Diana Kurniawan

Tobias Wielton was about to make his mark in the world. He ran home to tell his Mom. His breath short and staggered as he finally reached his mobile home at the Westminster Crest Trailer Community, close to the children's park around the rotary traffic circle in Westminster, Colorado. With the wired door slightly ajar on trailer number 39, he grabbed the handle and swung it open mightily.

 

"Mom, there is an election at school. Do you know what that means?" said Toby to his mother, as he ran to her and pulled on her dress as she prepared her green bean casserole in the kitchen.

 

"We'll have supper and talk about it, sweetie. Here, taste a little bit," she said, stuffing a little green bean casserole from a small spoon into his mouth.  

 

"Oooh…cheesy, I love it," said Toby. "So I'm running for President."

 

"Wow. President?!" Joann said, as she turned her head to her son. The conversation was starting to sound more serious. "What are you planning to do for your people?"

 

"You know how you said Daddy left because you're fat? I don't think it's true," he said, bluntly.

 

Her face almost repressing a laugh, and said, "Go ahead honey, tell me what you really think."

 

"Well, I think he left because he didn't love you enough. I think you guys meet too quickly and didn't become friends enough. I know it's true," said Toby all in one breath.

 

Her shift at Wal-Mart just ended, but she didn't anticipate his full disclosure on the probable cause of the divorce a year ago.

"Is this about Josephine?" Joann pulled her chair and sat down. "You know I told you it's too soon, baby. You have to get to know her."

 

"I think if I become President, she'll be impressed by me that she'd fall in love," Toby said. "I asked Principal Smith and she said it's called, "Puppy Love."

 

"I see. I believe it," said Joann, rubbing her son's head. She picked him up to her lap as her one huge belly rolled into parts. Toby leanded on her soft large stomach.

 

"Mom, I know if I get to plan what I want to plan. I get to go with Josephine," said Toby, his brown eyes moistening into romanticism.

 

"So you got to do anything special for this?" said Joann, a little worried because she can barely pay for her rent and the shift at Wal-Mart was being cut short again. The usual 40 hours became 36 then became 30 and now she has to survive on 25 hours per week. "You know I have nothing, baby."

 

"I will do what you told me about, raising money? Remember we talked about it? Lemonade stands and some bake sales. I want a dance, I get to ask Josephine," said Toby. "But I won't have to pay anything because the money's been raised. We can dance together and be best friends."

 

"What if she says 'No' and you still become President?" asked Joann, as she hugged him.

 

"There are some other girls, but I want Josephine," said Toby. "I just feel it Mommy. I know it's Puppy Love."

 

"We'll we got to dress you up, and make sure you wear a tie and a jacket for the election," said Joann.

 

"I'll have everything done," said Toby. He ran to his room to prepare his speech and fill out the application for the Parkside Elementary School Student Body Presidency. "Mom, can you make Mac and Cheese if I win?"

 

"We can put some ham in it, baby," said Joann. "Come eat supper first before you write your speech. R'member to tell your friends about the dance plan. That's a good idea," she said, smiling and scooping some green bean casserole onto a plate for her and her son.

 

There was nothing special in the casserole, just the usual green beans, Campbell's Mushroom soup, cubed onions, cheddar cheese, and French's Fried Onions. But, Toby was running on Puppy Love and his whole soul and body were a mixture of passion, drive and sugar sweet intentions to meet Josephine that everything tasted divine.

 

"I never tasted better casseroles," said Toby.

 

The next day, the paper work for the Presidential Election had to be entered to the main office by noon, and the names of the candidates were revealed by 2: 45 pm. The election will be done after the next two weeks frame of the presidential campaign.

 

Principal Smith got on the school microphone, and announced the candidates, "We have three this year. Two Fifth Graders and one Fourth Grader," she said.

 

"First candidate, Nicholas Wells, Fifth grade, from Mrs. Stanapolous's class," said Principal Smith, as he placed the first piece of paper face down on her table. "Second, we have Jennifer Tanaka, Fifth Grader, from Mr. George's class." She put the second piece of paper down and she smiled as the third piece of paper was about to be read. "Our third candidate, never been done before, is from Fourth Grade, Mrs. Presley's class, Tobias Wielton. He also said that he is running on Puppy Love," said Principal Smith.

 

Everyone in Mrs. Presley's class turned to Toby in the middle row and a little boy asked him, "What's Puppy Love?"

 

"It's when you're still in Fourth Grade, but your heart gets all fuzzy when you see a certain person. It's called Puppy Love, because it's the same feeling when you fall in love with a puppy," said Toby, his hands gesticulating.

 

"Oh my gosh," said Josephine. She glanced to Toby and covered her face with her hands. Her cheeks all pinkish from the warmth. Toby smiled and looked down to his hands, and folded them.

 

Mrs. Presley walked to Toby and kneeled down to him, "Toby, I want you to write the best speech possible. It will be such an honor to have the student body president in my classroom," she said, as she kissed his forehead.

 

"I'll write it tonight," said Toby, with more than just the excitement of writing a speech. For the first time in his life, he felt significant to represent his Fourth Grade class as the Presidential Nominee.

 

As soon as the bell rang, everyone scattered as if a riot had broken out. They all ran home and couldn't wait to for the two weeks of presidential campaigns at their own elementary school. Toby walked to his home with a tinge of fear from the thoughts of the two weeks campaigns.

 

"I will just do what I need to do," he said under his breath. His eyes watered and his chest burned from the fear and worry of not having any money to campaign for his presidential election.

 

"I'm sorry, Mom," he said, feeling the pressure and sorrow of not having the means to excel in life. He started to cry on his way home, because he knew that without the campaign, people won't know his name and people won't remember him or his cause. He simply had nothing to campaign with. No money, no campaign, meant No Presidency and No School Dance and No Josephine. Puppy love will be done and over with.

 

Toby arrived home with nothing left inside his spirit, but anguish and grief. Joann saw his son's white shirt, all wet on the front and snot was all over his sleeves. "Baby, what happened?" She was worried that Toby might have been hurt on his way home.

 

"Campaign week, Mommy," said Toby.

 

Joann quickly grabbed him, lifting his whole body with her powerful arms and cuddled with him on the couch. She caressed his cheeks and told him, "I know baby. I went to elementary school too, you know. I also went to high school. May have been a drop out, but I remember some of it," said Joann.

 

"We don't have any money," said Toby. He sobbed and Joann felt the soft tender heart of his being torn apart.

 

"I got good news baby," said Joann. "We don't need to campaign, we just need to give them each a piece of paper with a smart slogan. That's like campaigning right?"

 

"Just a piece of paper?" asked Toby.

 

"We'll cut up some writing paper into fours and we draw on it and write something sweet. Then we tell them to vote for you," said Joann.

 

"I trust you. I love you," said Toby, hugging her.

 

"We'll get started with just 15 pieces of paper first, and that makes 60 pieces of flyers, then after two days, we do another 15, until the end of the campaign week," said Joann.

 

"What do you think we'll say on them?" Toby wondered.

 

"One will say, 'Driven by Puppy Love, vote for the sweetest President. Vote for Tobias Wielton," Joann said, "Another one will say, 'You are my friend. And I am yours. Let's choose friendships and love. Let's have a ball. Vote for Tobias Wielton."

 

Toby suddenly stood up out of the faith that everything will be okay. He jumped on the couch, and shouted, "The "ball" can be the lead to the school dance and I get to spend time with Josephine!"

 

"You need to make sure she knows how you feel. Tell her in class if she doesn't mind being in your speech," said Joann.

 

"What do you mean?" said Toby.

 

"Tell her you love her and that she's the reason you're running for President," said Joann.

 

"I trust you, Mom. Okay," said Toby.

 

Supper was as delicious as usual. This time, it was just a peanut butter sandwich, because poultry was a luxury and the vegetables weren't bought yet. But, there was always bread. They ate together and later on, made their flyers, which took almost four hours, until eleven at night. But, Joann knew that with hard work comes rewards.

 

The next two weeks, Toby kept working on distributing the flyers all over school. He even taped some in the boy's restroom, behind each stall, and next to every mirror. No one missed Toby's fliers, and as a matter of fact, Josephine told him, "This is a cute flyer. I can't believe you drew on each one!" Which gave him a huge boost of confidence that made him want to fly to the moon with her.

 

"I think you're a sweetheart," replied Toby. And for a moment, they locked eyes.  He smiled and looked into her green eyes, and mesmerized by how exquisite she was.

 

Josephine smiled back and told him, "I'm voting for you." Toby almost fainted. He swayed to the side and his heart pumped in adrenaline. He wanted to hug her, but she ran to her father's van to go home.

 

The two weeks of campaigning were nothing but a victory for Tobias Wielton, and who knew that art won over the hearts of his people at Parkside Elementary. "All out of love, please let me win," Toby chanted those words in his heart and mind, as he walked home every day from school.

 

By the third week of that same month, it was time for the Presidential Election Speech, as the whole school gathered inside the auditorium. Each of the candidates were seated in their normal seats with their class and they were each asked to come up on the stage as they were being announced.

 

Nicholas Wells wore a dapper black jacket with a white button down shirt, blue jeans and a blue paisley tie. He spoke about the possibilities of having a school trip to Elitch Garden during the upcoming summer as they transition to Middle School. He would love to keep in touch with everyone. He also made a conjecture about separating the salads in the cafeteria as an optional choice, instead of a mandatory consumption.

 

Jennifer Tanaka was next and her speech was elaborately weaved into a story about how her mother had gotten into Harvard because it took a village to raise a child. Jennifer also talked about how the school should embrace cultural competency and have a "cultural night" where everyone should dress up in their native cultural attire. She wore a pretty green and white cranes print dress with a pearl necklace. She looked like an enchanting porcelain doll that Toby couldn't stop looking at her.

Josephine sat next to him in the auditorium and she noticed how charmed Toby was by Jennifer Tanaka. "I know. She's so pretty," said Josephine, her soft voice indicated a slight feeling of loss.

 

Toby heard her and looked to her, "I think she will make it into Harvard," he said. Then he took Josephine's hand and kissed it, "She's in Fifth Grade. She'll go to middle school soon."

 

Josephine's lips curved to a smile and told him, "I'm voting for you."

 

Everyone clapped as Jennifer Tanaka slowly made her way back to her seat. Principal Smith took the stage and announced the final candidate.

 

"This year, we have a Fourth Grader with a courageous and loving heart who said he was "driven by Puppy Love," to run for the Presidential Election," said Principal Smith.

 

Toby looked to Josephine, and said, "I want you to help me for the speech."

 

"What do I need to do?" asked Josephine.

 

"Just stand up," said Toby.

 

Principal Smith looked to Toby and said over the microphone, "Now let's hear from one of our own pupils, Tobias Wielton, with his speech for the Presidential Campaign for Parkside Elementary!"

 

The whole auditorium clapped as Toby walked onto the stage. Toby had on his cargo pants and a brown jacket with a navy tie, as he fixed it to look presentable for the audience. He opened his piece of paper and began reading it:

 

"This is the first time I have ever ran for anything. It is not because I couldn't but it is because I finally have a reason to do so. I know I'm only in Fourth Grade, but I have a year to go and that will be a year of experience for me to run for your next presidential election when I am in Fifth Grade. I want to grow with you and I want to be friends with you.

I am running for this Presidential Election because I am suffering from Puppy Love and she knows and she approves. She is why I am driven to success and why I plan to have a school dance where every boy will ask a girl to the dance, so they can begin a friendship that will last a lifetime.

 

My Mom is alone, and she met my Dad in high school, but I think they weren't friends that much. I think if we have a dance at school, we will have the chance to raise money and work together. We will meet each other and become friends, even best friends for life. That's why I want to be your President, because I want to build friendships for all us. I may not have a library card yet, but I can help you just as much as a Fifth Grader can. Vote for me, the boy with the Puppy Love, Tobias Wielton." Tobias said, as he ended his speech and waved to the audience.

 

The audience clapped and all of the fourth graders were so happy because they felt empowered by their classmate. His bravery to run for the presidency out of the pure intent of building relationships, was a compliment to the Fourth Graders.

 

"And I have already made sure that my Puppy Love will come with me," said Toby. He looked to Josephine, and said, "Josephine, if you have me as your date for our Parkside School Dance, will you stand up?"

 

Josephine stood up and waved at everyone and nodded to Tobias.

 

"That's how friendships build," said Toby. "Thank you, Josephine."

 

Josephine sat down and covered her face with her palms. Mrs. Presley sneaked to her side and gave her a hug to tell her how brave and sweet she was to help Toby. Josephine whispered to her, and said, "I hope we have a dance." Mrs. Presley giggled.

 

Principal Smith walked to the microphone as the audience were still clapping and some even stood up after Tobias made his speech. Toby walked back to his seat next to Josephine and held her hand. As Principal Smith made her announcement about lunch being served, the teachers handed out the election ballots with check boxes next to the candidate's names.

The election was in progress.

 

Tobias checked the box next to his name and Josephine showed him her ballot with his name checked as well. They resumed holding hands.

 

Lunch was next and the whole student body walked to the cafeteria and ate for the next half hour as the teachers counted the ballots.

 

Principal Smith was back on the microphone, "We have the results. This year, we will have Tobias Wielton as the Student Body President for Parkside Elementary."

 

The whole cafeteria shouted Toby's name. Toby couldn't believe he truly won the Presidential Election.

 

"We will have a fundraising committee to start meeting and planning for the school dance, as Toby had already told us," said Principal Smith over the microphone.

 

"Oh, my gosh!" said Toby. His eyes glistened and Josephine jumped up and down.

 

Toby was so happy because out of this whole experience, he grew closer to the girl he loved the most at Parkside Elementary. Not just friends, but their relationship might be officially called "boyfriend-girlfriend-ish."

 

The whole cafeteria roared and some tapped their trays to show their support. Jennifer Tanaka walked to Toby and gave him a hug. "Tell me if you would like some help planning, I'm very smart," said Jennifer.

 

"I will definitely need your help," said Toby, as they shook hands.

 

Nicholas Wells gave Toby a high-five. "I know Jennifer will say yes, too," said Nicholas. Nicholas walked behind Jennifer and asked her, "So what do you think Americans should wear as a native attire?"

 

Jennifer giggled and said, "I don't know, it was an idea. Maybe you can just be who you are or where your ancestors came from."

 

"Oh good, because I'm Polish and English," said Nicholas. He looked into her eyes and said, "I hope you'll come with me to the dance."

 

Jennifer replied, "I'd love to." She smiled from ear to ear as Nicholas took her hand and they walked together to their table inside the cafeteria.

 

"Isn't Puppy Love grand?" said Joann, beside Toby unexpectedly.

 

"Oh my gosh! Mom!" shouted Toby, as he jumped into her arms.

 

"I saw your speech. You were brilliant, baby," said Joann.

 

"You taught me, Mom. It was all you!" said Toby, as he pushed his lips onto her cheeks.

 

"So who is your friend?" Joann asked about Josephine, standing behind Toby, all teary eyed and eager to meet Joann.

 

"Oh, I forgot," Toby got down from his mother's arms and took Josephine to his mother. "This is Puppy Love," said Tobias.

 

The end. Just write.

It was a dark and misty night after a long day of rain, when Theodore went with his mother to the carnival. Suddenly, a flubbery fat clown bumped into Theodore, holding a plastic bag with a fish inside.

 

"I give you one free fish kid," said the strange clown with smelly breath of raw fish and garlic. 

 

"I didn't ask for one," Theodore told the peculiar clown, as he looked closely into the little plastic bag. Inside the bag was an orange goldfish with yellow fins, and eyes as black as the darkest part of the attic of a haunted house. 

 

"Feed him live worms, fish food, and flies, and you will see a bright change in your life," whispered the clown. 

 

Theodore grew nervous and left the clown and called for an early night. "He is just too much for a ten-year-old. But, I do like this fish," said Theodore.

 

After walking away from the fat clown and safely returning home with his mother, Theodore gently placed his new fish, inside his pond in the backyard. 

 

"Here yee, here yee, I shall name you, Cameroon!"  declared Theodore, but Cameroon showed his fangs to show his joy for his new home, and Theodore immediately ran inside his house, frightened. 

 

Feeding frenzies and happy moments made Theodore love Cameroon, his new goldfish, and they became best friends as live worms became a regular diet. Several days turned into weeks, and Theodore never noticed his goldfish was haunted with a love spell to capture Theodore's full attention in life. 

 

As time went on, Theodore abandoned his daily activities just to be with his goldfish. His pogo stick would be left on the ground because live worms seemed more fun, and swordplay became boring because his swords were made of wood, and Cameroon ate flies.

 

"You are one hungry goldfish Cameroon, but I like you more than worms, swords, or pogo sticks!"  Theodore told his new best friend.

 

Cameroon stopped playing with everything, and basketball or jump rope became too common for Theodore.  All day and night, Theodore kept talking to Cameroon in the backyard, as Cameroon swam around the pond and did nothing for response.

 

One day, Theodore became very lonely and went to the pond to cry, because he realized his only friend was Cameroon. Cameroon flipped like a dolphin, to show how happy he was to see Theodore, every time Theodore comes to his pond.  But today, when Cameroon saw tears in Theodore's eyes, Cameroon became angry and splashed Theodore with some pond water! 

 

Theodore started to laugh, and suddenly had a bright idea! 

 

"I should find Cameroon a mate!!" Theodore decided. Theodore thought of returning to the carnival to fetch Cameroon a mate, but the pet store was much closer in distance from Theodore's house. 

 

"One fish, please," Theodore told the fish lady at the pet store. 

 

"But, you can have six fishes for a dollar," said the fish lady. 

 

"Nope, I just want one goldfish, and please give me an orange one!" said Theodore to the fish lady. 

 

"I hope you can afford more next time," said the fish lady, grumbling.

 

When Theodore came home, he immediately went to the pond and showed Cameroon his new friend. "I give you a mate!! This one is named "Crunchy!" Theodore said, because he was very happy for Cameroon, and Crunchy swam inside the pond. But, with one bite, Cameroon ate Crunchy whole! 

 

Theodore cried, "BUT, CRUNCHY WAS YOUR FRIEND!"  Cameroon flipped like a dolphin and splashed some pond water to make Theodore happy. 

 

"I hope you will become a good little fish inside this pond!" Theodore scolded, but Cameroon kept swimming inside the pond. Theodore was very upset that night, and went to sleep a little more scared and lonelier than the night before.  He feared that his life will become lonely and that his friend for life would only be just one crazy goldfish, Cameroon.

 

"I wish I had more friends than just one ol' fish," Theodore wept, and wished for a few more kids around his neighborhood to keep him company.

 

The next morning, grey and cloudy from the cold night, Theodore peeked outside his own kitchen window to see if Cameroon was still inside the pond. Cameroon perched on top of a small rock inside the pond, because Cameroon knew Theodore was looking for him.

 

"I have to teach Cameroon how to play well with other fishes," Theodore made an oath to himself, because Cameroon was still Theodore's only friend.

 

That evening, after a hard day of cycling, mud castles, and swordplay, Theodore came back to the pet store, for more fishes to keep Cameroon company. 

 

"I need two dollars' worth of goldfishes for my pond," Theodore told the grumbling fish lady.  The fish lady was so happy, and even gave a morsel of live worms for the goldfishes to munch inside the large plastic bag.  When Theodore arrived home, he hurried to his pond and released the dozen of goldfishes to let them swim with Cameroon.

 

Cameroon swam inside the pond, faster than usual, because he was very upset.  Theodore became terrified because he saw how Cameroon swam so fast inside the pond, and he ran inside his house to forget about Cameroon, just for a night. 

 

"I'll just leave him with his new friends," Theodore thought, before he fell asleep. Before he dozed off, Theodore prayed for another human friend in the neighborhood to save him from Cameroon's hunger for life. "God, if you're listening, I want a new friend, so I won't be so lonely," said Theodore, and then he zonked out like a little baby.

 

A week after the dreadful night, Theodore peeked inside his own pond.  The whole pond was empty, but Cameroon was swimming near the bottom of the pond, hiding. Cameroon's hunger for other fishes completely skewed Theodore's hopes and dreams of a perfect pond.

 

"Something looks fishy," Theodore thought with teary eyes, to sympathize for the dozen of goldfishes he thought were safe with Cameroon. Cameroon flipped like a dolphin, splashed some pond water at Theodore and swam happily inside the pond. 

"Cameroon is not a guppy," Theodore told himself, and he noticed something else.  Cameroon grew twice his size, his yellow fins turned bloody red, and his eyes became brown, NOT black. 

 

"I will have to take you back to the clown, because I don't know who you are, Cameroon! You keep eating your new friends," said Theodore. Theodore was petrified and quickly took a plastic bag and gently placed Cameroon inside the bag, to return Cameroon back to the clown at the carnival.

 

At the carnival, the clown was still there, handing out stickers to people that said, "DON'T FISH FOR TROUBLE!" 

 

Theodore gave Cameroon back to the clown and angrily said, "I can't keep him, he is the scariest fish I have ever met! I bought some fishes to be his friend, and he ate all of them!" 

 

The clown laughed and told Theodore, "I'm sorry, I didn't know you're so scared of goldfishes."  Theodore replied, "I'm not, but this one is very scary!" as Theodore furiously scurried off the carnival. 

 

The clown lifted the plastic bag to see Cameroon inside, and whispered to Cameroon, "I hope the next person has a bigger pond."  The clown laughed, and placed Cameroon inside a little bowl, to keep him company at the carnival. 

 

Ever since the tragedy of Cameroon, Theodore cleaned the pond, and stopped crying at night.  He bought another docile fish from the fish lady at the pet store, and that same night, Maya was searching for catnip at the pet store. 

 

"My cat will eat all of your goldfishes," said Maya, trying to scare Theodore, because he kept staring at the fishes in the aquariums. 

 

Theodore replied, "I have to make sure you will meet Cameroon at the carnival, I think your cat will fall in love with him." Theodore smiled because Maya has freckles and a polka-dot dress. 

 

"I could tell from your eyes, that you're in love with something," Maya smiled back.

 

Theodore never knew his ten years old neighbor, Maya, often searches for catnip at the same pet store he goes to.  Theodore was never lonely anymore, because Maya was a fierce swordsman, and her cat would climb Theodore's trees in his backyard, at least once a week. 

 

In the mean time, Cameroon was still at the carnival, and the strange clown with stinky breath still has plenty of stickers to attract more customers to his show.  The latest sticker said, "Love your life, and life will love you back."

 

The End.

 Joe Schmoe, our friendly manly neighbor who looked just like any man in the neighborhood, wanted to do something different. Joe wanted to do something more differentest than the most different of the differentest. He decided to grow his armpit hairs because he believed that life needed to be something special. He wanted people to remember him as the guy with the longest armpits hair, because this way, although he looked like any guy in the neighborhood, everyone will remember his hairy armpits.

 

He took one stretchy rubber band and tied the hairy part of his armpits after he braided it into a twist. He definitely became odd, more than the oddest of the odds.

 

Days passed and the hairs on his armpits grew longer, so he had to take his rubber bands and re-braid his hairy armpits, everyday.  Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months and became years, as Joe Schmoe kept braiding the hair on his hairy armpits, until it looked like a pony tail underneath his armpits.

 

He realized he needed to wash his pits because he didn't want it to smell as foul, as it began to smell like a foul smelly man of the foulest.  He finally took sometime to wash his armpits hair, and also his hairs on his head.

 

"If I grew the hairs on my head, I wouldn't have been the differentest of the different of them all. What would be special about that?" said Joe Schmoe in the shower, a man similar to any other man in the neighborhood, except for his hairy armpits.

 

As the years passed by some more, his hairy armpits became yards and yards long. The braids that were made of the hair on his hairy armpits became stringy and sticky during the day, as it also smelled soury. The twisted braids grew so long, it started to come out of his shirts and down to his knees.

 

"Eww, his hairy armpits are coming out of his clothes. Gross hairy armpits man!" said an honest kid in the neighborhood.

 

Joe smiled and said, "That's right kid. Remember this day, you just met Joe Schmoe, the man with the hairiest armpits of the hairy armpits."

 

The kid ran while covering his nose and yelled, "JOE SCHMOE IS GROSS, HIS ARMPITS ARE STINKY AND HAIRY!!"

 

Joe was baffled, because he thought people would congratulate him, but seeing how the little kid ran, Joe was flabbergasted. He looked down onto his hairy armpits and thought, "Maybe I just need to rewash it again."

 

He went home at that moment, decided to take a quick shower and washed his hairy armpits for hours, until he believed he smelled clean.  He dressed himself up, and braided his armpits hair then twisted the hairs on his pits to make himself look sharp.

 

He went outside his door and there were neighborhood kids and adults in front of his house.

 

"You should really shave your armpits, it is not good for children," said Loud Man from the East side of the neighborhood.

 

"You are starting to smell foul and your hairy armpits will repel other people from becoming your friends," said a Loud Lady, while covering her daughter's eyes from seeing some man's hairy pits.

 

Joe became so sad and walked back into his home with a somber attitude. He sat on his couch, and thought, "I wish I was different than the rest of the neighborhood, and be loved for it."

 

He went to the shower and decided it was time to shave his pits, and in a few minutes all of his hair from his hairy armpits were shaven off. His armpits were hairless, and he smelled his pits and said, "I know…. I will grow my nose hairs!"

 

The End. Just write.

I am a little person from the island of No One.

It is an island, above Nonsense, and Everything.

 

I want to move from this island to become SOMEONE, because I feel everyone in No One, seems to know something, although they really know nothing.

 

So, I pack all of my things, to go to Anywhere, Everywhere, before somebody tells me to stop!

 

I gather all of my belongings, 44 years in the making, and I have a PLAN.

 

I will make SOMETHING, to make me SOMEONE, out of No One.

I will make a stamp! So people can see how I was nothing, and became SOMEBODY.

 

I say to my parents, "Mom, Dad, I am good to go. I even have a "plan!"

"Since you are over 40 years old, we can trust you and we think you can make it!" My parents says to me.

 

On my journey, I met a man, he says, "Look at me, I am half Nothing, partly Somebody, and I made SOMEONE out of myself."

 

The man is strange, with curly brown hair and a spiky-yellow goatee.

I shake his hand, and tell him, "I am a little person, from the island of No One."

 

He laughs, and tells me, "I was a No One too!"

I reply, "Really? Where from?"

 

"The big part of Nonsense, and our family, often goes to see Everything," he says.

 

"Wow, I am happy for you!" I tell him, speaking as a No One.

 

"Well, I'm on a journey to become SOMEONE!" I tell him.

 

His eyes glistens as he tells me, "It's good thing you know! Look at me now, I'm a HUGE SOMETHING!"

 

I say, "Wonderful, I even have a "plan."

 

He pats me on my back, and he says, "Well, little No One, I'll go and bid you good luck. So, one day, you can be SOMEONE."

  

I am joyful, and my smile shines as HUGE SOMETHING rides off into the sunset.

 

I soar my arms as if I am flying, and I feel the wind while running to the nearest, "Air Mail Station."

 

It took hours to find EVERYWHERE, and finally, I see on the horizon, ANYWHERE is somewhere near.

 

I start running and got so excited that my arms flops up and down.

 

"I'm almost there, the place called ANYWHERE, EVERYWHERE! I am so proud of me!" I say to myself.

 

I walk inside the Airmail Station, and say to the man in front of me, "Hi, I'm a little person, and I have a plan."

 

"Yes, thrill me!" the man says. I believe his name is Airmail Worker as he looks at me with a gargantuan grin.

 

"I know how to make a stamp!" I say to him with a smile.

 

"Wow, you're one of those. The type with a plan," says Airmail Worker, as he strokes his chin.

 

"I told you, I told you, I know it!" I yell, showing Airmail Worker see, how capable I am to reach the sky.

 

"I'm hoping your plan will work," he says.

 

"I think it will. I even told my parents about this," I say to him, with excitement.

 

"Well, you have to be at least 21 years old," says Airmail Worker as he pulls out a form.

 

"I'm 44 years old! YES! I made it!" I cry out, because I am happy.

 

"Definitely, you are old enough," he says, as Airmail Worker shakes my hand.

 

"Fill this out. It's a form.  And you must sign the back of this piece of paper," Airmail Worker says.

 

As I fill out the form, I pull out a small, old, photograph of me, when I was a baby with black hair.

 

"This is it. This is my photo!!" I show Airmail Worker.

 

Airmail Worker looks at my photo, and say, "Ha Ha Ha Ha! This is hilarious! You really are a little person!"

 

"I am actually from the island of No One," I immediately say to Airmail Worker.

 

"I am very touched, and since you look hilarious. I don't see why this photo won't work as a stamp," says Airmail Worker.

 

"That's exactly my point! I am a very hard worker, that's the talent of a little person," I say to him, showing Airmail Worker my excitement.

 

"I will process this form, and take this photo to see if my Supervisor will love it," he says. "Just stay around, little one, and don't go around EVERYWHERE," says Airmail Worker, as he walks to the back of the store and disappears.

 

I stand near the counter at the Airmail Station for a while.

Still, not even after the ghost of Thanksgiving stuffing came, Airmail Worker is a no-show.

 

I cover my face, and say to myself, "Maybe my photo is too funny?"

Then a school-boy, riding on his bicycle strides by and yells, "WOW! Are you the little person?"

 

"Yes, is there something wrong with that?" I say to him, feeling a little worried.

 

"Oh, my goodness, IT IS THE LITTLE PERSON!" School-boy suddenly shouts.

 

"WHY?" I stand up taller, and try to face him, head-on.

 

"I want your autograph, because I see your picture around EVERYWHERE," shouts School-boy some more. "EVERYBODY! RUSH HERE! IT'S THE LITTLE PERSON!"

 

By the time I look around me, I can see everyone, from ANYWHERE, EVERYWHERE, crowding around me.

 

I am so surprised because they know who I am, and I feel like an important SOMEONE.

 

"How did you know I was the little person," I ask School-boy.

 

"My teacher, Mr. Strange told me about you!" School-boy says, as he claps his hands, and jumps up and down at the same time.

 

"Who is Mr. Strange?" I ask him in panic.

 

"He is our best teacher in our school, because he is so WEIRD! He tells us stories of important people," School-boy shouts again.

 

The rush of crowd subsides, and I ask School-boy another question, "Does he have brown hair and a spiky-yellow goatee?"

 

"Absolutely! I love my History teacher!" School-boy tells me while shouting again.

 

I can feel my hands shaking, "How did…?" I ask.

 

"Let us show you!" School boy and some people from ANYWHERE, EVERYWHERE lead me to a nearby store. My photo is on the window display!

 

"I had no idea!" I cry to myself with teary eyes.

 

"Go inside, and see the store owner," School-boy takes my hand, and leads me inside the store.

 

Near the back of the store, Airmail worker is talking to a lot of people about a stamp.

 

"It's you!! How did you own a store?" I ask Airmail Worker.

 

"I'm sorry for taking so long to process the form, my life turned upside down," he apologizes.

 

"What about all this? And my stamp? I thought you had gone to process my form?" I ask.

 

Airmail worker answers, "I was stuck in my life, because it turned upside down. My wife passed away.  I could not process your form, because I realized you are not from ANYWHERE, EVERYWHERE, and I could not use your photo as a stamp," Airmail worker says.  "But, I told my Supervisor I am willing to take you, as my son, so I showed him your picture and he believed me. I am very sorry, but I hope you will help me and we can work together," he says, with some disappointment.

 

Mr. Strange walks in, and taps me on my shoulder, "Hey, Stranger," he says.

 

I smile, and say, "I thought you are a HUGE SOMETHING! I was right!" I shake his hands.

 

"I told my kids at school about you," he smiles.

 

"Why?" I ask Mr. Strange, "I am just a little person, from No One."

 

"That's why I told them about you. You are a big person, for pursuing what you love.  Also, for being original and honest," Mr. Strange says.

 

"Thank you, all this time, I thought my plan was wasted.  I was scared," I say to Mr. Strange.

 

Mr. Strange sees Airmail worker, and shakes his hands. "Looks like you've got yourself a friend," says Mr. Strange.

 

"I feel like a SOMEONE already," I say to Airmail Worker.

 

I turn my head to the man with the spiky-yellow goatee who is no longer a stranger, but strange still in his very own right.

 

"Thank you for being honest, and I am happy to have met a friend in life," I say to Mr. Strange.

 

Outside of the store, everyone is taking pictures of us, as I tell them about my adventure. But, all they all want is to take a picture of Mr. Strange. He strikes a pose stroking his goatee and then another one with one hand behind his back and the other on his waist.

 

"This store is mine and yours kid," says Airmail worker to me, and Mr. Strange.

 

From then on, everything I plan and dream of the stamp, made me SOMEBODY. I keep making more stamps of important people in life. There was a woman who sits on a bus to get to her job, and another man who was a President but really really fat, and another woman who sits on a chair but sleeps during a Presidential speech, but she rafts on Sundays and just died in 2019.

 

Meanwhile, in the island of No One…

 

My Father is watching television, and my Mother is eating bread with strawberry jam.

 

I feel lucky I had a plan.

 

Keep pursuing your dreams. The end. Just write. 

Kenzo looked into the mirror in his bathroom, staring at his small slanted black eyes and limp straight black hair. He wondered how his soul was ever chosen to have black, the color of darkness, to be a part of his features.

 

Kenzo was convinced that Caucasians, Latinos and African Americans didn't have to deal with being called "chink," although he was actually Japanese. But, he was pretty sure other races and ethnicities had their struggles. Why did they exist? Those labels? The subject was so deep that Kenzo felt a swirling headache for about five seconds just thinking about it.

 

His skin tone was pinkish pale, with some pimples on his face that looked like tiny volcanoes with pus inside, awaiting some pressure from his two fingertips to erupt. He was holding the temptation. He decided not to press them because there were already some scars from the previously throbbing pimples that he pressed, and they were now dark spots on his face.

 

"I wish I was handsome," he said. All he thought about today was Melody, the dreamy senior he dreamt about last night because she has the most alluring brown eyes and the cutest smile. "She'll never notice me."

 

Kenzo didn't mind being Japanese or even Asian, but he did mind being called "chink" or "gook" or "nip" or "chino" or "trash." The taunts felt like a knife to the core of his heart and soul because he couldn't help to look the way he looked.

 

Jim, his best mate, thought Kenzo had a "dozen" calculators, because Japanese people from Intel created it in the 70s. Kenzo was so afraid of saying, "Nah, that's not true." Kenzo remained quiet because he would rather have Jim thought he was smart and knew about the scientific calculator, instead of finding out he had the lowest grade in math.

 

Kenzo wasn't sure he could accomplish anything, but he sure knew he could possibly fail at everything.

 

"Kenzo, come out. Get some dinner and talk to me," said Maria, his Mom.

 

Maria knew high school was rough on Kenzo, but she won't let him stay silent about his hard days at school.

 

Kenzo came out and sat at the head of the nicely set up dinner table, with a small bowl of rice and a plate of pork cutlets and sautéed seaweed with garlic. "Dinner can't last more than fifteen minutes," Kenzo figured.

 

"So, I have to tell you a story, Kenzo," said Maria. "I never really told you how your Dad and I met."

 

"Yeah. I still love you," he said. His eyes slanted to the left to watch her face, because he understood his mother. As a son of a single Mom, he never expected her to tell him the truth about her past. "I believe everything you told me before."

 

"What did I tell you before?" asked Maria.

 

"That Dad had an affair with his co-worker and he left you in Japan. So, you moved to Hawaii illegally and started to work there and finally got your citizenship," said Kenzo.

 

"Well, I want to change the story a little bit," said Maria.

 

"What do you mean?" Kenzo asked.

 

"What if I tell you that I was pregnant before I got married? And that your Dad married me because I groveled?" asked Maria.

 

"Dad was rich, is that why you groveled?" asked Kenzo. He remembered growing up in a huge house with a Koi pond and his father always played with him in the garden. "You mean to tell me that Dad is not my father?"

 

Shocking life, shocking face, and all this in one day. How would I ever live through this? Kenzo placed his fork down and his eyes were tearing.

 

"No," said Maria. "I was so hurt so bad. I didn't have friends, too. But I made it Kenzo."

 

"Oh God, Mom!" said Kenzo, rolling his eyes. "Is this the truth or one of those hypothetical to make me feel better?"

 

"Both," said Maria. "So, pretend tonight that I groveled to your father and he married me out of fear because he was getting old and limp."

 

"Jesus!" said Kenzo. The phone rang.

 

Kenzo walked to the phone and tapped the 'talk' button. "Yeah, this is the Yashi residence."

 

"Kenzo?" said the darling voice on the phone. "May I speak to Kenzo Yashi for a moment? My name is Melody from his high school."

 

"Melody? Switzer? Is this real?" Kenzo said, accidently saying his thoughts out loud. The same swirling headache from earlier in the evening rushed through his whole head.  He was passing out.

 

"Oh, hi, My name is Melody and I'm the student representative from the Anti-Bullying group at school," said Melody. She sounded nervous.

 

"You're so brilliant," Kenzo uttered. Gasp.

 

"Oh, you're so sweet," said Melody.

 

"Kenzo who is it?" asked Maria, from the dinner table.

 

"Can I help you with anything?" asked Kenzo, walking to the dinner table, sitting back down in front of his mom with his cell phone on one ear.

 

Maria sliced her pork cutlet into small pieces and stared at her son who was smiling from ear to ear.

 

"Must be something good. You're smiling," said Maria. She forked a few strands of garlic seaweed and a pinch of rice.

 

"Jim told me that someone called you a derogatory name today. I want to apologize for that," said Melody. "Jim also wanted to say sorry about the 'calculator' thing. He just wants you to feel better about being who you are."

 

"Jim, he's a good man," said Kenzo. He couldn't believe 'dream brunette' was on his phone line.

 

"So, what are you doing for Christmas this year?" asked Melody.

 

"My Mom and I were just going to go to the nativity show at the Presby church around the corner then go home," said Kenzo.

 

"The Anti-bullying team is having a Christmas party at the Flaggstaff house. Up Baseline Avenue in Boulder," said Melody. "Would you come? It's free. The fundraising team made sure we can invite a date."

 

"A date?" Kenzo asked and tears were hovering in his eyes.

 

Maria choked on her pork cutlet, and asked "Is she cute? Kenzo?" Kenzo raised his index finger to his lips.

 

"Yeah. I know you might want to come if Jim will come too, so I made sure another girl is asking him to come. Care to join me?" she asked.

 

Melody's voice creacked because she understood that being different could cause a lot of heartache. "Just to let you know. I was bullied because a lot of girls are jealous sometimes and I get hurt. So I know how name calling can cause heartaches."

 

"You're the most beautiful girl I've ever met. Yes! I want to go. Don't change your mind," Kenzo said with a tinge of nerves. "What should I do now? I've never been asked out before."

 

"I never asked anyone out before, either" said Melody.

 

"She sounds like a warrior," said Maria, chewing the rest of the pork cutlet inside her mouth.

 

"You don't have to do anything. Let's talk tomorrow. Come to our meeting on the second floor library," said Melody.

 

"Okay. Let's do that then," said Kenzo.

 

"Okay. I will talk to you later, Kenzo. And...," she said, as she paused for a moment, "I really want to thank you, for not making me feel embarrassed for asking you out and for not rejecting me. I've been hurt before, too. So I think we'll have plenty to talk about."

 

"I know we'll be best friends," said Kenzo. His heart beats a little faster and tears rolled down his cheeks as if his eyes were two leaky faucets. I couldn't believe this just happened, Kenzo couldn't help but to think of this, and replied, "I'll see you tomorrow." They hung up.

 

"So, you have plans this year for Christmas," said Maria. "I will be free to go with my girlfriends and have a girls' nite out." Maria smiled, because finally she wasn't worried about her son feeling alone or horrible during the holidays.

 

"I think that was a Christmas miracle," said Kenzo. He stared at the wall, because he wasn't sure if the whole thing happened at all.

 

"So, a girl just asked you to go on a date, for Christmas," said Maria. "Yep, it happened."

 

"Mom. I love you. I know Dad is Dad and you're my Mom. You don't have to make up stories anymore. I'm going to make things happier. I'll work harder and I'll make better friends. But, Jim is a keeper," said Kenzo.

 

"I thought he was a pot-head. Not true, huh?" said Maria. She smiled.

 

"Christmas isn't going to be a bad day after all," said Kenzo. He took his mother's hand and kissed them. "I love how you make up stories to make me feel good. I love you forever, Mom."

 

"Merry early Christmas, Baby," said Maria.

 

"Merry Christmas, Mom," said Kenzo.

There was a small fly on the trash can beside the door, inside the lunch room of some random place of work.

 

"Why is it just sitting there?" John said.

 

"Don't know, it's chillin'," said George.

 

"How come we always want to kill 'em? Them flies?" asked John.

 

"Well....look at it, it's on a trash can, why not kill it?" said George.

 

"Well, isn't it a sin?" asked John.

 

"I wanna kill you sometimes, but is not a sin," said George.

 

"What you mean you want to kill me? Because I'm askin' about some fly? What you getting at?" confronted John.

 

"Why you ask such dumb questions? Why is a fly just sittin' there. Why can't you do some work for a change," he said. George got angry.

 

"I'm working. I'm here aren't I? It's called asking an intelligent question. You know…questions, meant to be discussed," said John.

 

They looked at the fly and it was still there, chillin' according to George.

 

"Let's kill it," said John.

 

"Why you gotta kill everything? This is why I should kill you, maybe you should stop bullyin' some small fly and start workin' and stop rollin' that paper," said George.

 

John took a piece of paper from the kitchen table and tried to hit the fly with the rolled paper, as George tried to stop it. They wrestled each other, trying to kill a fly and what looked like a simple discussion turned into a fight.

 

"Why can't you leave them flies alone? Anti-violence," said George.

 

"It's a fly! Let me do it!" yelled John, because his manliness somehow could diminish if the fly wasn't dead in a few seconds.

 

Their boss, Olaf, walked in. He asked them, "What's this kerfuffle? I'm writing both of you up because you're wrestling in the kitchen."

 

John grabbed the rolled piece of paper, and tried to kill the fly, but he missed. George slapped John on the back of his head and Olaf saw him.

 

"Nevermind, you're both fired. I told you to stop, but you didn't acknowledge me," said Olaf.

 

"What? It's just a fly and a small argument. Why did you fire me?" asked John.

 

George slapped John on the back of his head, then John punched George on his face so hard that John fell down and almost passed out.

 

"You know, it don't mean much, but it felt good. I'm on the same side of the fly," said George.

 

"You're a stupid crazy man! It's just a fly," said John, trying to get back on his feet.

 

Olaf, the boss, wiped the trash can and the fly was stuck to the piece of paper. He looked at the fly closely on the paper and thought it was already dead.

 

"Hahahahah....," Olaf laughed at them so loud because the fly didn't fly at all, until it did, into his mouth.

 

Gulp, Olaf swallowed it.

 

"Oooo...that's embarrassin'," said John.

 

"Yea, it sure is," said George.

 

"Don't you ever tell anyone!" Olaf said, throwing the paper into the trash.

 

"You bet," said George. "But, we need our jobs back." George nodded once and kept his chin to his chest and smiled. "Nothing to be ashamed of."

 

"Promise Boss," said John, smiling a tender smile.

 

Olaf clenched his teeth, and walked out of the lunch room in slight irritation and a bad mood.

 

"Wasn't our fault," said John to George.

 

"It's in intestines heaven now," George replied.

 

The end. Just write.

As Karina let go of her hug for Pearsons Rockfield, Giuseppe Baptiste uttered, "You have to allow the world to enjoy your blessings, your belongings, your favors, your body, your soul! It is called generosity."

 

"My body and its systems are not public property. I hold the human rights to reserve it, " said Karina. "I will help the world, but you will have to respect me and everyone else."

 

"You've been abused and exploited before, why not let everyone take some. You're a lowly commoner now," said Giuseppe Baptiste.

 

Pearsons Rickfield stood next to him and sucked on his thumb, then said, "C'mon, Karina, give them some."

 

My Father, Sean O'Connor, replied, "I once dated a woman who was assaulted and she was ostracized much like Karina is now, and there was no help from you nor The New Order. It was unjust. You have to realize that everyone has a sovereign right and human rights, and you shouldn't intrude into their privacy or break personal boundaries, controlling their personal lives, sex, dating, jobs, and how they shop."

 

My mind went back to the bacon products for Tier 1, and how Karina wanted some and would probably never have any if she wasn't allowed to shop that Tier with freedom. "Why can't we all shop all the Tiers?" I asked.

 

"Well....well...well....if it wasn't the Econ Professor who didn't graduate high school, yet. It's all about Taxes. The more you pay, the more privilege you get. It's that simple," said Pearsons Rockfield. 

 

No wonder the celebrities and the famous and rich have all of the luxuries and power in life. The government felt they pay more taxes monetarily, but lacked the understanding that they created more violence than normal. Their influence, power, money and access to commit crimes and violence proved corruptions, and Pearsons Rockfield and Giuseppe Baptiste supported The Choi Militia and The Black Mollies. 

 

"You mean to tell me, you allow your company to harm others, because they pay more taxes?" asked Rambo. "What about how they created more sins, abuses, crimes, injustice, assaults, homelessness, mental illness, and so many more burdens to society? They are the negative in this positive world. Wait, you've also made it into a pessimists' nirvana!"

 

"Insult! Such insults! How dare you? Must I remind you that I am the priest of The New Order? Of course I understand vice!" said Pearsons Rockfield. Giuseppe Baptiste held his cheeks with his palms.

 

"Wait, hold up, wait my sire!" Giuseppe Baptiste said to Pearsons Rockfield. "You mean, you did all this because you cared about money and power? I thought it was your devotion to me?!" Giuseppe Baptiste acted as the sap he was, absolutely vain and devoid of self-awareness.

 

"You are both disrespectful to the common man and woman and children, and those are the population who we need in this world," said Karina. "We as human beings, and especially you both, have to realize the need for boundaries, retaining one's soul, heart, mind, and personal space, family, heritage, culture, values, hopes, and the pursuit of one's right for happiness."

 

"And, where did you learn this human law?" asked Giuseppe Baptiste. "I was educated by The Trinity College." 

 

"She's a genius, Giuseppe," said Rambo. "Karina's been harmed much more than normal and with that, she was gifted the knowledge to defend herself. It's her powerful mind, the only reasons she was found alive under a bridge."

 

"This....this ...creature was under a bridge? You mean she lived like a rat?" asked Pearsons Rockfield, his right hand touching Karina's hair, and then pulling it away immediately as if Karina was infested with fleas. "Giuseppe, promise you won't wander down near the gutter."

 

"My dear, nowhere near the gutter unless you are with me," said Giuseppe Baptiste.

 

Noises of loud murmuring came from behind them, at the other side of the park where the center stage of the recital was located on Capital Grounds. There was a commotion, and the loudness became audible as it revealed itself as chantings from local Denverites raising The New Order flag into a braided yarn in the shape of a pretzel on sticks, held up and down, as the crowd raised a movement.

 

"By Jove, you brought your friends!" yelled Pearsons Rockfield.

 

"What sort of delusional plans did you just uncovered, Democratic Zealots!" Giuseppe Baptiste screamed.

 

"We didn't call anyone, and where are your body guards?" asked Rambo. I shoved Rambo and covered his mouth, to prevent the priests from calling their men. They took out a whistle from their pockets, and blew it and raised their arms to men across the street, but it was too late.

 

"Reform! Reform! We demand REFORM! It is the age of REFORMATION! YOU SHALL NOT DENY IT! Long Live Democracy!" chanted the crowd of Denverites. 

 

A woman came to my Father, and asked him," Are you, Sean O'Connor?" My Father aghast because she knew his name, and answered, "Yes, do you need to ask me a question? Who are you?"

 

 

"My name is Madeline, but you can call me "MAD," she said. She took her pretzel flag that was made of the braided New Order flag, and handed it to my Father. "I got a call from Dana. He's an old friend of mine, from college, and he forwarded me the recording. It was a private message, but I announced it to the public. This has to be publicized!" 

 

My Father gasped and we heard him took a breath and stepped back. "I didn't know Dana planned to do this," said my Father.

 

"Too late, these priests are corrupt!" said MAD.

 

Giuseppe Baptiste and Pearsons Rockfield hugged each other tight as they said, "We deserve to live! All the women in our pasts harmed us, and now everyone is angry we are the BENEVOLENT LEADERS of the FREE WORLD!"

 

MAD looked to them, and said, "Perjury! Both of you! You both lied! It wasn't heartbreak! It was all abuse of power!" She yelled to their face, as Karina was also afraid of the huge crowd of people, protesting REFORMATION!

 

The body guards from across the street were barricaded, and they were tied by the pretzel shaped flags, in two by twos. 

 

MAD demanded, "Announce Reform! Because in one minute, Dana's recording will be on the screens of solarized billboards with graphics capabilities, all over the world. Remember? You called those, Magical Inventions, because you controlled the pictures and the advertisements on them for your pleasure, and not to help the people."

 

Pearsons Rockfield and Giuseppe Baptiste both cried, and touched foreheads. They touched their cheeks, and told each other, "No matter what happens, we are in this together."

 

"You're both allowed to love, and it's not about that. It's about your abuse of powers," said Karina. "It's about the deaths you caused and the assaults you supported. You've also helped the violence to proliferate in the lives of others. That's what this is about."

 

Pearsons Rockfield and Giuseppe Baptiste held each other's arms, "I knew one day, the good days will be gone, and we have to become commoners again."

 

"Oh my GOD!!! You just wanted to become Royals, too?" said Rambo. "You are so stupid. Why didn't you just introduce yourself at one of their events?"

 

Pearsons Rockfield and Giuseppe Baptiste looked at Rambo, and Pearsons said, "Well....because their house would still belong to them."

 

"Why me? Why assault me?" asked Karina, with tears in her eyes, as she gasped for air realizing these two bastards were mongrels and cruel animals hungry for money and authority, with no remorse for humanity.

 

"Because we can," said Giuseppe Baptiste, as Pearsons Rockfield added, "Because we will have more umph!"

 

Karina dropped to her knees, sobbing. I realized this was brutal to her soul, and she didn't deserve any of their nonsense.

 

I held her shoulders, and said to her, "The uncivilized did wrong. My Father and I will walk with you." Karina hugged me, as my Father came to her, and caressed her black silky hair.

 

"I'm so sorry!" said Pearsons Rockfield. "How do you stop them?" Both men were afraid for their lives, because their body guards were held down and tied into a knot.

 

We all ignored them, letting the crowd of people to come closer to have them.

 

Just write.

The ocean is so vast inside my mind as its darkness escapes the real sunlight in my eyes. The vision is full of a foggy midnight and it hurts inside me with the suffering deepens as memories of each stab compounds over my soul. Each knife that enters my skin and the surface of my body feels bloody and it destroys my days. The surrounding in my life becomes moist with tears as I recall the faces of those who hurt me in the past, coming back to surface with the spurts of blood.

 

Each fraudulent charge into my account where I save my life is now game for them, the criminals who steals. It hurts me that they resort to crimes to gain blessings and favors to have riches. I never make any jokes about my heritage or exploit another for their ancestry, but their labels leads the world to stab and abuse to get everything they desire to play with my mind. I am so happy I am stronger than their abuse and I will keep working and take evidence seriously. Criminals should be put to justice and they are no exceptions. It is time. They have to leave because I did nothing wrong to their lives, instead they hurt mine, with glee.

 

This time they take some, and next time, they might take my all, my life and my whole being. I don't want to be casualty of their war. They have to leave because the ocean becomes deep and I know they want me to drown and become a victim once more. I don't deserve it. Never! I will not fear!

 

Just write.

Forgiveness is constant as I make it a habit with a dose of salt thrown over my shoulder. The man with an ambitious goal, and a jealous streak, lurking at each corner asking for information and reasons to hate, he deserves forgiveness. The woman with an annoying laugh who dislikes you and wants everything in her power to control your destiny despite your plea for her to stop and let it be, she deserves forgiveness.

 

I find that the more I practice even with the smaller details, it helps to lead me to forgive for the assaults, bullying, abuses and harassments. Excruciatingly difficult for me too, but the girl at the sandwich line doesn't mean for you to consume that much mayonnaise and it isn't her fault you hate white lard. Probable cause lingers in my mind of why the people who doesn't want me to have love will always try to sabotage it, but I finally let it go, and let it be, and let God. Surrendering is often the best medicine and I just don't ask for anymore harm from others by making it easier for them to hurt me. There are laws, and I am protected.

 

Forgiveness has to be done first even if the guilty doesn't know. I can just forgive and let them be and not be hard on myself and my conscience to cause me more anxiety. It is so fluid, and it helps me through, letting them be in the arms of God, and away from my dancing space. I forgive because I don't want anymore traumas. If I don't forgive, it is inside my chest and it lives there forever, as I become bitter and lose my tastebuds. The senseless pain doens't add up to healing or pleasure, because I become the victim once more. 

 

Forgiveness, an art that might take a lifetime, so I'm starting now.

 

Just write.

 

The girl with a bun on her head in a white tanky popped both of her shoulders up and down as she wound her elbows like a ferris wheel. She slided next to me and bumped on to my arms purposely, "Yo!" She kept wounding both of her elbows and walked with a swag and kicked-ball-kicked and walked about and turned. She continued on about me and bumped on to my other arm and said, "Hey!" 

 

I tried to walk straight but she kept bumping into me turning my walk into a sliding adventure side to side and back and forth. "What's up, and what's wrong?" I asked her. She lifted one eyebrow and winked and back on to wounding her elbows as she kept walking as if she waltzed her whole life through. 

 

The little boy catecorner from me had a large oblong head and his eyes squinted as he cried. His head looked balding, but it might be from his illness, or whatever it might be. The crowd of normal people walked surrounding us, dodging our bodies, leaving us six feet apart from the world and the girl with the white tanky looked back and shouted, "Howdy!"

 

The little boy with the oblong head turned to me and stared deep into my eyes with his slanted light brown eyes. What provocation he might have experienced from her shouting, I didn't want to ask. I nodded to him and smiled, but he turned away and sobbed. He was by himself with no one around him. Was he alone? How did he get here in the first place? Where was I? My microcosm looked busy, but I had no knowledge of my environment, only the crowd. What world was this?

 

No one wore a mask, except for one person and he had a uniform of a train ticket attendant with a blue hat. "Where is your ticke? I need to stamp it," he told me, with his palm open. I replied, "I'm not going on a train, I somehow landed here. Where is this place?" The man sighed, "You always need a ticket...everywhere you go. It's the rule." I was flabbergasted and my eyes looked to the left and right, "I didn't know that," I said. The man shook his head and left, "Crazy people," he said.

What on Earth was this dream about?

 

Just write.