," I said.

"Deal, now hurry up," he teased.

We'd had an indescribable bond immediately. It was an unspoken agreement that I'd be spending my last week with him, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

Summer Night

I sat on my porch swing listening to the sounds of Erykah Badu flowing through the air. I hear the crunching of a twig breaking in half and then the rustle of leaves off in the woods. The hairs on the back of my neck rose and I peaked around the corner of the porch expecting to see a squirrel scampering up a nearby tree. I saw nothing, so I sat back down on the porch swing telling myself it was just my imagination. Just as I was starting to relax again I heard a constant crunching of leaves and twigs indicating footsteps that were quickly approaching my house.

I got a tingly feeling in my fingers and it started to move up my arms. I knew I was about to have a vision, and just like that I was dropped out of reality into a place that for now only existed in my mind. I was on Elm st a few blocks from my house and there was a little boy in black shorts and a bright teal shirt. He was laughing and eating an ice cream cone, walking with an unidentified man in a gray suit. Suddenly the scene changed from nostalgic to tragic in a mere second, and I was back in my own body on my porch. When I opened my eyes there was a distraught woman standing in front of me. Her dress was dirty and the hemline was torn unevenly as if it had been caught in something while she was running, but she didn't stop.

“Ma'am are you alright?” I asked concerned.

“He's gone,” she said, her bottom lip quivering.

“Who's gone,” I asked in a sweet voice like one would use to speak to a toddler.

“He's gone,” she repeated.

“Did he have on a blue shirt?” I asked.

Her eyes lit up and she nodded profusely, “so you know where he is- you know where my baby is take me to him!” she said grabbing my hand and pulling me to my feet.

“We can't go to him,”

“Why can't we? If you know where he is you have to tell me I'm his mother! His dad took him didn't he? Your on his side you stupid bitch,” she said slapping me hard across the face.

“He was with a man, yes, but I'm not on his side. I just found out about it before you walked up on the porch,” I said grabbing her hands and restraining them in mine.

“Well were is he?” she pleaded with me.

“You'll find him at the city morgue. I'm sorry ma'am, but your son was hit by a car,” I whispered to her and then caught her as she collapsed into a myriad of sobs.

Two Old Men

     I was laying in the grass in the park with my dog when two elderly men approached and sat down on the bench. They sat in silence for a while then the one with white hair looked over at the salt and pepper haired one and started talking. I wasn't trying to be creepy, but I was already sitting there, and I could hear their entire conversation.

     "What about that one Lionel?" The salt and pepper haired one asked the white haired man who's name was apparently Lionel.

     "No Teddy," said the white haired man shaking his head.

     "Come on Lionel, don't be such a downer- she has a nice butt right? And you've always liked brunettes," Teddy said, laughing and nudging Lionel in the ribs with his elbow.
 
     Lionel just sat there shaking his head at his friend not budging.

     Teddy got up walking over to the tall brunette, whispering something in her ear. She turned around horrified, but when she saw who it was, her eyes softened and she chuckled a little bit before shaking her head no and walking away.
   
     Teddy returned to the bench with the same amount of energy he left with, taking up his seat next to his best friend again.

     It was silent for a while except for Teddy's cat calls to pretty women as they walked by.

     After a while Teddy turned to his friend Lionel.

     "You know what's changed Ted, it's not the same anymore.." he said trailing off and looking into the distance.

     Teddy looked around, seeming to be at a loss for words for the first time since they'd arrived at the park. He noticed me with my dog and got up to come talk to me. At first I thought he might try to hit on me too, but when he sat in the grass beside me I knew he was serious.

     "Excuse me miss, but my friend has been very down for a while and I'm not sure what else I can do to help him, He's always loved dogs and pretty women- do you mind talking to him for a bit?" he asked looking at me pleadingly with pretty green eyes. For a minute I pictured those eyes in a younger face, and I could've imagined them working wonders on women for Teddy a few decades ago.

     "It'd be my pleasure," I said smiling and getting up and walking over to Lionel. He didn't even seem to notice my presence until I asked if I could take a seat.

     "Oh no problem young lady, hey is that a great dane?"

    "She sure is, and a lazy one too," I said laughing at my giant baby of a dog layed on her side in the grass beside the bench.

     "What's her name?" he asked reaching down to rub her stomach.

     "Her name is nena, be careful rubbing her stomach like that- if you stop the little brat will not leave you alone until you pick it back up again," I said chuckling and looking down lovingly at my dog.

    Lionel laughed halfheartedly, looking off into the distance.

     "What's got you so thoughtful today?" I asked glancing at Lionel, trying not to seem so serious.

     When he was silent I searched for something else to say,
"Something tells me you used to be more like your friend Teddy here," I said motioning to his friend on the other side of the bench.

     "Worse," Teddy interjected.

    "I guess I was quite the ladies man," Lionel said shrugging his shoulders, "but then I met the love of my life- Claudia," his eyes sparkled when he mentioned her name.

     "She must've been a charmer to get a stud like you to settle down,"

     Teddy laughed and Lionel blushed, "She truly was- this is where we met actually- she was sitting on this bench right where you are,"

     "What happened to her?" I asked, dreading the answer.

     "She passed away last week-cancer," he stated matter-o-factly, a tear making it's way down his wrinkled face.

Lake

     My arms and lungs began to burn as I swam away from shore, so I decided maybe I should turn around and head back. I surfaced, rubbing at my irritated eyes looking into the distance. It seemed as I was swimming my contacts had fallen out and now I was as good as blind. The sun was starting to set and I definitely didn't want tot be out here when it got dark, cold, and I couldn't see at all. Before I could turn around to swim back to shore, I saw a movement in the distance. There weren't any boats out today, so I wondered what could be out there of that size. It came above shore again in a slithering motion before diving back down into the black depths of the water. 

     Now my vision may not be at it's best right now, but there was no mistaking color. Whatever it was out there was a dark shade of green. Starting to get scared I turned around, ignoring my screaming muscles, and started swimming rapidly back to shore. I felt like I was getting nowhere as the current gripped my body like an iron fist, pulling me back into the unknown. I kept trying to swim harder and faster, but I was getting nowhere and my shoulders couldn't move anymore. I quit trying and let the water pull me into it's waiting mouth. A storm was starting, and I was stuck in the middle of it. The water tossed my body around like a rag doll while I just tried to keep my head above water. I was pulled under and when I opened my eyes the green thing was slithering directly by my face. I could have reached out and touched it without even fully extending my arm. This close to my face I could see clearly, but I'm convinced that the water distorted my vision because the skin was undoubtedly scaly, and there's no way a snake could be that size- not outside of the movie Anacondas anyways. I panicked and started swimming furiously again, tearing through the water like a human torpedo. Every time I wanted to give up I thought about the loc ness monster behind me and swam even faster. The current had pulled me a considerate distance because I could just now make out the shape of my towel and cooler in the sand on the beach. When I finally reached the shore I was exhausted. It took all I had in me to pull myself to my feet and walk to the towel I had laid out for myself. When I did get to it I collapsed on my stomach, only rolling over to catch a glimpse of nessy as she swam into the distance. I grabbed another towel and threw it over my body as a blanket before falling into a deep, dreamless sleep. 

Dark

     My alarm went off for the third time and I decided I REALLY needed to get up now. I felt around for my phone on the bedside table and turned the noise off. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, stretching before putting my feet to the cool wood floors of my apartment. I took the eleven steps into my bathroom starting the shower. I got in reaching to the top right corner for my body wash. When I was finished in the shower, I grabbed a towel off the rack, and my walking cane before heading to my closet to find something to wear to work. I went to the black section, it's the only color I really had a concept of. I felt the fabrics finally pulling down a flowy skirt and grabbing a random button down shirt to go with it.

   I slipped on some flats and headed to the elevator. When I got down to the streets of Manhattan I turned right and started the short walk to work. Part of the reason I'd chosen to live here was because of the noise. I loved the whistles constantly sounding through the air and the sound of taxis whizzing by, mere inches from the speed walking pedestrians. After four crosswalks I breezed into my work studio, waving at the security guard, Paul, on my way up.
   
     I got to my station and picked up my clean brushes. I started mixing my paints, continuing work on a piece from yesterday. After a few hours I got a call from my doctor to see if I was still coming in for my consultation. I quickly put away my things and got Paul to get me a cab. The consultation was quick and easy, apparently my condition was ideal for the surgery.
   
     I went in the next week for the retina implants. I had to stay home from work for a few days with my eyes covered. Even though I said she didn't have to, my sister insisted on coming over to "take care of me". The days seemed to drag on as I waited for the bandages to come off. There was a three percent chance of failure in the surgery and I prayed against that every day. After what felt like the longest week of my life, my sister helped me get the bandages off and clean my eyes, but I was scared.
     "You're not gonna know until you open your eyes sweety," my sister murmured, touching my shoulder.
     I slowly opened my eyes. At first all I saw was a blur of color, but then my eyes started to focus and I saw a tall, slender brunette with hazel eyes-my sister.
     "Wow, you're pretty," I said laughing.
     "I'm glad you finally had the pleasure of seeing me like everyone else," she said laughing and flipped her hair over her shoulder.
     "Can you take me to my studio?" I asked my sister.
     She nodded her head and we left together.
     The walk seemed shorter than normal, but maybe that was because I was trying to absorb as many images as possible and commit them to memory before they were taken from me.
     When I got to the studio I saw a beautiful painting in all black with hints of turquoise. It looked as if the black was bleeding down the page as streaks of blue light shown through it. It was the most beautiful thing I'd seen yet.
     "Who did this?" I asked aloud wanting to compliment whichever colleague had done it.
     "You did," said a voice I recognized as Janine, the studio owner.

Celtic

     I don't know why I'd been chosen to clean out this house. Maybe because of all the kids, I was the closest to Grandpa, and I was probably the only person he would've let go through his things- it still hurt nonetheless. The funeral service had been this morning, and I didn't want to put it off, so I came right over to clean up his place and see what was "worth keeping" is what my mom had said. In my opinion, all of his things should be kept and treasured; maybe that's why they shouldn't have sent me. I decided to start with the attic despite the chance that I might catch Ebola or the plague from all the disgusting things up there.
     I started by going through my old dollies, putting the good ones to the side, and the completely destroyed ones in a box to throw away. I could donate the good ones, or even keep them for when me or one of my siblings has kids. I found two dolls tangled together by something silver. When I finally got it from around the doll's neck, I realized it was a necklace with a Celtic Knot. I didn't know much about my heritage, but I'd recognize this symbol anywhere. The knot started to hear up in my hand until I dropped it. What was this necklace doing up here? Maybe I just needed a distraction, but I decided to take it to my Grandmother's house to see what it was. I pulled into the driveway suddenly getting nervous. I picked up the necklace by the chain walking to the front porch and knocking. My Grandma opened the door with swollen, red eyes. Everyone had assumed her absence at the funeral was because of her longstanding feud with Grandpa Leroy, but now I felt bad for not coming to check on her earlier-they had been married for 32 years before the divorce. I opened my arms to hug her and that's when she caught sight of the necklace.
     She started speaking in tongues and crossing herself (despite the fact that she isn't catholic). She finally started to yell words I could understand telling me to get the necklace off er porch immediately. I took it and put t in the car in an act to get her to alm down. When I stepped back on the porch she seemed to be hyperventilating.
     "It's ok Grandma it's gone, I was just coming to see what you knew about it- I guess that's a lot," I mumbled looking at her quizzically.
   "That evil thing is what caused me and old Leroy to divorce in the first place," she said angrily.
     "What do you mean? Did you not like it? Did he buy it for another woman first? Come on you gotta stop being so cryptic and just be straight with me," I said exasperatedly.
    She sighed and nodded her head, "Fine, but only if you promise to destroy it,"
     "You're acting very weird, how the heck do I destroy a necklace anyways? I'm not Harry Potter Grandma,"
     "Promise you won't use it then," she said rolling her eyes.
     "Ok fine, now tell me,"
     "That necklace has been passed down through your Grandfather's family for eons. It was made by one of his ancestors in Ireland thousands of years ago. His name was Proctor and he made it for his beloved wife who's beauty bewitched him every time he saw her. She turned out to be insane and her mental illness was mistaken for witch craft, so she was hanged. Proctor thought he was going to lose it himself, he got the necklace off of her corpse and went on a killing spree through town. Before he was killed he gave the necklace to his only daughter Beatrice. The night he was to be hanged she saw the spirits of her two parents before they disappeared into the necklace. Any member of your family who was murdered in cold blood is trapped in the necklace and whoever has it has a great decision to make. They can chose to use the all knowing spirits to gain prestige and power in the real world- your Grandfather became too obsessed and I couldn't take it anymore," she said looking down at her interlocked fingers in her lap.
     "Sweetheart if you do decide to use it, don't let it consume you," my Grandmother begged clasping one of my hands in her two frail ones,
     "I- I have to go," I said running to my car and driving to my Grandfather's house not glancing once at the necklace in the passenger seat.
     When I got to the house I took the necklace, sitting in the living room and staring at it.
     It started to heat in my hand and suddenly the room was filled with spirits whose lives had been cut short, and in the front- my Grandfather.

Diary

June 16, 1856

     I heard the boss talkin to Miss Jessie today. Seems there's more trouble with their people. Usually I'd say it ain't no business of mine, but ever since my family was brought to this strange land on the ship we've had to rely on Miss Jessie and her Poppa for food and shelter.
     Today my boy was whipped for playin' in the yard when he was supposed to be workin'. He ain't nothin' but six years old. I had to hold him in my arms while he cried while Mary Anne cleaned the gashes on his back. He screamed and cried and just kept askin', "Momma when can we go home?" I watched the tears stream down my baby boy's face and made a decision. I called my oldest boy Malaki and his sister Rajeen and told them to bring their brother Leviticus to my bed after sun down, I hadn't told them anything yet, but we leavin' tonight. This mornin' when I was in the kitchen I put some extra biscuits and ham in my apron. Now I'm putting it in a sack to take with us. I haven't told anyone where we goin' and I'm not so sure I know myself yet. All I know is Ima follow that north star my husband Jimmy always told me about before he was whipped to death by the boss.
     I should've left then, but I was so scared of getting caught with my children. I told myself if they ever came close to my children we was gonna leave that night. I never thought they was gonna go after my baby. What kinda person can do that to a precious little boy? He ain't never do nothin' to nobody and Lord knows I treat they children like they's my own. I put some fresh clothes in the sack to cover the smell of the food. We didn't have enough clothes to leave behind, so they wouldn't be able to get our scent. I knew they'd have the dogs after us by sun up. I was gonna make everybody wash up in the creek a few miles down to try and get rid of our smell  just in case they got it from the little pallets we slept on. The door creaked as it opened revealing my babies as they walked in, not knowing what was in store for them.

Tattoo

     I woke up on the Saturday morning slightly delirious. Last night had been a crazy night because it had been the night before my chosen date. I was born with a tattoo on my forearm with today's date, supposedly predicting my death. Everyone in my family who's ever had one was never seen after their predicted date, so I figured I might as well go out with a bang. I usually wasn't a rowdy person, but last night I wasn't myself at all. Today I had plans to go sky diving and deep sea diving with great whites because why not? I mean if I'm supposed to die today anyways I might as well do all the things I ever wanted to do first.

     After getting ready I hopped in the car and started my hour and a half drive to the sky diving center, I hope I get to do everything I planned today before my time. The ominous 07-14-15 on my arm wasn't lacking in artistic merit with the intricate labyrinth surrounding it, but it was lacking in specific time. For all I know I could die in an accident on the way to the sky diving place, I was just praying my time was closer to the end of the day.

   I was almost to the center when it felt like my spirit was trying to leave my body. It's a hard phenomena to explain, but it felt like my entire being was leaving my body. Before I knew it I was looking over a bridge which I quickly recognized as the one that was downtown over the big river. I watched the scene unfold before me as the cords connecting the bridge to the support beams started to snap one by one and the bridge started to slant one way as the cars began falling into the river. People started jumping out of cars and trying to run, but the cords were just snapping too fast and everyone was falling into the freezing black waters below. The scene stopped and all I saw was black before I was back in my body in the car. I had no idea what to do, but some part of me knew what I was going to see was true and I had to do something to stop it.

     I must have broken at least three traffic laws in my hurry to the bridge. I parked my car at the entrance blocking the way and thanking God that it was a one way bridge. People started honking their horns at me and I had no idea what to tell them, so I just leaned against the hood of my car shrugging at everyone that shot me pointed glares.

     "I had a feeling I'd find you here," said a woman with a long bright red braid as she walked towards me.

     "I'm sorry do I know you?" I asked looking at her confused and feeling bad that maybe I was supposed to know who she was.

     I know I hadn't met her before. She wasn't the kind of woman anyone would forget. She had flawless pale skin that presented great contrast with her wide green eyes and sleek red hair which was pulled into a thick braid going down her back.

     "No, but you will," She said smiling at me sweetly.

     "Sorry, but my time for meeting new people is kind of up," I said holding out my forearm to her.

     "Silly girl, that is only the date of your human death, this is only the beginning for you"

Wedding of the Year

     I walked down the aisle beaming at my husband-to-be. I couldn't believe I was finally walking down the aisle. It's not like I'm old or anything, but I never pictured myself as the marrying type until Tyrone swept me off my feet three years ago. He looked so handsome in his grey tux. He didn't want to wear black because it seemed to "gloomy" and that isn't how he felt when he thought of marrying me. I'd blushed so much when he told me that, he always did know how to make me smile no matter what the circumstances were. I felt like I couldn't breathe as I made my way down the aisle. It was no doubt a mixture of my anxiousness and this tight ass corset I'd picked out.

     I guess she looked pretty. We all knew Tyrone could do better though, like me who he should be with in the first place. Look at him, standing there with that stupid smile on his face like just last night he wasn't with me on his- actually never mind I'll just keep the details about that little rendezvous to myself. Just know I'm surprised he's even standing right now. I know I'm tired standing here at the front of the church as the second bridesmaid. I was just ready to get this stupid ceremony over with. They were going to be gone on their honeymoon for two weeks which meant I wasn't going to see him. Of course he'd told me we weren't going to do anything anymore, but he wouldn't be saying that for long.

     I looked to my right at the stupid skank that was eyeing my sister's soon to be husband. I'd tried to warn my sister about her, but she was too nice to believe anyone could be so vindictive. I leaned over whispering, "Stop fucking looking at him like that," she grinned and leaned back making some snide comment about last night and how he'd be with her soon anyways. I couldn't take it anymore, I threw my bouquet of tiger lilies in her face and threw the first punch, connecting with her jaw. I kicked off my pumps and tackled her to the ground, straddling her waist and hitting her in the face repeatedly ignoring the gasps of shock coming from the pews. I heard my sisters small whimper over everything else and looked up in time to see her run out of the church crying. I got up, grabbing my shoes to chase after her, but not before turning to Tyrone and glaring, "You're next," I warned before running out after my sister.

Zenobia

     Zenobia walks out the door with her dog Sarge leading her down their usual route. As they come to an intersection the Siberian Husky pulled her in a different direction. At first she resists, trying to get the dog back on their normal path, but then she obliges following the dog down a woodsy side street. She admires the overgrown foliage and the cottage style houses. Not quite her style, but still charming nonetheless. As they near the end of the road she notices that it's a dead end, and they'll have to go back the way they came. As she turns around she catches a glimpse of her ex fiance, Langston, in the window. He's standing in the kitchen smiling and cooking dinner for himself. He dances around the kitchen as he cooks singing to himself and spicing whatever it was that he was making. Langston was always a better cook than her, he's learned from his late grandmother and boy was she a good teacher. Watching him like that, so carefree, made her think of the first time they'd made brownies together. She'd mostly just watched him cook until she stuck her finger in the batter and smeared it across his cheek. She giggled looking at him shyly as he fake glared at her before picking up the spatula and dabbing it on her nose. They'd both laughed and then had a food fight with the rest of the batter, so none of it actually even made it into the oven. When she stopped day dreaming Zenobia realized another person had joined him in the window. A beautiful woman walked up to him and he wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on top of her head. Zenobia suddenly felt like she was choking on her own air. Hot tears streamed down her face as she turned to rush away and Sarge started barking and growling at the window. He wasn't supposed to be with anyone else, that was supposed to be her in the window with him-he'd promised. Did promises not mean anything anymore? I promise I'll never hurt you.. I promise you're not going anywhere and neither am I..

Storm

     Sinister shadows in the sky seemed to laugh in mocking of the destruction to come. Dark clouds formed angry faces with slanted brows and twisted mouths. Swirls of red and orange mimicked the fires of hell as night began to come upon us. As the minutes passed, the sky grew darker and darker. An eery indigo was the color before is seemed the sky itself started to move. It got an object in it's sights and was relentless in it's pursuit.The first victim I witnessed was the shed. Gray and black winds moved slowly and fiercely towards it, tearing up ground as it went and leaving huge faults in it's wake. It seemed to tear the shed from the bottom up destroying the baser and then finally ripping the roof apart and spitting out the pieces all over the shredded ground. The twister continued on it's destructive path tearing up the grass and dirt as it went. It was heading for my Uncle's shed still spitting out pieces of wood and Earth. In the distance I saw a small figure moving quickly toward the building. I yelled out for them to stop, but my voice was lost in the roaring winds never falling on my own ears. Helplessly I watched as the storm ominously grew closer ensuring the child's imminent death. My limbs were paralyzed with helplessness and fear for the child. The twister seemed to be moving in slow motion until it ripped the east side of the wall off and threw it aside in one piece. It seemed the tornado was searching for the boy throwing all other things to the side. When it finally reached the boy on the western end of the shed it tore his body apart, throwing limbs every way and continuing on it's path as if it hadn't just taken a precious life.

Durham in 100 Years

The year is 3014 and I've taken the assignment no one wanted. I am now making the cross country trip to North Carolina. I'll be documenting the life in the trap city of Durham. None of my other colleagues would take the job and I drew the short stick. Upon entering the city it seems it is deserted, but I've been advised to go to the center of all things trap on ninth street. When I got there the streets were lined with old brick buildings with boarded up windows. I wandered aimlessly down the street when a door was thrust open and I was grabbed and pulled into the building suddenly. I reached for the 9 mm glock 17 in my waistband that I had no idea how to use. My boss had insisted I bring it with me with the instructions, "aim and squeeze," like it was really that simple. The person grabbed my arm, "there's no need for that," a female voice said from behind me. I turned around to see a tall girl with feline features and a long brown braid hanging over her shoulder. She was wearing a cropped white ribbed tank top and black cargo pants.
     "Who are you?" I asked, highly perplexed.
     "I'm the girl that just saved your ass, but you can call me Lexi," she said with a wry smile.
     "What do you mean?" I asked.
     "It's no secret that you were coming, and you can't just walk through the steets alone like that, that's how you get kidnapped,"
     "Sort of like what you did?" I asked grinning.
     "Yeah except I'm not going to make you sell cocaine for me or kill my competitors," she said raising her eyebrows at me.
I decided I'd just keep my mouth shut after that statement.
     "You can't wander the streets looking for answers, I'll tell you what you need to know, so you can get out of here,"
     "And what do you want in return?" I asked suspiciously.
     "Nothing, the quicker people know the truth about this place instead of stupid rumors, the quicker something can be done about it,"
     "How do I know what you're telling me is the truth?"
     "I'll take you on a tour later if you insist,"
     "I guess I have to," I murmured. I pulled out an IPhone and set it up to record.
     "Kind of old fashioned don't you think?" she asked in an amused tone.
     "Well I like it," I shrugged pulling out a notebook full of questions.
     "So," I started, "What's the dynamic around here? Tell me about the average person's day to day life,"
     "Well I guess they report to whichever trap leader they work for and get their supply. A lot of drugs are pushed around here, but coke is the biggest seller," she said. I noticed as soons as I started asking questions she seemed to go somewhere else in her mind. Her eyes glazed over slightly as if she was reliving some awful memory.
     "And all of these people started doing this on their own?"
     "At first- but i guess there weren't enough willing participants because kids started disappearing on their way home from school. Sometimes they were as young as seven," she said shaking her head.
     "What did law enforcement do about this?"
     "At first they were adamantly pursuing all responsible parties, but it wasn't just one group, so eventually they gave up. Now they are just as scared as anyone else if they aren't corrupt themselves,"
     "What happens if you're kidnapped, but you refuse to cooperate?"
     "It depends, but let's just say you won't be saying no for long," she said ominously.
     "Why are you still here? Clearly you aren't cooperating for anyone. Why don't you just leave town- don't you have family somewhere else?"
     "When I was 16 my mom got addicted, my older brother went to get her from Hydrae, the biggest coke pusher around here. Hydrae tried to make my brother sell, but he wouldn't, so Hydrae broke all of his fingers. When my brother continued to refuse he cut out his tongue, mutilated his face and then finally killed him. Then he went after my mom because she owed him money. She got a job with Hydrae's biggest rival Orion who is also her supplier. Orion's protecting her for now, but she's so strung out she has no sense of self preservation. I'm finishing what my brother started seven years ago and I'm not leaving without her," she said finally making eye contact with me.
     I grinned at her nodding my head, "Let me help you."

"She is Crazy"

     I was walking down the streets of New York when I happened to see a woman in a unitard and leg warmers. She was jogging in place waiting for the light to let her go. I would've just ignored the woman, but unfortunately I had to walk in her direction. When I got beside her she bent over, giving me a very unpleasant view of her nether regions which were most definitely not toned enough to be wearing any kind of unitard. She pressed play on a boombox I hadn't previously noticed and Rapper's Delight began to fill the streets. She then did what appeared to be the Kid N' Play kickstep..by herself. At this point I'm thinking this woman is disgracing to many good things so I continued walking, only to notice her and her boombox were following me! When I was stopped at another light she ran into the middle of the street, narrowly missing cars and blocking traffic, to stand in the middle of the street and start twerking. So now I'm thinking this has to be some kind of practical joke and the woman is going to be like, "Just kidding, I was just pretending to be Miley Cyrus," or something. If not then clearly she's crazy, I pulled out my phone to ask siri what the number was to the psych ward when the woman was hit by a car. Crisis averted, I put up my cellular device and made my way across the street, careful not to step on the poor soul's body- man she was crazy.

Serial Killer

Savannah comes home from the library on a Wednesday night. Tonight was supposed to be a night for recon, but she ran into a tall skinny blonde on the way home. She immediately goes to the bathroom to get the blood spatter off of her face. She got a little bit on her shirt, so she decided to soak it in clorox. Hopefully it wouldn't stain, it was her favorite yellow tube top after all.

While she soaked her shirt she got in the shower thinking about that night's kill as she washed her hair. She had stopped at Target on her way home to pick up a box of her favorite fruit snacks when she saw the girl in the parking lot. She was at least 5'11 with shiny blonde hair cut into an edgy, boyish style. She had high cheekbones, full lips, and doughy emerald eyes. Savannah plastered on her brightest smile and went to go talk to the girl.

Before the girl could open her mouth to utter a greeting, Savannah had slashed her face with a box cutter. The girl's pretty alabaster skin was now cascading blood from her cheek down her face. Savannah immediately flashed back to her childhood in Syracuse and the pure whiteness of the first snow being  disrupted. She was fascinated by the contrast. She grabbed the girl's arm pulling her closer and dragging the knife across her throat, slicing her larnyx. Savannah lowered the girl to the ground and kissed her on the forehead, and then made her way back to her car, wiping her hands off on her shirt and returning the box cutter to the side pocket of her purse.

By the time Savannah got out of the shower she realized she'd taken too long and her favorite show had already started. She threw on some pajama pants and a tank top, grabbing a pack of fruit snacks before sitting on the couch and turning on the television. The ANTM theme song had just gone off and the show was beginning. The models on America's Next Top Model were going to a secret location to find out heir next challenge. When they arrived Savannah was surprised to see her next target smiling brightly at the girls eager to give them their challenge. All of the girls jumped around yelliing, excited to see Tyra Banks again.

Who I Am..

I was born in Thomasville, NC to a teenage mother an an absentee father. As a child of course I didn't know how hard my mom worked to get through nursing school and keep us afloat. I thought it was no big deal that I saw my biological father maybe twice a year and a phone call very now and then that never lasted more than three minutes and always consisted of the same three questions- "how's school going?" "What've you been up to?" "You don't have a boyfriend do you?" But ever since I could remember my step dad was there for me.

Even now with him living in Florida, I communicate with him more than I do any biological member of my family. I have three younger siblings by my mother ages 5, 8, and 10 and a two or three year old sister by my father that I never see. In my childhood I became acquainted with secrecy, it was a dear friend of mine. My step dad- Andre- loved me like I was his own, but he had a drug problem. To an outsider nothing could be detected as 'off' in my family, and my mother worked very hard to keep it that way. You'd never know one of my siblings or I always had to go to the store with Andre so he wouldn't take off, and I always had to make sure I got the credit card back from him when my mother went to work, so he wouldn't leave me with my siblings in the middle of the night, not to be seen for at least three days or until he ran out of money.

Thomasville is a small community, so it wasn't uncommon that everyone knew everyone else's business. I was never more mortified than the time I was in third grade and my friend said she'd heard Andre was on drugs. I felt like I'd been exposed myself. I denied it profusely and tried to make it seem like she didn't know what she was talking about, but now I'm sure she knew I was lying. One weekend Andre would be with me at a travel softball tournament being dad of the year, but the next week he's missing in our car and my bat bag gets stolen out of the back. I always tried to stay mad when he got back, I would talk to him for a week, but he was family and let's face it- the 'stay at home dad' Andre was nothing like the 'ditch my family for drugs' Andre.

 The summer after my 8th grade year my mother had finally had enough. I've been seeing this go on since I was 9 and I knew it started way before then, so I'm thinking it's about time. Of course the weekend we were supposed to move Andre disappeared with the Uhaul keys in his pocket. We had to rent another one and move our entire house in three days because we didn't have rent money. We started our life anew as a family minus one and Andre checked into the Malachi house. I figured I'd seen it all before it wasn't going to work any better this time than the previous times and I was fed up with his antics.

Eight months... that's the longest I've ever been without talking to him, that's how long it took me to decide to start taking his letters. In the mean time I'm babysitting my brothers and sister day and night because my mom works at Duke hospital and we still live an hour and a half away in High Point. We made the best out of a bad situation, I guess. Money was still tight so mm found a friend to stay with a few days at a time to save her the drive. So here I am a freshman in high school worried about not only my homework, but Lennox's preschool homework and Deacon and Iyanna's school work as well. I had to make sure everyone ate dinner, had their lunch packed and then get up and get everyone ready for school in the morning. I'd make sure Deacon and Iyanna made it to the bus okay, but if Lennox's ride to preschool didn't show up I couldn't just leave him- other arrangements would have to be made. The summer after sophomore year we decided to move to Durham, but I was going to my Dad's for the summer and the kids were going to Florida to stay with Andre. It turns out living with someone you barely know is actually kind of hard, so after tow and a half weeks I went back to High Point and spent the rest of my summer with my friend Shay.

When it was time for the kids to come home back in August my mom wasn't financially prepared, so they started the school year in Jacksonville. Now a year later I've started my senior year with over half of my family still in Florida. By the time they come back I'll be leaving for college..in Florida- go figure.