Wolverton English, Northwestern High School

Check out the photos in the Image Galleries…I taught myself how to add pictures today and am sharing those important to me.  Plus, I’m staying in touch with you all.  It was great to see Pamela, Ashley, Erica, and AndreAnna this morning.  I hope you’re all writing in your writer’s notebooks every now and then.  Be sure to post anything you want to share here under “Stay in Touch.”  Have a good, safe, and relaxing summer.

I have always been interested in musical instruments. I always will be. But I did something out of anger that I might still regret.

I wanted to play an instrument, a wind instrument; maybe the flute. That’s it, the flute. It sounds so peaceful and elegant. I knew that I was going to play the flute.

One morning on break between classes I went to the office and got a form to play an instrument with the music teacher, Mr. R. First, I had to pay a $10 fee in case I damaged the instrument. If I didn’t damage the flute, I would get the $10 back at the end of the year. I paid the fee and got a music book that was mine and the flute. The first music practice was that day in the auditorium during lunch. I went into the auditorium and saw Mr. R. already teaching some students. I got to the stage and he said, “You’re late. We’re already into notes.”

“But I just got out of class,” I answered.

“Well, it’s your fault for not telling your teacher about this session,” he barked. “Now sit down and turn to page 5!”

I, not wanting to get written up, did as I was told. As soon as I sat down, another student came in. “Sorry, Mr. R., my teacher didn’t let me out in time,” she apologized.

“It’s alright, S., sit down and turn to page 5,” he said sweetly.

I was seeing red. I was on the edge of the seat and feeling my face getting hot. But I cooled down thinking about the flute. We went on learning about the notes on our instruments. There were four clarinets, three flutes, two trumpets, and two drummers. We sounded cool together. After cleaning our instruments, back to class we went.

For the next week, my music practices with Mr. R. got worse. Every day he yelled at me for this or for that. On the sixth session, I finally lost it. I walked into the auditorium a couple of minutes early so he wouldn’t yell at me for being late, but when I walked in, he wasn’t there. There were only two other kids sitting down – a clarinet and a drummer. I asked where the others were. They didn’t know. We sat and sat until finally Mr. R. came bursting in and asked, “Where were you guys? We just finished our gig in the gym.”

I said, “You didn’t tell us about it.”

“I wasn’t supposed to tell you about it. It was on the bulletin board. You should know that!” he screamed, his face getting all red.

“Like anyone reads it,” I retorted with a smile, enjoying his anger.

“The others did!!” he yelled even louder.

I hate getting yelled at that loudly, so I yelled back. “No they didn’t. They only know because you told S. and S. told all of her friends, and guess what, she’s not our friend or she would have told us!!” I screamed. I paused to calm down, “I quit this music session as long as you work here. You may have won the battle, Mr. R., but I…,” I paused, “…I won the war,” I finished with a grim smile. I left.

News soon got out that I had a winning argument with a teacher. Kids I don’t even know came and patted me on the back saying, “Good job!” I guess Mr. R. heard everyone was on my side and decided to leave the district. That’s what all the other kids said, anyway. The new music teacher was different. He was nice, but I still didn’t want to play an instrument right then. And by the time I did, it was too late.

–Tricia P.

My Grandpa Chuck is my best friend and the wisest person I know. He was the type of man who would give the shirt off his back for a stranger. My Grandpa Chuck could make anyone laugh no matter how upset they were. He was a minister and married my mom and step-dad and my Uncle Dennis and Aunt Maggie. My grandpa helped me get through so much pain and so many problems, but everything has a down side.

My grandfather had a very bad heart, and most likely had over twenty minor heart attacks over the years. But he refused to stop smoking and barely changed his eating habits.

My grandpa taught me to do my best at anything I do. This past Christmas he came to our house. We gave him a lighter in a special case. It played a classical song when you lifted it out of the case. My grandpa loved it. I remember the way his face lit up when he hummed the tune. “La, la, la,” he sang. I showed him my new Michigan State coat that I got for Christmas. I remember hugging and holding him. I can still feel his scratchy beard on my face when I gave him a kiss goodbye that night. I remember everything about him and that time I spent with him, that last time I would ever spend time with him.

I didn’t know that when he would go to bed that night he would have his last heart attack and die. He died around 2:00, the morning of December 26, 2004. I miss him every day of my life, and every day I wish he was still here.

In a way, though, I am glad that he is in heaven and not hurting. He doesn’t have to take umpteen million pills a day and he doesn’t have heart attacks anymore. I am happy to have known him and am thankful that God gave me one last Christmas with him.

–Francis B.

I enjoy playing football with friends and family. I think about football all the time. I like watching it on television. My favorite team is Florida State. I hope to play for them in the future. I teach my little brother how to play. He is so much better. I played for the school. It felt great hearing my dad say he was proud of me.

My brothers, sister and I go outside to play football all day. When I play, I play with everything I have, even it if is just for fun. I try to be the best that I can. I believe that I can be the best if I push myself to the limit.

Football is just a game to most people. But to me it is life. I dream that someday I will win the Heisman Trophy. I would like to play in the NFL. I would like to become something great. I want people to remember me for what I am. I love football so much because of my dad. Everything I know is from what he taught me. He didn’t force me to play, he wanted to help me become what I want. Now all of that has come true. I want to thank my dad for helping me push myself to the limit.

–Josh P.

A story of the loss of a loved one.

It all boiled down to that one fateful day.  The day I lost my grandma.  I loved her more than I can explain or jot down on paper.  She was bedridden because of her legs.  I don’t know what was wrong with them, all I know is that grandma couldn’t walk.  I remember when I was little sitting in the back seat of my grandma’s car.  That is the only moment in time that I remember her walking or driving, or doing anything with her legs.

I could tell my grandma had a lot of health problems.  She took all sorts of pills and shots.  It was just awful watching her be uncomfortable and in pain.  That is probably why I am happy for my grandma that she doesn’t have to feel pain anymore.  She is in a much better place.  But I am sad because I don’t get to see her face anymore.

–Curdell L.

I was born on July 6, 1992, and since that day I have been cared for by two of the best people I have ever known: my mom and dad. Both of my parents make me feel up and ready to go when I feel down and not up to do something. My mom and dad put clothes on my back and a roof over my head. They keep me safe and make sure I’m safe wherever I am.

One special time I had with my mom and dad was when they planned a surprise birthday party for me at Buttercup Beach. It was cool because the first day it happened I was kind of mad because it was my birthday and I was bored. My dad, two brothers, and my friend, Ryan, were in on planning the surprise. They told me we were going to the beach because it was hot outside. We packed some things and headed to the beach. As we pulled into the parking lot, I was some people having a birthday party, and I wished it had been me. When I got closer, I saw three of my friends, Adam, Taylor, and Pat. Then everyone from that same birthday party jumped out and surprised me. I was shocked because it was actually my birthday party I was watching as we drove up. We swam and broke open a piñata. My mom handed me a card from my grandma, grandpa, and parents. As I opened it, I immediately noticed there was $150 inside. My friends handed me gifts and cards, too. I told my parents they really didn’t have to do all they did, but they answered that I had been doing good all year that I deserved it.

I think this is one of the best times I have ever had with my parents. For my next birthday, they wouldn’t have to do anything as special, but it is up to them, it is their decision.

–Kris M.

A biography by J. B. I.

You might know him by the smooth and soulful ballads he sings, or maybe you saw him on television.  You may have seen him in his hit movie, Light it Up.” However, everyone knows who Usher Raymond, IV, is.

Usher T. Raymond, IV, was born in Chatanooga, Tennessee, on October 14, 1978.  His mother, Jonetta Patton, realized her son had potential.  A choir director at a local church, she put her son in the choir when he was seven years old.  Shortly, Usher became lead singer of the choir.  Jonetta packed up her boys and moved to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1992 to expand fourteen-year-old Usher’s music career.  There he entered many talent shows.  One day, a talent searcher saw him which launched Usher’s successful career.  Stardom came and Usher moved to New York City to work with Sean “Puffy” Combs, a record producer.  Combs produced Usher’s first music CD, entitled Usher.

The CD, Usher, had fourteen tracks of hard-hitting R and B songs.  Usher’s first breakout hit was, “Can U Get With It,” which dropped in 1994, the same year his album came out.

Now ten years later, Usher did it again with the CD, Confessions.  His hit single, “Yeah” reatures Ludacris and Lil Jon.  Usher Terry Raymond is at the top of his game.  He says you will see him in the future.  Yeah!

My heart pounds when

I see you coming

my way.

It’s hard to speak

when you pass by to say, “Hi.”

When I hear

your voice

I want to run and hide.

I write your name

on everything.

I hide that I like you.

Do you know

that I like you?

Do you like me too?

If you do, will

you tell me?

or do I have to ask?

Will I ever know?

–by M. G.

Some poems are

sweet and some are weird

some are happy but

not this one here

This is about a dog

with happiness and joy

but my very happy dog

died when I was just a boy

I felt hurt and pain

but mostly anger

that dog was a son

and I was its dad

I’ll never forget

the pain in my being

when my mom told me

my dog passed away

Some poems

are sweet

but not his one

here

This poem about

a dog that I

miss, oh so

dearly.

–Denzel B.

I close my eyes to

rest my head after my

pillows were flattened

and I had smoothed out

my bed.

The day had been

long and many fish

were caught.  Now, to

sleep, sleep, sleep

is all I want.

I want to sleep

and dream about

catching Moby Dick.

The bed is my head

and the pillows the

wheels that I want to

transport me to my dreams.

Hurry up, matey,

don’t let me down

bed.  Put me to sleep now.

My head gets light

and I feel sleep coming near

as my eyes finally

shut, I whisper, Goodnight

my dear.

–Denzel B.

My class was in Mrs. Young’s math class on June 2 when Mr. James came in and said, “Whoever thinks their parents will let them go see the Tigers play against the Rangers, let’s go call and see.” My momma said, “Yes,” and I was so happy.

It took us a long time to get there, and I am so scared of the highway, but we finally arrived in Detroit. The park was so big and so pretty. We found our seats and got something to eat. I bought pizza and Haley and I split a pop. We heard yelling on our way back to our hot seats, “Yeah!” “GO TIGERS GO!” We won and I had so much fun.

–Jasmine J.

I know that I’m in the seventh grade, and there is nothing to be afraid of. But last night when my brother, my two sisters, and I slept down in the basement we saw something that nearly scared the heck out of us.

On one side of the basement, we have checked white and black walls and pink paint with dots on the other side. It was like this when we first moved in. The scary thing is that half of the checked white and black wall and all of the pink wall was glowing the other night. My two sisters put their heads under the covers because they were scared. We turned on the television just to get a little light on down there, but mom said, “Turn off that TV! It’s 10:00 at night.” Me and Anastacia stayed up and watched 101 Dalmatians. Later, we, too, fell asleep and left those walls glowing. I think someone must have put glowing paint on them.

–Felicia J.

At 8:15 a.m. we left the school and we traveled about two hours and ten minutes. The ride was also fun but also tiresome. We traveled on a charter bus and we passed lots of trees. Finally we got there! I got on a lot of rides and the roller coasters were fun, scary, and big. Shivering Timbers was the biggest, longest, and scariest rollercoaster they had. My scary friend Keiairra was scared to get on Shivering Timbers. But we tricked her on to the Wolverine Wildcat and she was screaming to the top of her lungs. When she got off she was shaking and laughing. My friend Angel and I burst out laughing. Our day was very exciting and fund. We had a lot of fun.

–Felicia J.

I passed none of my goals. Just kidding. I passed two of four goals. The two I have passed are the ones that I wanted the most. Two our of four isn’t bad.

The first goal I completed is this – I didn’t get in trouble all year. That’s a first for me. I’m proud of myself. For once, I wasn’t a trouble maker in school.

The other goals I completed is passing the seventh grade. I thought I was going to flunk! I almost did flunk math, but I didn’t. I have been scraping by with a D and I got a C- last time. I’m so lucky. I’m confident that I got higher than a C- this time.

I’m happy with what I did. I made some friends, too. This year was a good year. I’m coming back here next year for another good year. I can’t wait for next year to start.

–Kevin G.

The goals I set for myself were very helpful during this year, because I wanted to do well. I did most of the year. If you set a goal, sometimes it helps but if you don’t succeed you are disappointed with yourself. If you do succeed you have a feeling of faith and joy. It feels great if you exceed your goals so you know you can do it.

This school year I have accomplished almost all the goals I wanted to accomplish. The biggest thing was going to the eighth grade. I’m sure I’m going on!

When I get D’s or E’s, I get grounded for two months from games for each grade. But the good thing is I get money for A’s and B’s. C’s are acceptable. My mom says next year if I get a C or lower, I get grounded. I guess it is to help me to be an A-B student all year.

One of the ways I get help is when people push me to the end, set goals for me, and help me on the way to fame and fortune. My uncle sets a lot of my goals for me. It helps! Sometimes I can’t reach my goals. That is from laziness and not wanting to do my homework. I need to work on that! I need people pushing and poking at me. It helps for some reason. Accomplishing your goals is something everyone should look forward to. It is always good to have a feeling of accomplishment.

–Christian K.

I remember the very first day of school. It was a kind of day where you were trying to get to know everyone. Then again you really needed to get to know the teacher and people you were trying to call your friends. That’s what I was doing. Why? Because I remember when lots of girls I called my friends were talking behind my back and just being so fake. But you really need to focus on the work each and every day! Maybe every once in awhile I would fool around, but I still had my head going right. Plus the school year came so fast, I didn’t even know it was here.

I can remember everything. For example, I remember the day we got our journals, my first report card, and who I was choosing to be my favorite teacher. Yet I still didn’t really find one. Some of them could be nice when they wanted to be and some can have their attitudes. I remember everything, almost. I couldn’t see myself going to the eighth grade until now. Especially when Mrs. Wolverton taught me things I didn’t know. It made me feel like an eighth grader. It was so amazing, so when I get to the eighth grade, I will always remember what I learned in language arts through the year.

–LaShawndra J.

My journal is full of old memories

that will most definately always be a part of me.

There are personal thoughts,

some that are true and false.

My journal is meant for me.

Writing in there the other eyes

should never see,

Things I write I will never share,

because my thoughts and moments, others may not care.

When I look at my journal I see

the past,

I see the moments drift in

my mind as I sit in class,

some sad, some bad,

but most put a smile on my

face and make me glad.

That’s some of what my journal

holds,

but the actual words will

never be spoken of or told.

–Carinne R. M., June 8, 2005.

The books i’ve been reading are Goosebumps R.L.STINE THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN OF PASADENA AND THE WHITE DRAGON OF SHARNU BY GILBERT MORRIS AND DAN MEEKS.In ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN some kid named Jordan Blake says that he never saw snow before.He live in Pasadena,California he klive with his dad and his sister named Nicole.His dad takes photos of everthing.Then one day they go to Alaska to find the ABOMINABLE SONWMAN.In the white doragon Mei-Lani?????BOY OR GIRL??????? here is something from the book.”Mei-Lani lao stood on the daystar’s bridge with her close friend Raina St. Clair.Under her feet the intergalactic cruiser wheeled through space, speeding toward polaris, Earths designated “North Star.” THe bridge was quiet as the girls performed routine system’s checks. It was imperative that they keepthe ship in top condition, for they never knew what dangers awaited them in deep space.” Ilike this books because the cover inspires me to read. on the cover of THE ABOMINABLE SNOWMAN there is the snowman on 1 side of the well with a mialbox and a street ligth and on the other side of the well there are trees. On the cover of THE WHITE DRAGON there is a white dragon and a girl holding a rock of something.

–by Kevin M. B.

be gone

when you left and went away
there was nothing i could say
you were perfect and stole my heart
there where so many things that made us fall apart
you said you loved me you blinded me
to the point i couldn’t see
to hold the moments we have shared
it makes me shake a little scared
to know that there will never be another you
it makes my heart turn to ice cold blue
if that’s what you want then have your way
just remember i’m the one that was there each day

–by Carinne M.

TRUE BEAUTY
Music is not a sound.
It is an emotion expressed in a melody.
It is the harmony of notes an pitches.
It’s the sound of your voice when you are happy.
And the drop of your tears when you are sad.It’s an expression of ones heart
an out break of your desires.
It’s the true beauty in life that everyone has.

–by Sammy W.

by I.B.

Volume 1 – Quest for the Stone (The Beginning)

A special thanks to A.P. and A. N. (Partners in writing (crime) and to the best show on earth:  Full Metal Alchemist.

It was a Saturday night, and they left me with him again.  I thought I was going to collapse at the hands of this two-year old monster.  This was a thought that brought me to my knees.  His name was John, but I called him J.J.  I just could not believe that this little beast was too much for me to handle.

My parents left at 9:00.  It was now 12:00 and he was still rippin’ and runnin’ around.  I finally came up with an idea.  I would tell him a story.  So, I turned to him and with little thought and even less effort  I said, “Once upon a time, there was a boy named J.J., who wouldn’t go to sleep.  So…” his eyes filled with eagerness.  I went on “…so…he did.”  J. J. looked very disappointed.  Finally after five minutes of awkward silence, I mumbled, “fine, fine, fine, God!”  I started to tell him another story.  I grabbed a book off of the shelf.  It read, “The Six Alchemists and the Philosopher’s Stone.”  I started to read from some part near the middle.

It was a normal day.  David and I were just normally practicing our alchemy.  Then suddenly I heard my dad yell.  J. J. stopped me and muttered, “da da.”  When he was done, I continued.

Dad yelled, “What do you want?”

“Please sir, we are very tired and…”

“Come in!  Come in!” my mother told them.  My mother brought them to the back near our training sight to get them something to eat.  I looked at them with a scowl.  They look very suspicious.  One was wearing a hood over his head.  I gave him a look.

“Where are our swords mom?” I asked, still looking at the man.  He was hardly a man, he was barely my age and the one who appeared to be his brother looked as if he was even younger.

“Where you left them,” she said with a playful grin.  “Oh!” she said with much excitement.  “Did I tell you that my boys are alchemists too?”

“Are they?”

“Oh yes, Edward is a little better than David, but David is in that suit so he is far stronger.”

“Really?  And how did David get into that suit?”

“Well, one day he and his brother were trying to make a statue and one wrong mone and ‘poof!’ David is the statue.  Well, he didn’t want to be the statue they were trying to make.  You see David did not give enought to gain what he wanted to get.  A state alchemist like yourself already knows that you can’t gain anything without first giving something of equal or greater value, so it took the closest thing of value, David’s body.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”  There was a strange moment of slience.  Then my mother tried to break the ice.

“How rude of me.  Boys, this is Al and his brother Derrick.  They are state alchemists, the pros.”

“Nice to meet you,” I said with a distasteful tone.

“well you both seem very powerful.  Would you like to aquare off?”

“Certainly,” I said with an almost devilish grin.

J.J. stopped me once again.  He started yelling, “ba-ba!”  After fetching a bottle for the beast, I kept reading…

As we started to head for the training site, I saw Al’s brother give David a smirk and they started first.  I paid little attention to them.  I know from training with him that he can hold out his own.

I stopped reading out loud for a few seconds then I told J.J., “Wow, this gets a little to physical for you, J.J.”  He looked confused because I stopped, so I skipped three pages and went on…

Suddenly we heard a scream in the woods.  Al said as he was running, “I’m sorry, but as a state alchemist I must go and help.”  As Al and his brother ran into the woods behind our house, my brother and I looked puzzled.  These two men had just got done getting a grade A lesson in beating, and yet they are risking their lives for some stranger.  After a few too many seconds of confusion, my mother yelled, “Go!”

Once David and I arrived at the woods, a loud “Freeze!” filled the air.  When we got close enough to see what was happening it was too late and the man that cried for help was on the ground.  Dead.  Al was getting read to fight and…

“Sorry little man, but no big bad fight scenes for you,” I told my brother.  He looked angry because I stopped again.

“OK,” I said, “we won’t stop anymore.”  When he stopped crying, I continued once again after skipping a few pages more.

As we were walking after the battle, we were going to Al’s place to rest.  I could not stop looking at Rain and Al.  I thought David looked weird being in his suit and all, but Rain was weird.  He seemed to float about eight inches off the ground and had arrows all over him.  But the weirdest part was the glow around him.  Also, Al always had that hood on.  Cloud looked normal, but he wasn’t.  I felt Derrick and I were the only normal ones there.  Once we walked up to Al’s house, Al let me in, but right before Cooud and Rain could come in, he slammed the door.

I turned to J.J. and said, “How rude.”

“But Al we must tend to their wounds,” I yelled at him.

“He would not have those wounds if he didn’t give me a reason to give them to him.”  There was an awkward silence, then Al eylled out, “Here!”  He handed me some food.  I snuck outside to give some to Cloud because Rain was just a wandering soul.  He didn’t need to eat.  Al told Clound that he and his brother should stay outside until the officer left.  Untill this moment, I had no knowledge of this so-called officer.  I did not see him or hear from him.  Al just told me when he left.  After he left Al let Cloud and Rin inside.  Once inside we…

I stopped again and skipped a few more pages.  I tried to do this as fast as I could so he wouldn’t notice.

As we left, I felt as if we were being watched.  I said nothing about it, but I was worried.  After a bit of time I asked to no one inparticular, “Is someone following us?”  At that moment some beast jumped out of the woods and pounced on Cloud.  The beast looked like a tiger-man.  Al pulled out his Tensega, but before he could, I grabbed my Shariken sword and within a split second the beast was quickly beheaded.  Rain and Cloud seemed to be very surprised.  Without much…

“Blah blah blah,” I said as I skipped another ten pages.  J. J. didn’t seem to care.

Cloud stopped us, “We are close.”

“How close?” I responded.

“Close.”

Suddenly, a figure jumped out of the darkness and…

Suddenly the front door opened.  It was my mom and dad.  They took J. J. and I went to sleep.  I was glad to go to sleep, but I wonder what happened to the alchemists.

Book One:  Our Story

by: A. P.

The Beginning, Our Life, Book One

This story is dedicated to the memory of my grandmother, cousin Derrick, and my old neighbor Miss A. W.  For credits I give them to my partners A., and I., who helped with the idea and illustrations.  For inspiration I give to an old school show called Full Metal Alchemist which gave the idea for my opening sentence and character’s powers.  And my final dedication goes to my brother Derrick who gave me money, ideas, and inspiration for my story.

Chapter One – So it all Begins

“To gain something, something of equal value must be given.  This is Terry’s first law of alchemy.  And back then we thought that to be our one and only truth in the world.”  As we entered teh rooom out of the rain, we slowly lifted our cloaks out from over our heads.  The elderly woman spoke.

“Young man, what has happened to you out there?”  As her husband came in he dropped his tea as we unveiled our bodies.  Before I spoke I showed them my marking and badge so they knew right away I was a state alchemist.  Then I said, “My name is Al, and this is my brother Derrick.  A few years ago I was attacked by a dark alchemist named Tyroge when he went to the philosopher’s stone.  He took my arm and leg as a trophy as well, and now that I am a state alehemist my brother and I seek to take him in and get something he took from me.

The man asked, “Just what do you want from him that’s so important?”

I hesitated to speak, but my brother answered, “The philosopher’s stone to repair my brother’s body.”

by B. D.

Dedication:  For my family and Bryan and Justin.  I also want to thank the author, Sharon Creech for her great book, Walk Two Moons. I would also like to thank Gordon Korman for his books, Everest and Island.

“Hey boys, how was school today?” asked Gramps.

“I did great, I got an A on my math test today.  Isn’t that good!”

“Well, I see you’re happy.  What about you Tyler?”  Gramps asked.

“It was alright, I guess,” Tyler said with a little disappointment.

“Let’s see if we can cheer you up.  I’ll tell you what.  Want to hear a story, sound good?”

“OK,” the boys said.

“Here we go.  It all started one day when Brandon and I were in college and we both got a letter stating that we had become teachers at the school of foreign language in France.  We were hired to teach English.  They gave us two plane tickets to board in two days.  So what did we do?  ‘We better get packing!’ Brandon said.  Two days flew by like nothing.  We were on the same flight and next to each other so it was cool.  We were on the plane for about five hours and something went wrong.  I guess they didn’t fill up the plane before we left because we were out of gas.  The pilot came over the P.A. system: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, there seems to be a problem with our plane.  It seems that we have blown one of our engines.’

“I thought you ran out of gas!” interrupted Tyler.

“If you whippersnappers would keep your mouths shut, you would hear the rest of the story, ” Gramps said.

“The engine blew from lack of oil and…”

“I thought it was gas!” Tyler shrieked.

Crack, up the side of his head.  “Boy!  Don’t speak again,” gramps said.  “Where was I?   Oil and gas.  ‘Well, it’s everyone for themselves…’ click, the pilot finished.  People started running to get their parachutes.  There were so many people that Brandon and I didn’t get one so what did we do?  We jumped in the middle of the ocean.  While we were in the air, Brandon said, ‘If we die,…’  Then we were submerged.  We had to have been at least fifty feet under but we popped up like bobbers.  After I could breathe, we regrouped and then Brandon said, ‘The plane is over there.’  We swam to it.  A lot of pieces of the plane had broken off so we both got a small slim piece and a larger piece to use like a raft and paddles.  It felt like days and months, but it was only a couple of weeks that we were on the raft, and we saw a boat.  We yelled at it as loud as we could as it continued to fade away in the fog.

“A few hours later, we caught a fish.  Blood trickled down our fingers and splashed into the water.  Moments later, a shark appeared.  It toyed with the raft.  I didn’t like it so I threw my fish at him and he ate and swam away.  Finally a fishing boat came and took us to the shore off Rhode Island.  After were were home, we dropped out of school and got married and settled down.

“Is that the whole story?” Justin asked.

“Yep, it is,” Gramps said.

“Do you still know Brandon?

“Ohh, yes…so do you,” answered Gramps.

“No I don’t, ” said Tyler.

“He’s your gramps!”

“Well, hope you boys are hungry.  I have been cooking for you all day,” called Gram.

My grandpa and I have many good and bad memories together.  One of my best memories is when we restored a muscle car called an El Camino.  The 1970 El Camino is very special to my grandfather and me.  I want to tell you about my grandfather through his car.

My grandpa is nice and bold like the brown color of his car.  Yet he is calm and subtle like the fresh, white leather that runs away in the car.  He is also easy going like the fresh cut tires on the open road.  My grandpa is powerful and rough sometimes like the 454 big block engine that is in it.  But, above all, he is smooth and easy going like the chrome grill that you see coming at you when the tires are hitting the pavement like they should.

I was born in the year 1991.  This is the same year that my grandpa took his tax return and his bonus and bought a Chevy Corvette with red leather interior with a small block V8 engine.  The reason he bought the 1991 was so he could give it to me when he is long gone.  I love my grandpa.

B.D.

be gone

by Carinne

when you left and went away
there was nothing i could say
you where perfect and stole my heart
there were so many things that made us fall apart
you said you loved me you blinded me
to the point i couldn’t see
to hold the moments we have shared
it makes me shake a little scared
to know that there will never be another you
it makes my heart turn to ice cold blue
if that’s what you want then have your way
just remember i’m the one that was there each day