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First Breaths
I was awake. Long before the sky lightened. I had laid there. And watched this sliver of light through a window of the room play against the wall and where, for most of them evening. The strongest light available was the street light. It was explained to me that it was respectful to people in…
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Chapter 3: The Essay
OK, so here’s what I remember about the essay: it was an extra credit assignment. It was given before a holiday. I did it, used it toward a merit badge, and then wore my uniform from the scouts to the photo shoot at the school where I received my reward for winning this—district-wide essay contest.…
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chapter 2 summoning the orcas
I never really figured out what the purpose of money was or what it was for, but I knew my parent had spent so much time trying to make sure we had a roof over our heads, shuffling us back and forth to scouting events and little league sports, keep enough food in the house,…
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tchotch·ke or bric-à-brac
06/25/24 [UPDATED 08/01/24] I have had to access some deep stuff for school. Years I locked away as safe and in doing so I thought them in no need of further inspection. I took them out like fine porcelain and laid them out to admire and display, to show off the peak of my childhood…
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Chapter 1 The Wall
Weights and measurements, the dark algebra, and becoming a man at nine. The best part about fourth grade was getting a whole part of the school to ourselves. Having a younger brother in the same school was always bad enough because every time the teachers found their wits end they somehow managed to find me.…