,,special ,,symbols ,,us$ ,,9 ,,? ,,volume

> ,l9e sign4


#a
,quasimodo

,football ooz$ "? my "f's ve9s1 f 8 dramatic l9eback] plays on s*oolboy
t1ms 6his "ds z a /> =! ,pr9ceton ,tig]s4 ,9 8 late tw5ties he volunte]$ z
a y\? coa* & 0 pr\d 6h 8 family %>e 8 love & pas.n =! game ( football4 ,i 0
only a few mon?s old :5 ,i att5d$ my f/ game 9 ,hi<tst[n1 ,new ,j]sey1 ":
,i 0 born4 ,on t crisp autumn "d 9 #aifh1 ,dad coa*$ on ! sidel9es z my
olde/ bro!r1 ,m>k1 age n9e1 l$ ! ,hi<tst[n ,rams 6yet ano!r victory4 ,bo?
,mom & ,dad *e]$ z ,m>k ran a kick(f back =a t\*d[n1 cau<t s"eal passes1 &
made 8 ef=ts -plete ) s"eal cru%+ tackles4 ,! po/game celebr,n on ! field 0
a family a6air1 ) moms & dads circulat+ am;g ! play]s4 ,9 ! mid/ (
celebr,n1 my dad toss$ me a t9y bit 96! air & cau<t me4 8,? guy w score
t\*d[ns too "s"d10 he sd z my mom immly took me back 96h] >ms4

,back home af ! game1 my dad play$ ) me 9 8 lap1 f/ mak+ funny faces1 try+
6make me lau<1 !n gett+ me 6focus on a small football t he mov$ f side
6side4 ,su45ly1 he notic$ my eyes %ak+ z !y tri$ 6foll[ ! ball4 ,he />$ at
!m1 mov$ ! ball ag1 />$ ag1 ? "t a mo;t l;g]1 & !n exam9$ !m closely4
,f9,y1 he ask$ my mom if %e _h se5 my eyes %ake & if ? 0 normal =a baby4
,my mom cradl$ me & c>e;lly /udi$ my eyes4 ,"k+ my mom1 %e 9w>dly panick$ b
\tw>dly =c$ h]f 6/ay calm4 ,%e told my dad matt]-(-factly t %e wd keep a
close wat* on x1 & lat]1 al"o 9 _! room1 %e call$ ! p$iatrician4

,t call 2gan a two-ye> ni<tm>e ( doctor visits >.d ! c.try z speciali/s
tri$ 6diagnose my /range 41se4 ,i 0 subject$ 6"s f"r5+ te/s ) app>atus
frequ5tly plac$ "r onto my op5 eyeballs1 "s"ts = h\rs at a "t1 z 9t5se b1ms
( li<t focus$ on my ret9as4 ,:5 ,i lay on my back on a metal hospital ta#1
)! h>% smell ( antiseptic burn+ 9 my nose & ?roat1 ! temp]ature 0 alw cold1
no matt] h[ hot x 0 \tside4 ,hospitals seem$ l places ripp$ \ ( "t1 float+
2y ! famili> w>m? ( my life1 &! p>ades ( speciali/s1 drift+ 9 & \ ( my
p]cep;n1 7 m]ely 4embodi$ voices3 8,op5 yr eyes wid]1 pl1se40 8,keep yr
eyes /1 pl1se40 8,focus on my f+]s1 pl1se40 8,? may /+ =a mo;t40

,"s"ts1 ! voices wd ev5 talk 6ea* o!r4 8,h y "e se5 ? patt]n ( hemorrhag+ 9
! macula1 doctor80

8,unbelieva#6 ,:at a fasc9at+ case /udy40

,ea* speciali/ _h a di6]5t diagnosis4 ,a few recomm5d$ c\rses ( ac;n t cd
only 2 describ$ z biz>re4 ,"o speciali/ pron\nc$ 3fid5tly t ,i su6]$ f w1k
ret9as4 8,! solu;n is a bit obtrusive10 he admitt$1 8b x's ! only rem$y ,i
"k4 ,]ik's ret9as ne$ 6be /imulat$ 96reatta*+ !mvs 6! eyeball4 ,! id1l
5viron;t = gr[? is a liquid 5viron;t40

8,liquid 5viron;t80 my frantic "m gasp$4

8,x's -pletely safe4 ,he'll 2 atta*$ 6a br1?+ tube & he'll only 2 subm]g$
=a few mon?s40

8,we'll sleep on x10 my dad promis$1 z he took my "m's >m & mov$ t[>d !
door4 8,he'll 2 a# 6-e up = m1ls1 ( c\rse10 my "f half jok$4

,ano!r doctor 2liev$ a virus 0 attack+ my ret9as & want$ 6/>t me on an
9t5sive s]ies ( freez+ tr1t;ts4 8,i'll 9ject liquid nitrog5 96! 41s$ por;n
(! ret9as40 ,!n he pluck$ a l1f f a pott$ plant 9 8 (fice & crumpl$ x 9 8
palm4 8,y see ? l1f80 he ask$1 ?ru/+ x t[>d my p>5ts4 8,t's :at liquid
nitrog5 w d 6t virus4 ,un=tunately1 he'll probably lose q a bit ( vi.n1 b1
n"e!.s1 x has 6be d"o4 ,i'll s*$ule ! surg]y = tm40

8,maybe we'll hold (f10 my mom sd1 glanc+ n]v\sly at ! crumpl$ l1f4

,af doz5s ( speciali/s1 "! 0 / no m$ical 3s5sus1 n ev5 agree;t on :e!r my
3di;n result$ f a virus or a g5etic pro#m4 ,:ile my dad 3c5trat$ on 8 job
&! re/ (! family1 my "m scurri$ f doctor 6doctor1 hospital 6hospital1 pac+
\tside exam9+ rooms1 dra9+ h]f emo;n,y & physic,y 9 ! process4

,f9,y1 :5 ,i 0 ?ree1 ! pa? l$ 6! fam$ ,bo/on eye cl9ic1 ,ret9a ,associates1
reg>d$ z ! be/ 9 ! _w4 ,af m te/s & _m m doctors1 ,dr4 ,brockhur/ deliv]$ !
bad news4 8,]ik has ret9os*eses1 an extremely r>e eye 41se1 : we've n"e se5
2f 9 a * s "y4 ,8 ret9as >e alr deta*$ 9 ! c5t] ( 8 pupils1 s he c't see
/rai<t ah1d1 b he does h limit$ p]iph]al vi.n1 : w all[ hm 6get >.d =a
numb] ( ye>s4 ,! pressure1 : is caus+ ! damage1 ?\<1 w 3t9ue 69cr1se
gradu,y ov] "t--"! is no way we "k 6/op x4 ,ev5tu,y x w cause total splitt+
( bo? ret9as40

,alm too quiet 6he>1 my "m ask$1 8,h[ l;g w he 2 a# 6see80

8,x's h>d 6say1 x's n v predicta#10 respond$ ! doctor4

,m =ce;lly1 my dad ask$ ag1 8,:at's yr be/ guess80

8,i'm sorry10 ,dr4 ,brockhur/ sd halt+ly1 8b ,]ik w 2 bl 0his e>ly te5s40

,on ! way home 6,new ,j]sey1 my p>5ts 7 quiet4 ,j 2f l1v+ ,bo/on1 we /opp$
at a ca!dral4 ,my "m _h he>d (a prie/ :o _h p]=m$ miracles "!4 ,! giant
*ur* 0 d>k & my/]i\s z we 5t]$4 ,no cl]gyman 0 pres5t4 ,%e wait$ ) me = an
h\r 6see "s"o1 try+ 6be pati5t1 b h] anxiety 9cr1s$ m9ute 0m9ute4 ,:5 no "o
appe>$1 %e f9,y knelt1 ) me at h] side1 & pray$ al\d = ,god 6re/ore my
si<t4 ,i _h r>ely be5 6*ur*1 & s my "m's hot te>s spla%+ on my =eh1d -b9$
)! /range d>k ca!dral 7 t]rify+4 ,i cd he> ! fe> & dr1d 9 my "m's voice z
%e ask$ ,god =a miracle4 ,i _h n"e "kn :at full si<t m1nt4 ,i saw :at ,i
saw1 :at ,i _h alw se51 b _m p close 6me1 "picul>ly my mom1 seem$ 6be s
f"r5$4 ,kneel+ 9 ! *ur* & li/5+ 6my "m's wails1 h] >ms wrapp$ ti<tly >.d
me1 ,i pray$ al;g ) h]4 ,i pray$ t ,i wd see l my bro!rs & 2 a# 6cat* a
football & *>ge d[n ! basketball c\rt on a fa/ br1k4 ,i pray$ 6put ^! aw;l
trips 6,bo/on 6an 5d4 ,i pray$ = si<t s my p>5ts wdn't br+ me 6d>k places &
s.d s desp]ate & sc>$4 ,all ,i want$ 0 6be away f ? place1 home 9 my
backy>d play+ 9 ! piles ( crisp fall l1ves1 rid+ my ,big ,:eel up & d[n !
sidewalk1 & explor+ ! fall5 oak tree1 xs expos$ roots mak+ x my [n secret
=t4

,2f ,i />t$ my f/ "ds 9 k9d]g>t51 ,dr4 ,fri$man1 a l[ vi.n speciali/1 gave
me special ?ick magnify+ glasses t 5a#d me 6r1d lrs alm z small z ^? my dad
cd see4 ,my "m _h tau<t me ! alphabet1 & ,i us$ ! bub# glasses 6help me f9d
! lrs on ! page4 ,ev5 )! bulgy glasses1 ?\<1 ,i _h 6b5d ov] & press my face
ag/ ! page 2f ! lrs came 96focus4

,z k9d]g>t5 approa*$1 my p>5ts look$ at v>i\s s*ools = me4 ,! public s*ools
7 cr[d$1 &! /ud5t-t1*] ratio didn't all[ any (! special att5;n ,i wd ne$3
assign;ts 9 l>ge pr9t1 special s1t+ ne> ! blackbo>d1 af-s*ool help ) r1d+4
,my "m look$ at a private s*ool b1 ev5 "!1 f.d reluct.e4 ,on my f/ visit1
,i >riv$ n1tly dress$--alligator %irt1 press$ khaki slacks1 cl1n sn1k]s4 ,i
held my "m's h& z %e walk$ me 9side ! s*ool4 ,%e /rai<t5$ my %irt coll> &
squeez$ my h& ) pride4 ,af a review ( my m$ical situ,n1 ! 4cus.n turn$ 6my
abil;y 6see pr9t4 ,pr\dly1 my "m r1*$ 96h] pocketbook & gave me my special
glasses ) qu>t]-9*-?ick l5ses & my clo?-page 2g9n]'s r1d+ book4 ,i put my
glasses on1 c>e;lly op5$ ! book1 put my "r eye all ! way d[n 6! page1 &
2gan r1d+ sl[ly3 t-a-b-l-e1 c-h-a-i-r4 ,i expect$ smiles1 b 0 3fus$ 0!
panel's sil;e4 ,:ile my r1d+ abil;y 0 pretty adv.ed =a f\r-ye>-old1 wat*+ a
ll boy press 8 nose ag/ ! page 0 a ll al>m+ 6! $ucators4 ,x 0 obvi\s ,i wd
n"e 2 a# 6r1d fa/ 5 6keep up ) my class4 ,! s*ool _h n"e _h a leg,y bl
/ud5t 2f & 0 fe>;l ( :e!r x cd provide all t ,i wd ne$4 ,ultimately1 !y
3clud$ t x wd 2 be/ = me 6att5d a s*ool =! bl1 & !y (f]$ 6help my "m make
>range;ts4

8,he w n g 6"o ( ^? s*ools10 %e sd =ce;lly4

8,i 2lieve ! t1*]s "! wd 2 m cognizant ( 8 ne$s10 expla9$ ! h1dmi/ress4

8,i h a second c\s91 maybe a ?ird c\s910 my mom 2gan4 8,%e 0 born
prematurely &! 9cubator made h] bl4 ,y "k :at !y tau<t h] at t s*ool =!
bl80

8,no10 ! adm9i/rators repli$ politely4

8,!y tau<t h] 6tune pianos4 ,n[ "!'s no?+ wr;g ) tun+ pianos4 ,x's p]fectly
respecta#4 ,! funny "p is t ,p5ny's t"o d1f4 ,%e's bl1 s !y t1* h] 6tune
pianos1 b !y ignor$ t %e 0 t"o d1f40 ,my "m bur/ 96lau<t]1 b x s.d$ /ra9$4
,! adm9i/rators smil$ politely1 wond]+ ": %e 0 go+ ) ?4 8,y "k :at %e does
n[80 my mom ask$4

8,no40 ,! adm9i/rators %ook _! h1ds4

,my "m paus$ & !n deliv]$ ea* ^w sep>ately & delib]ately3 8,%e does no?+4
,%e c't make a b$ or cook a m1l4 ,%e c't ev5 peel an orange 0h]f4 ,& :at's
go+ 6happ5 6! poor ?+ :5 h] mama & da4y die8 ,":'s %e gonna g8 ,:at's %e
gonna d8 ,:o's gonna peel h] oranges !n8 ,my baby c move >.d ! h\se &
nei<borhood on 8 [n4 ,he c take \ ! g>bage & vacuum ! floor4 ,he c look at
-ic books4 ,puts 8 h1d "r ag/ ! page1 b he c see !m4 ,he c swim 9 ! pool1
drib# a basketball4 ,he plays football ) 8 bro!rs4 ,!y let hm 2 qu>t]back &
yell \1 ,8,]ik1 ov] "h4 ,? way10' & he ?r[s x "r 6!m4 ,he's n go+ 6tune
pianos & he's n go+ 6sit >.d ! h\se wait+ =! d9n] bell4 ,he's go+ 6g 6a
normal s*ool1 ) normal *n1 & ev5 if ,i h 6g 6s*ool ) hm1 he's go+ 6le>n40

,i don't "k h[ my "m f.d ! /r5g? 6oppose ! _w4 ,maybe x's simply a "m's
primal 9/9ct 6nurture & def5d h] *4 ,%e 0 z unprep>$ z ! adm9i/rators sitt+
acr f u4 ,"sh[ ?\<1 %e 2liev$ 9 me4 ,i 0 j a ll boy ) my 9k-smudg$ nose
press$ ag/ ! page4 ,i _h d"o no?+ yet 6prove myf1 s h[ %e saw /r5g?1
opportun;y1 & promise1 :ile o!r p saw pro#ms1 ob/acles1 & limits1 ,i'll n"e
"k = sure1 b h] 2lief 9 me /emm$ f ! evid;e ( h] [n life4

,ell5 ,suzanne ,bak] _h gr[n up 9 ,jay1 ,florida1 a h>d-dr9k+1 "o-/opli<t
t[n ne> ! bord] ( ,alabama1 pick+ cotton at two p5nies a p.d ) h] "y]
bro!r1 ,k5ny1 & %ell+ p1s & butt] b1ns f ! family g>d5 ) h] "m1 ,tala?a4
,"s (! m well-to-d families 9 t[n wdn't all[ _! *n 96! cotton fields1 b
,m>t9 & ,tala?a ,bak] _h gr[n up 9 ! ,depres.n1 :5 ! battle cry crackl+ ov]
! radio 0 8,we> x \ & use x up4 ,make x d or d )\t10 & !y w]5't tra9+ _!
*n1 z ,m>t9 put x1 86meet ! public02 !y 7 t1*+ !m 6respect h>d "w &! b.ty t
came ) x4 ,until ,ell5 0 an e>ly te51 alm all ! food t pass$ "? h] lips1 !
clo!s %e wore1 ! di%es %e ate f1 ! vases 9 : %e >rang$ fl[]s1 7 ei gr[n 9 !
r$ ri* soil 2h h] h\se1 /it*$ 9 ,tala?a's sew+ room1 or bak$ 9 h] kiln4

,0! "t my mom 0 sixte5 ye>s old1 :ile o!rs h] age 7 dropp+ \ ( s*ool1 hav+
babies1 & />t+ "w 9 ! fields1 signs ( promise %imm]$1 l waves ( h1t ris+ up
f ! soyb1n fields1 t ,ell5 ,bak] 0 go+ places4 ,a top honors /ud5t & h1d
majorette1 ,ell5 l$ ! s*ool b& & t[n p>ades :ile p]=m+ twirl+ baton ?r[s )
tricky 2h-!-back cat*es4 ,6honor h] tal5t & b1uty1 ! ,soyb1n ,gr[]'s
,associ,n ( ,santa ,rosa ,c.ty vot$ my mom ,miss ,soyb1n ,que54 ,! gov]nor
( ,florida gave ,ell5 a special cr[n & 9vit$ h] 6help cut ! ri2on t wd op5
! ,florida ,/ate ,fair4 ,tala?a made h] g[n1 lav5d] & purple )a sea (
ru6les circl+ f wai/ 6floor4 ,! gov]nor's honor _h -e )a luxuri\s prize3 a
free trip = two 6tropical ,cuba4 ,s ,ell5 & h] "m1 :o l mo/ 9 ,jay1 _h n"e
be5 \ (! ,s\?ea/1 f.d !mvs lau<+ & cry+ ) joy z !y bo>d$ a jet plane b.d =
,havana4

,!y pa9t$ ! t[n1 sitt+ 9 ! ,tropicana1 ": ,desi ,>naz got 8 />t1 wat*+
-panies ( ,lat9 5t]ta9]s d.e ! tango1 *a-*a1 &! samba4 ,once1 ,ell5 slipp$
away & h] "m f.d h] /&+ at ! ?re%old (a busy cas9o1 />+ wide-ey$ at tw9kl+
li<ts1 fla%+ scre5s1 & tall1 h&"s blackjack d1l]s we>+ /iff tux$os & r+s t
sp>kl$ ) brilli.e z !y %u6l$ & d1lt c>ds 9 fa/-mo;n4 ,lat] ,ell5 & h] "m
walk$ "? a p>k pack$ ) univ]s;y /ud5ts l\ng+ >.d on blankets :5 "o call$ \1
8..,bonita6 ,bonita6 ,muy .bonita60 ,!n _m o!rs foll[$1 8.,bonita1 .bonita1
b1uti;l40 ,!y 7 5tr.ed 0my "m's l;g blonde hair & fair -plexion4 ,"o bold
"y man ev5 /epp$ 9 front ( ,ell5 & p]=m$ a few lively moves (! *a-*a4 ,)\t
miss+ a /ep1 my "m fell "r 9 & !y d.ed 9 ! op5 p>k1 ) no music 6guide !m
&)! o!r boys lau<+ & *e]+4 ,z my gr&"m likes 6say1 8,x 0 "r \ (a sc5e f
.,we/ .,side .,/ory10 b true 6t /ory's viol5t "ucurr5ts1 my "m's "y life 0
al 9 /ore =a tragic surprise4

,af gradu,n1 my "m m>ri$ h] hi< s*ool sweethe>t1 ,jake ,mc,n>y1 a big
/rapp+ f>m boy )a g5tle voice &a k9d smile1 & soon1 !y _h produc$ two
b1uti;l *n1 ,suzanne & ,m>k4 ,sadly1 n ev5 a ye> "? ! m>riage1 ,jake 0 -+
home lat] & lat]1 & "s"ts1 n at all4 ,:5 he did -e home1 8 g5tle dem1nor
turn$ bellig]5t1 a few be]s & he cd 8:ip ! _w40 ,! la/ /raw 0 on a slurr$
drunk5 ni<t :5 ,jake came home & slapp$ my "m acr ! room4 ,%e 0 afraid =
h]f b t]rifi$ = h] *n t 8 9cr1s+ ang] wd turn on !m4 ,my gr&"f _h f9,y told
h]1 8,"ey"o's life's j a bat* ( *anges1 "s gd1 "s bad1 & yorn a9't no
di6]5t4 ,y wan' l1ve hm1 yr mama & ,i'll back y1 b if y d1 y be/ look
/rai<t ah1d & n"e look back40 ,my "m _h assum$ m>riage 0 ="e4 ,%e m/ h be5
s 4appo9t$ 9 h]f4 ,unlike s _m o!r locals h] age1 %e _h f9i%$ hi< s*ool1 _h
be5 ,miss ,soyb1n ,que51 _h travel$ 6an exotic _w1 & %e _h m>ri$ "s"o %e
?"\ 0 ! man ( h] dr1ms2 b %e li/5$ 6! ^ws ( h] /r;g-will$ "f1 ga!r$ up a
few 2l;g+s = h] & h] *n1 look$ /rai<t ah1d1 & n"e look$ back4

,liv+ 9 ! room %e _h gr[n up in1 %e support$ h] *n 0"w+ ! factory floor at
,*em/r& ,manufactur+1 a big plant produc+ nylon c>pet fib]s4 ,%e _h "w$ "!
alm f\r ye>s :5 a fr 9vit$ h] 6a "py at ! ,m>9e ,corps (fic]'s club 9 ne>by
,p5sacola1 ": %e met my "f1 a rec5t ,pr9ceton ,univ]s;y graduate & /ud5t at
! fli<t academy4 ,!y fell 9 love & )9 a ye>1 !y 7 m>ri$ "u ! cross$ swords
( fell[ ,m>9e ,corps pilots 9 a tradi;nal milit>y c]emony4 ,a few ye>s af
t1 %e gave bir? 6my bro!r1 ,$di4 ,i 0 soon 6foll[4

,at ! 5d ( \r meet+ )! private s*ool adm9i/rators my "m took my h&1 & we
left4 ,a week lat] my "m got a lr 9=m+ h] t !y _h decid$ 6a3ept me on a
trial basis1 provid$ my mom assi/ me 9 ! classroom4 ,s my "m 0 (t5 ) me1
r1d+ my assign;ts1 practic+ ) me1 & rewrit+ class "w 96l>g] pr9t4 ,ev5tu,y
my "m back$ away s t ,i cd 2come m 9dep5d5t4 ,once1 9 ! f/ grade1 ,i came
home f s*ool bra7+ t ,i _h gott5 all ! ^ws "r on a spell+ quiz4 ,i pr\dly
%[$ my "m ! pap]4 ,at f/ %e 0 ec/atic & !n1 look+ ov] ! pap]1 %e grew
sil5t4 ,! quiz _h pictures ( animals & we 7 suppos$ 6spell ! "ns "un1?4 ,my
quiz _h a s]ies ( illegi# m>ks scrib#d acr ! page 9 yell[ crayon4 ,a smiley
face sat atop ! page giv+ ! "w xs approval4 ,i cd he> my "m mumbl+1 8,h[
''' smiley face ''' pile ( %it80 ,! next "d my "m %[$ up 9 class & approa*$
! t1*]1 quiz 9 h&4 8,) fifte5 *n 9 a class1 ,i'm sure x's di6icult 6give
special att5;n 6e *1 b :5 a * h&s 9 a pap] full ( yell[ scrib#s1 surely x
doesn't des]ve a smiley face4 ,he's bl4 ,he's n /upid1 & he c d bett] "w
?an ?4 ,damn smiley face4 ,draw a pit*=k & horns next "t4 ,any?+ b a smiley
face40

8,i h n"e tau<t a /ud5t l ,]ik10 ! t1*] repli$ def5sively4 8,i 0 j attempt+
6boo/ 8 self-e/eem40

8,he doesn't ne$ self-e/eem10 my "m sd4 8,he ne$s 6"k h[ 6spell40 ,t ni<t1
my "m sat me d[n & pull$ \ ! v same quiz4 ,)a black p51 %e made me spell \
! "ns (! pictures all ov] ag4 ,i rewrote ! ^ws "r ov] my fa9t yell[ m>ks t
ev5 ,i cdn't -preh5d anymore4 ,ea* new /roke (! solid black p5 gave me a
s5se ( secur;y & -=t1 & seem$ 6br+ a lay] ( ord] 6! mayhem 2n4

,my "m alw tri$ 6br+ ord] 6my _w4 ,:5 %e b"\ groc]ies1 x 0 my responsibil;y
6put away ! food ,i lik$ 6eat--animal crack]s1 p1nut butt]1 oranges--s ,i
cd easily f9d !m :5 %e wasn't >.d4 ,! same pr9ciple appli$ 6laundry4 ,%e'd
place ! clo!s b9 9 front ( me & ,i'd g "? x1 fold+ ! "uwe>1 sort+ ! socks1
& putt+ x all n1tly 9 ! draw]4 ,once1 ,i 0 9 a ru% 6g \ & play1 & only /u6$
! bundle 9 haphaz>dly1 b %e cau<t me1 pull$ ! clo!s \1 & angrily ?rew !m 9
a h1p on ! floor4 ,i _h 6fold & sort all ov] ag & le>n$ my lesson4 ,ev5 at
age six ,i ?"\ %e 0 a n1t-fr1k1 b "! 0 no b5d+ h] fi]ce w4 ,s*ool %oes 7
6be put away 9 ! closet2 jackets 7 6be hung up4 ,9 return1 %e did ! same4
,%e alw rememb]$ 6close ! di%wa%] af putt+ di%es away1 s t ,i wdn't -e
scr1m+ >.d ! corn]1 z ,i (t5 did1 & sma% my %9s on x4 ,cab9ets 7 n"e left
half op5$1 & buckets & mops 7 n"e left 9 ! mi4le (! room4

,my "f rival$ my "m 9 p]si/;e1 especi,y :5 ! goal 0 physical4 ,he came f a
/r;g ,g]man family 9 ,p5nsylvania4 ,:ile my "m 0 eat+ black-ey$ p1s &
coll>d gre5s1 my "f d9$ on r$ ca2age & potato pancakes4 ,e ,satur"d1 he'd
suit up =! big game & e ,sun"d1 he'd don 8 coat & tie = e>ly morn+ *ur*4 ,8
"f [n$ a 3crete factory1 & x 0 z ?\< ,$ ,weih5may] 0 =g$ ( t v same 3crete4
,dur+ 8 ,pr9ceton "ds1 he _h "w$ 8 body 2y exhaus;n1 play+ football 9 !
fall1 wre/l+ 9 ! w9t]1 ?r[+ ! hamm] 9 ! spr+1 & graduat+ at ! top (! 5g9e]+
de"p;t4 ,af college1 he _h 5li/$ 9 ! ,m>9es1 s]v+ 8 c.try z an attack pilot
fly+ ;,a-#d ,skyhawks on #ajh mis.ns ov] ,vietnam4 ,ye>s af 8 s]vice1 he /
woke up e morn+ at ! crack ( dawn &1 2f />t+ (f on 8 two-h\r -mute 6his
,manhattan job1 salut$ ! ,m>9e flag t flew abv \r por* &! ,am]ican flag t
flew "r abv x4 ,:5"e ,k5n$y's fam\s spee* play$ on ,,tv3 8,ask n :at yr
c.try c d = y1 b :at y c d = yr c.try10 my "f alw got te>y ey$ &1 dur+ !
presid5t's ,/ate (! ,union ,a4ress1 he'd take ! ph"os (f ! hook & wat* )
admir,n4 ,on week5ds1 he'd wake 8 f\r *n--,m>k1 ,suzanne1 ,$di1 & me--)a
famili> b corny1 8,rise & %9e l ! morn+ sun4 ,br1! 9 t fre% morn+ air40 ,:5
he 0 feel+ especi,y 5]getic1 he'd wake u up 0putt+ 8 fi/s up 6his m\? &
play+ reveile on a pret5d bugle4 ,mo/ly1 8 e>ly morn+ spee*es & bugl+ 7 met
0groans :ile ,m>k & ,suzanne buri$ _! h1ds "u _! pill[s4 ,"s "fs r1d al\d
6_! sons f fairy tales or nurs]y rhymes1 b my dad wd sit me on 8 knee & r1d
me 8 favorite poem1 8,don't ,quit40

,:5 ?+s g wr;g z !y "s"ts w1 > ,:5 ! road y're trudg+ seems all uphill1 >
,:5 ! funds >e l[ &! debts >e hi<1 > ,& y want 6smile1 b h 6si<1 > ,:5 c>e
is press+ y d[n a bit-- > ,re/ if y m/1 b don't y quit4

,life is que] ) xs twi/s & turns1 > ,z e "o ( u "s"ts le>ns2 > ,& _m a
fell[ turns ab > ,:5 he mi<t h won1 _h he /uck x \4 > ,don't give up ?\< !
pace seems sl[-- > ,y may su3e$ ) ano!r bl[4

,(t5 ! goal is ne>] ?an > ,x seems 6a fa9t & falt]+ man2 > ,(t5 ! /ru7l]
has giv5 up > ,:5 he mi<t h captur$ ! victor's cup2 > ,& he le>n$ too late
:5 ! ni<t came d[n1 > ,h[ close he 0 6! gold5 cr[n4

,su3ess is failure turn$ 9side \-- > ,! silv] t9t (! cl\ds ( d\bt1 > ,& y
n"e c tell h[ close y >e1 > ,x may 2 ne> :5 x seems af>2 > ,s /ick 6! fi<t
:5 y're h>de/ hit-- > ,x's :5 ?+s seem wor/ t y m/n't quit4


,s1 x 0 9 ! _s ( my dad's favorite poem t1 :5 ,i 0 six ye>s old1 ,i be7$ hm
6take ! tra9+ :eels (f my bike & t1* me 6ride4 ,my "f & ,i woke up e>ly on
a ,satur"d morn+ & wob#d up & d[n ! road1 me cran+ ov] ! h&leb>s & my "f
runn+ al;g 2h hold+ ! back (! s1t4 8,>e y / hold+80 ,i'd scr1m4

8,/ hold+10 he'd reply1 8b my h&s 7 j (f = five full seconds & y didn't ev5
"k40

8,i 0 rid+ al"o10 ,i scr1m$4 8,i 0 re,y rid+ al"o80

8,!y 7 j (f ag :ile y 7 talk+10 he scr1m$ back1 8 voice rais+ a few octaves
9 excite;t4 8,y're on yr [n10 he yell$4 8,y're do+ x 0yrf40 ,& he ran al;g
2s ! bike hold+ 8 h&s up 9 front ( me4

8,re,y8 ,re,y80 ,! r1liz,n t ,i 0 on my [n 0 too m* & ,i sw]v$ crazily1
tri$ 6recov]1 & sw]v$ 6! o!r side (! road4 ,my "f spr9t$ 2h me1 try+ 6grab
hold (! s1t ag1 b he 0 too late & ,i toppl$ ov]1 b\nc+ (f ! pave;t )a yelp4
,i popp$ up ?\<1 h>dly feel+ my knees & elb[s ooz+ ) blood4 8,i 0 re,y rid+
al"o8 ,i 0 do+ x al"o80 ,9 less ?an an h\r ,i 0 rid+ al"o1 a ll %akily1 my
"f try+ 6grab ! s1t :5"e a c> pass$4 ,"s"ts1 ?\<1 ,i 0 too f> ah1d & he'd
scr1m \1 8,c> on yr left40 ,i got s n]v\s1 ,i sw]v$ 6! "r1 b\nc+ ov] ! curb
& d[n a /eep embank;t 96a dit*4 ,he /um#d "r af me1 pick+ me &! bike up \
(! poison ivy1 we$s & bri>s4 8,d y want 6try ag8 ,y're re,y gett+ x d[n40

,>.d noon1 my dad bur/ "? ! front door1 8 h& on my %\ld]4 8,ell51 ,ell560
he scr1m$4 8,we c ?r[ \ ! tra9+ :eels4 ,\r boy is rid+ solo60 ,b my "m
didn't seem 6he> 8 excit+ news4 ,%e /ood sil5tly1 h] eyes runn+ sy/ematic,y
f my scrap$ ankles1 pa/ my batt]$ %9s1 6my sk9n$ knees1 & f9,y 6my mangl$
elb[s4 ,h] face sl[ly metamorphos$ 96a "m lio;s4 ,%e cl5*$ h] jaw & fla%$
an angry gl.e at my "f 2f %e ru%$ 6me1 ?r[+ h] >ms >.d me & hurry+ me d[n !
hallway 6! m$ic9e closet4 ,my "f /ood 0! door1 8 h&s hang+ limply at 8
sides & 8 smil+ lips droop+4 ,my "f 0 l a broom1 sweep+ me \ 96! _w1 :ile
my "m 0 ! du/pan1 3/antly ga!r+ up ! %att]$ pieces & putt+ me back tgr ag4

,my "m 0 a fi]ce protector ( h] *n & especi,y ( me1 & especi,y1 ,i ?9k1 2c
( my bl;s4 ,"! 0 a fi]ce;s "u ! surface1 alw r1dy 6appe> at ! sli<te/
provoc,n4 ,:5 two nei<borhood bullies /ood 9 \r y>d1 play+ monkey 9 ! mi4le
) my baseball cap1 my "m *as$ !m d[n ! road & :ack$ "o acr ! butt ) h]
foot4 ,:5 ,i 0 un9vit$ 6trick-or-tr1t )a gr\p ( boys a "d 2f ,hall[e5 2c !
p>5ts felt ,i wd 2 too m* responsibil;y1 my "m /ay$ up till #b3jj a4m4 sew+
a ,hun*back ( ,notre ,dame co/ume ) ,quasimodo embroid]$ acr ! front &a
huge pill[ fa/5$ on ! back =a hump4 ,!n %e p>ad$ me up & d[n ! nei<borhood1
6! doors ( ^? v same nei<bors4 ,my "m only focus$ on ! co/ume's orig9al;y1
on ! fact t x wd h won f/ prize 9 any ,hall[e5 3te/4 ,! e6ect on me1 h["e1
0 t x made me feel exactly l ! r1l ,quasimodo4

,9 ! summ] ( #aigf1 my p>5ts drove me back 6,bo/on = an appo9t;t ) ,dr4
,fri$man1 my l[-vi.n speciali/4 ,he 0 excit$ = me 6try \ a new type (
monocul>4 ,my ?ick bub# glasses help$ = r1d+1 b until n[1 no?+ 5a#d me 6see
objects at a 4t.e4 ,9 8 (fice1 ,i held ! hi<-p[]$ monocul> up 6my "r eye1
my only gd eye1 &! lrs 9 8 eye *>t1 tw5ty feet away1 l1p$ 96cle> focus4
,2f1 ,i cdn't ev5 see ! fat capital ;,e at ! top (! *>t1 b n[ ,i cd r1d !
lrs1 "r d[n 6! f\r? l9e4 ,z my p>5ts talk$ 6! speciali/1 ,i /ood 9 front (!
big w9d[ 9 8 ?ird floor (fice & us$ ! monocul> 6/>e d[n on p go+ ab _!
busi;s4 ,i saw a man ) br[n curly hair we>+ a pale worri$ expres.n z he
hurri$ d[n ! sidewalk1 hold+ a bundle ( pap]s "u 8 >m4 ,": 0 he go+ s qkly8
,i wond]$4 ,a gr\p ( m5 c>ri$ l>ge boxes f ! back (a truck 6! lo2y (a
build+4 ,i cd see _! faces /ra9+4 ,a man l1n$ on a rail+1 look+ \ ov]
,bo/on ,h>bor4 ,su45ly ,i 0 "r "! 2s hm1 look+ \ ov] ! d>k *oppy wat]4 ,2f
us+ ! monocul>1 only a few feet away1 faces 7 smoo?1 flat1 blurry masks4 ,!
busy l&scape ( c;y /reets &! 5d.s my/]y (! h>bor1 dott$ ) oc1ngo+ %ips1 7
2y my -preh5.n4 ,n[ ,i l1p$ 96! ?ick (! _w1 all vivid ) color & texture &
,i felt = once t ,i 0 a "p ( x all4

,af \r doctor's visit1 my p>5ts took me 6see .,/> .,w>s1 play+ on a giant
scre5 9 ,copley ,squ>e4 ,norm,y ,i'd sit 9 ! front r[1 my t9y bits ( "w+
ret9a only all[+ me 6see a small piece (! l>ge scre54 ,my cran+ h1d wd j]k
back & =?1 try+1 b usu,y fail+1 6foll[ ! ac;n4 ,n[1 ?\<1 we all sat 9 a
mi4le r[4 ,)! focus$ monocul>1 ,i cd n[ see ab half (! scre51 & x 0 pl5ty4
,"r 9 front ( me 7 furry gorillas ) giant pi]c+ eyes & wr9kle-fac$ b1/s ^:
/u2y elephant trunks flopp$ f side 6side4 ,i lit],y duck$ 6avoid om9\s
space%ips ) l>ge squ>e sides spiral+ 96focus1 %oot+ lum9\s b1ms ( li<t "? !
d>k space4

,x 0 af ! movie1 celebrat+ my new miracle see+-device ov] banana splits1 t
,i r1liz$ my "m's protective h>d;s 0 only a ?9 husk1 erect$ n only 6protect
me b al 6protect h]f4 ,sitt+ at a boo? 9 ! d9]1 my "f attempt$ 6expla9 all
! l>ge ^ws ! doctor _h us$ 6describe my 41se4 ,! ^ws _h made my 41se seem
important3 3g5ital1 g5etic1 recessive g5e 4ord]1 mut,n4 8,"! >e ll /rips (
9=m,n t make up ea* p]son10 my "f exp.d$4 8,yr 41se may -e f a defective
g5e 5cod$ 9 yr "m's side (! family40

,i turn$ 6my mom4 8,?anks a lot10 ,i jok$4 ,%e 0 dr9k+ a glass ( ,pepsi &
2gan c\<+ s h>d %e slamm$ d[n ! glass1 spill+ x on ! ta#4 ,!n1 ! c\<+ turn$
96cry+ & %e _h 6l1ve ! ta#4 8,i didn't m1n to10 ,i sd 6my "f :o 0 /&+ up &
wat*+ h] g4 8,i 0 j jok+40 ,my sev5-ye>-old bra9 _h n"e ?"\ 6blame h]1 & ,i
_h n"e ?"\ t %e wd blame h]f =a microscopic defect t may h be5 c>ri$ "? !
family tree =a ?\s& ye>s1 g5],n 6g5],n1 n"e surfac+--until n[4 ,:5 %e came
back f ! ba?room1 ,i hu7$ h] & told h] t my 2+ bl wasn't h] fault1 b "? !
re/ (! m1l1 %e only sat "!1 )\t sp1k+1 tak+ %ort *oppy br1?s & bl[+ h] nose
9 tissues %e kept 9 h] purse4

,a p[];l 3coc;n ( love mix$ ) guilt drove my "m's f]vor 65sure my "picip,n
9 all normal *ildhood activities4 ,9 ,cub ,sc\ts1 6unequivoc,y gu>antee t
,i wd n 2 left \ ( any activ;y1 %e got h]f elect$ \r d5 "m4 ,af d9n]1 we'd
lie tgr on h] big b$1 : smell$ ( h] p]fumes1 cr1ms1 & p[d]s4 ,%e'd r1d al\d
f my ,cub ,sc\t manual ab h[ 6tie knots1 build campfires1 & h[ 63/ruct
p]iscopes \ ( milk c>tons4 ,i 0 mesm]iz$ 0h] voice1 s hi< & ev51 alm
musical4 ,:5 ,i 0 only "o /ep away f rcvg my nature badge1 %e 2gan 6r1d \
(! *apt] 5titl$ 8,bucky ,badg]'s ,road 6,nature40 ,=! la/ /ep1 ,i 0 suppos$
6cat* a butt]fly & draw a picture ( x1 8:ile c>e;lly notic+ xs color1
texture1 & design40 ,i 0 4appo9t$ 2c ! :ole process seem$ imm5sely
di6icult4 ,all a butt]fly 0 6me 0 a ll flick] ( color4 ,b %e assur$ me1
8,don't worry4 ,x'll 2 easy40 ,%e dress$ me up 9 an annoy+ mat*+ \tfit1 a
saf>i pr9t ) ro>+ lions1 l1p+ zebras1 & elephants spray+ wat] f _! trunks4
,%e dress$ 9 a pair ( design] j1ns &a bulky1 b"r r$ sw1t] t made h] ?9 face
seem ev5 m delicate4 ,i made h] promise t :5 we cau<t a butt]fly1 we wdn't
kill x1 b only look at x & !n let x g1 & %e agre$ :olehe>t$ly & sd x wd 2
fun4

,%e held my h& z we cross$ a busy road 6a field cov]$ 9 prickly p9e ne$les4
,f/1 %e gave me ! butt]fly net & let me try 6cat* "o1 b ! butt]flies wd
sweep 96my field ( vi.n & qkly 4appe>4 ,i ev5 tri$ 6spot !m ) my monocul>1
0po9t+ x t[>d ! sky1 b un=tunately1 butt]flies 7 too small & /1l?y = xs
p[]4 ,!n my "m held my h& &1 ) h] o!r h&1 took ! butt]fly net & 2gan 6run &
jump & lunge1 ) me dra7+ al;g 2h4 ,b tgr1 we / cdn't cat* "o4 ,!n1 %e
rel1s$ my h& & 3t9u$ on h] [n :ile ,i wat*$4 ,soon1 %e =got ,i 0 "!4 ,h]
b"r r$ sw1t] d.ed & dove & !n seem$ 6be wri?+ ne> ! gr.d4 ,%e curs$ &!
sw1t] rose ag1 fla%+ acr ! field1 d>t+1 rev]s+1 zigza7+4 ,!n %e 2gan sw++ !
net at butt]flies t ev5 ,i cd see w]5't "!4 ,2t br1?s1 %e snapp$1 8,h[ d !y
expect a ll boy 6cat* a butt]fly80 ,f9,y1 %e gave up1 ?r[+ d[n ! net &
plopp+ d[n on ! h>d mud 2s me4 8,we'll try ag ano!r "t10 %e promis$4

,we drew ! picture anyway4 ,i held ! black m>k] ne> ! tip1 :ile h] f+]s
held x at ! top4 ,%e l1n$ ov] my h1d1 : 0 press$ 6! page1 & help$ guide my
/rokes4 ,! picture turn$ \ nice1 alm z ?\< we _h actu,y cau<t "o4 ,sitt+
close 6me1 %e pu%$ aside h] hair1 & ,i cd see h] eyes up close1 s l>ge &
gre5 & op5 l a *'s4 ,%e sd t %e didn't "k cat*+ a butt]fly wd 2 s h>d1 b t
we'd d bett] next "t4 ,i didn't re,y m9d n cat*+ "o4 ,i lik$ ! picture we
_h drawn1 b ! ?"\ ( h] sad eyes made my he>t swell up s ti<t ) love t ,i _h
63c5trate on ea* br1?1 pull+ ! air delib]ately 96my lungs & !n pu%+ x \ ag4

,z ,i got old]1 my "m's love felt ov]p[]+1 alm su6ocat+1 :ile my "f all[$
me 6exp]i;e a t\* ( freedom1 ev5 if x m1nt flopp+ on my face n[ & !n4 ,:5
,i 0 ei<t ye>s old1 my dad's -pany1 ,pfiz]1 a ph>maceutical firm1 (f]$ hm a
promo;n1 h1d+ xs human res\rces func;n 9 ,asia4 ,! job wd require ! family
6move 6,h;g ,k;g4 ,x 0 a huge l1p1 b my "m 3v9c$ hm x wd 2 excit+4 ,we mov$
96an a"p;t on ,w;gnei*;g ,gap ,road4 ,my "m 5?usia/ic,y fill$ \r new home )
d>k wood5 ,*9ese apo!c>y *e/s hold+ doz5s ( t9y draw]s1 tall bronze
,bu4has1 pe>l-:ite lamps cramm$ ) l9es ( swirl+1 swoop+ ,*9ese "*s1 &
h&-c>v$ wood5 scre5s be>+ pictures ( anci5t battle sc5es4 ,on week5ds1 we'd
sail a ,*9ese junk1 )a tall wood5 ma/ & an elaborately pa9t$ gre5 s]p5t on
! sail4 ,ea* week5d1 we'd dock ! junk & explore a new sp>sely populat$
isl&4 ,m>k1 ,$di1 my dad1 & ,i wd l1ve my mom sunba?+ on ! junk & hike =
h\rs ov] ! m.ta9s1 ?ick ) bamboo4 ,z we hik$ al;g 9 a l9e1 my "f wd call \
9 m>*+ cad;e1 8,up ! hill1 ov] ! hill1 d[n ! hill1 "? ! hill1 s.d (f60

,$di--,"o1 two6

,dad--,s.d (f6

,me--,?ree1 f\r6

,"ey"o--,we love ! ,m>9e ,corps6

,m>k wd hang back a ways1 too cool 6take "p1 mumbl+ ?+s l1 8,s.d (f4 ,"o1
two4 ,/epp$ 9 dog%it1 ,p-,u60 ,ignor+ hm1 my dad wd 3t9ue 9 a l\d] voice4

,dad--,:o's ! be/8

,$di & ,i--,we're ! be/6

,dad--,:o >e we8

,$di & ,i--,we're ! ,corps6

,dad--,s.d (f6

,$di--,"o1 two6

,dad--,s.d (f6

,me--,?ree1 f\r6

,"ey"o--,we love ! ,m>9e ,corps6

,"s"ts my dad wd let u hike f> ah1d1 & we'd explore des]t$ b1*es ) "ns l
,%>ks ,bay & ,deep ,wat] ,bay1 & climb "? caves & old ,japanese bunk]s1
left ov] f :5 ! ,japanese o3upi$ ^! isl&s dur+ ,_w ,w> ,,ii4 ,once1 :5 my
"m 0 away on a two-week t\r ( ,*9a1 my dad1 my bro!rs1 & ,i explor$ a pat*
( l& gov]n$ 0,h;g ,k;g b 3nect$ 6ma9l& ,*9a4 ,we crawl$ "u a b>b$-wire f;e
& hik$ al;g a n>r[ b1*4 ,all al;g 7 signs writt5 9 s* l>ge r$ ,5gli% lrs1
ev5 ,i cd r1d !m1 ,,turn ,,back ,,immly1 ,,y ,,h ,,5t]$ ,,! ,,p's
,,republic ,,( ,,*9a4 ,i kept wait+ = my dad 6tell u we _h 6turn back1 b he
0 ev5 m excit$ ?an u4 8,we c't let yr "m h all ! fun4 ,:at d y say we g
explore a ll ( ,*9a too40 ,l1v+ ! b1*1 we came 96a village -pris$ ( rickety
wood5 %acks & s&y1 b1*front roads4 ,immly1 ?r;gs ( /ray yapp+ dogs &
9t5sely curi\s *n surr.d$ u4 ,! adults kept _! 4t.e & only />$ suspici\sly4
,r1dy = m adv5tures1 my "f negotiat$ )a sampan driv] :o agre$ 6take u 6an
isl& acr ! bay ": a m>ket 0 set up4 ,z we bo>d$ 8 t9y boat1 sir5s bl>$ t[>d
u1 a jeep scr1m$ up 2s u1 & ,*9ese police we>+ %ort pants & hold+
,,ak-#dg's l1p$ \ & surr.d$ u4 ,i c't imag9e we /ruck a ?r1t5+ f/ impres.n1
my dad 9 8 big floppy sun hat & my bro!rs & ,i we>+ flimsy ,boy ,sc\t
packs4 ,my "f 0 scold$ 0! ,*9ese au?orities1 f9$ a hefty ,,hk 4#bjj 7,u4,s4
4#dj71 & we 7 dump$ \ ( an >mor$ truck back acr ! bord]4 ,safely home1 my
"f hu4l$ u tgr & sd1 8,p]son,y boys1 t 0 ! be/ =ty-doll> adv5ture we'll "e
h1 b :5 yr "m gets back & tells u all ab h] trip 6,*9a1 let's n %[ h] up )
\r [n adv5ture4 ,let's j pret5d we 7 n"e 9 ,*9a at all10 b ,i suspect$ t 2y
8 no# 9t5;n ( lett+ my "m h ! spotli<t1 lay ! m basic 9t5;n ( sav+ 8 [n
hide4

,my bro!rs & ,i didn't h 6g all ! way 6,*9a 6ta/e adv5ture4 ,! *aotic c;y
/reets ( ,h;g ,k;g 7 5\<4 ,! op5 m>kets1 cr[d$ ) d>k1 n>r[ /alls1 sold
"ey?+ imag9a#1 f l;g ?ick eels dry+ 9 ! sun 6b>rels ( pickl$ cobras 6l>ge
:ite cluck+ cockatoos4 ,= me1 ) limit$ vi.n & less ?an t5 ye>s old1 mo/ (!
excite;t 0 (f-limits4 ,d\#-deck] busses spann$ ! fifte5-mile isl&1 b ,i 0
n"e all[$ 6travel al"o on !m4 ,:5 my "m 0 / away on h] ,*9a t\r1 ,i p]suad$
my dad 6let me -e home al"o f a fr's h\se4 ,8 p]mis.n mi<t h be5 spawn$ z a
gdwill ge/ure ( secrecy ov] \r ,*9a excur.n4 ,my fr walk$ ) me 6! bus /op
&1 :5 a bus mov+ 9 ! "r direc;n t[>d my h\se /opp$1 ,i jump$ on4 ,i cdn't
see ! bus's numb]1 b ,i knew only two busses w5t ? way1 & ^? 7 gd 5 o4s =
me4 ,i wd h eat5 a b>rel ( pickl$ snakes1 _h bo? eyes peck$ \ 0a cockatoo1
liv$ on a d\#-deck] bus =a ye>1 2f ,i wd ask a fr = help4 ,on ! bus1 ,i
excit$ly climb$ ! circul> /airway 6! top level & sat d[n 9 ! back1 b 2gan
6get a ll n]v\s 2c ,i cdn't see well 5 \ ! w9d[ 6track \r progress4 ,i cd
see ! dim \tl9es ( :ite build+s1 an o3a.nal tree1 &! gray asphalt walls
built up ! sides (! m.ta9s 6prev5t ero.n1 b ,i cdn't 4t+ui% :e!r !y 7 !
specific build+s1 trees1 & walls t wd l1d me 6\r a"p;t4 ,i cd feel ! turns
(! bus1 & ,i 0 sure we _hn't turn$ "r & up ! l;g hill t[>d ,w;gnei*;g ,gap
,road1 b left & d[n 96,happy ,valley4 ,z ! bus rum#d f>!r & f>!r away f my
famili> home1 ,i felt l an a/ronaut %ot 96space1 wat*+ ! e>? %r9k 96a t9y
blue m>#4 ,:5 ! bus f9,y /opp$1 ,i l1p$ d[n ! /airs1 f"\ my way "? a ?ick
cr[d ( ,*9ese %opp]s1 & ru%$ \ ! door4

,t "d1 ,i def9itely got 6"k ! isl& ( ,h;g ,k;g4 ,walk+ al;g1 ,i wat*$ a
gr\p ( old1 bony ,*9ese m5 play+ a game ) dice4 ,!y wav$ _! >ms 9 exa7]at$
mo;ns & *att]$ explosively back & =? 9 ,cantonese4 ,"o man sipp$ f a mason
j> fill$ ) "s k9d ( br[n1 slimy liquid4 ,!n he made a noise deep 9 8 ?roat1
l a cat scrat*+ xs nails on s&pap]1 & spat a l;g1 /r1m+ gob ( spit 9 my
direc;n t l&$ on ! pave;t at my feet4 ,! o!r m5 lau<$ &1 ,i guess$1 t 0 my
cue 6move al;g4 ,9 ! 4t.e1 ,i he>d a /1dy b1t ( drums t piqu$ my 9t]e/4
,w&]+ t[>d ! puls+ noise1 ,i look$ \ on a r[ ( b"rly color$ \tri7]s1 n>r[ &
l;g1 ) h1ds ( dragons c>v$ 96! front & ja7$ tails ne> ! back4 ,9 ! front (
ea*1 a man sat )a drum 2t 8 legs4 ,fac+ ! back (! boat1 !y b1t \ /rokes =
_! crews4 ,f "!1 ,i ran "? an alley & /um#d ^u a fli<t ( /airs1 : ,i
climb$4 ,!y /opp$ at a small plat=m1 )a t9y wood5 h\se built 96! side (!
m.ta94 ,6my left1 ! /airs 3t9u$1 & ev5 ?\< ,i knew ,i 0 probably trespass+
on "s"o's prop]ty1 ,i burn$ ) curios;y4 ,=a half an h\r1 ,i zi7$ & za7$ up
a c.t.s s]ies ( /airways1 "w+ _! way /eeply up ! m.ta94 ,ea* /airway 0
divid$ 0ano!r small plat=m & t9y h\se4 ,f9,y1 \ ( br1? at ! top1 ,i f.d myf
9 a t9y r$ & gre5 pagoda ) huge c>v$ dragons gu>d+ x on bo? sides4 ,l1fy
v9es grew up ! damp walls1 & ,i cd he> t9y squawk+ birds ne/+ ne> ! ceil+4
,9 ! front (! temple lay delicate plates & tea cups1 (f]+s 6,bu4ha4 ,/&+ 9
! sil5t pagoda1 xs walls mu6l+ ! f>-2l noises (! c;y1 ,i knew ,i _h 5t]$ a
place t 0 b1uti;l & sacr$1 a place t only ! r>e explor]1 ) pati;e &
p]si/;e1 wd "e see4 ,ye>s lat]1 ,i wd f9d t ? feel+ 0 ! same z ,i wd
exp]i;e on ! tops ( m.ta9s4

,t ev5+1 af ?ree m wr;g bus /ops1 ,i f.d my way home & da%$ 96\r a"p;t only
a few m9utes af my "f >riv$ home f pick+ my mom up at ! airport4 8,": 7 y80
my "m ask$4

8,oh1 he 0 play+ \tside4 ,i don't "k h[ we miss$ hm10 my dad sd1 well
5tangl$ 9 ! 3spiracy4 ,:5 my "m w5t 96h] room 6unpack1 my "f drew close 5
6me s ,i cd see 8 angry gl>e4 8,we'll talk lat]10 he :isp]$ /]nly4 8,i'm
glad y made x home 9 "o piece4 ,a few m9utes lat]1 & yr "m wd h torn me
96pieces40

,sadly1 only f\r ye>s af >riv+ 9 ,h;g ,k;g1 my dad 0 transf]r$ back 6! ,new
,york ,c;y (fice1 & my mom pick$ \ a h\se 9 ,we/on1 ,3necticut1 an h\r f !
c;y4 ,\r new h\se lay on top (a hill1 )a l;g1 /eep1 circul> driveway1 &
:ile ,h;g ,k;g _h be5 a gr& adv5ture1 ,i pref]r$ ,3necticut 6,h;g ,k;g 2c
,i 5joy$ ev5 m freedom1 e week5d rid+ my bike fa/ al;g ! c.try roads1 pump+
my p$als up ! roll+ hills & fly+ d[n ! o!r side4 ,i n"e grew tir$ (
9ve/igat+ ! va/1 pung5t swamps t =m$ 9 ! summ]1 ! ru7$ riv] cut "? /eep hi<
rocks1 &! empty lots1 ) _! huge1 s(t m.ds ( dirt pil$ up 0bulldoz]s1 9 : ,i
cd roll & tum# )\t gett+ hurt4 ,my favorite activ;y 2came bike jump+4 ,i'd
sit on my bike at ! top ( my driveway we>+ an ,evel ,knievel ;,t-%irt &
black l1!r gloves4 ,af a few deep br1?s1 ,i'd laun* myf d[n ! drive1 >.d !
corn]1 & ov] a wood5 ramp posi;n$ at ! bottom4 ,i'd so> (f ! ramp & l& on
ano!r ramp1 ei<t feet pa/ ! f/4 ,!n ,i'd circle ! cul-de-sac ) "o h& on !
h&le b> &! o!r rais$ victori\sly 9 ! air1 wav+ 6! imag9>y cr[d4

,"o "d1 p$al+ back up ! driveway = ano!r jump1 my bike &! gr.d seem$ 6sw]ve
side 6side & ,i j manag$ 6put my foot d[n 2f ,i toppl$ ov]4 ,= no app>5t
r1son1 my vi.n 0 swimm+ & gr[+ fuzzy4 ,i %ook my h1d1 clos$ my eyes1 op5$
!m ag1 & look$ >.d blankly4 ,i told myf t ,i 0 only imag9+ my dim9i%$ si<t1
t x 0 only ! tempor>y bl9d+ fla% (! sun 9 my eyes1 t ,i _hn't eat5 5
br1kfa/1 or t ,i _hn't gott5 5 sleep2 any?+ b ! tru?4 ,i decid$ 6prove 6myf
t no?+ 0 wr;g 0jump+ ag4 ,? "t ,i p$al$ a ll m cauti\sly1 b ! br[n wood5
ramp1 only vaguely 4t+ui%a# f ! asphalt 2l1 0 approa*+ too fa/4 ,i hit !
ramp crook$ly & roll$ (f ! side1 b>ely manag+ 6/ay up"r4 ,ea* subsequ5t run
2came sl[] & sl[]2 ,i ei popp$ (f ! side or miss$ ! ramp alt4

,at ! top (! driveway1 my "f 0 spray pa9t+ an old *e/4 ,al? ,i didn't
notice hm1 he cdn't help b notice me4 ,he grimac$ ea* "t ,i miss$1 want+ s
badly 6run d[n & -m& me 6/op 2f ,i got hurt1 b he held 8 gr.d4 ,he knew he
cdn't -e runn+ ea* "t ,i 3front$ a *all5ge4 ,f9,y1 he saw me give up 9 4gu/
& angrily pu% my bike 96! g>age4 ,say+ no?+ 6my dad z ,i /orm$ 9side1 ,i
slamm$ ! door4 ,my "f look$ at ! dull wood5 ramp & at ! c ( spray pa9t 9 8
h&4 ,!n he walk$ 96! g>age & /udi$ ! rack ( di6]5t color$ spray pa9ts until
8 eyes /opp$ on b"r orange4

,! next "d ov] br1kfa/1 my "f 5c\rag$ me 6try ! ramp ag4 ,i hesitantly
p$al$ d[n ! driveway z he wat*$ anxi\sly f ! top4 ,:5 ,i r.d$ ! corn]1 ,i
immly notic$ "s?+ va/ly di6]5t4 ,i cd cle>ly see ! \tl9e (! ramp2 x %"o b"r
orange 9 ! sun4 ,i cd smell ! aerosol odor ( spray pa9t z ,i hit ! f/ ramp
d1d on1 flew acr ! gap1 & t\*$ d[n on ! l&+ ramp4 ,soon my 3fid;e 0 back1 &
,i 3v9c$ my two bro!rs1 ,$di & ,m>k1 6lie d[n on _! /oma*s 2t ! ramps1 s ,i
cd jump ov] !m4 ,!y reluctantly agre$1 b bo? flatt5$ _! bodies t5sely ag/ !
pave;t1 _! fle% quiv]+ & _! >ms squeez$ ti<tly ov] _! h1ds4 ,i so>$ ov] !m
9 true ,evel ,knievel /yle & rode >.d ! cul-de-sac wav+ my h& 9 victory4
,my bro!rs jump$ up1 swoon+ dramatic,y1 hold+ ! back ( _! h1ds :ile pret5d+
!y _h be5 hit4 ,mo;t>ily ,i 0 excit$1 b 9side 0 a loom+ feel+ t my life 0
clos+ 9 on me1 t b"rly pa9t$ ramps1 tru/+ bro!rs1 &! rock-h>d /u2orn;s ( my
[n bra91 wd n 2 5 6protect me f an 9evita# reckon+ ) bl;s4

,! next ye> my bro!r ,$di1 ?ree ye>s old] ?an me1 got 8 le>n]'s p]mit =
driv+4 ,i 0 5vi\s4 ,i imag9$ myf 2h ! :eel1 driv+ ) 3fid;e1 j l my dad ) "o
>m hang+ \ ! w9d[1 ! o!r li<tly on ! :eel1 &! s1t pu%$ z f> back z x wd g s
t my body 0 a ll 9cl9$4 ,:5"e ,i'd ride ) my dad on c.try roads1 ,i'd beg
hm 6let me try \ my driv+ skills4 ,i'd sit 2t 8 knees 9 ! cab ( \r old ,=d
pickup & place my h&s on ! /e]+ :eel :ile my dad "w$ ! a3el]ator & brake4
,"s"ts :5 ! li<t+ 0 gd1 ,i drove ,,ok1 b x wasn't q :at ,i _h imag9$4 ,i _h
6keep my h1d cran$ =w>d alm press$ ag/ ! glass 6see & bo? h&s squeez$ !
:eel 9/1d ( "o1 my elb[s po9t$ upw>d l vulture w+s4 ,my dad kept ! truck
mov+ sl[ly1 s ,i _h lots ( "t 6react4

,"o sunny fall "d my olde/ bro!r1 ,m>k1 flew 96,la ,gu>dia airport =a
,?anksgiv+ holi"d home f college4 ,! :ole family met hm 9 ! pickup1 ?rew 8
bags 96! back1 & squeez$ 96! k+ cab =! ride home4 ,z we left ! hi<way =
local roads1 ,i 2gan be7+ my dad 6let me %[ ,m>k h[ well ,i cd drive4 ,s1 a
few miles f home ,dad pull$ ! pickup ov]1 & ,i scoot$ myf 96posi;n1 & we
roll$ =w>d v sl[ly1 b ! zigza7+ %ad[s ca/ 0! trees ov]h1d &! b"r sun
reflect+ (f ! hood alm oblit]at$ my vi.n4 ,i /e]$ 96! "r curb & !n1
recov]+1 96! left curb1 ! :ole "t my "f1 ,m>k1 ,$di1 & ,mom scr1m+ \1
8,left6 ,"r6 ,n[ left6 ,m left6 ,"r6 ,"r60 ,! truck lur*$ f "r tires 6left
tires1 left tires 6"r tires4 ,! frame (! truck cr1k$ & gr.d ag/ ! axles4
,my "m roll$ d[n ! pass5g] w9d[1 & h] face m/ h be5 a ll gre51 2c ,$di sd1
8,y feel+ okay1 ,mom80 ,%e didn't respond1 b :5 he next sd1 8,? is bett]
?an ,mr4 ,toad's ,wild ,ride at ,ac;n ,p>k10 %e elb[$ hm 9 ! ribs4 ,i
ti<t5$ ! muscles 9 my face1 try+ 6/op myf f cry+4 ,! te>s only made my vi.n
blurri]4 ,f9,y my dad took ov]1 & my "m took a few deep br1?s4 8,y %d've
se5 me la/ week10 is all ,i manag$ 6say 6,m>k4

,lat] ,i lay on my b$1 my face 9 my pill[1 :5 ,m>k came 9 & /ood ov] me4
8,grt job td10 ,m>k sd4

8,y1h "r60 ,i repli$1 surpris$4

8,i'm s]i\s4 ,i "k :at y 7 do+40

8,y d80 ,i ask$4

8,y1h1 x 0 obvi\s4 ,y 7 avoid+ ! potholes4 ,i ?9k y avoid$ e "o ( 'em40 ,!n
he b5t 8 >ms 9 front ( hm1 hold+ an imag9>y /e]+ :eel1 & 2gan sw]v+ crazily
>.d ! room1 ) 8 feet mov+ 9 exa7]at$ly t9y1 fa/-mo;n /eps4 ,he motor$ t[>d
! book%elf1 !n ! ni<t/&1 & !n ! *air1 ea* "t ) only an 9* 6sp>e & )\t los+
/ride1 p]=m+ a p]fect #ahj-degree turn4

8,oh ma ,god60 he cri$ \ 9 a hi<-pit*$ granny's voice4 8,look \6 ,help6
,help6 ,"! a9't no /opp+ me n[6 ,i'm \ ( 3trol6 ,look \ =! potholes6 ,i'm
-in' "?60