“One Chapter At A Time” (writers workshop)

“One Chapter At A Time”

A young girl, Andy, found herself in the situation that many face today. A messed up, and trouble-some life. At such a young age, she found herself wondering, “What is going to happen to me?,” “Why is THIS happening to ME?,” and “Why can’t I have a normal life?. A life like all the other children. Why me?”

You might be wondering, what are you talking about? Well, here’s the story. The story of Andy…

Andy’s perfect life was slowly taking a turn for the worse, but many believe that you must experience the bad before you can really appreciate the good.

Andy’s father, Ross Greenwood, left her and her mother, Amanda Greenwood, when she was only two years old. Andy’s mother and father had gotten a divorce, and then he just disappeared. Before he disappeared, he had said some hurtful words that would probably stick with them for a long time. He told them they were “useless no-goods” and that he wanted nothing to do with them since Andy’s mother was poor and they were living off his paychecks seeming as Amanda’s job didn’t pay good. at all. The other reason, well, It was Andy, Andy’s father never paid much attention to her as a little baby. When he got home from work, he locked himself in his room he liked to call his “office,” and work until he was tired then go to bed. So, Andy’s mother was usually the one watching and taking care of Andy. When Andy was born, Ross thought it would be a boy. He left her so early in life because he thought that because Andy was a girl, she couldn’t do anything; couldn’t work on farms, lift heavy stuff, help in gardens, ETC. Hence, why he never spent any time with her.

-Three years later-

When Andy was just five, her mother became an addict of drugs, alcohol, and smoking. Her mother was still grieving over her divorce, and the fact that she was struggling in ways of money. Due to Amanda’s problem, she was fired from her job. And that only made her addiction worse because now she was stuck at home all day.

A year went by and Andy was now six, so she was able to go to school. She didn’t have any nice clothes because her mom didn’t buy her any new ones since she didn’t have any money. So, Andy was wearing tight shirts from a couple years back and sacks with holes in it for arms and her head. Andy had to walk about 2 miles to get to school everyday. So, by the end of each day, her legs were tired and sore, since her legs were still so short, and little.

 

Miss Brier, Andy’s kindergarten teacher, was a kind, soft hearted person. Whenever she looked at Andy, she had this look in her eyes. Not a jugdy look, like as if she is judging her clothes or anything, but a curious one, Confused, and at times, worried.

After about half of a school year was over, the kindergarten teacher, Miss Brier, arranged a field trip for the kids. She was going to take the kids to a farm to see how the farmers farmed their crops, cared for their animals, also to see all the tools, and machines they use, To go on the trip, all the parents of the kids had to sign a form telling the teacher whether their child can go on the trip or not. Everyone’s parents had signed except for one. Andy’s mother.

 

Miss Brier sensed something wasn’t right, so, a few days before the field trip, she asked Andy if she could walk home with her. Andy was confused as to why she wanted to, but soon caught on and knew that Miss Brier felt something was off. Andy said, “yes”, and continued on with her walk home, with Miss. Brier, un-sure of what was going to happen when they arrived at her house.

after about 30 minutes of walking, when they arrived, Miss Brier quickly noticed that the house was all dusty, with broken windows, and the walls were painted yellow. Except, the yellow was really, really dim and faint. The house looked like it could have collapsed any minute. Andy’s kindergarten teacher could see the look of disappointment on Andy’s face. It was full of dread and impatience. Miss. Brier took one step into the tattered house, it reeked of alcohol and smoke. She immediately stepped out of the house, taking Andy with her. Miss Brier quietly whispered to Andy, “It’s okay, I’m going to fix this,” while looking through the broken glass, that used to be a window, at the passed-out woman on the dusty couch, which was pushed into the back of the living-room. Andy stood there with Miss Brier, trying to hold back her tears.

Miss Brier called one of her friends to come pick them up and drive them down to the police station. In the police station, Andy stayed in a separate room that had a new, soft couch that she laid her head down, shut her eyes, and tried to sleep. Miss Brier talked to the officers, they made some calls, did a background check to find out about Andy’s childhood, and also brought Andy’s mother to the station to inform them on what was happening.

 

They explained to Andy and her mother about how Andy would be sent to an orphanage and would find a new family that would care and provide for her.  As they explained all of this, Andy had a nervous, yet understanding look on her face. As for her mother, she had bags under her eyes and a “I don’t really care. You’re wasting my time. Can I go home now,” Look on her face.

They took her mother to her “home” to let her get packed because they Were taking her to re-hab. As for Andy, she was sent to a nearby orphanage. She spent a couple years there. She was about ten and still hadn’t found a family. She was very lonely at times, but was used to it. At least she got weekly visits from Miss Brier every Wednesday which did make her very happy. On Wednesday, when she came for her weekly visit, Miss Brier didn’t go to see Andy. Instead, she went over to the people who worked at the orphanage, and talked for about 20 minutes before they took her to her office. Several days later, when Miss Brier came for her weekly visit, she told Andy, she had a surprise. Miss Brier was adopting Andy!

-Two years later-

Andy had never felt this happy in her entire life. But now, she could actually say she was happy, and loved without feeling guilt from lying to herself because this time, this time she wasn’t.

she just had to take it one chapter at a time.

-Kaelynn

-1164 words

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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