Friday, May 2, 2008

   Prompt Word: DETERMINATION.
When Carl left the door wide open as he fled to the railroad tracks I was stunned. My mind was frozen and only one thing floated through my concious: Flies are gonna get in.
It was the summer of 1975 when he gave up on us, and I knew it was breaking his heart as much as our. I held baby stacey to my chest and stumbled into the living room, sinking into the worn cushions of the couch. Nicky came into the room soon after, a blanket clutched in his closed fist and he stared at me through liquidy blue eyes.
Carl was only seventeen and he couldn't handle the responsibility.
I sat there, silently, letting the reality of the situation sink in. Only fourteen, no job and only 50 cents in my pocket. Two kids to take care of and no one to lean on for help. A wave of fury rose up in me and I tightened my hold on my baby sister. Carl left us. It finally broke through and with it, intense anger. How dare he?! I was seething as I stood, setting Stacey down in the makeshift crib beside me.
Mechanically, I started to run the bath water and from the corner of my eye I glimpsed one of Nicky's toy trucks.
My anger disappeared and sorrow took it's place. How was I going to do this? I fell back on my heels in despair. My hands rested in my lap and I shook my blonde hair out of my face.
Stacey started crying and I shook myself from my depressed state. I stood, and walked out to pick her up. I'll never leave them alone.

-/Kiya

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