Rockville High School Literary Arts Magazine

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Le t t e rf r o m t h eEd i t o r Forot her s ,t heyar eaf r ai dt ot aker i s ks ,t ogo beyondwhati st henor mal .Forwr i t er s ,wechoos et he oppos i t e.Wedar et opus ht hel i mi t s ,t os aywhatot her s maybet os car edt o,andwedoi ti nawayt hatcanbe r el at abl e.Wet al kf ort heoneswi t houtavoi ce,andwegi ve l i ghtt ot headvent ur est hatmayhaveot herwi s egone i ced. i smagazi nehasbeencons t r uct edandcol or ed unnot wi t hwor ksofar tt hathaveas t oryt ot el l .Fi l l edwi t hour s t r uggl es ,ambi t i ons ,andi ns pi r at i ons ,t heyi ns pi r eot her s t os har eapar toft hems el vesaswel l .Fort hos et hatmay notl i keust ouncovert het r ut h,wedar eyout o,i nour wor ds ,bur nt hi s .Doyouhavet hehear tt ot aket hi s magazi neandr i di toft het r ut h,orwi l lyouj oi nusi nour mi s s i ont oexpandi ti ns t ead?I nourmagazi neBur n i s , wegi veeachofourexper i encest oyoui nt hehopest hat ourmes s ageswi l lcar ryon.Wi t hourl i t er aryar t smagazi ne onl i ne,wehopei twi l lext endt oeveryonei nt hehopet hat notonl ywi l lours t or i ess pr ead,butt hati twi l lgi veour r eader st hecour aget ohaveavoi ceaswel l .  ankyou

El i z a b e t hCh e w El i zabet hChew,Edi t ori nChi ef

1 3Ge or g eJ a ns s e n

4 8Mc Ke nnaHube r

1 5La ur aCos t e l l o

4 9Er i nEl l e f s on

1 6S a r a hFe r e nc e

5 0Ma r i s s aFa g a n

1 8Ka i t l y nTonki n

5 1Ha mdaKha n

1 9Emi l yHa r r i s on

5 4J i l l i a nWe r ne r

2 1Moni c aDi l l ma n

5 5Ha nna hBr own

2 3Ka l e i g hPe r ki ns

5 9J oy c eHi da

2 7Gr a c eBa s s i c k

6 1J a r odWe r ne r 6 3Che l s e aCha t t e r t on

3 1S y dne yPa r r ot t

6 7S a ma nt haGony e a u

3 2Li l yAndr ul a t

6 8Emi l yFi s he r

3 3Ka t e l y nMul l e n

6 9Ki m Mc Gui r e

3 4El l i a naBr a nc he s i

7 1Rohe e naKha n

3 6AbbyHowa r d

7 4El i z a be t hChe w

3 7Ha nnaJ ohns t on

7 7Chr i s t i naDi a z

4 0PhobeChung

7 9J ul i aS omma

4 1Ta nne rBos s e

8 0Ta y l ore r r i e n

4 3Ti ffa nyCos g r ov e

8 2Me c he l l eHor e l i c k

Ar ta n dPh o t o g r a p h y

Awa r d s Sc hol as t i cAr t sandWr i t i ng( Gol dKey ,Si l ve rKey ,Honor abl eMe nt i on) Connect i cutSt ude ntWr i t e r( Publ i s hed,Honor abl eMe nt i on) Connect i cutSl am Team Wi nne r Edi t hWhar t onCont e s tWi nne r Wr i t eOnPl a ywr i t i ngCompe t i t i onWi nne r Wr i t eHe r e ,Wr i t eNow Tr i ni t yRe pPl a ywr i t i ngFe s t i valWi nne r Har t f or dSt age ’ sPr oj ectTr ans f or m Wi nne r Wal l ac eSt eve nsUConnECEPoe t r yPr i z eWi nne r Fr e s hVoi c e sSunke nGar de nWi nne r Poe t r yOutLoad( St a t eRunne r Up) Euge neO’ Ne i l lFe s t i valGue s tPl a ywr i ght Champl ai nCol l e geYoungWr i t e r sConf e r e nc e Ar i s i aSc i e nc eFi ct i onWi nne r Smi t hPoe t r yCont e s tWi nne r Ae r i eI nt e r na t i onalCont e s tWi nne r I t ’ sAl lWr i t eShor tSt or yCompe t i t i onWi nne r Appr e nt i c eWr i t e r

Gr ade Name

Gr ade

Name

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Li l yAndr ul a t

H

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Mec he l l eHor e l i c k G,H,SW,SW,WS,FV,AI

11

Gr ac eBas s i c k

S,H

12

AbbyHowar d

G,S,FV,CC,AW

11

Tanne rBos s e

H,SW,POL,ST

12

Mc Ke nnaHube r

S,EW

10

El l i anaBr anc he s i

I AW

12

Geor geJ ans s e n

G

11

HannahBr own

G,S

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HannaJ ohns t on

H,SW

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Che l s eaCha t t e r t on S,SW

11

HamdaKhan

G,S

12

El i z abe t hChew

S,H,SW,EW

11

Rohee naKhan

H,EW

10

PhobeChung

S,SW

11

Ki mbe r l yMc Gui r e G,H,SW,PT,FV

12

Ti ffanyCos gr ove

S ,H

11

Ka t e l ynMul l e n

S,SW,SW

12

La ur aCos t e l l o

S,H,WO,WHWN

11

SydneyPar r ot t

H,SW,FV

9

Chr i s t i naDi az

G,S,H,WO,PT,EON 11

Kal e i ghPe r ki ns

S,H,SW,SW,AS,SP ,ST

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Moni caDi l l man

S,H,SW

11

Br i annaRoque

H,SW

10

Er i nEl l e f s on

H

12

J e s s i caShee l y

SW

10

Mar i s s aFagan

H

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J ul i aSomma

S,H,SW,WHWN

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Sar ahFe r e nc e

H

10

Ta yl or e r r i e n

H,SW,EW

11

Emi l yFi s he r

H

12

Kai t l ynTonki n

G,H,SW,EW

12

Samant haGonyea u S,H,SW

10

J ar odWe r ne r

G,H,SW,EW

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Emi l yHar r i s on

S,H

12

J i l l i anWe r ne r

H

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J oyc eHi da

G,S,WS,FV,SW

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î ˘i r t e e nWa y st oBur nî ˘i s El i z a be t hChe w&Ka i t l y nTonki n I .

Ma t c he s Wor dsi ns c r i be d, ki ndl i ng s t r i ki ngapr os e

VI I Fl a r e e mbe r sbur nf r om wi t hi n poe t r yg oe supi na me s .

I I .

Me t a phor sa nds i mi l e ss t r i k epa g e s wepourg a s ol i ne i g ni t i ngpa r c hme nt

VI I I Ca c ophonya ndc on i c te ng ul f e d i nt hema dne s soft hema s t e r pi e c e di s a ppe a r swi t hi n.

I I I .

Conv e r s a t i onsbe c ome a mma bl e i nts pa r ksa a me a nds mok es t a r t st or i s e .

VI I I I Ha v occ ome st oac l os e c oa l sdi s i nt e g r a t e a s he sa r ea l l t ha tr e ma i n.

I V. S mok e c ur l si nt ov a por s l l sl ung s , c hoki ngbr e a t h

X As h I r ony , t hel a ng ua g ewec r e a t e d ha dl a t e rbe e nde s t r oy e d.

V. I ma g e r ys t a r t st os mol de r , e t c he di nt oe pi t he t t r a g e di e ss t a r t i ngt ounf ol d

XI Al l e g or i e sf a l l unde rr ubbl e bur nti nt onot hi ng a si ft hea ne c dot e sne v e re x i s t e d

VI .

Woodnowt or c he d s l i v e r sa r ea bl a z e a nd a r e sr i s eup.

XI I Li g ht e r si g ni t es a t i r e l e a v i ngs c or c he ds y nt a xbe hi nd l y r i c sa r es i l e nc e d.

XI I I Ma t c he ss t r i k e , t ur nt os mok e a r e sr i s ei ndeni t e l ybe f or ef a l l i ngt oa s h.

Epi l og ue .

I

eLa s tGe nt l e ma n Ge or g eJ a ns s e n

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Ar tb yNa t h a nMa c d o n a l d

LongDi s t a nc e La ur aCos t e l l o

He rc hi ppe d, s l i g ht l yg r ownoutna i l sr e s e mbl eas t r i ki ngs i mi l a r i t yt omi ne .

S her e pl i e st oe ma i l sa ndj ot sdownnot e sa ss hea t t e mpt st oFa c e Ti meme .

S he ’ si naS t a r buc ks1 , 6 7 8mi l e sa wa y .

He rhomea wa yf r om home .

Is e et hel i dofac offe ec upi nt hec or ne roft hes c r e e n, “ Wha tdi dy oudr i nkt oda y ? ” S hepa us e sf oramome nta nds huffle st hr oug hhe rba g .

Ac hi pc ome si nt ov i e w, “ Ha v e n ’ tha donei n3 8da y s . ”

Ar tbyConnorTi e r ne y

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Ca t si nt heCr a dl e S a r a hFe r e nc e Ac hi l dhooddr e a mc ome soutt opl a y whe r eba c ky a r dme e t sj ung l ea nd i ma g i na t i oni sa nope npa s s por tt ot hemos te x ot i cpl a c e s , pi c ki ngr a s pbe r r i e si nPor t ug a l , pour i ngg a t or a def r om at e a potpr e t e ndi ng we ’ r et hemos ti mpor t a ntofEng l a nd’ sr oy a l t y , butt heda y sofpr e t e ndi ngma deha s t yr e t r e a t sonbul l e tt r a i ns . e yl e a tda wnf ors ome t hi ngors ome whe r ec a l l e d‘ Re a l i t y ’ .

Ourf unda y swhi c honc ebr i mme dt hec ont a i ne rwi t h whi ms i c a l a e r noonss ki ppi ngi nt heboundl e s se l dsofS umme r we r ec uta l ongt hedot t e dofac ut outma debyac hi l dIonc ekne w, t r y i ngt or e s ur r e c tt heg i r l whog r e ws omi ndl e s s l ya ndl i v e d s ot r us t f ul l y , butl e a v i nghe rs t a ndi ngt he r ee r a s i ngt hewonde ra the re y e s . dr oppi ngabuc k e tf ul l ofr a s pbe r r i e ss t a ndi nga tt he oor , wa i t i ngf ort heg i r l whowoul da i ml e s s l yt r yt ot a k ea ne x pr e s st r a i nba c k t ot heda y sofg l or ybutwhowi l l a l wa y sbes t uc ki n‘ Re a l i t y ’ t oobus y f orc hi l dhoodg a me s .

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Ar tb yHa s s a nBh u l l e r

S y mphony Ka i t l y nTonki n a tOc t obe rda y , br i s ka ndc ol d S t a c c a t ol a ug hs . el oude s toft he ma l l , Ce l l o ut t e r i ngs oundofha t ea tme , t o“ be s tf r i e nd” i ng sha v e n ’ tc ha ng e d.

Is t a ys i l e nt , t oos c a r e dt of a c ey ourwr a t h, t ooa f r a i dofy ours t r i ng s Ye tIa l l owmy s e l ft oc a r e Iwoul dg i v ea ny t hi ngt os a v eYou Al ov eha t er e l a t i ons hi pbe t we e nt i mpa nia ndpe r c us s i oni s t .

Ov e r be a r i ng , Fourda y s s t i l l s ome howl e g a t o wes pe nti ns e pa r a bl e ButIwoul ds t i l l domybe s tt opl e a s e l i k ec l a r i ne ta ndr e e d. e v e nt houg hIa m not hi ng Me mor i e sma det ol a s tal i f e t i me Ig i v emya l l , Ia l wa y st houg htourf r i e nds hi pwoul dl a s tt ha tl ong , a ndYour e t ur n, e mpt y . howe v e r , Youma k et ha ti mpos s i bl e .

Ma y bet ha ti sl ov e , orki ndne s s , Ev e r ynot epl a y e d orma y bei ti swe a kne s s . f ory ou, Orma y bet het oneoft hi spi e c e . t oos c a r e dofwha tt hee ndhol ds S y mphoni e ss houl dn ’ te nd, butt hi st ox i conewi l l , a ndma y beoneda y whe nIa m as t r ongt r umpe t t hi ss y mphonywi l l behe l dupbyadoubl eba rl i ne ; Fi ne .

Ma t c he s

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Roc kvi l l eHi ghSc hoolSe ni orDi a r y:GAAP Emi l yHa r r i s on

1 9

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Cl ouds Moni c aDi l l ma n “ Yourmommyi swe i r da nds oa r ey ou! ”ebul l yhi s s e da shepus he dmet ot heg r ound.

Iwhi mpe r e df r om t hepa i ni nmykne e . “ J a k e y …”

Iwhi s pe r e d. “ Ca l e b!Ar ey ouoka y ? ”Myf r i e nda s k e ds i t t i ngdownne x tt ome . “ No .

Mykne ehur t s .

Mymommys a i dt ha twhe ny ouki s sa nouc hy , i t ’ l lg e tbe t t e r . ”It ol dhi m.

Mymommywa sne v e rwr ong .

J a k e yki s s e dmykne ea ndIs mi l e d.

Myouc hydi dn ’ thur ta ny mor e .

J a k e y wi pe da wa ymyt e a r sl i k eMommydoe se v e r yni g ht .

Li k eMommydoe swhe nDa ddyy e l l sa ndbr e a ks t hi ng s .

Idon ’ tknowwhyhe ’ sa l wa y ss oa ng r y , ma y behedi dn ’ twa t c ht hec l oudse noug h.

Il ov ec l ouds . e y ’ r es o uffya ndbi g .

Cl oudsma k eMommyha ppy , ma y bet he y ’ dma k eDa ddyha ppy , t oo .

Ma y behe ne e dst ot a k eha ppypi l l sl i k eMommydoe s . “ Ca l e b , mymommai she r e .

Iha v et og onow. ”J a k e ypout e d.

Il ook e da ndmymommywa she r e , t oo .

S he wa sl ooki nga tt hec l ouds .

Mea ndMommyl ov et hec l ouds . “ Mymommyi s , t oo . ”Hehe l pe dmeupa ndwes t a r t e dwa l ki ng . “ Whydoe sy ourmommya l wa y sl ookupa tt hes ky ? ”J a k e ya s k e dme . “ S hedoe s n ’ tl i k el ooki ngdowna tt heg r ound, ”Ia ns we r e d.

Wek e ptwa l ki ngunt i lweha dt owa l ka wa y f r om e a c hot he r . “ Wa i t , Ca l e b . ”It ur ne da r ounda ndJ a k e yki s s e dmyc he e k.

Myc he e ksf e e lr e a l l ywa r m.

J a k e ys mi l e da tme . “ By eCa l e b . ” “ By eJ a k e y . ” Ir a nov e rt omymommy .

Mymommyi sr e a l l ypr e t t y .

S heha sbr ownc ur l yha i rl i k emewi t hha z e le y e s a ndf r e c kl e sa l lov e rhe rf a c e .

Mommyi sv e r ya r t i s t i c .

S hedr a wsonhe r s e l fal ot .

Mommyi sa l s os upe r ni c et oe v e r y one .

S hes mi l e da ss hehug g e dme , l ong e rt ha ns heus ua l l ydoe s . “ Mommyot he rki dsa r es t a r i ng ! ”Ig r oa ne d.

S hel e tmeg oa nds hewa sc r y i ng . “ S or r yba by , l e t ' sg ohome , ”s hes a i da ss het ookmyha nd.

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Is ki ppe dhomepi c ki ngup owe r sa l ongt hewa ya sMommys t a r e da tt hec l ouds .

Ig a v ea l lt he owe r s t oMommyt oma k ehe rha ppy .

Weg othomea ndMommyt ookar e a l l yl ongna pont hec ouc ha e r be i ngi nt heba t hr oom.

Mommy na l l ywok eupa ndma demyf a v or i t ef oodf ordi nne r , ma c a r onia nd c he e s ea ndc hi c k e nnug g e t s .

Mommydi dn ’ te a t , mor ef orme !Mommywa s he dmea ndg otmer e a dyf orbe d. “ Mommy ? ”Ic a l l e d. “ Ye s , s we e t i e ? ” “ Ca nIg oov e rJ a k e y ’ st omor r ow? ”Ia s k e dpl a y i ngwi t hmy ng e r shopi ngs he ’ l ls a yy e s .

Mommyl ook e da wa ya ndIhe a r das ni ffle .

S het ur ne da r ounda ndl ook e da tmewi t hs hi nye y e s . “ Al s o , c a ny ouma k emyf a v or i t edi nne ra g a i nt omor r ow? ”S hepa us e da ndj us tl ook e da tme . “ Ofc our s e , s we e t i e , ”s hes mi l e ds a dl y .

Mommyki s s e dmyc he e ka st hef r ontdoors l a mme d.

Da ddywa sa l r e a dyy e l l i ng .

Iha t e dDa ddyy e l l i ng . “ I t ’ soka y , ba by , I ’ l lt a k ec a r eofi t , ”s heki s s e dmea g a i n, l e a v i ng , a ndl oc ki ngt hedoor be hi ndhe r .

Ig r a bbe dmys t uffe dt i g e r , Mr .

J umpy , a ndl ook e dout s i demywi ndow.

Ihe a r dmor ey e l l i ngbe f or ec r a s he s a ndt hedoors l a mmi ng .

Mr .

J umpyhe l pe dmef a l la s l e e pl i k ema nyt i me sbe f or e .

Myr oom i ss c a r ya t ni g ht .

I tha sc r a c ksa ndhol e si nt hewa l ll i k et her e s toft hehous e .

Mommys a y ss he ’ sg onnal e a v ea ndl i v e i nt hec l oudsoneda yl i k et heg i a ntf r om J a c ka ndt heBe a ns t a l k.

It ol dhe rIwa ntt ol i v ei nt hec l ouds , but s hes a i dno .

Mydr e a msoft hec l oudswe r ei nt e r r upt e dbys ome ones ha ki ngmea wa k e .

I twa sa noffic e r . “ He ybuddy , s or r yt owa k ey ouupbutwe ’ r eg oi ngonal i t t l er i de , ”hes mi l e da tme . “ Ca nMr .

J umpyc ome , t oo? ”Mr .

Offic e rs a i dhec oul da ndt ookmyha nd.

Il ook e da nds a wmor epol i c e pe opl ea r oundt hehous e .

Mr .

Offic e rt ookmeout s i dea ndDa ddywa sout s i dei nac a r , t oo .

Da ddywa s c r y i ngl ooki nga tapi e c eofpa pe r .

I ’ v ene v e rs e e nDa ddyc r ybe f or e .

Butwhe r ei sMommy ? “ Mr .

Offic e r ? ”Ipul l e donhi sha nd. “ Ye s ? ” “ Whe r ei sMommy ? ”Ia s k e dhi m.

Hes e e me dt obel ooki ngf ora na ns we ra shel ook e dupt ot hes ky . “ Di ds heg ot ot hec l ouds ? ”Mr .

Offic e rnodde da tme .

Ic a n ’ twa i tf ormommyt oc omeba c ka ndt e l lmea boutt hec l ouds .

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Vows : AGol de nS hov e li nTwoPa r t s Gr a c eBa s s i c k

Ar tb y An o n y mo u s

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II I m a g e r ys t a r t st os m o l d e r , e t c h e di n t oe p i t h e t t r a g e d i e ss t a r t i n gt ou n f o l d

Wes pe ntours umme ri ns i l e nc e .

Wes a twi t hourl e g sc r os s e d a ndourhe a dst i l t e di nc onf us i on s t a r i nga ts ome t hi nge l s e whe r e be c a us es ome t hi nge l s e whe r e wa sbe t t e rt ha nwhe r ewewe r e .

It wi s t e dt heg r a s sbe s i deme a r oundmy ng e r I twa sunk e mpta ndne g l e c t e d, Youha v eal oti nc ommon Wes a twa t c hi ngt hes umme r s unt ur nt heg r a s si nt os umme ra me s Wedi dn ’ tda r emov e be c a us ei tmi g hts t r i k ec onv e r s a t i on Il e tt hes umme ra me swr a p a r oundmyha nd l i k eag r e e t i ngf r om a nol df r i e nd.

Hi se y e swi de ne da shes a wt hes pa r ks y a r oundme Hewa ss c a r e d, a ndIkne wi t .

S ki nt ur ne dt oe s h, e s ht ur ne dt obone , a ndbonebe c a medus t i nt hes umme rbr e e z e . î ˘i swa smye s c a pe .

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Wood oor s , af r i dg ec ov e r e dwi t hme mor i e s , as que a kybr ownt a bl ewhe r eIs i t , s omuc hnos t a l g i ai noner oom i ts c a r e sme , Ihe a ry ourhi g hhe e l st i pt a pt hr oug ht hewood oor s , y ou’ r es of r us t r a t e d, Ic a nhe a ri ti nt hes i g hy ouma k ea sy out hr owy ourwor kba g sont ot hec ha i rbe s i deme , Ihe a ry oua nddon ’ te v e nl ookup, j us tk e e pmye y e sg l ue dt os omes i l l ya l g e br apr obl e ms . e s epr obl e msme a nnot hi ngt ome , s owhydi dn ’ tIj us tt a k emye y e soffoft he m, whyc oul dn ’ tIj us tl ook upa ty ou?

Ada ywor ki nga tade s kwi t hl i t t l et onoc onv e r s a t i on, onl yt oc omehomet oy oura nt i s oc i a la dol e s c e nt ?

Bl a s phe my !Youdon ’ tde s e r v et hi s .

Youl e a nov e rt hes i l v e r , wor nouts i nk, a ndwa s ht heda yoffy ourf a c e , t hes i nk l l e dwi t hdi s he st ha tIc oul dn ’ tr e me mbe rt oc l e a n, be c a us ea ppa r e nt l y ndi ngt heYi nt e r c e pti smor ei mpor t a ntt ha nac l e a nki t c he n.

Ihe a ry oupul l i ngoutt hi ng sf r om t hes que a ki ngc a bi ne ta nds t a r tt hehug es t ov et ha tl i e snots i xf e e ta wa y f r om me . i sc a n ’ tbef a i r , a l lt he s et hi ng sy oudof ormys i s t e ra ndI , a ndIc a n ’ te v e nbebot he r e dt os a yhe l l ot oy ou.

Ic oul ds a ys oma nyt hi ng snow, butt her i g htwor dsg e tl os ti nmyhe a d, s oi ns t e a dImut t e rs ome t hi nga l ongt hel i ne sof“ Howwa sy ourda y ? ” Empt ywor dswi t hnol i f e , wor dsj us tt ol lt hi sl one l ys pa c ebe t we e nus . i se nt i r eki t c he nha st ur ne dl i f e l e s sa ndl one l y , j us tl i k eus .

Youa r e n ’ te v e nf oc us e dona ny t hi ng , j us twa nde r i nga r oundt heki t c he npr e pa r i ngusf ood, buty ounot i c et hewa ymyv oi c ea ndwor dsha v eas a d, e mpt ys oundt ot he m, j us tl i k ey oua l wa y sdo , a nd i nqui r emea st owha t ’ swr ong .

You’ r ewor r y i nga boutme , a ndIha t emy s e l ff ort ha t .

Youdon ’ tde s e r v ea l lt hi swor r y , a ndIwa ntt ot e l ly out ha t , buti ns t e a dIj us tc ont i nuemi ndl e s s l ywr i t i ng downa ns we r s , Ae raf e wmi nut e soft hi sa wf uls i l e nc e , y ouwa l kt hr oug ht hi swor ndown, me mor y r i dde nki t c he n, a nds l i dememydi nne r , pe r f e c ta sa l wa y s , a ndImumbl eat ha nky ou, butIf e e lg ui l t ya sIt a k emout hf ul sof t heme a l .

Youwa l koutoft heki t c he nde f e a t e dl y , t hr owi ngy ourj e we l r yupont hei s l a ndbe hi ndt heov e n, t hei s l a nd c ov e r e di nj e we l r yj us tl i k ei t , y oude s e r v ebe t t e rt ha nt hi s , y oude s e r v ebe t t e rt ha nme .

3 2

Ca rDr i v eHome Ka t e l y nMul l e n S t r ong , t a nne dha ndst i g ht l yc l a s pi ngt hes t e e r i ngwhe e l , wr i s t ss ha ki ngwi t hr a g ef r om ade pr e c a t i ngt e x t . ebr i g htmoodweonc eha dr a pi dl yde t e r i or a t e si nt onot hi ng a bs e nt l y , Ia s k“ Mom, whydoy out hi nkt het r a ffici ss oba dt oda y ? ” a bs or be di nhe rt houg ht s , s her e pl i e s“ I t ’ sy ourf a t he rt ha t ’ st hepr obl e m. ”

Ar tb yJ e s s i c aS h e e l y

3 3

eMa nINe v e rKne w El l i a naBr a nc he s i Ic a nhe a rmymom c r y i ng , s i t t i ngi nhe rr oom.

Ipe e kt hr oug ht hec r a c k e ddoor , Cl e a r i ngmyt hr oa ta ndc a l l i ngout“ Mom” , S hej e r ksups t r a i g htwi t ht e a rs t a i ne dc he e ks , a nd i nhe rl a pi sapi c t ur eofa nunf a mi l i a rf a c e .

S het e l l smeas t or ywhi l eIc l i mbuponhe rl a p, a bouthe rbr ot he rt ha tl e , ne v e rl ooki ngba c k.

Heg oti nhi sc a ra ndr a c e ddownt her oa d, l e a v i ngmyg r a ndmot he ry e l l i ngi nt ot heda r k. a tmor ni nga ta bout3o ’ c l oc k, myg r a ndmot he rwok eupi nhe l l . he a r i ngt ha tt hes ons hel ov e dde a r l y , wa st a k e nt ooe a r l y .

S ohe r eIa m now, mor et ha n1 0y e a r sl a t e r , we a r i nghi ss hi r ta nds t a r i nga thi spi c t ur e be c a us et hes mi l i ngf a c eoft hema nIne v e rkne w, wa st a k e nf r om myl i f e , j us ta e rIt ur ne dt wo .

3 4

Ar tb yMc Ke n n aHu b e r

S t a r buc ksonTa l c ot t v i l l eRoa d AbbyHowa r d “ S oIwa sa nEng l i s ht e a c he rf or4 0y e a r s . ” Hi sl e g st wi t c he s whi l ehi se y e sa r el oc k e di nt oabookofmode r nt he or i e s l ooki ngupwhe ne v e rs ome onewa l kst hr oug ht hedoor ones e a ti nf r om t hel e  t wos e a t si nf r om t her i g ht “ I t ’ saf unnys t or ya c t ua l l y ” hi ss potne v e rc ha ng e s “ Ia l wa y ss a i di fIwe r et oe v e rg e tat a t t ooi twoul dbeapuppe tonmyha nd. ” Het e l l st hi ss t or ye v e r yt i meIs e ehi m he r e .

Me di um c offe ec r e a ma nds ug a r hec e nt e r shi sc offe ec up a ndl i supa nddown downa ndup.

Is i tbe s i dehi m a g a i n.

Twi t c hi nghi spe n ba c ka ndf or t h f or t ha ndba c k hewr i t e sone a c hpa g eofhi sbook l ooksupa nds mi l e s s c r a t c he shi she a d a ndt e l l smet hes t or ya boutt het a t t ooonhi sl e ha nda g a i n.

I twa sofaf a c ewi t hnome a ni ng onl yf orl a ug hs “ Ig oti tr i g htbe f or eIr e t i r e d. ” “ For t yy e a r s . ” Ic huc kl e da shef or me dhi sha ndt oma k ei tt a l k.

Hedoe s n ’ tknowI ’ v ehe a r di ta l l be f or e .

AndIwonde rhowma nyt i me si tha sbe e nt ol d.

Looki ngba c kdowni nt ohi sbook “ I t ’ saf unnys t or ya c t ua l l y . ” Ic l ut c hmyl a t t e . “ Iwa sa ne ng l i s ht e a c he rf or4 0y e a r s ” . . .

3 6

eS l a v ea ndt heGi r l Ha nnaJ ohns t on Yous a f z a ia ndDoug l a s sa r es e pa r a t e dbya l mos tt wohundr e dy e a r s , y e tt he yf a c et hes a mes oc i a li nj us t i c e s a ndi ne qua l i t y .

Ma l a l aYous a f z a iwa ss hotonOc t obe r9 , 2 0 1 2byt heTa l i ba nbe c a us es heope nl yf oug htf ort he e duc a t i onr i g ht sofwome ni nPa ki s t a nonabl ogwe bs i t e .

Fr e de r i c kDoug l a s swa sa nAf r i c a nAme r i c a ns l a v e i nni ne t e e nt hc e nt ur yAme r i c a .

Hewa spuni s he df ors t a ndi ngupf orhi ms e l fa ndr unni nga wa yt of r e e dom.

Bot hDoug l a s sa ndYous a f z a if oug htf ort hee qua l i t yf ort he i rpe opl e . e ybot hf a c e dpe opl ea ndor g a ni z a t i ons whomi s us e da nda bus e dt he i rr e l i g i ousv i e ws . e ywe r enota l l owe da ne duc a t i onbe c a us epe opl ef e a r e dt ha t i twoul dg i v et he mt hepowe rt oc ha ng es oc i e t y .

Ev e nt houg ht he ya r ey e a r sa pa r t , Ma l a l aYous a f z a ia nd Fr e de r i c kDoug l a s sbot hf oug ht , a nds t i l lg ht , f orj us t i c ea nds oc i a le qua l i t yf orwome na ndAf r i c a nAme r i c a ns .

Asmi nor i t i e s , Doug l a s sa ndYous a f z a iwe r er i di c ul e dbye x t r e me l yr e l i g i ouspe opl e .

Asas l a v e , Doug l a s s ha dma nys l a v ema s t e r s .

Ea c honewa sdi ffe r e nti nt e mpe r a me nt , whe r es omewe r ec ons i de r e dki nda nd s omewe r ec ons i de r e de v i l .

Howe v e r , Doug l a s ss t a t e dt ha t“ r e l i g i ouss l a v e hol de r sa r et hewor s t .

Iha v ee v e r f oundt he mt heme a ne s ta ndba s e s t , t hemos tc r ue la ndc owa r dl y , ofa l lot he r s ”( Doug l a s s7 2 7 3 ) .

I nhi s e x pe r i e nc e , hewa swhi ppe dmor ea ndt r e a t e dmor el i k ea na ni ma li nt heha ndsofar e l i g i ouss l a v e hol de r orov e r s e e r .

Onema n, Re v e r e ndHopki ns , woul d nda nye x c us et owhi pas l a v e .

Hewoul dus ee v e r yt i ny , l i t t l emi s t a k et opuni s hhi ss l a v e s .

Anyl ookorme nt i onofdi s pl e a s e me ntme a ntas l a v e , “ ha st hede v i li nhi m, a ndi tmus tbewhi ppe dout ”( Doug l a s s7 3 ) . er e l i g i ouss l a v eowne r swe r et hemos tr e l e nt l e s si npuni s hme nt , s i nc et he ybe l i e v e dt he ywe r edoi nga na c tofGod. e ybe l i e v e dt he ywe r edoi ngg ooda ndt her i g htt hi ngby whi ppi ngt he i rs l a v e swhe nt he ywa nt e d.

Anot he rChr i s t i a ns l a v eowne r , Mr .

Cov e y , wa sc ons i de r e dt hes l a v e br e a k e r .

Hewa soneoft hemos tc r ue l .

Pe opl ewoul ds e ndt he i rmos tmi s be ha v e ds l a v e s , a ndhewoul dbr e a k t he mt hr oug hnons t opwor k, be a t i ng s , a ndwhi ppi ng s .

Hewoul dr e duc et hes l a v e st oapoi ntofnot hi ng ne s s .

Hewoul dc r us ht he i rs pi r i t sa ndt he i rv e r ys oul s . eChr i s t i a ns l a v eowne r swe r et oDoug l a s sa st heTa l i ba n wa st oMa l a l aYous a f z a i .

I nPa ki s t a n, t heTa l i ba nhe l dpowe ra ndf e a rov e rt hepe opl e . e yc ont r ol l e dt he m i nt hena meofI s l a m. ewome nwe r enota l l owe da ne duc a t i on, ormuc hf r e e dom.

AsYous a f z a is t a t e s , “ e t e r r or i s t sa r emi s us i ngt hena meofI s l a ma ndPa s ht uns oc i e t yf ort he i rownpe r s ona lbe net s ”( Uni t e d Na t i ons1 5 ) . eTa l i ba nde ni e dba s i cr i g ht st ot hewome nofYous a f z a i ’ ss oc i e t ybe c a us et he ybe l i e v e d, “ God i sat i ny , l i t t l ec ons e r v a t i v ebe i ngwhowoul ds e ndg i r l st ot hehe l lj us tbe c a us eofg oi ngt os c hool ”( Uni t e d Na t i ons1 5 ) .

Fr om t wov e r ydi ffe r e ntt i me sa ndc ount r i e s , Fr e de r i c kDoug l a s sa ndMa l a l aYous a f z a iwe r e bot hl e s s e ne da spe opl ebyt her e l i g i ouspe opl eoft he i rs oc i e t i e s .

3 7

Aswe l la sbe i ngdi s c r i mi na t e da g a i ns tbyr e l i g i on, Doug l a s sa ndYous a f z a iwe r ede ni e de duc a t i oni nf e a r f ort hepowe ri twoul dg i v et he ma g a i ns tt he i roppr e s s or s .

Dur i ngt hee a r l yni ne t e e nt hc e nt ur y , whi t e S out he r ne r swe r ea f r a i dofas l a v ewhoc oul dr e a da ndwr i t e . e ybe l i e v e di ft hes l a v e sc oul dr e a da ndwr i t e , t he ywoul dov e r t a k et hewhi t epe opl ea nde ns l a v et he m.

OneofFr e de r i c kDoug l a s s ’ sma s t e r st ol dhi swi f et hi s , “ Ani g g e rs houl dknownot hi ngbutt oobe yhi sma s t e r t odoa shei st ol dt odo .

Le a r ni ngwoul ds poi lt hebe s t ni g g e r ri nt hewor l d”( Doug l a s s4 1 ) .

Pe opl edi dnotwa nts l a v e st ot hi nkbe c a us et he ybe l i e v e dt he ywoul d be c omehor r i bl ewor k e r sa nd, e v e nt ua l l y ,g htf orf r e e dom.

Fr e de r i c kDoug l a s st a ug hthi ms e l fhowt or e a d a ndwr i t ea e rl e a r ni ngt hi s .

Hewoul ds e c r e t l yr e a dne ws pa pe r sa ndbooks .

Hea l s opa i dpoorboy swi t h br e a dt ot e a c hhi m.

Ev e nt ua l l y , Doug l a s st a ug htot he rs l a v e showt or e a da ndwr i t ei naS a bba t hs c hool .

He wa s , unf or t una t e l y , c a ug hta ndpuni s he d.

Ma l a l aYous a f z a is uffe r e dav e r ys i mi l a rf a t e .

S hea ndhe rc l a s s ma t e s we r es hotf ort a ki nge x a msa ndf org oi ngt os c hool .

Yous a f z a is ur v i v e d, butma nyofhe rf r i e ndsdi dnot . e Ta l i ba noppos e dwome nr e c e i v i nga ne duc a t i onbe c a us et he ywe r ea f r a i doft he m.

AsMa l a l aYous a f z a iput si t , “ ee x t r e mi s t sa r ea f r a i dofbooksa ndpe ns . epowe rofe duc a t i onf r i g ht e nst he m. e ya r ea f r a i dof wome n. epowe roft hev oi c eofwome nf r i g ht e nst he m”( Uni t e dNa t i ons1 4 ) . ewome ni nPa ki s t a nwe r e nota l l owe de duc a t i on. e ywe r enota l l owe dav oi c e .

Yous a f z a ipr omi s e dnott os t op g ht i ngunt i lwome n a r eg i v e nt he i rr i g htofe duc a t i ona l la r oundt hewor l d.

Li k eDoug l a s s , Yous a f z a if oug htf ore duc a t i onby s t a ndi ngupt ot hev e r ype opl ewhode ni e dhe rt ha tr i g ht . e ybot hs uffe r e dt hec ons e que nc e sf ori t , but c ont i nue dt og hta nds pe a kup. ema na ndt heg i r lbot ha dv oc a t e df ort he i rr i g htofe duc a t i onbyde f y i ng t hos ei na ut hor i t y .

Fr e de r i c kDoug l a s sa ndMa l a l aYous a f z a ia r es i mi l a ri nmor ewa y st ha nt he ya r eg ur e sf orj us t i c ea nd e qua l i t y .

Bot hf a c e ddi s c r i mi na t i ona ndi nj us t i c e sbype opl eofr e l i g i ousna t ur e . e ywe r et or me nt e dby t he ma ndr i di c ul e d, butbot hs t i l lf oug htr e l e nt l e s s l y .

Doug l a s sa ndYous a f z a ic oul dnotr e c e i v ea ne duc a t i on wi t houtdoi ngs oi ns e c r e t . e i roppr e s s or sf e a r e dt hepowe rt he ywoul dr e c e i v ef r om knowl e dg ea ndf r e e t houg ht .

Fr e de r i c kDoug l a s sa ndMa l a l aYous a f z a ia r epe r f e c te x a mpl e soft wope opl ewhowi l ls t opa t not hi ngt og e twha ti sr i g ht , whe t he ri tbef r e e dom ore duc a t i on.

Fr om t he m, pe opl ef r om a l lov e ra ndofa l l a g e sc a nl e a r nt hepowe rofs pe a ki ngupf orwha ti ti sr i g ht .

Wor ksCi t e d " AWor l dAtS c hool .

"AWor l dAtS c hool .

N. p. , n. d.

We b .

2 5Aug .

2 0 1 5 . <ht t ps : / / s e c ur e . a wor l da t s c hool . or g / pa g e / c ont e nt / t he t e x t of ma l a l a y ous a f z a i s s pe e c ha t t he uni t e dna t i ons / >.

Doug l a s s , Fr e de r i c k, Wi l l i a m Ll oy dGa r r i s on, a ndWe nde l lPhi l l i ps .

Na r r a t i v eoft heLi f eofFr e de r i c kDoug l a s s .

N. p. : Ant i S l a v e r yOffic e , 1 8 4 5 .

Pr i nt .

3 8

Ar tb yAn o n y mo u s

I tne e dswor k.

Unpa i nt e dwa l l s , ne g l e c t e d oor s , s t a i nsone v e r ys ur f a c e ; l e s st ha npe r f e c t , buti t ' sourf a ul tweha v e n' tdonea ny t hi nga bouti t .

Is e ei te v e r ywe e k.

I tne v e rg e t sa nybe t t e r . ewa s hi ngma c hi nedoe s n' twor kr i g ht . ehe a t e rma k e st oomuc hnoi s e .

Myt houg ht sa r et hes a me ; s ome t i me st he yne v e rs hutup. e r e ' sac a bi ne tmys i s t e rma dei nhi g hs c hool ; t hedoori sc r ook e da ndt heonl yt hi ng i thol dsa r et hedr y e rs he e t s .

Iwonde ri ft he yg e tl one l yi nt he r e .

Iwoul d. i ng sl i es c a t t e r e da bout ; s omec ov e r e dbyt a r pa ul i n, ot he r se x pos e dt ot hea i r ; me mor i e st ha tt r i e dt obef or g ot t e na ndot he r st ha ts t r ug g l e dt ober e me mbe r e d—bot h f a l l i ngs hor toft he i rg oa l s .

Ig ue s sy ouc oul ds a yI ’ v ebe e nt he r et oo .

S t a i ne dt a r psa ndnoi s ys he e t s , l one l yg oa l sa ndc r ook e dt hi ng s , i tne e dswor k.

S odoI .

4 0

Li f eBit heYe a r s Ta nne rBos s e 2 0 0 8 i r dg r a de .

Il i k ev i de og a me sa nds ourc a ndy .

Myol de rbr ot he ri smyr ol emode la ndmyne i g hbori smybe s tf r i e nd.

2 0 0 9 Four t hg r a de .

Il i k ev i de og a me sa ndc a ndy .

Iha v eac r us honag i r li nmyg r a de .

S he ’ sni c e rt omet ha nmos tot he rki ds .

2 0 1 0 Fi hg r a de .

Vi de og a me sa ndc a ndya r er e a l l yg ood.

Mybr ot he rl i k e st oma k ej ok e sa boutg a ype opl e .

Idon' tr e a l l yknowwha tg a yi s , buta c c or di ngt omybr ot he r , i t ' sa bs ol ut e l yhi l a r i ous .

2 0 1 1 S i x t hg r a de .

Il i k ev i de og a me sa ndg i r l s .

Ime e tag i r lwhoi sg e nui ne l yni c et ome , unl i k ea nyofmyol df r i e nds .

Iha v eac r us honhe r .

S hei nt r oduc e smet ohe rf r i e ndg r oup, a ndIme e tt heki nde s tpe opl e .

Mymom ki c k e dmyda doutoft hehous el a s tni g htf orbe i ngt oodr unk.

2 0 1 2 S e v e nt hg r a de .

Il i k ev i de og a me sa ndmyc r us h.

Myc r us ht e l l smet ha thedoe s n' tf e e ll i k ehe ’ sag i r l , a ndt ha the ' saboy .

It hi nkofhowt ha tc ha ng e smyf e e l i ng sf orhi m, a ndIg e ts c a r e dwhe nt he ydon' t .

It hi nka boutt hej ok e st ha tmybr ot he rma k e ss ooe n.

Howhec a l l se v e r y t hi ngg a ywhe nheg e t sf r us t r a t e d.

Mypa r e nt sg otdi v or c e da ndmymom s a y sweha v et omov ea wa y .

2 0 1 3 Ei g ht hg r a de .

Il i k ev i de og a me sa ndbe i ngl e a l one .

Idon' tknowa ny oneI ' ma r ound.

Pe opl ea r e n' ti nt e r e s t e di nl e t t i ngmeknowt he ma ndIdon' twa ntt he mt oknowme .

I ' ms t i l lg e t t i ngt oknowme .

Idon' tha v eada da ny mor ea ndIdon' tr e s pe c tmybr ot he r ’ sopi ni on.

Al lhedoe si sg e thi g ha ndpl a yr a v emus i c .

Ig ue s sIl i k eboy snow, butI ' ms t i l lpr e t t ys ur eIl i k eg i r l s .

IknowIdon' tl i k ea ny onea tmys c hool .

4 1

2 0 1 4 Ni nt hg r a de .

Il i k eboy sa ndg i r l s .

I t ' sha r dt oa c c e ptt ha t .

I ' v es t a r t e da c t ua l l yt a l ki ngt ope opl e , a ndt he ya l ls e e mt ol i k eme .

Il i k et he mt oo , e s pe c i a l l yt hi sne wboyI ' v eme t .

I ' v el e a r ne dt ha tpr e t e ndi ngt obes ome t hi ngy ou' r enotg e t sy oual otoff r i e nds .

Pr e t e ndi ngt obes t r a i g hta l lt het i meme a nsy oudon' tha v ea ny onec a l l i ngy ouna me s .

I twoul dbee a s i e ri fIwa swha tIpr e t e nde dt obe .

I ’ mi ndr a mac l ubnow.

Al otoft hepe opl et he r ea r e n' ts t r a i g hta nds e e mc ompl e t e l yha ppyl e t t i nge v e r y oneknow.

Idon' tunde r s t a ndt ha t .

Mymom j us tt ol dmeweha v et omov ea g a i n.

2 0 1 5 Te nt hg r a de .

Il i k eboy sa ndg i r l s .

I t ' snol ong e rha r dt oa c c e ptt ha t .

I ' v eonl ybe e nhe r eaf e wwe e ksa ndIa l r e a dyf e e lpr e t t ypopul a r .

I ' v eg ot t e nr e a l l yg ooda tg ur i ngoutwhos houl dknowa boutme Andwhos houl dt hi nkt he yknowa boutme .

I t ' sa l mos ta na r t .

Ke e pi ngpe opl et hi nki ngy ou' r ea nope nbook Whe nr e a l l yy ou’ r eal e t t e ri nabot t l et ha t ' sbe e noutt os e ae v e rs i nc ey our e a l i z e dy oul i k e dboy s .

I ' m pr e t t yha ppywi t hhowe v e r y t hi ngi sg oi ng .

I ' v eme tag i r lwhowa nt st oda t eme .

Ir e a l i z et hi si st he r s tt i mei nmyl i f eI ' v er e a l l yt houg hta boutar e l a t i ons hi pwi t hag i r l .

Is t a r tda t i nghe r .

I ' mv e r yha ppya boutt hi s .

Ig e tt oha v ear e l a t i ons hi pa ndas ur er ewa yt oc onv i nc epe opl eI ' ms t r a i g ht .

2 0 1 6 El e v e nt hg r a de .

Il ov emyg i r l f r i e nd.

S heknowsa boutme .

S heknowsmor ea boutmet ha nmyownmot he r .

I ' v es t a r t e dac l a s swhe r ewewr i t eal otofpoe t r y .

I ’ mc onf us e dhowpe opl ewr i t et he i re mot i onsa nds howt he mt oa ny onewhowi l lr e a d.

Don' tpe opl eknowi t ' sbe t t e rt ok e e pt he m hi dde na nda c tl i k et he ydon' te x i s t ?

Is t r ug g l es howi ngmye mot i onst omyg i r l f r i e nd AndnowIha v et os howt he mt ot hes t r a ng e r si nmyc l a s s . i si sodda ndIdon' tknowhowt odoi t .

Noneoft he m ne e dt oknowa boutme .

La s tni g htmymot he rt ol dmes het hi nksmyc ous i ni sbi s e x ua l . “ I t ' st het hi ngt obea ts c hoolnowa da y s . ”

4 2

4 3

Ar tb yS a r a hLu g i n b u h l

III Ca c o p h o n ya n dc o n f l i c te n g u l f e d i nt h em a d n e s so ft h em a s t e r p i e c e d i s a p p e a r sw i t h i n .

Ar tb y An o n y mo u s

Ci v i l i a n ’ sPl e dg e Mc Ke nnaHube r Ipl e dg ea l l e g i a nc e , t ot he a g oft heUni t e dS t a t e sofAme r i c a r i g htha ndpr e s s e dt i g ht a g a i ns the a r t .

Ri g htha nds wi t c hi ngf r om hol di ngt oddl e r s ’ ha nds t opul l i ngt r i g g e r s a ndt ot her e publ i cf orwhi c hi ts t a nds , s pi ne ss t i ffa st hepol et he ys t a ndbe f or e kne e sl oc k e d j a wl oc k e d e y e sl oc k e donones a l v a t i ona ndoner e wa r d: onena t i on, t he ya r et hea mbe rwa v e sofg r a i n a ndofg r e e n, abodyofs i ne wbi ndi ngbone s bi ndi ng s e at os hi ni ngs e a unde rGod t he ya r et hes e nt i ne l sofami l l i onf a c e s a ndami l l i ont r a i l sofs mok e , i ndi v i s i bl e , c hi nsr a i s e d, r e c i t i ngt he i roa t h a ndhopi ngwer e me mbe rouroa t ht ot he m: t oa c c e ptt he i rs a c r ic e a ndhol di ts t e a df a s tt oourc he s t s , l i k ear i g htha ndpr e s s e dov e rt hehe a r t wi t hLi be r t ya ndJ us t i c ef ora l l

4 8

eEnd Er i nEl l e f s on Ev i lwa sc r e a t e d.

Wa rr e pl a c e dpe a c ewi t hr a g e , t he r ewa snome r c yl e .

Ahung e rf orbl oodg r e wi ne v e r y one t hes e ls hne s st ookov e rpe opl e ' sl i v e s t he nnot hi ngwa sl e i nt hewor l d.

Ac ol da ndbi t t e rs i l e nc et ookhol d, e v e r y onewa sg one .

4 9

r e eWor dswi t hPowe r Ma r i s s aFa g a n S i l e nc e .

Onewor d, s oma nyf e e l i ng s Tobepe a c e f ul ore v i l , t hec hoi c ei sy our s .

S i l e nc e . es i l e nc et ha tl l st hee mpt ys pa c ewhe r ey ourv oi c es houl dbe Cr e a t i nge x pl os i onsi ny ourmi ndunt i l y ouc a n ’ ts e e .

S i l e nc e .

Ofabe a ut i f ul f a l l da y , wi ndbl owi ng , l e a v e sc r unc hi ngma k ey ou be l i e v ee v e r y t hi ngj us tmi g htbeoka y .

Ev i l .

Ev i l i sha t r e d, i sc r ue l t y , a l l oft hepoi s oni nhuma ni t y . eha r s hwor dst he ybe a ti nt oy ous t i c ki nt oy oul i k ekni v e s , a ndy ous t a r tt owonde ri f t he ya r er i g htwhe nt he ys a yy oua r ewor t hl e s s .

Ev i l . es oundofg unse r upt i ngi nt oabl urofpa ni ca ndc onf us i on a ndnotknowi ngwha t ’ sg oi ngonunt i l y ourl i f ei sg one .

Pe a c e . ehopet ha toneda yt hewor l dwi l l t ur nj us tr i g hta nd ki ndne s swi l l s pr e a dl i k eawi l dr e , s t r ong e rt ha nha t ee v e rc oul dbe .  eg unswi l l s t op, t hebombswon ’ tt i c k.

Pe a c e .

Aqui e tmi nd, aba t t l ewon.

Hope .

5 0

Hi dea ndGoS e e k Ha mdaKha n Te n He rf a t he r ’ sf e e tpa dt hec a r pe t e ds t a i r we l l .

Ea c hs t e ps que a ksa shede c r e a s e st hedi s t a nc ebe t we e n hi ma ndhi sda ug ht e r .

Ni ne He re y e spe e rope na she rha nddr a g sa l ongt hes ur f a c eofhe rdus t ys i det a bl e .

He rt i ny ng e r spul lt he be a de dc or d, t ur ni ngont hedi ml a mp.

Ei g ht S hebol t soutofhe rbe d, dr a g g i ngt hewoolc ov e r sa l ongwi t hhe r .

He re y e squi v e ra ss hel ooksf orapl a c e t ohi de .

S e v e n.

He rf a t he r ’ sv oi c ee c hoe sa ss hel a t c he she r ng e r sont ot hewi ndow’ se dg e , pul l i ngi tope n.

S hes wi ng s he rl e g sov e rt ot hene a r e s tbr a nc ha ndj umps .

S i x Hec a n' t ndhe rt hi st i me .

Ats c hools hei sag r e a ta thi dea ndg os e e k, be c a us eoft hea l lt hepr a c t i c e s heg e t sa thome .

Fi v e He rf a t he r ’ sv oi c es oe nsa sheope nshi sl i t t l eg i r l ’ sbe dr oom door .

Hes mi r ksa nds ha k e shi she a da t t hee mpt yr oom a sheg oe sba c kdowns t a i r s .

Four S hes pr i nt st ot hene a r e s tbus ha ndbur i e she r s e l fi nbe t we e n.

Bl oodr us he st ohe rf a c ea ss hei s c a l mi ngdown. r e e .

Heope nst hef r ontdoora nds ki psdownt hepor c hs t a i r swi t hag r i nonhi sf a c e .

Hel ooksa r ound pl a y f ul l ya shel ooksf orhe r .

Two Hi sv oi c el owe r swi t hf r us t r a t i on.

Be f or eg i v i ngup, t het i pofapi nks hoepopsoutf r om t hef a r t he s tbus h.

5 1

One Hes mi r ksa shet i pt oe st ot hebus h, a v oi di ngt hec r a c ka ndc r unc hofbr a nc he sa ndl e a v e s .

Hebe ndsa t hi skne e s , a nda v oi dst het hor nsa shel ooksunde r .

Ze r o He rl ung swa ntt oc ol l a ps e .

He rc he s the a v e sa nds hes c r unc he dhe re y e s , bl oc ki ngoutt hewor l da r ound he r . â&#x20AC;&#x153; Re a dyornothe r eIc ome , â&#x20AC;?hes na r l s , l a t c hi nghi s ng e r sont ohe ra nkl e , hedr a g she rups t a i r sa ndl oc ks t hedoor .

Ar tb yJ o ePe l l e g r i n o

5 2

Ar tb yJ o c e l y nHa y e s

Le a kyS t r uc t ur e s J i l l i a nWe r ne r

5 4

eS a ha r aDe s e r t By , Ha nna hBr own Myf a t he rt a ug htmet ha tI mus ta l wa y sk e e papr omi s e a sIwoul dac hi l d.

To r a i s ea smyownwi t hs uppor t , g ui da nc e , a ndl ov e , ar e s pons i bi l i t ys ol a r g ey e tr e wa r di ng .

You a r emypr omi s e .

For t hepa s tt woy e a r sa nde i g htmont hs , Youha v ebe e nt hes ubj e c tofmye v e r y wa ki ngmome nt .

Ahuma nf ul lt ot hebr i m wi t hc ompa s s i ona nde mpa t hy , ma deof onl yt hebe s tt he r ei st ooffe r .

Iha v es e a r c he df ornot hi ngl e s st ha nf or e v e r t o ndas oula sf or g i v i nga sy our s .

Mys c r e wupsa nd ba dde c i s i onsf a dea wa ywhe n y ouhol dmei ny oura r ms . “ Ev e r y t hi ng wi l lbeok, ”y ouwhi s pe ronourdr i v e st onowhe r e .

Any onee l s e woul donl ywor s e nt hec r a c ksa ndc r umbl e s t ha tha v ef or me di nmyl i f e , buti ns t e a dy oume ndmyf a ul t s .

I c l ut c ht oy oul i k et hec e me ntt ha thol dsmet og e t he r .

Onl yt i mewi l l t e l lhowours t or ye nds , buti nmyhe a r ti twi l lne v e r .

Al ongt i mea g ot he r el i v e dabe a ut i f ulg i r lna me dS a ha r a .

S her e s i de dwi t hi nal i t t l ev i l l a g es ur r ounde dby a ni mme ns er a i nf or e s t .

S a ha r akne wwe l lt ha ts hewa st hee nv yofe v e r yot he rg i r li nt hev i l l a g e , a swe l la s t hede s i r eofe v e r yboy .

He rwa v yha i rwa sa l wa y st i e dupi nt oame s s yknott ha tonl yl ook e dg oodonhe r .

S a ha r aha ds a pphi r ee y e st ha tc ompl i me nt e dhe rc ount l e s sf r e c kl e s .

Howe v e r , muc ht ohe rmot he r ’ s di s ma y , S a ha r ac oul dnotc a r el e s sa boutt hewa ys hel ook e dort heboy swhoa dor e dhe r .

S heonl ywa nt e d t oe x pl or et hewor l df r e eofa l lt het e di ouswor r i e st ha toc c upi e dhe rmi ndi nt hev i l l a g e .

S hedr e a me dof s a i l i ngont hewa v e soft heg l i t t e r i ngs e a , ofc l i mbi ngt hehi g he s tmount a i ns , a ndof ndi ngs ome onet ha t l ov e dhe rnotf orhe rout e rbe a ut y , butf orhe rki ndhe a r t .

For t una t e l y , S a ha r a ’ sbe s tf r i e nd, Ca s pi a n, f ull l e d he rt hi r dwi s h.

Het r e a t e dhe rt hes a mea shet r e a t e de v e r y onee l s e .

Unf or t una t e l y , heha df a l l e ni nl ov e wi t hS a ha r awhi l edoi ngs o .

Ca s pi a nkne wt ha thec oul dne v e rt e l lS a ha r ahowhef e l t , f ors hewoul d c e r t a i nl ybes c a r e da wa y .

Ca s pi a ndi dnotknowt ha tS a ha r af e l tt hes a mewa y , a ndt ha ts he , t oo , wa ss c a r e d ofa dmi t t i nghe rf e e l i ng s .

Onee v e ni ng , S a ha r awa ss i t t i ngont heda mpe a r t hwi t hCa s pi a n, wa t c hi ngt hes uns e t . er e ds unmi x e d wi t ht hepur pl es kyi nawa yt ha tt ookhe rbr e a t ha wa y . “ Whe r edoy out hi nkt hes ung oe sa e ri tl e a v e sours ky ? ”S a ha r aa s k e dCa s pi a nwi t houtl ooki nga wa y f r om t hes pe c t a c l e .

Ca s pi a nl ook e dov e ra tS a ha r as qui nt i nga tt hes ky .

He rl ongbr ownha i rwa sme s s y f r om t hes t r ongbr e e z e .

5 5

“ Idon ’ tknow, ”hebr e a t he d.

Ca s pi a n ’ sbr owne y e si c k e r e dov e rt ot hes un. “ Pr oba bl ys ome whe r ebe t t e rt ha nhe r e , ”s hes i g he d.

I nt hedi s t a nc e , Ca s pi a n ’ smot he rc a l l e df orhi m.

He rs hr i l lv oi c ee c hoe dt hr oug houtt hec l e a r i ng , c a us i ngbi r dst o youtoft het r e e si nar us h. “ Iha v et og o .

Goodni g ht , S a ha r a , ”Ca s pi a ns a i d, hopi ngt ha ts hewoul da tl e a s tg l a nc ei nhi sdi r e c t i on. “ Ye a h.

Ma y beI ’ l ls e ey out omor r ow, ”S a ha r aa ns we r e d, t r y i ngt os e e mc a r e f r e e . “ Ye a h, ma y be , ”Ca s pi a nmut t e r e d.

Het r udg e doffi nt ot hes ha dows , t r y i ngt os ounda sme l a nc hol ya s pos s i bl ei nt hehope st ha tS a ha r awoul dc a l la e rhi m.

S hedi dn ’ t .

Howe v e r , a shi sba c kwa st ur ne d, S a ha r awa t c he dhi sf r a mee nt e ri nt ot hef or e s t .

S hes i g he d a ndf e l tdi s a ppoi nt me ntt ugonhe rhe a r t .

S a ha r a , s het houg htt ohe r s e l f , howa r ey ous uppos e dt oe x pl or e t hewor l dwhe ny oua r et oone r v oust ot e l laboyt ha ty oul i k ehi m?

S a ha r ak e pta dmi r i ngt hes uns e tunt i lt hes uns l i ppe dunde rt hehor i z ona ndt hebur ni ngs t a r se me r g e d i napur pl es ky .

S hewonde r e dhowl ongi twoul dt a k es ome onet oc l i mbupt ot he ma ndbr i ngonedownt o Ea r t h.

AsS a ha r at r i e dt oma k eoutt hec ons t e l l a t i ons , s hehe a r df oot s t e psbe hi nghe r . “ Mot he rIwi l lbet he r es oon!It hi nkt ha tIj us tf ounda ”S a ha r ac a l l e douta ndt ur ne da r ound, s hoc k e d t ha tt hef oot s t e psdi dnotbe l ongt ohe rmot he r .

S t a ndi ngbe f or ehe rwa sabe a ut i f ulg i r l .

He rg ol de nha i r c a s c a de dov e rhe rs l i ms houl de r si nl oos ec ur l s . eg i r l ’ se y e swe r eav e r yc l e a rs ha deofbr ownt ha tc a ug ht l i g htwhe nt he ymov e d. emos ta ma z i ngt hi nga boutt heg i r l , howe v e r , wa st ha ts hewa swe a r i ngadr e s s t ha tl ook e da si fi twe r eon r e . “ He l l o , t he r e , ”t heg i r ls mi l e d.

He rs t a r eg a v eS a ha r as hi v e r s . “ Whoa r ey ou? ”S a ha r as put t e r e d.

S hedi dnotme a nt os oundr ude , buts hewa sv e r yf r i g ht e ne d. eg i r l s l owl ys t r odeov e rt oS a ha r a . “ Myna mei snoti mpor t a nt , buty ouma yc a l lmeBl a i s e .

Ine e dy ourhe l p, ”Bl a i s es a tdownbe s i deS a ha r a a nds t a r e dupi nt ot hes t a r r ys ky . “ Wi t hwha t ? ”S a ha r aa ns we r e d.

Bl a i s ef r owne dal i t t l ebi t , butqui c kl yr e g a i ne dhe rc ompos ur e . “ Yourf r i e nd, Ca s pi a n, i st hes onofav e r yol de ne myofmi ne .

Ane ne myt ha tha sde s t r oy e dmet i mea nd t i mea g a i n.

Ca s pi a ni st heonl ywa yt ha tIc a n na l l yg e tmyr e v e ng eonhi m.

Iwi l lc a us ehi m mor epa i n a nds uffe r i ngt ha nhedi dt ome . ” S a ha r a ’ se y e swi de ne d.

Howc oul da ny bodywa ntt ohur tCa s pi a n?Hi sf a t he rha ddi e dwhe nhewa s v e r yy oung , a nde v e rs i nc et he n, heha st a k e nc a r eofbot hhi ms e l fa ndhi smot he r .

S a ha r akne wnot hi ng ofCa s pi a n ’ sf a t he r , e x c e ptt ha thi sna mewa sPos e i dona ndt ha thedi e da ts e a . “ Whydoy oune e dmyhe l p? ”S a ha r aa s k e d. “ Be c a us e , S a ha r a , het r us t sy ou, ”Bl a i s es a i ds e r i ous l y . “ Youmus the l pmet ode s t r oyhi m. ” S a ha r a ’ ss t oma c hdr oppe d.

Wha t ?Ic a nne v e rhur tCa s pi a n.

Ic a r ef orhi mt oomuc h.

Ma y beIc a ng e t hi ma wa yf r om he rbe f or es hec a ndoa ny t hi ngt ohi mS a ha r at houg ht . “ Al r i g ht , ”s hel i e d, “ Iwi l lhe l py ou. ” Bl a i s es mi r k e da ndbe g a nt owa l ki nt ot hede ns et r e e l i ne . “ Gog e thi ma ndbr i nghi m he r e .

Donott e l l hi ma ny t hi nga boutme . ” S a ha r ar a ni nt ot het r e e s .

He rhe a r tpounde di nhe rc he s ta nds hef e l ta si fs hewa sg oi ngt of a i nt .

S he kne wt ha ti fs hef a i l e d, Ca s pi a nc oul dbeg onef or e v e r .

S het r udg e dt hr oug ht hemuddyunde r g r owt h, br e a t hi ngi nt hes wa mpys me l l .

Whe ns he na l l ya ppr oa c he dt hel i t t l ev i l l a g e , s her a ns t r a i g hti nt o Ca s pi a n ’ shous e .

I twa sas ma l lbui l di ngwi t hf r os t yg l a s swi ndowsa ndat ha t c he dr oof .

Hea ndhi smot he r

5 6

we r es i t t i nga tt he i rwoode ndi nne rt a bl e , c ons umi ngs omet y peofs oupi nt he r e l i g ht .

Ca s pi a n ’ sl i t t l e br ot he r ss a tont he oorpl a y i ngwi t hwoode nbl oc ks .

S a ha r ar e me mbe r e dbe i ngl i t t l ea ndpl a y i ngwi t h t hos es a mebl oc ksonCa s pi a n ’ s oor . “ Ca s pi a n! ”S hepa nt e d. “ Run!e r ei ss ome bodyt r y i ngt ohur ty oua ndy ouha v et og e ta wa y ! ”S he poi nt e di nt hedi r e c t i onoppos i t eofwhe r es hec a me .

Ca s pi a ns a tupal i t t l es t r a i g ht e r .

Ma y bei fI g ht t hi spe r s onoff, t he nIc a n na l l yma k eS a ha r af a l li nl ov ewi t hme , Ca s pi a nt houg ht .

Hes t oodupa ndr a n i nt hedi r e c t i ont ha tS a ha r aha dj us tc omef r om. “ Wha t ?No , Ca s pi a n!a t ’ st hewr ongwa y !S t op! ”S a ha r ac ha s e da e rhi m, s we a tt r i c kl i ngdownt he s ma l lofhe rba c k.

S het r i e dt og r a bt heba c kofhi ss hi r tbuthewa sf a s t e rt ha ns hewa s .

S a ha r ac a ug hthe r s l e e v eonat r e ebr a nc ha ndi tr i ppe d.

Di r ta nds c r a t c he sc ov e r e dhe rf a c ea nda r msf r om g oi ngt hr oug h t hef or e s ts oma nyt i me s .

Ca s pi a nr a na l lt hewa yt ot hec l e a r i ngwhe r ehea ndS a ha r awe r ee a r l i e r . or nss c r a pe dhi sa nkl e s a ndbur r sc a ug hti nhi ss hi r t .

S ome whe r ei nt hef or e s t , het r i ppe donar oc ka ndhi thi skne e , butt ha t s e e me dl i k eas ma l lpr i c et opa yf orS a ha r a ’ she a r t . “ Whoi she r e ?I t ’ sme , Ca s pi a n, ”Ca s pi a ny e l l e d, hi sv oi c ee c hoi ngoffi nt ot hedi s t a nc e .

Cr i ms onbl ood t r i c kl e ddownhi sl e l e g .

S udde nl yabe a ut i f ulwoma na ppe a r e doutoft het r e e s .

S heg l a r e da thi m.

Ca s pi a ng a s pe d.

Wa st hi st hepe r s ont ha tS a ha r as pok eof ?Het houg htt ha ts hel ook e dt ooi nnoc e ntt o hur thi m.

Hec oul dg hthe roffe a s i l yi fhene e de dt o . “ Whoa r ey ou? ”Ca s pi a ns a i d.

I ns t e a dofa ns we r i ng , t hewoma nbe g a nt owhi s pe r .

He a r tf ul lofpa i n Not hi ngl e t ol os e Wi t ht hi sr e v e ng eIg a i n As e ns eofr e l i e fIc a nnotr e f us e S udde nl y , Ca s pi a n ’ she a r tbe g a nt or a c e .

Hi sbodybe g a nt oc r umpl eupont heg r ounda ndhef e l tt he wor s tpa i nt ha theha de v e ri ma g i ne dwa spos s i bl e .

Hi she a dt hr obbe da ndhef e l ta si ft hous a ndsofpe opl e we r es t a bbi nghi m wi t hda g g e r s .

Hes c r e a me di na g ony . “ i si sonl yas a mpl eoft hepa i nt ha ty ourf a mi l yha sc a us e dme , ”Bl a i s es mi r k e d.

S hewa l k e dov e r t oCa s pi a nwr i t hi ngont heg r ounda ndki c k e dhi mi nt hef a c e . “ Ca s pi a n! ”S c r e e c he dS a ha r a .

S he na l l ya r r i v e da tt hec l e a r i ng .

S a ha r ar a nupt oCa s pi a na nds a w hi sbl oods hote y e ss t a r i ngba c ka the r , a l mos te mpt y .

Bl a i s ef r owne d. “ S ur e l yy oudonotf e e ls y mpa t hyf orhi m, ”s hes pa t .

S a ha r as a i dnot hi ng . “ Is e e , ”Bl a i s es a i d.

S het he nr e c i t e da not he rc ha nt .

Ane y ef ora ne y e At oot hf orat oot h Ma yy ous uffe rhe r eunde rt heni g hts ky Ma yt hi st a k ea wa yy oury out h Ca s pi a n ’ ss c r e a msonl yi nc r e a s e d.

Hi ss ki nnowbur ne dr e dunde r ne a t ht hes ky .

Hes e e me da st houg h hewa son r e , howe v e rt he r ewe r eno a me s .

Ev e r y t hi ngs e e me dda r k e rnowt oS a ha r a . et wi nkl i ng s t a r sa ppe a r e dt obel a ug hi nga the r , t her us t l i ngoft hel e a v e si nt hef or e s twe r ema ki ngf unoft hes i t ua t i on.

5 7

AsCa s pi a n ’ sa g onyonl ys e e me dt obeg e t t i ngwor s e , S a ha r abe g a nt oc r y .

At r s t , s het r i e dt oc hok ehe r t e a r sba c k.

Ae ra l l , s hedi dnotwa ntBl a i s et obea nya ng r i e rt ha ns hea l r e a dywa s .

Ae raf e wmi nut e s , howe v e r , S a ha r ac oul dnol ong e rhol dba c k.

S hebe g a ns obbi ng .

I nt ha tmome nt , s hef e l ts ohe l pl e s s .

Wha t i fhedi e sa ndIne v e rt e l lhi mt ha tIl ov ehi m?Bl a i s ebe g a na not he rc ha nt : Youha v es uffe r e df oras hor tt i me Butt ha ts uffe r i ngwa sonc emi ne Howy ourwoundswi l lhe a l Onl yt i mewi l lt e l l Butf ornow Gobur ni nhe Bl a i s ene v e r ni s he dt hec ha nt , be c a us ebe f or es hec oul d, S a ha r aj umpe di nf r ontofCa s pi a n.

He rl ov e f orhi mr e bounde dt hes pe l li nt oBl a i s e , a nds hebe g a nt os c r e a m. “ Wha tha v ey oudone ? ”Bl a i s es c r e a me da ss hebe g a nt owa s t ea wa y .

He rg ol de nha i rf e l loffi nc l umps a ndhe rs ki nbe g a nt ope e la wa yi nl a r g ea mount s .

S hewa son r e .

S a ha r af e l ta si ft he r ewe r ekni v e si n e v e r ypa r tofhe rbody .

S het houg htt ha ts hewa son r e , howe v e rs hes a wt ha ts hewa snot .

Bl a i s ec r umbl e d i nt os a nd, e nv e l opi ngt hel a nds c a pea r oundhe ri nt oaba r r e nwa s t e l a nd. e r ewa snor e mna ntt ha tBl a i s e wa se v e rt he r e , e x c e ptf ort hene wl a nds c a pe .

Abr i g htbutc ol or l e s ss unbe a tdownont het wo , a ndt he r e we r enol ong e rc l oudsi nt hepa l ebl ues ky . “ Whydi dy oudot ha t ? ”Ca s pi a nwa sc r y i ng .

Hedi dnotf e e la nyphy s i c a lpa i na ny mor e , buts e e i ng S a ha r ai ns uc hade v a s t a t i ngs t a t ewa spa i nf ulf orhi m.

Ca s pi a nhe l dS a ha r a ’ she a di nhi sl a p, c ombi ng hi s ng e r st hr oug hhe rs oha i r , doi nga ny t hi nghec oul dt oc omf or the r . “ Be c a us e , ”S a ha r awhi s pe r e dt hr oug ht hepa i n, “ Il ov ey ou. ”Te a r ss l i ppe doutofhe rnowdul lbl uee y e s .

S a ha r awa st ol i v ef ora ne t e r ni t yi na g ony . eba r r e nwa s t e l a nda r oundhe rbe c a meknowna st he S a ha r ade s e r t , be c a us es hes a c r ic e dhe r s e l ff orl ov e .

Ca s pi a nne v e rl e S a ha r a ’ ss i de , a ndhi shopef or t he i rf ut ur et og e t he rbe c a mema ni f e s t e di nmi r a g e s , a l wa y st he r ey e tnotqui t e . eS a ha r aDe s e r ti ss t i l lt he r et oda y , a ndi fy oupa yv e r yc l os ea t t e nt i on, y ouc a ns t i l lf e e lt hec ool br e e z eoft her a i nf or e s tony ourf a c e .

5 8

Ame r i ka J oy c eHi da Ame r i ka Gr a ndpas a y si nAme r i c at he ydon' tdr i nkc offe e t hewa yt he ys houl d.

Hel i k e si tbl a c k, wi t hac e r t a i nt wa ng t oi t , t her hy t hm oft hes a uc e rhi t t i ng t hel i nol e um c ount e r whe r ehes i t swi t hhi s f r i e nds . e i rc upsc l i nk a ndi ts oundsl i k et hewa yhepr onounc e s Ame r i ka , br ok e n a ndt hi c k a ndl oud a nduna f r a i d.

Gr a ndpaa ndc ompa nya r er e g ul a r s .

Bodi e sofwi s dom a ndg r a nde ur , s mok ea nds t r i f e , l e a ni ngont he i rs y l l a bl e sl i k ec r ut c he s whi l eor de r i ng " Coffe e , y e s .

Coffe e " Her ie st hr oug hhi swa l l e t , Pa y swi t hc r i nkl e ddol l a r se a r ne df r om t a ki ngoutt het r a s ha tt hehous eofGod, a shi sc ompa nyhunc he sov e rt a gs a l edomi noe s , Ne wme nmol de df r om t i mebe a t i ngme r c i l e s s l y uponf or e i g ns hor e s .

Ra v i nga bout t hec offe e , a nd t hemone y , a nd t he i rr e i nc a r na t i oni nAme r i c a— i nAme r i ka Whe r et he ya r ebr ok e n a ndt hi c k a ndl oud a nduna f r a i d.

5 9

Ar tb yJ e s s i c aS h e e l y

Re t e nt i on J a r odWe r ne r Pe a r lne c kl a c e sr e a l l ya r ebe a ut i f ult hi ng s .

Lus t r ousor bss t r ungt og e t he r , al i t t l el i g hts hi ni ngoffoft he m.

Ev e nt hef a k eone spos s e s squi t eabe a ut y . a t ’ swha tIs a w: af a k e , s l i g ht l ydi r t ype a r lne c kl a c e .

I twa sj us t l i k et heoneMe l a ni eus e dt owe a r .

I tl ook e ds opr e t t yonhe r . * * * I nmyl i v i ngr oom, t hes we e ts oundsofNa tKi ngCol e ’ s“ Da r l i ng , J eVousAi meBe a uc oup ”dr i e d t hr oug ht hea i r .

S heda nc e dwi t hme .

S hewa samuc hbe t t e rda nc e r .

It ol dhe rt ha ta nds hel a ug he d. “ You’ r ec omi nga l ong , ”s hewhi s pe r e dwi t has mi l e .

S hewor eape a r lne c kl a c e .

I tl ook e dg oodwi t hhe rda r kr e ddr e s s .

Ide c i de dt oki s she r .

Iwa s n ’ tg oi ng t ol e the rg e ta wa y . * * * Iwa si nGr a ndCe nt r a lTe r mi na l , wa i t i ngf ort he7 : 0 4t r a i nt ot a k emeba c kt oConne c t i c ut .

Iha dg ot t e n aj obhe l pi ngouti nt hej e we l r ydi s t r i c t , j us ts ome t hi ngt opa yt hebi l l sunt i ls ome t hi ngbe t t e rc a meup.

A di s t r a c t i on, ba s i c a l l y .

Il ook e da r ound. ec l oc ki nt hemi ddl eoft her oom g l i s t e ne dwi t ht hel i g htoft he f a k es t a r sa bov e .

Pe opl e ’ sv oi c e sha da dopt e da ne c hoe yqua l i t yi nt heope ns pa c e .

Whi l eIwa swa l ki ngt ot hedi ni ngc onc our s edowns t a i r s , Inot i c e dat i c k e tl y i ngont heg r ound.

I twa s t oBos t onS out hS t a t i on. es t r a ng et hi ngwa s , t r a i nsf r om Gr a ndCe nt r a ldon ’ tg ot oBos t on.

Iwonde r e d howi tg ott he r e .Me l a ni eus e dt ol ov eBos t on. * * * Wewe r ewa l ki ngt hr oug ht hehi s t or i cc i t y , r i g htov e rt heCha r l e sRi v e r . “ I s n ’ ti tbe a ut i f ul ? ”s hea s k e d. “ I ts ur ei s , ”Is a i d.

Is l i ppe dmya r ma r oundhe ra ndpul l e dhe rc l os e . “ He y , l e tg oabi t , ”s heg i g g l e d. “ Ic a nba r e l ywa l k. ” “ I ’ mj us tma ki ngs ur ey oudon ’ tbl owa wa yors ome t hi ng . ” Is l i ppe dmyha ndi nt ohe r s .

S hewa ss oopt i mi s t i ca boutt hewor l d.

Ikne wt ha tIc oul dn ’ tl e the rg e t a wa y . * * * Iha dt we nt ymi nut e sunt i lmyt r a i nwoul dbehur t l i ngba c kt oNe wHa v e n.

Fr om t he r eIwoul ddr i v e myc a rba c kt oWi l l i ma nt i c , whe r emys i l e nthomewoul dbewa i t i ngf orme , s os t i l lf ort hepa s tf e wy e a r s .

Buta tt ha tmome ntIwa si nt hehus t l ea ndbus t l eofGr a ndCe nt r a lS t a t i on, l oc k e di nt hec l ut c he sof Ma nha t t a n.

Ir e a l i z e dt ha tIha dn ’ tha da ny t hi ngt oe a ts i nc ebr e a kf a s t .

Ig otas l i c eofc he e s e c a k ef r om J uni or ’ si nt hedi ni ngc onc our s e , we ntba c kups t a i r s , a ndhe a de dt omy pl a t f or m. et r a i nwa swa i t i ngwi t h e e nmi nut e sunt i lde pa r t ur e .

6 2

* * * “ Wha tt hehe l li swr ongwi t hy ou? ”s hea s k e dmes ha r pl y .

Ourt r a i nha ds t a r t e dmov i ng v emi nut e sbe f or e .

Weha dac a rmos t l yt oour s e l v e s , a nds hewa si na ba dmood. “ Youk e ptpul l i ngmea wa yf r om whe r e v e rIwa nt e dt og o .

Youe v e ng otma da tmef ort a l ki ngt oour wa i t e rf ort ool ong . ” “ Iwa sr i g htt he r e .

Youc oul d’ v et a l k e dt ome , ”Imumbl e d.

It r i e dt oputmya r ma r oundhe rbuts he pus he dmea wa y . “ Le a v emea l one . ” Wewe r es i l e ntf oramome ntbe f or eIs pok e . “ Pr omi s emey ouwon ’ tl e a v eme .

Pl e a s e . ” S heg l a r e da tmea nds t or me doffi nt oa not he rc a r .

Not hi ngc oul d’ v epr e pa r e dmef ort hi s .

Ic oul dn ’ t e v e nhol dont ohe rnow.

Iwa sl e t t i nghe rg e ta wa y . * * * Iboa r de dt het r a i n, t i r e doft he s eme mor i e s .

Ine e de dag oodni g ht ’ ss l e e p.

Me l a ni ewa sg one .

Wha tal os s .

Ev e r y t hi ngIha v eofhe r si st a r ni s he dwi t hme mor y , e v e nhe rpe a r l ne c kl a c e .

I twa ss t a i ne dda r kr e dwi t hbl ood.But , t r ut hbet ol d, a tl e a s tIdi dn ’ tl e the rg e ta wa y .

Ar tb yTa b a t h aKa r l o wi c z

6 3

eS pe e c hIRe a l l yWa ntt oGi v e Che l s e aCha t t e r t on De a rCl a s sof2 0 1 7 , Asy ourv a l e di c t or i a n myi ns t r uc t i onswi l lbet oi mpa r ts ome na lt houg ht sonourf oury e a r she r e ; he r e ’ swha tIr e a l l ywa ntt ot e l ly oua boutmyhi g hs c hoole x pe r i e nc e .

I ' v el e a r ne dt ha tha r dwor kg e t sr e s ul t s .

I ' v el e a r ne dt ha tde di c a t i ont ope r f e c t i oni st heonl ywa yt oc omec l os et oi t .

I ' v el e a r ne dt ha tt oov e ra c hi e v ei st or e a c ht heg oa l .

I ' v el e a r ne dt ot r e a s ur eTV. I ' v el e a r ne dt ous eme a l sa sabr e a k.

I ' v el e a r ne dt hebodyc a nbes or ef r om mov i ngha r dl ya ta l l whi l et heha ndi sa na ppe nda g eI ' ds oone rt e a rofft ha nwr i t ea not he rwor dwi t h.

I ' v ef e l tt heg l a r eofe y e st ha twa nty oui nbe d.

I ' v ehe a r dt hev oi c e st e l l i ngmet os t op.

I ' v el e a r ne dt o ni s hwhe nI ' m done , notwhe nI ' mt i r e d.

I ' v el e a r ne dhowmyda dl oc ksupt hehous e .

I ' v ehe a r dmymot he rs t i r r i ng , g r a s pi ngf oras l e e pt ha twi l lbeune a s yknowi nghe rda ug ht e r ’ ss t i l la wa k e .

I ' v es e e nt hehous ewhe r et heonl yl i g hti swha tIi g ni t e .

I ' v ebe e nt heonl yc r e a t ur es t i r r i ng , myf oot s t e psac ommot i onofs oundi nas e aofs i l e nc e .

Myl i f eha sbe e nf or e v e rc ha ng e d.

Ane x t r a c ur r i c ul a ri snol ong e rj us tas our c eofj oy , orl i neonar e s ume , butame t hodofs t a y i ngs a ne , as ol eoppor t uni t yt oe nj oyas oc i a ll i f e .

Iha v eabodyt ha t ' sbe e nbr ok e n.

Ami ndt ha tc a n' twor kwi t hami nut el e s ss l e e p.

Abodyt ha ta c he sf r om hour sofs i t t i ng .

Ami ndt ha tg r owswe a r ywi t he a c ha s s i g nme nt .

Ahe a r tt ha t ' se x ha us t e d.

Ev e r y da yi sama r a t honunt i lIc ol l a ps eonl yt or i s ea ndr e pe a t .

6 3

Al lt he s epi e c e sa r el oos e l yhe l dt og e t he rbyv a l ue s , g oa l s , a mbi t i on, de di c a t i on, a ndl ov ea ndpa s s i on t ha ts ome howonc es t a r t e di ta l l . î ˘es t r i ng sa r ec omi ngundone , l oos e rwi t he v e r yt ug .

It a k el i f eoneda ya tat i me a ndi fIhol donj us tal i t t l ewhi l el ong e r t he nIwi l lg e tt og i v eani c el i t t l es pe e c h, buti twon' tbet hi sone .

6 4

IV L i g h t e r si g n i t es a t i r e l e a v i n gs c o r c h e ds y n t a xb e h i n d l y r i c sa r es i l e n c e d .

Ec c e de nt e s i a s t S a ma nt haGony e a u

Howma nypi l l sha shet a k e n? c or dwr a ppe da r oundhi sne c k, S t a ndi ngont hee dg eoft hec ha i r ones t e pa ndi ti sdone . “ DAD” Hel ook e dha ppi e rt ha nheha di nmont hs .

Wea t ei c ec r e a m be f or edi nne r het ol dmenott ot e l lMom Amus t a c heofi c ec r e a m hov e r e dag e nui nes mi l e .

Hewa ss mi l i ng , notj us twi t hhi smout hbuthi swhol ef a c e Ic oul dj us tt e l l , t hewa yhi se y e smor phe di nc r e s c e ntmoons , a ndt he r ewa s n ’ ta nypa i n.

Is we a r , hel ook e dha ppy , buthewa s n ’ t . “ Da d… Il ov ey ou. ” Hea dopt e dane wdog .

Hel ov e dt hene wdoga l mos tmor et ha nhel ov e dme .

Ax e lma dehi m ha ppy .

Hes mi l e dbi g g e rt ha nheha di nmont hs .

It houg htAx e lha dhe l pe dhi m.

Hewa shi ms e l fa g a i n.

Wha tIdi dn ’ tr e a l i z ewa st ha t‘ hi ms e l f ’ wa s n ’ tha ppy . ‘ Hi ms e l f ’ wa swhe nhewa shi g hondr ug s , whe ne v e r y t hi ngi nhi swor l dwa s n ’ tr e a l a ndhec oul dn ’ tma k emi s t a k e s .

Whe nt he r ewe r e n ’ tc ons e que nc e s f ordoi ngs ome t hi nghes houl dn ’ t .

Wha thedi dn ’ tr e a l i z ewa st ha t s omet hi ng sc a nne v e rber e pa i r e dorf or g i v e n, a ndt ha tt hi ss t r a i ns t r e t c he swi dea c r os sa l lourf a c e s i nt os mi l e st ha tnol ong e rhi deourpa i n.

6 7

Ne v e rS a i dEnoug h By , Emi l yFi s he r Br ot he r , i si smya dmi s s i ont og ui l t .

I ts e e msl i k ey ouha v ebe e na pol og i z i ngf ory ouroner us he dde c i s i onf orwha ts e e msl i k ef or e v e r , a ndnooneha sbe e na pol og i z i ngt oy ou, s oI ' ms or r y .

I ' ms or r yf ora l lt heha r s hwor dsweha v ee x c ha ng e d I ' ms or r yf orne v e rs t a ndi ngupf ory oui ny oura r g ume nt swi t hMom I ' ms or r yf ors oma nyt hi ng s .

Mos t l yt houg h, I ' ms or r yy ouf e l ty ourl i f ewa swor t hmor ea same mor y a ndI ' ms or r yy ouf e l tne v e rs e e i ngusa g a i nwa se a s i e rt he nha v i ngt ol ooka ty our s e l f .

Iknowt hepr e s s ur e sy ouwe r eunde ra thomes e e me dunbe a r a bl ea tt het i mea ndme nt a lhe a l t h doe s n' ta l wa y sc ome r s ti nourf a mi l y , buty ouha v ema dee v e r y ones opr ouda ndI ' ms or r ywedon' ts a yi te noug h.

I thur tc omi ngf r om my r s tda yofhi g hs c hools t i l lmi s s i ngapa r tofmyf a mi l y , butIknowwha t e v e rpa i nIwa sf e e l i ngwa smi ni s c ul ei nc ompa r i s on.

S i nc ey out r i e dt ope r ma ne nt l ye ndy ours uffe r i ng mys umme rwa sl l e dwi t hda y soft r y i ngt og e tMom t os t opc r y i ng , da y sof ndi ngi tha r dt ope e lmye y e sofft hewa l lt ot a k ec a r eofmy s e l f , butbe c a us ey oua s k e d, y e s , t hec a t sa r eg ood, a ndy e s , Da dknowsy oul ov ehi m, a ndde s pi t ehi m nots a y i ngi toe n, hel ov e sy out oo .

Youwe r ehi sr s tbor ns ona e ra l l .

Don' tt e l la ny one , butIs a whi she a r ts ha t t e rwhe nhef oundout , he ' dne v e ra dmi ti tt houg h.

I s n' ti ts a dt ot hi nkt ha ti fy ouki l l e dy our s e l f , Iwoul ds t i l lbeha unt e dbyt hei de at ha tIc oul dha v edones ome t hi ngdi ffe r e nt l ya ndr e v e r s e dy our t houg htpr oc e s s ?

Youknow, Mom a l wa y ss a y sIs houl dc a l ly ou, t ha ty ou' dl ov et ohe a rf r om me . butIdon' tknowi fi t ' sbe c a us eIg otol de ra ndIg otbus i e r ori fi t ' sbe c a us eI ' ma f r a i dt hel a s twor dsI ' l le v e rhe a ry ous a yi s “ Le a v eame s s a g e ” Lov ey ou.

Al wa y s .

P .

S .

I ' ms or r yi t ' sne v e rs a i de noug h.

6 8

Luc iDe l l aCi t t à By , Ki m Mc Gui r e I twa sl i k e Tus c a nyl i g ht s ont he r s tni g hti tr a i ne d.

I tc a medowni ns he e t s , a nds heha dt ol dhi ms hewoul dbes ome t hi ngmor e t ha nwha tha dc omes e r v e donapl a t e .

S i ng l e t hr e a de d s i l k J a pa ne s epr i nt sc a r v e dons t a l ewood t oool dt or e me mbe r .

S her e me mbe r e dwhe nhes a i dhewoul df or g e t , a ndpr e t e ndl i k ehec a r e d.

S os hel e .

S hel e .

S hel e f oot s t e pi mpr i nt sonol dc a r pe tr ug s a nd l e t t e rope ne r sl e ha ng i ngont r i m mol d ni s he s .

Toool dt or e me mbe r .

Tooy oungt og i v eup.

S hes a wf a c e si nt hev a s e s t ha tl ook e dal i t t l ebi tt oomuc hl i k ehi m.

S os hewr ot et hepa i na wa yi nmi r r or s pa i nt e dox bl oodhue s , a ndt ol dhi ms hewa sl e a v i ng .

S hel e  e v e r y t hi ng be hi nd.

S hel e me mor i e sofpi c ki ngg r a pe soffoft e l e phonev i ne s , he rmot he rwhi s pe r i ngl ov el i k ei ts hewa sme a ntt obes ome body .

6 9

S hes a i d, “ I ’ m home , ” i nFl or e nc es t or ms , a ndwa v e st ha tc oul ds wa l l owwha t e v e rs he t houg hts hewa sf e e l i ng .

S hewa nt e di tt o .

Ands hes a i ds hewa sl e a v i ng .

S os hel e .

Andwhe ns hec a met o  ePr i v a t ePa pe r sofHe nr yRy e c r owa s s t i l lpl a c e dpr e c a r i ous l yoni v or ys t onet a bl e s , I tha dbe e nt ool ongt or e me mbe r .

S hedi dn ’ tc hoos et hi swor l d, buti twa st heones hef oundhe r s e l fi n, a nds hes a i d, “ I ’ m home . ” Andi twa st oos oont of or g e t .

7 0

eEndofS ome t hi ngt ha tNe v e rBe g a n Rohe nnaKha n S hes a tt he r emot i onl e s s , t hel i f ebe i ngs uc k e doutofhe r .

Hes t oodt he r ewa t c hi nghe rde c a y . e ybot hkne wt he i rt i met og e t he rwa sov e r ; heha dnot hi ngt ol os e .

S hel os the r s e l fwi t hi nhi m. es i l e nc et ookov e rhe r . t he i rwor dsnol ong e rma t t e r e d hi ss i l e nc ea t ehe ra wa y s heha dn ’ tnot i c e dhe r s e l ff a di nga wa y .

Ma y bei twa swhe nhet ol dhe rt ol e a v e , whe nhet ol dhe rs hewa sde a dt ohi m orwhe nhenol ong e rt houg hts hewa sbe a ut i f ul .

He re y e swe r eda r k e ne d he rt ouc hs ol i f e l e s s t hes mi l enol ong e re x i s t e d he rs t a r ee v e r l a s t i ng .

S hewa t c he dhi mf orar e s pons e .

Hewa i t e df orhe rt ol e a v e .

S hes t i l l s a tt he r edy i ng a ndhewa t c he dhe rpa t i e nt l y .

7 1

Ar tb yS a n d yLe

Ar tb yAn o n y mo u s

Ov e ra ndOv e rAg a i n By , El i z a be t hChe w J a me s Hec oul dnol ong e rr e me mbe rat i mewhe r ehi sbodydi dnotde ma ndt hec ons t a nti nha l ea nde x ha l eof c i g a r e t t e sa ndwe e d. epr i c koft hene e dl ei nhi sf or e a r mf r om bl a c kma r k e tdr ug sma dehi mf e e lc ompl e t e .

Hewa nt e dt of e e la ny t hi nga ta l lbe c a us eheha dbe e nr unni nga wa yf r om wha tha dk e pthi m l l e dwi t h s ome t hi ngot he rt ha nc ompl e t enumbne s s .

I tha dbe e nac ons t a nts t r ug g l eg e t t i ngoutofbe di nt hemor ni ng s wi t houtGr a c e ’ swa r mt hbe s i dehi m, a ndknowi ngt ha ts hedi dnotwa nthi m wi t hhe ra ny mor ema dei te v e n wor s e .

Whe nheg otoutofbe dt hes kywa sac l oudyg r a y , buti tdi dnotma t t e r .

Hewoul donl yda r k e ni te v e nmor e wi t he v e r ypuffofs mok er e l e a s e df r om hi sl i ps , ki l l i nghi ms e l fs l owl y , pos s i bl ydoi ngt hes a met oapa s s e r by .

I twa sas or toft or t ur et ol i v et e nmi nut e sa wa yf r om he r , buthene e de de v e r younc et ha twa sg i v e n.

Ev e r y t hi ngt ha tha dha ppe ne dbe t we e nt het wowa se nt i r e l yhi sf a ul ta ndnowwa st het i met ol e the rl i v e ha ppi l y . a twa sa l lhee v e rwa nt e df orhe r , t obeha ppy , a ndt ha twa swhyhel e .

Le a ni nga g a i ns tt hedi r t y br i c kwa l lofhi sc he a pa pa r t me nt , her e s t e dhi she a dba c ka ndl ook e dupa tt hec l ouds . e ywe r eda r ka nd r e a dyt opourr a i nf r om t he m, buthes t a y e da g a i ns tt heg r a ffit i e dwa l la ndt ooka not he rdr a ga si ts t a r t e dt o s t or m.

Gr a c e ewe i g htonhe rr i bsdi s a ppe a r e dda y sa g o , a nds hewa snowbr e a t hi nge a s i l ya ss hes a tonal oung ec ha i r t ha twa sont hede c k, s t a r i ngbl a nkl ya he a da tt hel a wnofhe ronc es ha r e dhous e .

S hek e ptag e nt l eha ndon he rpr e g na nts t oma c h, t e nde r l yr ubbi ngi nac i r c ul a rmot i on, a st houg hs hec oul ds oot hehe rba byf r om t he out s i de .

Ye t , s hea l wa y ss t a y e dhe s i t a ntwhe ndoi ngs o .

I twa sa l s ohi sba by , a nds hedi dn ’ twa ntt or e me mbe r hi m be c a us ei ta l wa y shur tt odos o .

Ev e r y t hi ngha dbe e nc he e r f ula sheus e dt oc omf or the ra ndma k es ur e e v e r y t hi ngwa soka y , butt he nhewa sonc ea g a i ni nt r oduc e dt odr ug s , a ndnows henol ong e rkne wwhe r ehe wa sa ny mor e .

I ma g e sa s he dt hr oug hhe rmi ndofme mor i e sf r om be f or e , butt hi nki nga boutt he ma l wa y s ma dehe rf e e lwor s e .

Ye t , s hewa nt e dt of e e lt ha twa ybe c a us ee v e r ype t t ya r g ume ntwa she rf a ul t .

Heha d be e ns t r ug g l i ngwi t hhi sa ddi c t i onf ors ol ong , a nds heg ott i r e dofi t .

Ev e r yt i meher e l a ps e ds hec ha s t i s e d hi mf ori twhe na l lhewa nt e dt odowa st or e c ov e r , a ndnowhewa sg one .

S hedi dn ’ te v e nha v et hebr a v e r yt o pi c kuphe rphonea ndc a l lhi m, buty e tne i t he rdi dhe .

Ha dhef or g ot t e na l la bouthe r ? “ Iknowy ourf a t he ri s n ’ the r ea ny mor e , butwewon ’ tne e dhi m, l i t t l eg i r l .

Is t i l ll ov ehi m, y ouknow.

Is t i l l t hi nkofhi me v e r y da y , butIc a n ’ ti ma g i nehedoe st hes a mea ny mor e . i si swhyI ’ l lha v et ol ov ey out wi c e a smuc h, a ndI ’ ms or r yi fi ti s n ’ te noug h, ”s hewhi s pe r e d, pi c t ur i ngnot hi ngbuthi sg e nt l epe r s ona l i t ya nd bounc yc ur l s .

S hes i g he d, c ont i nui ngt ol ooka the rba c ky a r da st hes kys t a r t e dt odr i z z l e .

S hedi dn ’ tr uni nt ot her a i n a ny mor ebe c a us et ha twa sa l wa y ss ome t hi ngs heha ddonewi t hJ a me s , butnowhewa sg onea ndt he r ewa s nol ong e rar e a s ont o .

Whe nt het hunde re r upt e d, s ha r ppa i ns owe dt hr oug hhe ra nds heg r i ppe dont ot he a r m oft hec ha i r , amome ntt ha tt ookni nemont hst oha ppe n.

7 4

J a me s I twa saf ul ldownpour , a ndi ts oa k e dhi sc l ot he sa shes t oodout s i de , t a ki ngi ta l li n: t hewa yt her a i ndr ops woul dl a ndonhi ss ki n, t hes me l la nde x c i t e me ntofi ta l l .

Heha da l wa y sbe e naf a noft hunde r s t or ms , t he na t ur eoft he mi nt he i re nt i r e t y , buthel ov e dt he me v e nmor ewhe nGr a c es a i dt he yr e mi nde dhe rofhi s pi e r c i ngbl uee y e s .

Her e me mbe r e dhe rc he s t nutha i r , a ndt hewa ys hewoul dc a r r yt hef a i nts c e ntof c i nna mononhe rs ki n.

S heus e dt oma k ehi mf e e ll i k ehewa swor t hs ome t hi ng , t ha thewa smor et ha nbe i ng t heg uywhos a nga tl oc a lc offe es hopsf ormone ybe c a us ehedr oppe doutofc ol l e g e .

I nt he i rl a s tmont hs t og e t he rs hea l wa y ss a i dhewoul dne v e ra mountt oa ny t hi ng , a nda sa l wa y ss hewa sr i g ht .

Hewa sama n he a di ngnowhe r ei ns i deofat own l l e dwi t hnot hi ng , a ndf oronc ehet r ul yf e l tt hepa r t .

Buts hewa sdi ffe r e nt , a l wa y sl ooki ngf ormor e , a l wa y sbe i ngt hebr i g htv i s i ona r yi nhi sl i f e .

Ma ki ng s ome t hi ngoutofhe r s e l fwa sape r s ona lg oa lofhe r s , a nds her ui ne di ta l lbyc hoos i nghi m outoft he s e v e nbi l l i onmor equa l ie dpe opl ei nt hewor l d.

Het houg htba c kt owhe nheus e dt obee noug hf orhe ri n at i mel os tbe t we e nt hes ma s hi ngofdi s he sa nde ndl e s sg ht s , a ndheque s t i one di fs hewa se v e rt r ul y ha ppywi t hhi m.

Lowe r i nghe rs t a nda r dsbyl ov i nghi m wa st hewor s tmi s t a k es hee v e rma de , a ndhe a l l owe di tbe c a us ehewa ss e ls h.

Le t t i ngoutas i g ha ndpul l i ngt hel i g ht e rs heha dt a k e na wa ynume r ous t i me soutofhi spoc k e t , hes e tr et ot het i nyki l l e r , i nha l i ngi t st ox i nsde s pi t et hedownpour .

Aphonec a l l i nt e r r upt e dhi sne x tdr a ga ndhedr oppe dt hec i g a r e t t e , s t a r t i ngt or unt owa r dst hel oc a lhos pi t a laf e w bl oc ksa wa y .

Gr a c e S we a tf e l ldownhe rf or e he a da ss hee ndur e da not he rc ont r a c t i on, he rmot he rnowr e t ur ni nga e rma ki ng aqui c kphonec a l lt ohol dhe rha nde nc our a g i ng l y .

S heha dbe e nwi t hs t a ndi ngi mme ns ea mount sofpa i n f ort hel a s thour , buts hec a nonl yt hi nkofhe ra ndhe rba bys t a y i ngi nt hes a mehos pi t a lheha dbe e n t r e a t e di nnume r oust i me sf orov e r dos i ng .

Re l i v i ngt hos eme mor i e sha dbe c omeat e r r i bl eha bi tofhe r s , but s hec oul dn ’ the l phe r s e l f . “ Ic a l l e dhi m, ”he rmot he rs a i ds ol y , br us hi ngba c kaf e ws t r a ndsofha i rbe hi ndhe re a r .

S hel ook e da the rmot he r , he rf a c ewe a r i ngas c owlbutt hemi x e df e e l i ng sofdr e a da nde x c i t e me nt l l e dhe r .

I tha dbe e nal i t t l eov e rni nemont hss i nc eheha dbe e ng one , a ndaf e wmont hsl ong e rt ha nt ha twhe na f r i e ndofhi si nt r oduc e dhi mt ohi sol da ddi c t i on. “ Idon ’ twa ntt os e ehi m, ”Gr a c es a i d na l l y , butr e g r e t t i ng t hef oult a s t eoft hos ewor dsa ss oona st he ye s c a pe dhe rl i ps . “ Youne e dhi m, ”he rmot he rs t a t e d, offe r i ngas y mpa t he t i cs mi l e .

S hes i g he da ndnodde d, he rha nd offe r i nghe rba byag e nt l et ouc ha ss hec ov e r e dhe rs t oma c hbe f or ea not he rc ont r a c t i onr i ppl e dt hr oug hhe r .

J a me s Runni ngt hr oug ht her a i nf ort hel a s tha l fhourha dl e hi sg ol de nbr ownc ur l swe ta ndc l i ng i ngt ohi s s ki n.

Hewa st i r e d, butheha dbe e nt i r e df ort hee nt i r e t yoft hel a s ty e a rwhe r ehewa sbe c omi ngol d, r e mi ni s c i ngi nt a t t e r e dme mor i e s .

Fa t he r e dbyami xofpi l l sa ndna r c ot i c sa ndpoi s onshedi dnotknow howt obeaf a t he rhi ms e l f .

I twa si mpos s i bl et of a c et hes i g htofGr a c e , knowi nga l lt heha r ds hi pheha d puthe rt hr oug h, buthec ont i nue dt or unf a s t e rt ha nhi st a r ni s he dl ung sc oul dt a k ehi m, a wa yf r om t he nows oa k e dc i g a r e t t el y i ngont heg r ound.

7 5

Gr a c e Te a r sc ol l e c t e di nhe re y e sa ss hehe l dhe rs ma l lba byi nhe ra r ms , buts hec oul donl ypi c t ur eJ a me sa s s hedi d.

S hewa spr a c t i c a l l yac opyofhe rf a t he r , a ndt ha tma dee v e r y t hi ngwor s eknowi ngt ha tde s pi t e he rmot he r ’ sphonec a l l , hes t i l lwoul dnotc ome . “ I t ’ sj us ty oua ndI , l i t t l eg i r l , ”s hewhi s pe r e ds ol y , “ butwe ’ l lma k ei toutt he r e .

Ipr omi s e . ” “ S hel ooksj us tl i k ehi m, ”he rmot he ra c knowl e dg e d. “ Iknow, ”s hes i g he d, “ butIc a n ’ ta ffor dt ot hi nkl i k et ha t . ” Hol di nghe rba byc l os e rt ohe rc he s ts hehe a r df oot s t e psout s i det hedoor , s t oppi ngonc es hec a ug ht s i g htofhi sbl uee y e s .

S hes t udi e dt hec ha ng e si nhi sf e a t ur e sa sheg a pe da the ra ndhi sne wba by .

Now t hi nne r , hewa swe a r i ngas l i g hts c r uff, hi sbr i g htbl uee y e sadul lc ol ora st he r ewe r emi x e sofac oba l t e t c he di n, s howi ngt hec ha ng ei nhi m.

S hewa nt e dnot hi ngmor et ha nf orhi mt owa l ki ns i de , buthes t a y e d be hi ndt hec l os e ddoor , l ooki ngs oa bs ol ut e l ybr ok e na shes t a r e da the r .

De s pi t et hef a c tt ha the re y e s s oe ne d, s i g na l l i ngt ha ts hewor dl e s s l ya pol og i z e da ndwa sbe g g i ngf orhi mt owa l ki nt ot her oom, he l ook e ddown, a wa yf r om t hee y e sheha t e da ndpul l e douthi sl i g ht e r , pr e s s i nga not he rc i g a r e t t et ohi sl i ps .

J a me s Whe nhel oc k e de y e swi t hhe ra l lhec oul df e e lwa st heg ui l t .

Pa i nc ol or e dt hos ee me r a l de y e s , a ndhe ha t e di t .

Heha t e dt hef a c tt ha thec oul dnol ong e rl ov ehe ra sheha dbe f or e , buthea l s okne wt ha ti f hee nt e r e dt her oom a l loft he i rl i v e swoul dbewor s e .

Gr i ppi ngont ot hedoor knob , hi sha nd’ sknuc kl e s s l owl yf a de df r om t he i rt a i nt e dwhi t e , qui c kl yt ur ni ngi nt oa us he dpi nkonc ehepul l e da wa y .

Ex pl or i ng t hee x pr e s s i onss hewor eonhe rf a c e , het r i e dt ode c i phe ri fs hef or g a v ehi m ornot , buts heonl yl ook e d br ok e n.

He re y e sha dme l l owe da thi m, as i g na lher e me mbe r e df r om s ol onga g ot ha ts hewa sc l os et o br e a ki ngdowna ndc r y i ng .

I ns t e a doff a c i nghe rt e a r s , het ur ne da r ounda ndpul l e douthi sl i g ht e r .

Pr e s s i ngt hec i g a r e t t et ohi sl i ps , hef or c e dhi ms e l ft of or g e the rov e ra ndov e ra g a i nwi t he v e r yi nha l eof s mok e .

7 6

Pa l i s a deAv e nue By , Chr i s t i naDi a z Wes houl d' v es pe ntmor et i mei nhe r e , i nt hene g l e c t e dki t c he nofapur e , whi t ec ol or i nt her oom i nwhi c hwewa l kpa s te a c hot he r t ous et heba t hr oom ort opoura ni c e dt e a .

Wes houl d' v ebe e naf a mi l yhe r e .

Wes houl d' v eha ddi nne rl i k emyf r i e ndsdi d, s ur r oundi ngourg l a s st a bl ewi t ha ni ns i nc e r er e c i t a t i onofGr a c e .

Ourc a twoul de a toutofhe rbowl , wec oul dma k ej ok e s .

Wes houl d' v ec ook e dmor ehe r e .

Ma y bei fIc oul ds t a ndupa nds a y , " Don' tg e tmeMc Dona l d' s , us et hes t ov e ! " t he nwewoul dc he r i s ht hi ss pa c e .

Wes houl d' v eg ot t e nt oknowe a c hot he rhe r e . " Te l lmea bouty ourda y , Da nny , a ndI ' l lt e l ly oumi ne . " " î ˘a nksf ort a ki ngmet os c hoolt oda y , br o .

Le t ' ss i tdown. " be f or ey ous uc c umbt ot heha ndsofc a nna bi s .

Wes houl d' v es pe ntmor et i mei nhe r e , i ns t e a dofol dma i la nds t a i ne dr e c e i pt st he r ewoul dbeme a l s l i k et hes t r a ng epa s t at ha tHe i dima des pe c i a lonbi r t hda y s .

Butnowt ha tki t c he nofc onv e ni e nc ei sj us tame mor y , I s n' ti t ?

7 7

Ar tb yTa b a t h aKa r l o wi c z

Re c i pe s By , J ul i aS omma Whi t e , e v e r y t hi ngi swhi t e .

Ca bi ne t s , wa l l s , t hel a c ec ur t a i nsa ndt a bl e c l ot h.

Ev e nt hef r i dg ei st hes a memi l kyhue , butdon ’ tmi s t a k ewhi t ea sbor i ngorc l e a n.

Tr us tme , i ti sf a rf r om i t .

Ca r e f ul , don ’ tt r i p, a not he rt i l eha sg onemi s s i ng . el a c er unne rs t a i ne dor a ng ef r om t ooma nyf a mi l ypa s t ani g ht s , y ouha v et os houl de rt hef r i dg ef ori tt oc l os ea l lt hewa y , butdon ’ tdoi tt ooha r d, orma g ne t sde c a de sol de rt ha nmewi l lc l a t t e rt ot he oor . ec a bi ne t s ’ pa i nti sc r a c k e dl i k emyg r a mmy ’ sha ndsa ss hewor kst hedoug h.

Longr i bbonsoff e t t uc c i nebl e nda g a i ns ts pe c kl e dc r e a mc ount e r s .

Youwi l l ndnoc ook booksi nhe rki t c he n, r e c i pe sa sol da st heI t a l i a nv i l l a g es heha i l sf r om l i v ei nhe rg r a y i ngmi nd, nott hedus t ys he l v e s .

Butmya untdoe s n ’ twa nthe rc ooki nga ny mor e , s he ’ sa f r a i dhe rkni f ewi l ls l i pwhi l ec ut t i ngt het oma t oe s , a f r a i ds he ’ l lf or g e tt ot ur nofft hes t ov e .

Ye t , s t i l lt het oma t oe sg e tc ut , a ndt hepa s t ag e t sc ook e d, but , i t ’ snott hes a me . er i bbonsofpa s t aa r es l oppy , une v e ns t r i ng s , t hes a uc edoe s n ’ tt a s t ea sf r e s h.

Pa r me s a n? er e c i pei nhe rmi ndha sa l wa y sc a l l e df ormoz z a r e l l a , s owhyc a n ’ ts her e me mbe r ?

Re me mbe ri fs hec ookst hepa s t af ort e nmi nut e sore l e v e n, r e me mbe ri fi t ’ sonet e a s poonort wo , r e me mbe ri fs het ur ne dofft hes t ov e .

S hes t r ug g l e st oe v e ns a yt hes y l l a bl e sofmyna me , s t umbl i ngov e rt he ml i k et hemi s s i ng oort i l e .

Mymom doe s n ’ tc ook, a ndmyg r a ndmaf or g ott oa s kf ort hea l f r e dor e c i pe .

He rmi ndi sf a di ng , s hei sf a di ng .

Wec a n ’ t ndt he oort i l es hene v e rr e a l i z e dwa sg one .

7 9

Fl oa t Ta y l ore r r i e n 2 4hour sa g o , Iwok eup.

Ir e me mbe ri tbe i ngaMonda y , t r a s hba r r e l sl i t t e r e dt hes t r e e t s wi ndbl e wt hr oug hmyha i ra st hebi k es pok e ss punt i r e l e s s l y .

Al t houg hi twa se a r l y , he a tf r om y e s t e r da y ’ ss unl i ng e r e di nt hea i r If e l twe i g ht l e s s .

Mymi ndwa ss ome whe r eot he rt ha nmybody Li k et ha tf e e l i ngy oug e ta t3AM a si fr e a l i t yha dn ’ thi ty e t , note v e ndunksa nds pl a s he sofpool wa t e rc oul dbr i ngmeba c kt or e a l i t y .

Is t i l l r e me mbe rha l fa s l e e pc onv e r s a t i ons , one si nwhi c hIdi dnotpa r t i c i pa t e i nf e a rofdi s t ur bi ngwhol a yne x tt ome ; i twa samome ntt oope r f e c tt ode s t r oy .

Is t i l l r e me mbe rt hos ec hl or i nes c e nt e ddr e a ms .

8 0

Ar tb yHo l l yFi s h e r

Che c k outAi s l e3 By , Me c he l l eHor e i c k S hes mi l e sa tt hec us t ome r a sheha ndshe rhi sde bi tc a r d, s c a nni ngt ov e r i f yt hepur c ha s e .

Ahe a da c hef or msbuts heg oe son.

S he ’ sna me l e s s , de s pi t et hena met a g pi nne donhe rs hi r t .

S he ’ l lonl ye v e rbeknowna sChe c k outAi s l e3 .

Ca l l us e sbe c omehe rpl a t f or m a e rs t a ndi ngf orf a rt ool ong .

AndAl e v ebe c ome st he de s s e r tt ohe rl unc h.

S he ’ sag r e a ta c t r e s s , s mi l i nge v e nwhe ns hehe a r s t hec us t ome rc a l lhe rna me s be c a us et he i rdi s c ountc ouponwa se x pi r e d.

S hec ome shomee v e r y da y , da r kc i r c l e sa r oundhe re y e s f r om t hel a c kofs l e e pa nds t r e s s , buts hema na g e st os mi l ea the rc hi l dr e n. el i g htg l a r e sa the r a nds heg l a r e sr i g htba c k, de pl or i nge v e r y t hi nga boutt hi spl a c e , buts hek e e pswor ki ng , s hene e dst hej ob .

S heha ddr e a ms , a bouta t t e ndi ngc ol l e g ea nd be c omi ngal a wy e r .

S hewa nt e dt obe c omes ome body , buts he ’ snoonehe r e .

S he ’ sr e pl a c e a bl e .

S hehe a v e sa not he rs i g h, f e e l i nghe rl ung sa c hef r om hol di nghe rbr e a t h.

S het hi nksa boutwha ts hec oul ddowi t hhe rl i f e , i t ’ sa l mos twor t hi t .

8 2