Read Online Clattering Sparrows by Marilyn Land - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Marilyn Land
Ads: Link
selling the house should have no impact on your plans, and when Jerry returns from the service, where we live should not impact him either. We are considering looking for a house in the Bethesda area near NIH. We also feel the timing is excellent because we undoubtedly won’t be moving before you graduate.”
I sat stunned for a moment, and then I immediately ran to hug my parents. “Dad, I am so happy for you. You’ve helped so many children get well as you did Su Ling so many years ago. I’m glad you’re going to be able to realize your dream.”
My parents seemed pleased that I was okay with their decision, and everyone started talking at the same time. We finally sat down to dinner, and all through the meal I learned what had been going on for the past few months. Then it suddenly hit me! We were moving. I would no longer be living next door to Judy.
“Can I tell anyone about our plans or are they just between us for now?” I asked.
Dad laughed, “Yes you can, and I assume that first someone is Judy. Am I right?”
“Yes, I think you both know me too well.” I helped clear the table, and then I went next door.
At first, Judy wasn’t thrilled about it, but we were remaining in the area and starting college in the fall, and Judy was planning to attend Barnard College in New York. Spending school breaks together and keeping in touch would be no problem.
The last semester was moving quickly. School pictures were taken and interviews with all the seniors about their future plans were ongoing in order to meet the deadline for publication in the yearbook.
In March, I was notified by Collier’s Magazine that I had won First Place in their annual Short Story Contest for high school seniors. My prize was a check for $750, an all expense paid trip to New York City, and lunch at Twenty-One. I was on cloud nine. Without telling me, my English teacher, Miss Ferris, who had always encouraged me to express my thoughts through writing, had entered my short story assignment— The Reunion— because she felt it was good enough to win, and it did!
One morning in early April, Joe Russo, Tony’s father, was found dead in his car which he had parked along side the Sears store on K Street on the other side of Bladensburg Road. He had run a hose from the exhaust pipe into the cab of the car allowing carbon monoxide to kill him. By morning when the car was discovered, it was no longer running because it had run out of gas. He left no note, but early rumors said he was heavily in debt to his bookie. Years later we would learn his New York family was deeply involved in drug trafficking, and he was their main link to one of their largest suppliers—Hu Chen’s wife. As the Chen trial was nearing its end, and the papers stated that investigations would continue until all involved were found, he evidently felt that his exposure and arrest were imminent.
The aftermath of his death had devastating consequences on Tony’s mother who suffered a stroke at his Wake. Tony’s sister who was married and lived in New York came to help sort things out, but in the end, there was just so much she could do. When Tony’s mother was well enough to travel, Maria moved her to New York to live with her family where she could care for her. She did not want to leave Tony, but she could no longer spend time away from her husband and two small children. She felt it was time for her to return home.
Until graduation, Tony remained in the house. Everyone pitched in to help and took turns having him for dinner or sending food in. Tony who had recently turned eighteen was completely overwhelmed. He moved as if in a fog, but we all gave him credit for sticking it out. The five of us spent many evenings together trying to give him hope for the future, but in reality, none of us could put ourselves in his shoes and identify with his feelings.
May was a whirlwind month with both our Senior Cruise to Marshall Hall and our Senior Prom. Judy’s parents
I sat stunned for a moment, and then I immediately ran to hug my parents. “Dad, I am so happy for you. You’ve helped so many children get well as you did Su Ling so many years ago. I’m glad you’re going to be able to realize your dream.”
My parents seemed pleased that I was okay with their decision, and everyone started talking at the same time. We finally sat down to dinner, and all through the meal I learned what had been going on for the past few months. Then it suddenly hit me! We were moving. I would no longer be living next door to Judy.
“Can I tell anyone about our plans or are they just between us for now?” I asked.
Dad laughed, “Yes you can, and I assume that first someone is Judy. Am I right?”
“Yes, I think you both know me too well.” I helped clear the table, and then I went next door.
At first, Judy wasn’t thrilled about it, but we were remaining in the area and starting college in the fall, and Judy was planning to attend Barnard College in New York. Spending school breaks together and keeping in touch would be no problem.
The last semester was moving quickly. School pictures were taken and interviews with all the seniors about their future plans were ongoing in order to meet the deadline for publication in the yearbook.
In March, I was notified by Collier’s Magazine that I had won First Place in their annual Short Story Contest for high school seniors. My prize was a check for $750, an all expense paid trip to New York City, and lunch at Twenty-One. I was on cloud nine. Without telling me, my English teacher, Miss Ferris, who had always encouraged me to express my thoughts through writing, had entered my short story assignment— The Reunion— because she felt it was good enough to win, and it did!
One morning in early April, Joe Russo, Tony’s father, was found dead in his car which he had parked along side the Sears store on K Street on the other side of Bladensburg Road. He had run a hose from the exhaust pipe into the cab of the car allowing carbon monoxide to kill him. By morning when the car was discovered, it was no longer running because it had run out of gas. He left no note, but early rumors said he was heavily in debt to his bookie. Years later we would learn his New York family was deeply involved in drug trafficking, and he was their main link to one of their largest suppliers—Hu Chen’s wife. As the Chen trial was nearing its end, and the papers stated that investigations would continue until all involved were found, he evidently felt that his exposure and arrest were imminent.
The aftermath of his death had devastating consequences on Tony’s mother who suffered a stroke at his Wake. Tony’s sister who was married and lived in New York came to help sort things out, but in the end, there was just so much she could do. When Tony’s mother was well enough to travel, Maria moved her to New York to live with her family where she could care for her. She did not want to leave Tony, but she could no longer spend time away from her husband and two small children. She felt it was time for her to return home.
Until graduation, Tony remained in the house. Everyone pitched in to help and took turns having him for dinner or sending food in. Tony who had recently turned eighteen was completely overwhelmed. He moved as if in a fog, but we all gave him credit for sticking it out. The five of us spent many evenings together trying to give him hope for the future, but in reality, none of us could put ourselves in his shoes and identify with his feelings.
May was a whirlwind month with both our Senior Cruise to Marshall Hall and our Senior Prom. Judy’s parents
Similar Books
