Until the stage was empty and everyone waited for someone to get up and perform but they didn’t expect that person to be me. I didn’t even expect that person to be me; I just got up with no time to get nervous sat at the piano comforting, through my hair back and let my fingers play.
I felt as if I was in the cellar playing my heart out but instead I was living my dream I once had. It felt comfortable and easy to play them songs I wrote and to see the surprised faces in the crowed was the best part. Even my family was shocked of this talent I hid from the world for years.
At that moment on stage I found out that this was what I wanted to do my whole life. I played for the rest of the concert and all the other performers joined in with me. I never wanted it to end.
Once the concert was over and cleaned up my parents walked over to me with excited in their steps and the jar of raised money in my father’s hands.
“You did it Alisha; you raised more then enough money for your operation!” My mother said with a smile.”
I was overwhelmed with excitement of the news and how everyone congratulated me for my beautiful talent and wished me well. It was an amazing experience that changed my life forever.
The operation was a success and my dreams were slowly getting fulfilled with the help of my family and Lester who recorded all my songs I have written and preformed. The cancer may have been a huge fear in my life that I well never forget but it helped me understand the saying of “everything happens for a reason.”
Now that I’m older and can share my story of how I start my journey to success, I may not have my cellar or old piano but I make sure to go back to it when I visit home because that’s where everything began to emerge. Without a few troubles along the way I would have never gotten on stage and preformed to everyone, it was a great experience that leads me to where I have gotten to day.
***
Colors
Emily Sibbick
Colors. That’s all she thought about. The colors of people's hair, eyes, and the mandatory color of our jumpsuits. Orange. She often thought aloud so we all knew she was crazy. She thought she should have a different color jumpsuit because what she did was much, much worse than everybody else.
In prison there wasn’t a lot to do. We’d sit and read, we’d write to our families and hope and pray that those who love us would come and visit so we could have some time away from the other inmates. But for the most part, we listen to her talk.
Nobody knew her name or quite what she did. There were always rumors. Some said she killed ten people, others that when she worked as a teacher she locked the doors, and killed her whole class. Me, I didn’t know what to believe. Being in prison has taught me one thing. Never believe everything you hear.
I was only inside for five years, not bad compared to the rest of them, for attempted robbery. Let me explain it to you. I have three kids, one in 9th grade, one in 11th grade, and the last one just starting college. We were running low on money. Always hoping that the paycheck would come faster, be bigger, last longer. It never did. I got this crazy idea that I could... you know...rob a bank.
I never thought it would have been that hard. I didn’t even go in with a gun. I got one of my old friend’s police uniforms and told everyone that they had to leave. They had to leave because there was official business I had to tend to. They all left. Then one stupid, forgetful person decided to come back in just as I was stuffing the money into my inside pocket. That’s how I got caught.
I decided to plea guilty because I did it. No denying it. They had tapes and everything. So that’s how I ended up in prison, sharing a cell with the crazy lady (as we called her). Maybe that’s why I was so intrigued by her, by her story. I had been here for two years, in the same cell as her. Within those two years I’d learned that she had been giving out her story in bits and pieces.
Every once in a while she’d ask me why I wasn’t scared of her. I’d tell her it’s because you can’t be scared of something you don’t understand.
One day when I thought I was going completely crazy, she came up to me and asked me if I wanted to go home. I didn’t think I heard her right, so I turned around.
“What?”
“Do you want to go home?” She was whispering fiercely. Of course! I thought. I’m going crazy! So trying to stay as sane as possible; I turned away from her and started writing my weekly letter to my kids and husband. When I looked back she was still there, waiting, expecting an answer. So I gave my honest thoughts. Of course I did! Didn’t everyone?
When I told her my answer her eyes lit up like the few stars we could see from our bared windows. I turned back around, trying to figure out what kind of fire I started in her. I hadn’t seen her that excited since I walked in that first day. Her first roommate.
***
The day after our conversation, she went back to her normal crazy self, explaining that if she did get a new jumpsuit she wanted it in purple. And if she didn’t, she would get someone to sneak her some purple spray paint. By the time the prison guards came around she would be done. My favorite thing to do in prison was listening to her. The way she talked made me curious. She spoke with so much enthusiasm, like she was actually going to get out of this place! So I would sit there and listen: retaining everything she said.
Every night we were allowed to read or write, kind of like quiet time in kindergarten. As I wrote my letter to my kids, I watched her. I didn’t know what she was drawing. I could never tell and she wouldn’t show me. Not until I was ready she said.
Three weeks later she decided I was ready. Ready to see what she had been drawing...an escape plan! She asked me if I was going to help her. I said “Sure” because I didn’t think she was going to go through with it. She was a crazy lady after all. Thinking back though, I should’ve seen it coming! All her crazy mumbling about escaping. But no, I thought she was some crazy old lady that did something so bad she was here for life.
The very next day though, she proved me wrong.
“Are you ready?” she asked me. Oh man, I thought, what did I get myself into? I missed my kids and husband so bad I decided to say yes. I don’t know what came over me then, but I actually thought it was going to work. Then again, I also thought there was no way I would end up in prison for trying to rob a bank.
She showed me her plans. The first one was straight out of a movie. Taking one of the plastic spoons we get for lunch and digging out. I quickly pointed out we were in a concrete building and that would never work. The next one she showed me actually made me think we had a chance. For the last ten years she had been watching the night guards switch shifts. The first night guard always left early and the second one was always 20 minutes late. The plan was to leave as soon as the first guard did. No one would know until morning! By then we could be in Nunavut. The last place anyone would look.
We did it! We got out of the jail in Ontario and made it on to a plane! A non-stop plane to Antarctica! No one noticed! We even had time to get my kids and husband. But I still didn’t trust this girl. I didn’t even know her name.
When arrived into Nunavut we found a small cabin and decided we needed to buy a TV. Not to watch anything other than news, to make sure we weren’t going to get caught. She went out and bought some clothes. Even though we didn’t have to anymore, she bought a jumpsuit...a purple one. I think it was to remind me about what she said in the beginning. She should have a different color jumpsuit because what she did was much worse than anyone else. I figured until I knew more about her my family shouldn’t live with her.
I know what you’re thinking, why would you stay too? Because she was the only other person that knew what we did. After two more years, I wanted to know more about her. I only asked one question, that’s all. You would think not so hard to answer but that one question is what has me here right now, writing my final letter to you.
My final anything... Ever. I’m writing to tell you that I love you and that if you ever find this letter, her name is Annabell
e and she doesn’t like questions. If you ever meet her, run for your life. My running is done. That one stupid question ended my life.
***
The Killing Hobo
Eve MacKinnon
The lamp crashed to the floor.
“GET OUT OF HERE, YOU PSYCOPATH!”
Some old smelly hobo was sleeping in my bathtub. As I threw my lamp at him, he dogged it and he was coming right at me. I didn’t know what to do as he pulled a rusty knife out of his ratty pocket. I ran. I ran until I got to the convenience store four kilometres from my house. My feet were bleeding and scratched to pieces and I’m certain I broke my foot when the drunken lady ran over it. Luckily, that was the only thing that got hurt.
***
“Who are you and why are you staring at me?” Some stranger stares at me.
“I um I drove you to the hospital because you were passed out and bleeding on the floor of my convenience store.” So, he’s the owner of “Mathews Meat and More”. I’m sure I’ll be getting the bill for smashing the window to get in. “You have a broken ankle they had to put in a plate and three screws to fix it.” It wasn’t until just then that I noticed I was in a hospital bed wearing the ugliest Johnny shirt you could ever imagine.
Apparently that hobo was a psychotic prisoner on the loose having a killing spree and I was the only one who survived one of his attacks. I guess this story does have a happy ending.
***
My Miracle
Gracyn MacLean
Chapter 1
It was nice to wake up to the smell of homemade pancakes on a school day for a change. Even though I wasn’t going to school today, because of another one of Dad`s business trips that he was turning into a family trip. We never had `real` family vacations anymore, ever since the accident with Jordan, Mom and Dad were more protective over us.
I was still lying in bed, tired from staying up so late chatting with friends. I rolled over to the right side of my bed and glanced at the alarm clock that obviously didn’t go off since it was ten after six. I decided I would get up in another minute, but I must have dozed off, because the banging on the door startled me.
“Katherine, get up! It’s 6:15 and we’re leaving in 15 minutes!” David managed to tell me all of that while scarfing down his massive plate of pancakes.
David ate more than anyone I knew, but still remained a thin boy. It was funny he didn’t like carrots and had glasses though. David had auburn coloured hair, was almost 6`` tall, had a beautiful singing voice, and was very athletic. He liked to keep things to himself, but could always put a smile on my face with his humour. At seventeen years old, he was one year older than me.
I jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom. I managed to get all ready and packed in seven minutes leaving me some time to eat pancakes. I pulled my suitcase down the stairs behind me and set it in the porch. Dad rushed past without noticing me while he finished some last minute paper work. I made my way to the kitchen where Mom left a plate of pancakes on the counter for me. I tore them apart and grabbed the syrup pouring as much that would come out of the bottle on top of the pancakes. Then I went to the fridge and chugged the rest of the orange juice. Mom was busy washing the dishes when I noticed little Jordan was struggling to cut his pancakes. I took my plate over to the table beside him and helped him. He looked up at me afterwards with his big blue eyes and thanked me in the most sincere voice.
No one could get angry with Jordan or raise their voice at him; all they ended up doing was hugging him. Jordan was really special to our family. He was a miracle. He kept our family from separating when he was born. He survived an accident and was born three months early weighing less than a pound. Jordan was only three years old. He had chubby cheeks, adorable dimples, the brightest smile and dirty blond hair that flipped out around the ears.
“Can you take Jordan to the van, Katherine?” Mom asked.
“Sure, Mom,” I said.
I gathered our dirty dishes and gently placed them in the sink. Jordan was already running to the porch in excitement. I helped him put on his jacket and boots. Then I zipped up my coat, grabbed my purse and lead Jordan to the van. I buckled him in his car seat and went back in to help Dad and David with the luggage.
Dad had light brown hair, green eyes and a bit of a chub around the belly. He was very smart and musical. In high school he was on the football team, just like David. Dad had a big heart for others and always wanted to do what he could for them. Mom was the same way.
Mom was always there to listen. She grew up in a Christian home and taught Sunday school classes ever since her father moved into the community. She had a medium bone structure, medium length blond hair and brown eyes. She played a number of instruments and had a beautiful singing voice. She was an elementary school teacher in Rosewood, which is about half an hour away from home.
Most people told me that I was a “spitting image” of my mother because I had her golden coloured hair and bone structure. However, I had Dad’s green eyes and his bright smile. I liked to play soccer not football and I could play piano, but couldn’t sing as well as David.
David and I hopped in the van while Dad put the last suitcase in the trunk. Dad climbed in the driver’s seat and beeped the horn to hurry Mom, who was probably looking for a CD to listen to instead of our country radio station.
Finally, she came out with a big smile and we were on our way to New York.
Chapter 2
After two days of driving and arguing with David we finally made it to New York. It was almost suppertime and as always Dad surprised us with reservations at his favourite restaurant, ‘East Side Mario’s.’ Mom and Dad met there over thirty years ago. They like to share the story often about how they met.
Jordan was wide-awake looking at all the lights outside the back window of the van when David decided to start tickling him. We all started laughing along with them until we reached the restaurant.
We were starving. Mom and Dad order their usual #1 combo, the steak. David ordered the cheeseburger combo and Jordan ordered the chicken nuggets, from the kid’s menu. I was always the last to decide because I was never sure if I should try something new or not. I decided to get a cheeseburger too with no tomato.
Our order came out about 20 minutes later. When the waiter was handing out our drinks he spilt chocolate milk all over me. He apologized and I excused myself from the table. I rushed to the bathroom and pulled out my Tide-to-Go from my purse and wiped as much milk off my pants as I could. On the way out from the bathroom, I was putting the cleaner pen back in my purse, when a guy who seemed about my age, bumped into me. The first thing I noticed was his big brown eyes. He had a huge smile almost as bright as Jordan’s and dark brown hair that was sort of spiked above the forehead. We apologized and he reached his hand out to introduce himself.
“Sorry about that, I’m Scott,” he said, as he cleared his throat.
“It was my fault, I said embarrassed. “I should have been watching where I was going,” “I’m Katherine.”
“No don’t worry about it! Are you from around here? “
I could tell Scott was curious, “No, I’m from outside of Rosewood in New Brunswick.”
“Oh, a Canadian? Nice. Could I offer you a bite to eat?” Scott asked.
“I’m sorry, but I’m here with my family.” I told him quietly.
“Oh well, how long will you be here?” Scott asked.
“I’m here for two nights. We leave Sunday evening.” I answered him while moving my bangs to the side.
“Oh, cool. Can I show you around over the next couple of days?”
I took a deep breath, trying to think of something to say “Um, maybe. I’ll have to see if my mom has any plans.”
“Okay, great! I’ll give you my number.” He grinned.
We exchanged phones and programmed each other’s numbers into them. As we said our goodbyes, I turned away, took a deep breath and walked back to where my family sat. I told them about Scott and we fin
ished our supper.
Dad wanted to get to the hotel because his conference was at 5:30 the next morning so we paid at the front desk of the restaurant and hurried back to the van. It seemed like a drive that was literally ten minutes long, took hours.
There we were pulling into the parking lot of Betty’s Inn, when David sneezed all over me. Lovely, I thought, I always get the germs. We all hopped out of the van and took some luggage; even Jordan had a mini suitcase.
Mom registered at the front desk and got two rooms. David and I were sharing a room and my parents were keeping Jordan with them in another. We went up the elevator and let little Jordan press the buttons. David and I said our goodnights and kissed each one of them on the cheek before opening our hotel room. As soon as the door opened we both ran to our beds and jumped on them like we did years ago. We jumped from bed to bed and fell on the floor laughing. We talked for about an hour and then we got ready for bed and went straight to sleep.
Chapter 3
The next morning I woke up from Jordan and David jumping on me. Eventually they let me get out of bed and I went to the washroom to wash my face. Mom walked in to take us down for breakfast, but I told them to go down ahead of me while I got ready for the day.
My phone fell to the ground and I noticed the light blinking from the text messages. I skipped most of them until I noticed I received not one, but two texts from Scott! He was inviting me to a community event downtown Sunday afternoon around two. I grabbed my red purse and slid down the railing to ask Mom if it'd be all right to meet Scott at the downtown library tomorrow. After a few minutes of compromising she agreed, as long as I took care of Jordan today.
It wasn’t much of a punishment considering David and I loved spending time with him. David decided he’d come along for the afternoon with us while Mom went shopping. We took Jordan to a park that was down the road from Betty’s Inn. David and I enjoyed it almost more than Jordan did. We played tag, pushed each other on the swings, song songs and played on the jungle gym. When we were on the swings Jordan started pointing to something on the other side of the park, but we weren’t sure what it was until we heard the jingle. It was the ice cream truck.