7th Grade Writing Blog

The book that I read for spring break was “a long way gone” by Ishmael Beah. This book is about a boy living in Sierra Leone at the time of the war between the army and the rebles. In the story, Ishmael, his brother and his friend leave and go to Mattru Jong to participate in a talent show there. Right after they arive at Mattru jong, war strikes.The story is about Ishmael and how he makes it through the war, and what he becomes involved with to try to stay alive, while he runs from the war. ( This is a true story)

When I first started reading this book I didn’t like it. The author described some of the things that happened so vividly that it scared me. As I read on, I became more interested in what problems were going to arise for the character.When you read this book you become sucked in. This book is well writen with lots of detail and compelling chapters that hook the reader in. I wanted to know what was going to happen and if the people were going to live or not. This is a great book if you like non fiction stories and are ok with vilence and gore. I think this is a book that young adults should read. It gives them insight on things that kids our age, all over the world, have to deal with. Things that they could hardly imagen.

Margaret hated shopping. She always had to go with her sister, who always wanted her to buy all these things that she didn’t need. Margaret loved a lot of things, but she was more concerned on her appearance inside instead of out. Margaret and Elizabeth, Margaret’s sister, were in one of Seaside’s many boutiques. It was called star child, and it was the only boutique for children besides the second-hand store, and Elizabeth wouldn’t be caught dead in there.
“Margaret, these pants are super cute, I’m putting them in your dressing room!” Elizabeth said enthusiastically. Margaret was sitting in a chair in the store, watching her sister look all of the clothes. “Margaret, how about these pants?” Elizabeth asked.
“Those ones look the same as the ones you just put in my dressing room” Margaret replied with frustration as she watched Elizabeth put them in her dressing room despite her comment.

After another ten minutes of Elizabeth loading up Margaret’s dressing room, Margaret was finally able to go in there and try all of the clothes on. As Margaret was trying on the clothes Elizabeth had picked our t for her, she was surprised how well her sister knew her, and what she would wear. Also, Elizabeth knew what Margaret needed in terms of clothes. When Elizabeth shopped, she would only buy something if she could think of at least five things to wear it with. Elizabeth did the same to Margaret. As Margaret walked out of the dressing room to model her first outfit for Elizabeth, she couldn’t help but be impressed. Elizabeth had potential.

As Margaret walked out of the store with all of her shopping bags, she knew that her mother would have the same reaction she always did after a shopping trip with Elizabeth. At first, she would be angry that Elizabeth bought her so many clothes. Then she would say that they must go through them and chose which ones she would be allowed to keep and the rest she would have to return. Then, they would go through them and Margaret would be allowed to keep all of them, since Elizabeth would have convinced her that Margaret needed every item they bought.

My name is Forrest Rump, I live in Seaside Rhode Island. I hate cows, actually I hate everyone. I’ve hated everyone ever since my beloved husband Blackwell Ichad died. Beloved Blackwell died at age 34, 31 years ago. He was trampled by a stampede of cattle. I still feel responsible for his death because the stampede was started by a cow that I had kicked (out of frustration) because the poor cow had a bumm mamory gland and would not produce enough milk. The cow was also very skittish for when I kicked her she sprinted off bringing 12 other cows with her. Then I heard a terrible scream as my beloved husband was trampled and killed. This is why I am what I am, I hate cows because of what they did. I hate children because they are incredibley churlish and lack compasion for old mean ladys whos husbands have been trampled by cows. I hate how everyone is so happy while I am so sad. I sold my cows for sewing needles. I suck out happiness from people which is why I steal little childrens toys. I hate everyone, everything and I hate the world. The years havent been good to me. I have wrinkles as deep as canyons, I have needles as sharp as knifes I have a pile of toys as high as a mountain. I have hate that go’s on for infinity.

“Annalise!  Come down for dinner!”

I groaned.  Sen always needed me at the wrong time.  I was busy.  Trying to make a strawberry tree using science was very hard but I was getting closer to the formula every day.  There was one key ingredient that I was trying to pinpoint.

“Coming!”  I could smell the meatloaf and potatoes so I ran down extra fast to get the first large serving.  After a second helping I cleared my plate and put it in the dishwasher.

“Sen, I’m going down to the lighthouse.”

“Oh no, not that old man, he is too weird”  Sen sighed. “ If you go you have an hour.  If you are not back by then I will call your folks and then the police.”

I was already out the door and in the limo.  Leonard was already waiting with the car ready to go, so we got to the lighthouse in good time.  I got out and saw Tommy and Timmy playing in the sand.  Trisha was looking for shells on the beach.  Tirley and Troy would be in bed sleeping by now, so that meant that Tre , Temba and Tristan were inside with their father, Weiger, the lighthouse keeper.

                My day begins at 7:30. I put on my white lab coat and headed out my busted wooden apartment door. I was going to work at the one place you didn’t want to work at on a Friday. I worked at the only Safeway in Seaside. This store was overcrowded by adults buying food and kids loitering looking at magazines. This job was my last on my list and it paid better then the burger joint across the street.

                I went through the cold clear doors and saw the line coming from the cashier line. I picked up my “Bob” nametag and took my place at the cashier stand. The other workers were already at work and gave me glaring looks for being late. I was known as the most churlish man alive. I always complained about everything and I never smiled. I had good reasons for not being a happy man. I lived in a wrecked apartment with me friend Chuck. I had the worse job I could get and I had a short attention span. My thoughts always veered off track and many people said that I ruined the day by being so gloom.

                The only person that made my life worse was Rebecca Charelston. She was an annoying seventeen year old who would never shut up. She always complained about how my hair stayed down and that my close needed to be cleaned. She also talked about how she was going to make her own clothes line but I knew she would just give up and ask her dad to buy her some new shoes. Many customers annoy me but she is all those customers combined.

                I left at 5:30 and headed toward the sea. The only thing that I’ve ever adored is the sea. It is so calm and spending the day there almost made me forget about everything. An old man walked out of the water with some guy helping him. I watched as they talked and they both soon left. I was alone again with nothing but the sea and the setting sun.

                Today was the Fourth of July. There was always a big rally there and I liked to watch all the people trying to be patriotic. A few people wore boxers and painted themselves red, white and blue. One guy made a huge American flag suit and had the American flag on a huge pole. I climbed up a tree lay down on a large branch. I watched the hordes of people march around the town. I fell asleep and waited to here our mayors booking voice. When I heard the voice he informed us that the speech was canceled due to microphone problems. I walked back to the apartment and slumped in my firm white mattress and slept.

Ah! How the smell of fresh Gouda gets me ready for the day ahead. I hop out of bed, and let the rays of the sun beat down against my pale skin. Next, I put on my black pencil skirt with my black lace corset, and put on my favorite Goth makeup over my zit-infested face. I like to wear massive amounts of it because I think it adds a lot of extra spice. Next I smear my blood red lipstick across my lips and pucker them up in the mirror. Suddenly, I hear a soft creak from outside the door. I can feel my heart pounding in my ears. The shadow that is being displayed in front of me creeps forward and takes a peak inside my pine door. “Oh,” I exclaim. “It’s just you Denzel. Oh Denzy,” I said. “It’s so good to have a strong man like you in my life.” I gazed at his long, lush hair, and beautifully trimmed snout. “I’m so upset that I have to give you up,” I say with a sigh. “My lawyer says that if I don’t give you up, they’ll take you, and put you back in your natural habitat. I mean you don’t want to go to Antarctica again do you?” I don’t understand it, but a glimmer of hope spread across his face. I can feel the tears starting to form in my eyes. “Oh baby, don’t look so glum. Let me finish getting ready, and we’ll start heading toward the court house.” I quickly throw my skull necklace over my head, and I am about to walk out the door when I discover that I forgot to do my hair. “I’ll be back in a minute, just wait here, OK baby?”              ‘This is my one chance!’ I think, ‘If I don’t escape from this wretched woman now, I’ll have to go back to Antarctica, and oh that would be horrible!’ I quickly ramble out the door, and stumble down the cold, brick steps. Luckily, my owner’s shop is closed, so no one will scream until I reach the grimy streets of New York. Once outside the door, I look around, and spot an alley not a half a block away. I decide to hide because I ponder how an anteater would look walking the streets of Manhattan. I mean they did it in Madagascar, but that’s just a childish show, and all animals know that it is completely unrealistic. I find an empty crate that smells like apples, and I climb in. After I have gotten cozy, I fall asleep.             When I wake up, I can feel my stomach grumbling. The sun is setting, but the sky is obscured by the skyscrapers that tower over me. Oh I wish I had a nice, juicy steak. Mmmm or one of my master’s mozzarella balls that she never knew I stole at night. I hop out of the crate and stride down the street. Behind me, I can even hear the faint cries of my master. I quicken my pace, and walk toward the lights of Time Square. ‘Freedom’ I think at last.

Mrs. Bonfondilwiger was heading into town to Madden’s Bookstore to see if they had the new Robert Frost’s Greatest Pieces selection that the glossy brochuere promised. A delicious smell was wafting into the town square when Mrs. B decided she was hungry. Her brisk walk propelled her across the sidewalk as she examined the displays and suddenly, she had to veer to the side to avoid Sam the Homeless Man, who was sitting on the sidewalk. “Ugh,” she thought, disgusted. “I absolutely deplore people with stains on their shirts.”  With that, she went into Zelda’s for two low fat cappuchinos and brought a steaming mug out to Sam.”Wait right here,” She commanded. As if he was going anywhere.Running down Parker Avenue, out of breath, she skidded into the nearest man’s clothing. She plunged her hand into the rack and brought out… a white and forrest green striped dress shirt. She quickly purchased the shirt and proceeded back to Zelda’s. Upon arriving, she found Sam still out front with yet another coffee stain on his ratty Greatful Dead tee. “Here,” she said thrusting the shirt towards him. “Try it on for me.”Like magic, the shirt fit so she continued on her way to Madden’s. Sam called after her, “Thank you very much, ma’am.She turned the corner and there was Madden’s looking as quiet as ever. In the poetry section, the book was propped up on the shelf like it had been waiting for her. She flipped open the cover and the binding crackled in that new book way. The dedication read: To anyone who has done a good deed today.——————————-Cars were honking, children were screaming and the colorful 4th July parade trickled by in the mid morning swelter.  Just like the old days, Mrs. Bonfondilwiger thought.  This town has been here for 70 years and Seaside has changed in every way but the parade.  New technology, a new town hall and most of all, the town had installed P.O. boxes.  She had rather liked Dave the Postman.  Finally, the last car had gone by carrying the mayor, Dimitrius.  Now for the judging, she remembered, satisfied. This was a good year so far, no fires drills or orphaned kittens.  Last year there had been an earthquake a day prior to the parade and it had to be canceled.  The pie contest was the main event and this year she was determined to win. Her banana, granola, yogurt pie was sure to stun every last judge.  Every morning she enjoyed bananas, yogurt and granola for breakfast so it suddenly came to her one day that it would make a great pie.  When she arrived at the booth she recoiled, aghast.  There was a giant 2nd ribbon on her pie. 2nd place to Elsie Brighton, again.  Every year she ended up second to Elsie’s boring old, secret recipe, apple pie.  This can’t be happening, it can’t.As customary Elsie got up to make a short speech about her award winning pie.  The audience cheered and hollered when she came to the podium.  Young people have no respect these days. An audience membered shouted out, “Where’d you get the recipe, Elsie?”  ”On the internet,” she smoothly replied.  The internet? The internet?!  New technology always messes up old traditions.

Robert Halifee woke up one day, upset that he had to go to the candy shop once again. He worked as a lollipop striper at Candy Dandy’s on 43rd st and Flinstone. He was very upset that he had to work their in the first place. He was 26 this morning because it was his birthday. He was supposed to be having a party today with his best friend Bud Yorkie.Bud Yorkie was a lonely guy. Robert was his only friend. Bud’s friend called him Buddy. Buddy also hated his job. Buddy and Robert tried to start an “I Hate My Job Club”. It wasn’t very succesful because when they started the club thier job threatened to fire them. They were the only jobs they could get.Robert was very angry that he had to go to work on his birthday. He planned to yell at his bossand see if he could convince his boss to let him off. It would’ve worked if he hadn’t of thrown a chair. He got fired instead.He had the whole day to himself. He walked to Time Square and got a bite to eat. He went to Bigoti’s and saw his best friend, Bud. They decided to have thier party there. The waitor sung him happy birthday. It was the best day ever. Except he got fired.

Growing up in Conneticut, in a small town was bleak. I spent my entire childhood dreaming of one day getting out of that dreary town. I lived there with my father. My mother had left when I was three, and I understand why. She was working her way through art school as a waitress when she met my Dad. Motherhood came too soon and she left to pursue her dreams. My father was a cocky, obnoxious, big shot lawyer, who enjoyed belittleing me. Work always came before family, and it always would. Overall my childhood had lacked the amusement and pleasure, which was needed to necessitate a proper upbringing.

Years later, in college, it was perceptible that my father still had a major influence over almost everything I did. He said that he would not pay for my college edjucation, unless I practiced law. So once again I gave into my father and plunged into a world I had hoped to never reside. I ended up graduating with a degree in law. My college experience had been frusterating and tiring if anything else. I was so busy studying to keep up with my father’s standards, that I never had a chance to play sports or even go to parties. As I threw my graduation hat into the air on the last day of school, thoughts of independence and choice drifted into my head, which had once been clouded by the ruthless rule of my father.

That night, I jumped on a plane to New York City. Waiting for me there was a job at a large law firm, where I would be working. I arrived late that night in New York. As I strolled out of the airport, I looked toward the city. Massive buildings stretched into the sky, and the yellow glow of rhe city lights lit up the horizon , like an everlasting sunset. I waved down a cab and hopped in.

“Where to?” the cabbie said in a rough accent.

“Freedom,” I thought

“New York City,” I said, with my hands shaking with excitement and fear.

It was a cold and windy evening, with the sky just turning dark. People pushed past her, as Lulu Jackie walked back from the Animal Shelter, on her way home. She didn’t know when it had started, and she didn’t know why, but she had subconsciously developed a deep and profound love for dogs. She visited the animal shelter almost every day, browsed around in the pet store whenever she could, and kept photos of various dogs up on the walls of her cramped room. She asked her dad the same question, and expected the same answer, which she received. He constantly told her it would be too expensive, too hard to take care of, too much of a waste of time to buy a dog. But ever since her mother died six years ago, she yearned for someone friendly and sincere, and her father didn’t even understand that much.

The next day, Lulu woke up early, left a note on the kitchen table, and set off to the pet store. Every time she arrived, she felt like she was in a dream. Tanks of fish, cages of birds, hamsters, cats, and most importantly dogs, filled the room. She imagined what it would be like to pick out any dog that she wanted. But suddenly, like she was being woken up from her dream, a pudgy hand tapped her on the shoulder.
“Excuse me? Can I help you?” a Pet Smart employee asked.
His nametag read “Eloi.”
Lulu shook her head. But the man seemed so friendly and kind, and didn’t belittle her like most adults, that she tried to continue the conversation.
“Would you like to help me look, though?” she asked uncertainly.
“Sure! Where do you want to start…with the dogs?” Eloi said fervently.
Lulu then knew that she and this strangely pleasant man would become very good friends.

The blinding sun woke Eloi up, along with the continuous sound of his alarm going off. He stepped out of bed and looked at his reflection in the mirror. His hair was sticking straight up, and his eyes looked weary. Beside the mirror was a series of plaques lined up in a neat row. It was the only thing organized in his house. The inscription read, “Big Whopper Eating Contest,” with his name labeled at the bottom. He was proud of all his metals, but strangely embarrassed. He hated to think that the only thing he was good at was eating rapidly. He dressed quickly in his usual uniform, scribbled a few bullet points down on a piece of paper, and headed out the door. He walked jauntily down the sidewalk and glanced at the crumbled piece of paper filled with errands he had written down. First, he had to stop at the nearby Subway down the street to pick up his lunch. He ordered hurriedly, and sat down at the nearest table, waiting for his sandwich. A few minutes later, a short, bored-looking lady handed him a brown paper bag and a soda. He peered inside the bag, examining his sandwich, only to find that there was no lettuce. He walked back towards the counter and told the lady his request.
“Sorry for the trouble. I’ll go get the manager,” the woman mumbled.
“No its fine, I just…” Eloi tried to say, but the lady had already ducked behind the counter and into the back room.
Eloi turned around and looked at his watch impatiently, not wanting to be late for work.
“Excuse me?” Eloi heard a voice say behind him.
He turned around and suddenly jumped back in fright when he was met with a scary-looking face with an eye patch staring intently back at him.
“What, are you afraid of me?” the pirate sighed. “Let me fix your sandwich.” He snatched the brown bag out of Eloi’s hands. When Eloi finally made it out of the store with what he ordered, he was five minutes late to work and was still a little frightened by the Subway manager.

Eloi opened the door to Pet Smart, panting from running the whole 5 blocks from Subway to the pet store, just to realize that there was only one customer. But the client was a little girl, probably 9 or 10, he thought, and she was staring blankly at all the animal cages. He tapped her on the shoulder; just to maker sure she was all right. After just a short conversation with her, he could tell already that they were going to get along.

            “My dad was a freak! He stared at people through binoculars with his friend while eating subway. No wonder he died in a car accident. Chances were he was going to get in trouble sometime or another. Yep, he sure did get it. He got in big trouble.”   

            “Yes, and Kale tell us. IS this going to affect your male modeling after all that’s happened?”   

             “No, no of course not.  My mom can handle my deceased father while I head to Manhattan for my big modeling show. I mean after all, I am the star of the show, my fans need me, and I can’t let them down.”     “Wait, I thought you were a backup just in case something happened to the real model.” 

          “Yes, I am a backup, but nearly all the time something happens to a model and I’m on. Don’t tell anyone, but the only reason people come to the show is to see me. I mean I am ALL THAT! And anyway, everyone loves me; I wouldn’t be awried if the fans hurt some of the models just to see me up there. It won’t be long until I’m on magazines. By the way, did you like the way I used awry. It’s my new word and I’m trying it on for size.”     “    

        “Uh yes, but Kale how is your mom going to pay for a proper burial for you’re father? After all, you guys do live in this tiny little house.   

       “Back to my dead dad I see. Listen my mom and I don’t have to do anything about my dad if we don’t want to, I say we chuck him out into someone’s yard and just leave him there. But apparently, that would be rude, not to mention stinky, and the police might have something to say. So I’m just going to ask for donations at my big modeling show today. I’m sure someone will feel bad for my mom and take pity and give her the money.”    

           “That’s uh…, very kind of you Kale, I’m sure you’re mom will be pleased you’re being so … generous.”    

           “Yes, I know, you see that’s the kind of spirit the media wants, someone as nice and thoughtful and generous and kind and sweet and loving as me. Well I had better go off to my show, my fans are waiting. Thank you again, todaloo.” Kale said as he got up and walked toward the front door.   

             “Kale, sweetie, where are you going honey, when will you be back? Paula called in a sweet sing-song voice. 

            “Mom, I’m headed off to my modeling show, I’ll see you later. Love ya!”      “You’re not heading off without a kiss from mommy!” Paula said as she swept downstairs bumping into the camera guy. “Give mommy a kiss, I won’t keep you long, I know you’re fans need you!”    

         “Yeah, that’s great mom. Thanks, I’ll see you later all right.” Kale said as he gave his mother a quick peck on the check. “Chow mom!” He said and headed out the front door. 

I wake up the same way, every morning, with a horrible thought that something’s gone awry. I wrench myself out of bed, get in the shower, and think about the dream I had the night before. Always, always, the same dream.

I’m striding down the pier, dogs at my heels and the rich, salty sea smell drifting up my nostrils. My thick leather boots rub against my breeches, and a seagull cries out over the bay. I walk up the plank and my first mate from the boat gives me a disarming smile. There’s something I need on board, but I can’t figure out what it is. I’m about to open the door to the wondrous treasure, but just as my hand hits the knob…

I revert to consciousness. Another day of managing Subway sales. Why would anyone eat at Subway, anyway? Oh, if only I was a pirate. I guess I’ll be left dreaming.

I open the swinging glass door and trudge in the store. Immediately, someone catches my eye. A tall, dark-haired man with a soul patch is eating silently by the window. What catches my eye is the obvious longing I see in those dark eyes. A longing for a different life. Identical to the one in mine all day, every day.

“Hello. How are you enjoying your meal today?” I ask, the same question as ever, except this time my voice has a rich enthusiasm in it.

“First of all, I’m not enjoying it! I asked for mayonnaise, but I’m positive there’s none in it! What’s a sandwich without mayonnaise?” he yells, getting to his feet. “It’s a simple request! If I had enough money, I would go to a quality restaurant where they remember what I ask them! Oh, if only I was a chef.”

I stumble away, shocked by the force of his comeback. Now he’s returned to the chair, slouched against the back. His eyes are angry, but still infused with longing. “I’m sorry. We’ll make you sandwich, free.” I clutch my head and sigh. Another long, bad day. “If only I was a pirate.”

“Wait. Did you just say you wanted to be I pirate? I want to be a chef! Then I could make my own mayonnaise.” he retorts sarcastically. Coming to his senses, he smooths his shirt down and stuck out a hand. “I’m Vernon. Vernon Dimaggio. I’m a technology designer for Bloomingdale’s. I provide their flashing lights. Ever seen them?”

Now I’m totally bewildered. “No. I don’t go to Bloomingdale’s that much.” Where’s Bloomingdale’s? “I’m Donald McCon, the manager here. I’ve always wanted the excitement of a pirate’s life. It was nice to meet you.”

I hurry back to my office and quickly shut the door. Wow, that guy’s wierd. He did teach me something, though. Always follow your dream, no matter how far it takes you.

Vernon was not even given a chance to say goodbye. He was left hanging, his arm suspended in midair like a ragdoll. Dejected, he threw out his old, bland sandwich and walked out the door. A shrill scream pierces the air and distracts Vernon’s sad thoughts.

After 1½ hours with Mallory I finished a good chunk of my homework and she left. I decided it was time for a break, I asked my mom if I could get a sandwich from the subway across the street. I go to the subway sometimes for dinner if my mom lets me. I order a foot-long, toasted, chicken, mayo, mustard, tomato and lettuce sub on Italian herb bread. My mom and I split it usually.

Molly Fussbinder

One twitch and all forty-one spoons would fall from her perfectly-still face. If she could hold one more spoon she would win the competition. Just then she spotted Tatiano, the crazy paper airplane man from Seaside. He had come all the way from Rhode Island to cheer her on in Japan. He slowly pulled back his arm and shot the airplane straight towards Molly’s nose. Then, “CLASH!” All forty-three spoons fell from her face.”NNNOOO!” She screamed. Molly launched herself at Crazy Fred. Molly wasn’t known to be violent, but if anyone stood in her way of victory, they would face her wrath. She went crazy and started hitting the old man with the fallen spoons. Then the two buff bodyguards, Ralf and Raul, pulled her off of Tatiano.

Two hours later, she watched her rival competitor take the gigantic trophy. She hated to see someone else win her trophy, esecially Sugo Navaniche. He had a big bald spot and lived in the forests of Switzerland where he trained all year for the competition. He had a gigantic check in his hand, a cocky smile on his face, and a great life that Molly envied.

Jenna was on her routine Saturday trip to the movies. Today she was going to see the movie Blades of Glory. When she entered her favorite movie theater near time square she gasped with horror. It was Andy Cholice, her English teacher. Andy Cholice was by far the strangest person Jenna had ever met in her life. He was about three feet tall with a beard and orange hair. Jenna and all her friends thought he looked like a leprecon. Andy was missing his left ring finger and owned a pet pig. Rumors say that he drew creepy pictures of his pet pig on his free time, that was why he always carried a leather notebook with one of the cheesy voice activated locks you see in toys r us. Jenna hoped that he wasn’t going to see Blades of Glory. Jenna walked gingerly across the theater floor to the concession stand where she hoped that he wouldn’t see her. “Is that Jenna, Is that Jenna Luejus?” Andy had just seen Jenna and walked over to her. “Hi Jenna! What a coincidence! Jenna, are you seeing blades of Glory?”

The paper airplane thrower was just getting up from a long sleep. Tatiano was always scared of going to sleep at night, because he was 92 years old, and he thought he would die and never get up. He sauntered over to the kitchen window to look at the beastly house of Marcus Anthonius, the mayor. He always looked at the house, and imagined it was his. Tatiano then made breakfeast, ate it, and took a stroll down to the local paper shop. He found a few sheets of fresh new paper. One was red, one was blue, and one was white. Today, Tatiano would be making a July 4th paper airplane, because that was the date. He went back home, and made the airplane out of all three pieces of paper. Tatiano made a different paper airplane every day, and nobody liked him for that reason excpet for Sally Snicklebearer. Her and Tatiano were going to Cosco later that night to buy churos and hotdogs for the 4th of July firecrackers. Tatiano played with his airplanes all day, and then went into his house to change for his date. He got changed, and took his Rolls Royce over to Cosco. Sally was waiting, and her and Tatiano went inside to buy the food. He payed for the it, and took Sally into his exotic car. They drove over to the crowded beach for the firecrackers. They found spot up front, and started to eat their food. They ate for 20 minutes, and then the firecrackers started. Tatiano held Sally close while the firecrackers were going. He glanced at her, and she looked back. Then he leaned in and gave her a lucious kiss. After that night, they went on to get married, and lived happily ever after.

Today Kristi von Trapp the 17 year old movie star was leavn her house for 10 to 15 minuetes to go to the grocerie store. This was all the time Sally needed for a movie star interegation. Sally Spicklebearer starts of to the grocerie store an Hour before Kristi von Trapp. Her timing was perfect. About an hour later Sally arrived at the grocerie store exaghsted from her walk there. Kristi appeared incognito to the groccerie store. She was not hard to find for Sally. Sally grabbed he rby the arm and immiediatly started firing questions at her. It was a little t much for kristi and she imiediatly fleed away. Sallly was disapointed but would try again tomorrow.

On the dock of the bay stood “Erica’s Magic Candy Store”. Erica had little customers and she was lonely. As she was about to lock up and go home, she saw an old man fall off the dock and he started to drown. She didn’t want to have an old man sent to his gravestone, along with his epitaph. After she dove into the water, she tried to lift him, but he was too skittish. Eventually, she lightly swam him to the beach where they were safe. The old man, whose name was Timothy, was thankful. So, he offered her lunch, at the best restaurant in Rhode Island. They talked for a while and timothy is a Doctor/Scientist, seventy-eight years old, and his left leg was cut off, so has a peg leg replacing his real leg. Erica has fifteen dogs; fourteen are chocolate Labradors and one is a Newfoundland. Erica stopped her candy store business and she thought about saving timothy, and helping him, so she started a company that helps recluses. She headed down to start her meeting and meet her employees clients. She felt enterprising. She met a man named Ernesto Gonzalez, who is thirty-nine years old. Also, she met a man named Sam, who is not an immigrant like Ernesto, but just a homeless person. These men were assigned to Erica for the Fourth of July Parade. The three of them started walking to Erica’s house to drive downtown to the Parade. Sam and Ernesto were tired of walking, so they saw a Ferrari Enzo and they were screamed in joy, “Ferrari!”. As they started hijacking it, Erica jostle them out of the way and had a long talk about why that is not something smart to do. They finished their walking and finally arrived at Erica’s house. They got in the car and started their drive. On the way there, Erica was telling them about carnivals and how fun they were and Ernesto and Sam were extremely excited.

It was tuesday around oneO’clock and Charlotte Commings was working in her father’s corner store. It was a fairly busy day in the small town of Sea Side, Rode Island and for the first time all day Charlotte had a few minutes to herself. The femiliar dinging sound echoed through the store as a tall man entered. Charlotte looked up from the her collage brochure and greeted the man with a friendly smile.. The man continued walking to the back of the store. A few minutes latter when he turned the corner she could see him carring 3 bags of pet food. When he set down the bags down at the counter he asked for a cup of coffee as well. She reched behind the counter and handed him a larg paper cup. While she began to ring the the pet food he walked over to the coffee dispencer.
Once again the sound of a bell rang throughout the small store as another man entared. He walked over to the coffee dispencer and started talking to the other man.
“Hey Dexter”
“Oh, hay John”
As Charlotte continued to read her brochure Dexterand John talked about the usual, their families and work. She overheard Dexter talking about a new expirement he was working on in his spare time. Since John was a high school science teacher he mentiond they should get together for coffee. The two men said goodbye and Dexter paid for his items. For the rest of the day busines was pretty slow and Charlotte had plenty of time to read about the art collage in Las Angeles.

Jenna was on her routine, Saturday trip to the movies. Today she was going to see the movie Blades of Glory. When she entered her favorite movie theater near Times Square, she gasped with horror. It was Andy Cholice, her English teacher. Andy Cholice was by far the strangest person Jenna had ever met in her life. He was about three feet tall with a beard and orange hair. Jenna and all her friends thought he looked like a leprechaun. Andy was missing his left ring finger and owned a pet pig. Rumors said that he drew creepy pictures of his pet pig in his free time. That was why he always carried a leather notebook with one of the cheesy voice-activated locks you see in Toys R Us. Jenna hoped that he wasn’t going to see Blades of Glory. Jenna walked gingerly across the theater floor to the concession stand where she hoped that he wouldn’t see her. “Is that Jenna, Is that Jenna Luejus?” Andy had just seen Jenna and walked over to her. “Hi Jenna! What a coincidence! Jenna, are you seeing Blades of Glory?”

‘Ello there, I’m Dave. I lost my house ‘bout five years ago, or was it ten. Aw well whatever let’s get to the story. So one day I was begging for money and I saw a man in the street. He was bending down to pick up a quarter on the ground but there was a truck heading right towards him. I yelled “You there look out!” The man stood up just in time for the driver to see him. The truck driver veered out of the way leaving the man unharmed.
The man walked over to me and said, “Muchas gracias senior, usted ahorró mi vida. Le debo mi vida. Debo darle un regalo.”
His gift was a quarter, but I sure needed that quarter. I said, “Thank you, it was no problem.”
“Qué?, no hablo ingles. Hablo español.”
“ Oh you’re one of those Mexicans, Yeah yo speako español. Nacho, taco, burrito.”
“Qué?”
“Yo savoed you.”
“Qué”
Then a man running down the street jostle us out of the way and we fell. I asked the man “Are You okayo?”
“Sí”
“What is your name?”
“Me llamo Ernesto.”
“Hola Ernesto”
“Me llama Dave”
“Hola Dave”
“Ernesto, you liko el cheesy gordita crunch?
“Qué”
After about 15 minutes I realized I was speaking spanglish. We became great friends and told each other how to speak each others language. When then realized our dreams were the same, to make a big painting company. Ernesto got a job at a gas station and I got a job at 7-11. We saved up enough money to buy paint and thus Dave and Ernesto’s painting company was born.

Character 1 piece  As I walked into the brightly-lit aquarium, I heard the high pitched squeals of children all around me. “Great,” I thought, “bunch of babies here to ruin my only day off work for the whole week.” I walked over to the information desk, where a woman was standing behind the counter. When she looked up, I gasped at the hideousness of her Goth makeup. I had worked at a fashion magazine for the past 4 years, and therefore know Goth is definitely out, and anyone I knew who wore it was treated like an outsider. She looked so gloomy and dull, but when she said “Hi, how can I help you?” in a kind gentle voice I was surprised. ‘What a disarming character,’ I thought to myself. “Um, just a map please,” I muttered.“Sure, I’ll be right out with your map.” Why did my boss send me to a stupid aquarium, just to find out the new look for a soccer mom? I mean this is the one day off and she decided to have me spend it with a bunch a little kids and a woman with too much eye makeup on. This is the one day that I can get away from the constant deadlines that my editor of my magazine demands.            When the woman with the revolting makeup came back out, she said “Would you like to join our organization for freeing all of the anteaters in Antarctica? It’s just a small form. “Sure, I guess,” but when she gave me the clipboard with the form, her hand went awry, and the clipboard went under my nail and broke it. “OMG!” I screamed. “You broke one of my nails! The whole manicure costs over $700! You are going to pay for this! Oh yes you are!” I immediately pulled out Fauxy Girl (my magazine) and flipped to the section on nails. It said that when you broke a nail you should #1: blame it on someone else ‘Check,’ I thought. #2: Scream so that everyone can hear you, and attract a lot of attention. #3: Go to a nail salon and sob until they give you a free manicure just to make you shut up. ‘Well that sounds pretty easy,’ I thought. Before I could scream out to the aquarium, I heard a quiet snivel behind me. The poor girl was crying! Her disgusting black eyeliner could be seen running down her cheeks. “I’m sorry,” she said, through a mix of tears and saliva. I would pay for your new nails, but I spend all of my money on assorted cheeses at Dean and Deluca.” ‘Ew!’ I thought, ‘Cheese has lots of calories in it, and that makes you fat, and Fauxy Girl says that’s a very bad thing.’ I sort of felt bad for the girl, so I tentatively patted her on the shoulder, and went on my way. 

I am on my bus driving my afternoon route of South Broadway to 12th Ave. I have been a bus driver since i was 23, and have always loved it. My route ends around seven o’clock, most of the other routes go much later.My name is George, I go home every day to two black labs named Rick and Ren. I am hoping to buy a Border collie soon because I have an excerpt of an article that says what excellent dogs they are.

I have had many incidents while driving my bus, one time I even saw the president driving incognito in his limo. Another tine I nearly hit the town’s favorite ice cream truck, driven by Charlie Wilson, I had to veer out of the way just in time. We talked and he told me that the mayor was giving a speech on Saturday, and I should attend.

On Saturday, I went to the town square. The Mayor was up on a podium, with a crowd gathered around him. Suddenly the earth shook.

“Earthquake!” Shouted Charlie Wilson, everyone ran for shelter. The mayor was disappointed that his speech was cancelled, so they decided to reschedule it to next Saturday in a local gymnasium.

I decided it was time to get that Border collie, so I drove up north to a farm that bred almost every dog you could think of, they had to have a Border collie. The man who ran it, Sherman, was indeed breeding Border collies, so I got one named Oscar. I took him home, my labs were happy to have another dog in the house.

Molly Fussbinder

As Molly walked down the streets of Seaside, Rhode Island, she was excited. She was going to the World Championship Spoon Against Your Face Competition tomorrow. That was always the highlight of her year. She was the five-time winner with a record of forty-one spoons on her face at one time. On the day of her 4oth birthday, she had a mid-life crisis and decided she wanted to do something important with her life before she got too old. Ever since then, Molly has never walked outside without a spoon on her face.

When her parents came to visit her over Christmas, they admitted that they thought her hobby was very childish. She had tried to convey how much she loved the sport, but they just got mad. They were so furious that they left and refused to talk to her until she quit her stupid hobby.

That had just given her more inspiration to win the $100,000 prize money.

She lived in a small town where everyone knew everybody. The day she left for the Competition in Japan, everyone came to send her off, including the mayor. The mayor’s name was Demitri Hassini. He had a big mustache and everybody hated him, although he had a soft spot for spoons. He had a world renown collection. So he promised Molly a designer spoon from his collection, if she won.

On the day of the Competition, she could feel the pressure. She wanted to win the designer spoon from the Mayor and the respect from her parents when she won the Competition. All of a sudden, she couldn’t feel her legs. Then, blackout…

The elaborate fur coats and expensive Italian shoes from Bendel’s on Fifth Avenue danced around Lola Liggleberg, as she created a mountain of her favorites in her personal shopper, Millie’s, arms. Lola didn’t shop like most people shopped. She would spend hours trying on different outfits, spending loads of money and then she would return everything the next day. Lola hated to shop but she loved to buy. She was getting ready to leave when she spotted a dress that seemed like a possibility. As soon as she pulled it off it’s hanger she was swarmed by six saleswomen who instantly began fawning over her. Everyone knew Lola Liggleberg, wife of billionaire, Warner Liggleberg. They offered to carry her packages, thrusted iced water in her face and complimented her hair. She was completely blasé as she brushed passed them and rolled her eyes all the way into her personal dressing room.

            After a few more burdensome hours, Lola left the store with seven thousand dollars worth of clothing, not particularly liking anything she purchased. Millie carried all of her packages out the door and Lola followed her to the limo. She flipped her shimmering red hair over her neck and reapplied her lipstick. She turned her head to glance at the beautiful windows one more time to make sure there wasn’t anything she’d missed. As she turned she felt someone’s shoulder slam into her. She screamed as she lost her balance and fell to the cement, money and makeup flying everywhere.

“Oh god, I’m so sorry, are you alright?” A tall man knelt down beside her. Lola’s vision was a little blurry, but as the man reached out his hand she was able to take it and get herself up.

“I’m fine, thanks.” Her arm was throbbing but she didn’t want to make him feel bad.

“I’m Robert Anderson.”  He offered his hand out as his sea blue eyes twinkled. He had the most disarming smile.

“Lola Liggleberg.”

“Nice name.” He knew who she was, but he didn’t make a big deal about it.

There was an awkward silence between them as they shifted uncomfortably from one side to the other.

“So… where are you headed?” Lola was relieved that Robert had broken the silence.

“I have lunch reservations, you?”

“I was just heading to the bus stop. I work at the Rock N’ Bowl on 4^th, I don’t usually go to this stop but I wanted to stop by this store.”

“Are you looking for a gift for someone?”

“No. Before my wife died she used to tell me about all of the beautiful clothes here. We could never afford anything in this store, but she loved to fantasize. I guess it was kind of a way to connect with her, coming here, you know to see what she dreamed about but never got to have.”

Lola’s throat tightened up. She could buy anything she desired from Bendel’s any time she wanted and she most of the time everything she bought was shoved in the back of her closet and never taken out.

“I’m so sorry, Robert.”

“It’s alright, it happened six years ago and I’m really trying to move on, stop wallowing in self pity. But it is hard when someone who you used to spend every day with suddenly disappears, you’re lucky you have your husband.”

If only you knew, thought Lola. “Well I’d better get going.”

“Nice to meet you, Lola.”

“You too, Robert.” Lola continued to the limo where Millie was cooing her over to make sure she was okay.

“Wait-Lola…” Robert called after her.

Lola whipped around to face him. “Yes?”

“If you have time, if you wanted to, maybe you could come by the alley and maybe we could, um, bowl or something, I mean if you wanted to.”

“Um… sure, if I can make some time maybe I’ll drop by.” She turned grinning from ear to ear as she slid into her dark limo.

The sun bathed in the sky as its piercing rays seethed into the heart of New York City. Lola closed her eyes as she sipped her steaming tea, indulging in the sun’s warmth on her eyelids. She was yanked out of her day dream and interrupted by the sharp ding of the doorbell. Her personal shopper and maid, Millie, answered the door and called for Lola. She got up from her chair and dragged herself to the door. Sleep in her eyes, she squinted as the sun shone brighter, penetrating through the prodigious glass windows. In the doorway stood a small girl, about eleven years old, in a red sun dress, with a large bag draped over her shoulder. She held a box of cookies in her frail arms.  

“Can I help you sweetie?” asked Lola.

The girl’s cheeks brighted up.

“Would you like to buy some homemade cookies? I have chocolate chip, peanut butter, sugar cookies, snicker doodles, oatmeal raisin, M&M, pecan sandies, shortbread, and gingerbread.”

“My goodness that’s quite a selection, what are you raising the money for?”

“I want to buy a new camera, I’m a photographer.”

“Let’s see, my husband loves chocolate chip, but I am a big fan of snicker doodles. I will have one box of chocolate chip, one box of snicker doodles and two boxes of pecan sandies.”

“Coming right up!” replied the girl, reaching into her bag.

Lola reached into her green Prada messenger bag and pulled out five crisp hundred dollar bills. “Will this be enough?”

The girl’s eyes bulged out and her hands shook as she reached for the cookies. “Um, the cookies are only $5 a box, that’s way too much money, I couldn’t accept that.”

“You won’t be able to buy a camera with $20 sweetheart,” Lola answered, “Please just take the money. Please.”

Her hands were still shaking as she took the bills from Lola’s hand.  She placed the boxes in Lola’s arms and just starred at her. How could a person be so generous?

“Thank you so much-um, Mrs…”

“Liggleberg, but you can call me Lola.”

“I’m Amy Macealloo.”

“It had been a pleasure doing business with you Amy; I can’t wait to try these cookies.”

“Enjoy!” As Lola closed the door, Amy scurried down the everlasting brick steps and sprinted down the street, her pigtails flying behind her, whipping her back.

As Lola strolled back into the kitchen, her husband Warner sat at the long, glass table, in front of him a selection of fruits, pastries and coffees were displayed. He scowled at he read the newspaper, not acknowledging his wife’s presence.

“Good morning honey,” Lola tried.

“Who was at the door?” He didn’t look up from his paper.

“A little girl was selling cookies; she was raising money to buy a new camera.”

“And you sent her off?”

“Of course not! I bought four boxes.”

“We don’t need cookies, next time someone is at the door you will let me deal with them.”

“Warner she was a little gir-“Lola was interrupted by Warner’s rude voice.

“I don’t care who she was, we don’t buy from street sellers, is that understood?”

“Warner! She wasn’t a street seller, she was a little girl selling homemade cookies, give it a rest!”

“You will not buy anything from anyone who comes to the door, now go get that maid of yours, I’m out of coffee.”

“Get it yourself Warner! It’s two feet away from you!”

“Get the maid, now.” Warner’s cold eyes glared straight into Lola’s. She surrendered silently, and left dinning hall.

Triggering Town Round 1 and 2

            NinaWaldort opened the door to her shop, “Seaside Jewelry,” she flipped the sign onthe door from “Closed” to “Open”. She walked over to the burglar alarm and turned it off.  Next Nina looked over all of thejewelry cases to make sure that not one of them was broken.  She then went behind the counter.

While she waited for the usualcrowd to jostle their way into the shop, she opened Excel and typed in a fewcells.  Then the bells on the dooralerted her of her first customers. She was a tall lady with blond hair.  She introduced herself as Ms. Wolworth.  Nina thought that her accent wasSwedish.  “I am looking for a pairof studs for my boyfriend.” Ms. Wolworth interrupted Nina’s thoughts, “He livesin Denmark.”  “What style are youlooking for?”  Nina asked. Ms.Wolworth replied, “I was looking for a simple pair, something not to big, maybediamonds.”  “Okay” said Ninawalking over to the case with the diamonds in it.  She pulled up a pair of earrings and asked Ms. Wolworth ifthey were good.  “Great,” Ms.Wolworth said, “I just have one question.”

“What is it,” Nina asked as she wrapped the studs in tissuepaper and put them in a box.  “WellI was wondering if there is a job around, maybe one that pays well,” asked Ms.Wolworth.  “ I think so,” saidNina, “do you want me to take you there?” “Yes,” said Ms. Wolworth. She paid for the studs and go into Nina’s car.

            Ninatook Ms. Wolworth to Gord’s Diner, Gord walked up to them and addressed Nina,“Hello, who is this?”  Ninareplied, “this is Ms. Wolworth, she is looking for a job.”  “Okay,” Gord said, “right overhere.”  He gestured towards thecounter. Ms. Wolworth fallowed him through the swinging doors and into hisoffice.  Nina went over to thecasher and ordered a shrimp cocktail. “I’m sorry but we don’t have any more shrimp, or seller has gone out ofbusiness,” said the cashier.  “Whydid he go out of business?” asked Nina. The cashier said, “I don’t know.” “Oh well,” said Nina and she walked away from the counter.  Just in time to hear Gord’s outburst,“Abducted by aliens, what kind of talk is that?”  “I didn’t believe myself at first too but it’s the bestexplication I can come up with,” said Ms. Wolworth.  “Okay,” said Gord, “I think about it.” Ms. Wolworth and Ninawalked to the car together and got in; as Nina drove away she wondered if shewould ever have another customer as strange as this one.

“That goes here. Oh, and this goes there….” Joe Mutton muttered to himself in his hollowed out pit of a basement. Joe has been pretty lonely ever since he graduated from MIT and moved out to Seaside, Rhode Island to work on a top secret project for NASA. After a series of clicks and dings the door bell rang. Joe swiftly took of his lab goggles and white lab coat (his mother gave it to him when he moved into his new house) that is now tarnished with oil stains and spaghetti sauce from his dinner last night. He tromped up the stairs excited for some visitors. He veered in to the front hallway and opened the door. A small girl with long, red hair stood before him. “Oh, hello Sally” he said in his usual nasally voice.

“Hello Mr.Mutton” , she said, “I have your order of peanut brittle.” Joe took the pack from her delicate hands. His hands skittishly glided over the smooth package.

“I best be going now” Sally murmured.

“Oh, of course. Thank you for the peanut brittle.” Joe said as he shut the door. Sally meandered down the street until she reach her favorite place in town, the small Irish themed restaurant called The three leaf clover. She took her usual booth by the window over looking the beach and ordered a coke. She sighed heavily. Things had not been going her way today. First, when she woke up her favorite Backstreet boys CD was lying on the floor in two pieces and her prized Lizzie Maguire poser ripped off the wall with a trail of drool leading right to her 2 and a half year-old twin brothers. Then her mom had asked her too walk all the way across town to the post office because she had to take her brothers to their first dentist appointment. Once she got their she realized she had forgotten the key to open the P.O. box. So she had to walk all the way home, get the key, then walk all the way back to he post office. When she open box 3134, it was overstuffed with candy orders. She filed her arms with paper and then started to walk out of the post office just as little Charlie Wilson, the towns paper boy, came bounding into the post office to start his 12:00 route. “Hello Charlie.” Sally said.
“Hi Sally.” He shot back rapidly. Sally then had to go back to the candy store and drop all the orders off. She has just started to sit quietly and read when her mother just had to ask her to go to creepy old Mr.Muttons house.

Jack Kappala sat on the soft sand while he thought about his next match. Jack was fourteen and loved playing volleyball. Everyday he went down to the beach and waited for a volleybell game to start. He was somewhat skittish except when it came to volleyball in which case he is very agressive. His parents think that hom playing volleyball for the girl’s volleyball team is a waste of time but he wants to prove them wrong. Jack stood up and strolled near the water suddenly spotting a game. He walked over casually but soon verred off course when he spotted Ryan his rival. Ryan had lost to Jack last year by two pionts and was seeking revenge. Jack was confused, he thought Ryan lived in Minosota, why was he here in Rhode island? He needed somewhere to think before Ryan spotted him. Jack found a small shoe pavillion on the corner of the street. He sprinted up the steps and into the store. A small women confronted him. “Hi I’m Elsie and your in Elsie’s shoe store, can I help you with anything.” “Umm.. n” “But wait we also have this season’s newest Manola’s only 6,000 dollars.” “No but thanks anway” “Well hollar if you need something.” Jack stared out the window watching Ryan. Ryan soon left and Jack joined the game. Things went on like this for three years until one day he got a call. “Hi we are calling from the USA team of girls double volleyball and we where wondering if you would like to join?” “Yes please please thank you.” Jack was excited and he soon found out that Ryan was on his team. They put their diffrences apart and won the World Championship. When he came back to Rhode Island with Ryan they celebrated and had a major fourth of July celebration. His parents where so proud of him and he soon married Elsie.

17 year old Amy Brimble was a girl who had dreams. One of her dreams was to become a biologist.

39 year old Barry Shrimpner was a shrimp catcher. They both lived in the same little town called, Seaside, Rhode Island.

Amy Brimble, was walking around on the fourth of July. From the corner of her eye she spotted shrimp in a bucket and ran over.

She saw Barry Shrimpner and told him he was hurting the shrimp. His churlish reply was, “Are you getting some or not?”

Amy yelled, “No!” and ran off. When she got home she told her mother. Her mother tried to convey a different way she could look at it.

The nextday she went back. The shrimp inside the bucket were alive so she decided to buy them so they would not get killed. Barry Shrimpner was not a nice guy. Luckily for the next two weeks he would be on a trip. Amy had big plans to stop the horrible shrimp catching.

Amy can get it to happen because her family is the wealthiest in the town. Her plan was to put an ecofriendly shop. The shop would have recycaled everything. It would have make your own recycled paper airplane, made out of recycled paper. Amy was on the way to a great new thing. When Barry came back his shrimp catching days were over. Amy worked hard and long, but finally the job was done. The town loved it much more.

The shop was so popular that it was in the news.  It was the most crowded store in the whole city, infact the whole state.

One day a movie star came into town to shoot a movie about a girl in a 4th of July Parade.  When she got in she heard a myriad of facts about the environment and agreed with Amy that shrimp catching was bad.  Her director agreed completely.

The movie won many awards and made shrimp catching seem like a very bad thing.  R.I did not allow shrimp catching anymore.

Moving quickly, I Danielle Anderson jogged down the hallway just barely slipping into her dance class.”Danielle! You’re late!” screached Mrs. Alinson.”I know, I’m sorry. We got out of ballet late.”I quickly pulled off her baggy sweatshirt to reveal a tank top that I wore everyday to my Broadway dance class. They were rehearsing a number from my favorite musical, West Side Story. I loved this musical best because the lead, Maria was just like me. Once class was over I rushed down the steps of my five star dance school. I had to quickly get home, take a shower and then run to Joy Alinson’s house, the daughter of teacher who I tutored in Spanish. After taking what seemed like a two second shower, I got on the subway, which ran directly under my house, to go to Joy’s house. “Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeey Danielle!” said Joy, the little 12 year old who was probably the most random person she knew. “Did you bring it? Did you bring the stuff?” “Yes, but you have to show me that your Spanish has improved before you get nutella,” I stated.  “Okay. Hola me llama Joy!” “Good!” I said. An hour passed and I gave Joy her nutella which she eat extremely fast. I got on my subway and went home. 

The day my husband, Marc, left me and the two bundles of blanket I solemnly embraced in my arms with scarcely any money was the day my life went completely awry. Except for the two lumps that palpitated my heart and made the tears stream down my face, it was just me. I can vividly remember standing outside the New York City Hospital, and the blurs of city busses and people walking their white poodles seemed to rush past my face faster than the speed at which I had run all the way to the hospital. I could barely even remember how to get back to the apartment. I staggered and attempted to recover my balance, then walked with the twins whom I had not named yet, along Bronyx street back home.  *    *    *  “Hello, Mama?” Leah whispered into my ear. “It’s nine.” she said, “School started at eight.”"Oh no! Oh God!” My sleep-worn hands groped for my coat. I grabbed Leah and Delilah’s hands and we ran out the door.  We stepped into the green-tinted glass elevator and my heart began to beat frantically. “Ground floor, I assume?” a deep voice questioned me. I looked up to a man with dark brown hair giving me a disarming smile. He almost reminded me of Marc, especially his dark blue-green eyes. Although I struggled to restrain myself from thinking of the past, my mind wouldn’t stop asking me questions. Why did he leave you? Is he coming back? I must have been staring for awhile because the man’s tan hand reached out to shake mine. “Hi, my name’s Ray. Ray Nette,” he said in a British accent.  “Nice to meet you Ray. I’m Alex. Alex Hansen.” I  grappled for the right words but it was hard, as nervous as I was. The metal doors diverged and before we parted Ray turned to me and said, “See you around, ” and headed off to the left. After I dropped the kids off at school, I meandered about the smoky sidewalks and down to the dock. A pelican with its beak full of fish soared around the bay and made a gust of cool wind placate the skin on my face. The dock was the only place where I felt safe. Another flurry of wind came in and blew my short blond hair behind me. Vexed with my worthless and frenzied life, I forcefully threw a stick into the water and watched ripples form. I went here every day to keep in touch with Marc. I knew that wherever he was, he would always be touching the water or looking at the moon. Startled at the hand on my shoulder, I turned around to my best friend from high school, Eloise Summerbut. ”Oh my God, no way!” she shrieked. She was swathed in a navy tunic, some dark designer jeans, a purple sweater, and a black leather handbag. Her hair was dyed dark brown  and slightly curled and she wore big Dior sunglasses with diamonds on the sides.   It took me awhile to respond, but finally I said to her, “Oh my God, hey! What’s up?” I tried to act as excited as she was but I truthfully wasn’t all that excited to see her, after what she did to me in high school.    

Margaret Popser is eleven years old, she is in fifth grade, and she loves math. Margaret lives with her mother, father, and older sister Elizabeth who is sixteen years old. Margaret’s family has many dreams for her. She will graduate from high school, and then attend Brown University, just like both of her parents. Then, she will marry and she and her husband will take up the ownership of her family’s country club, and the five sailboats they own. This was extremely overwhelming to eleven-year-old Margaret, who wants to be a math professor. Her sister loves fashion, and wants to attend Rhode Island school of design.

At first, Margaret’s parents had the same plan for Elizabeth as they did for Margaret, but with Elizabeth’s unflagging love for fashion and design, Margaret’s parents could not stop her from her dream.

Margaret was an excellent tennis player, a fabulous swimmer, and an amazing sailor, but she put all of her passion into her schoolwork. She loved math, and all other academic subjects. The only subject she didn’t love was music because of her creepy music teacher, Mr. Pooflangan. Mr. Pooflangan was 23 years old, and he had three dogs. He was very mysterious, and all of the students were scared of him.
“Margaret, mom said I could take you back-to-school-shopping!” Elizabeth said happily.
“Elizabeth, FYI it’s the beginning of July, you can take me back-to-school-shopping at the end of August.” Margaret replied. She had no interest in shopping, but her sister always wanted to take her so that when they went somewhere together, she wouldn’t be embarrassed.
“OK fine, then I will take you Fourth-of-July shopping, the Fourth of July is tomorrow, and I bet you don’t have an outfit yet,” Elizabeth said hopefully.

As Charlie biked down the road to Connings Cook House, where his mother worked, he thought of tomorrows Fourth of July Parade and Fair. Every year it was the same-his mother, grandfather and himself brought a picnic blanket and chairs from the basement upstairs to watch the parade on their front lawn. Then the three of them would walk three blocks down to the Grass Circle in the middle of town, where the mayor, Dimitri would announce the events to follow and the fun would begin. As Charlie veered off Wilks Street and onto the Main Road he spotted the flashing lights of the word DINER. He then skidded to a stop and parked his bike right in front. The small bell tingled as Charlie swung open the door and slid into the closest booth. He spotted his mom talking to her boss and the owner of Conning Cook House, Will Connings. He was a skittish man that always looked as though he had been scared right out of his skin, but despite the fact that he had some problems he was an excellent business man who payed his employees well, which is all Charlie’s mother needed to know. Soon after their conversation ended Charlie’s mother Elizabeth came over. “Butter,pickles,cream cheese and jam on whole wheat, “said Charlie. “Okay sweetie, but after lunch make sure to finish your paper route, then pick up Grampa’s pain medications from the drugstore, ” stated Elizabeth. “I will,” groaned Charlie. As Charlie finished off the last of his sandwich he waved to his mom and headed out the door into the pleasent Seaside breeze. He hopped on his bike and started down the road for his 1:00 route. He started to presh down on the handle break as he spotted Sally Galehan, his long time crush. She walked up the steps of the Seaside Post Office with her long, blond, hair blowing behind her. He then came to an abrupt stop in front of the post office. At least now he would get to see Sally and mail his birthday thank you cards that his mom had been nagging at him to send for weeks. “Hello Charlie,” said Sally “Hello Sally,” said Charlie nervously. “Are you going to the Fourth of July Fair?” He asked. “Yeah, I think so,” said Sally Although you couldn’t see it, as Charlie walked over to the mail slot he was beaming from ear to ear.

The paper in his hands read, “the disarming Smith proved another guilty”. He wasn’t exactly surprised or ecstatic. He was used to it because everybody wanted him as their lawyer. At 48, he had a giant 7 story house with an elevator and indoor pool, and was one the most successful lawyers in the world. But, he was unhappy because also at age 48, he didn’t have a wife or children and didn’t do the thing he loved: cooking.

When he was little, he was a resolute kid, seeking his dream of becoming a famous chef, but when he did so well in school, and went to college, before he knew it, he was, as the paper said, a “disarming” lawyer. The reason he had first wanted to become a chef was because of the old lady who used to live on Ridgewood street when he was little. She was doing her once-a-month-getting-fresh-air-day when he had caught a glimpse of her. He followed her because he had never seen her, and was curious, and peeked through the window. The room was pink and frilly and had cat hair and yarn everywhere. The actual cats sat on the couch, four of the five wearing matching purple sweaters with pink stripes. The fifth sweater lay unfinished on a pair of knitting needles placed neatly on the little coffee table next the couch. Little Eric Smith was so into looking at the old lady’s room that he almost didn’t have enough time to duck when she came to open the window. When she opened the window, the sweet aroma of freshed baked pie and garlic and onions filled his nose and at that moment he knew what he wanted to be: a chef.

After remembering this memory he came back to the real world and looked at the paper in his hands and the watch on his wrist, but could still smell the freshed baked pie and garlic and onions. Even though he knew he was late, he decided to make a pie. ‘It wouldn’t be that bad if I was late,’ he thought, ‘After all, I’m was a disarming lawyer!’

Towing my bike into town, I head for the mechanics garage. My bike is always breaking down. Right now I am in overdrive trying to make enough money, delivering papers, to buy a new bike. I need a sufficiant bike because now, I am competing with charlie for the the deliverer of north street. He does the east streets I ride west. Its always been a rivlalry between us ever since people mad fun of him for being friends with an orphan. We went from friends to enemies, in two years. For my 13th birthday this year, the nuns at the home baked me a cake and gave me $20 dollars. Since then, I have started saving the money I make to buy a bike. For now, I will just have to keep getting it fixed.
I veer to the right as I pass the town school and take the alleyway until I see the garage door. I walk my bike and lean it on the side of the garage. Li Xiang walks out. “Hi”, she says. “Joe will be right out.” “Thanks,” I say. That is Li Xiang. She is training to become a professional gymnast. Her parents died a couple of years ago. No one knows why.
Joe appears behind a car with soot smeared on his overalls. He jostles his way over to me, bumping into cars, workbenches and tools. His garage, like many others, is a mess. “Fix again?” he asks. “Yep”, I say with a sigh. I hand over the bike, and watch as Joe wheels it into the back of the shop.
I shove my hands into my pocket, turn, and walk out. Sirens hum in the distance as I slowly make my way down the alley. “I’ll stay outside today,” I think to myself. “It’s a beautiful day.” I look up at the sky just in time to see a large black thing barrelling down tword me. All I remember before I pass out is hundreds of thin, green papers fluttering down around me. “Money?” I think before everything goes black and I fall into a deep sleep.

One day when Stanly Granon, a nine year old kid, was walking through the neighborhood, when he saw Hgnus Scrim Way, she was known as the Cat Lady. He saw her wallowing on her backyard,when he walked closer and closer to her,