Prologue

     I sat there writing my name over and over again. "Janie.....!" Paw yelled. That's what he called me. He could never get my name right, but since I've always thought of Jaime as a girl's name anyways, what did it really matter. I was crouched down on the front porch, just low enough that my butt touched the cold concrete.  Staring with my chin in one hand, and a white chalky rock in the other; you know the kind the girls in the neighborhood used to draw there hop-scotch charts in the driveways with. It took me a while to find mine; but finally the short tree on the back corner of the house produced one just big enough to last long enough for me to get bored of what ever i planned on doing with it.

     I got up and headed to the back yard, taking my time of course. Paw was more than likely out in the shed, or even worse in that huge stretch of high bush he called a garden. Either way I knew he was calling me to do something I prolly ain't want to do, but none the less I headed in the direction of his voice and hoped for the best. When I turned the corner, passing the same tree that revealed my chalk rock, Paw, Paw was sitting in the opening of his tool shed. I smiled when I saw him tightening the nuts around the the wheels of a what was to me, a new blue bicycle. For some reason Paw always knew what kind of mood I was in, and as always came right on time with something that made me feel like kids my age should all the time.  "Boy come ride this bicycle down the street, see ha it ride." I saw Granny looking out the kitchen window. I remember her telling me earlier not to leave out the yard. Apparently my mother told her to make me stay home this week end since I went on a field trip earlier that week. I guess her motto is kids shouldn't have to much fun. I really never liked her, but what can I do, I'm seven and she's my mom.  The ride was a short one, but none the less it was a ride. Now it's back to reality.

     My life started out very bland. Well hell it's bland now, but none the less that's besides the point. A child  shouldn't have to endure that kind of solitude. Being that age living with a couple well in there eighties and nineties, it's kind of hard to have a real childhood. Responsibility governs your life. No time for laughter, fun, friends, or any of the other things that drive a child to get out of bed in the morning. I'm not complaining, for the simple fact that I was taught to be grateful for what I have.But I do at time wonder how my life would be if I lived the life of a normal kid. Maybe in time I'll reap the rewards of all this work I'm putting in. Shit at this age social security gone owe me by the time I start sprouting grey hairs.