"The Semplica Girl Diaries" is a novel by George Saunders.
Having just turned forty, have decided to embark on a grand project of writing every day in a new black book.It's exciting to think that in one year, at the rate of one page/day, I will have written three hundred and sixty-five pages, and a picture of life and times for kids and grandkids.To see how life is now.What do we know about other times?How did the clothes smell and carriages sound?Will future people know about the sound of airplanes at night?Will future people know that cats fight in the dark?It was invented to make cats not fight.It was only two cats fighting outside the window that last night I dreamed of demons having sex.Will future people be familiar with the concept of demons?Will they find our belief in demons quaint?Will "windows" exist?It's interesting to future generations that even sophisticated college grad like me sometimes woke in cold sweat and thought of demons.If you want to know what a demon was, go look it up in an encyclopedia, if you still have those.
To write in this book at least twenty minutes a night, no matter how tired.Think how much will have been recorded after a year.
Oops.Missed a day.Things are busy.Will summarize yesterday.It was a bit rough yesterday.bumper fell off Park Avenue while kids were being picked up.Park Avenue is a type of car.Ours is not new.It's oldish.It was a bit rusty.The bumper fell off when Eva asked what the meaning of junkorama was.Mr. Renn, history teacher, was quite helpful and retrieved a bumper from a car that fell off in college.Eva said the bumper had fallen off.It was all right, I said, it was just something that had happened and I hadn't caused it.Three sweet kids in back seat, chastened expressions on little faces, timidly holding bumper across laps is the image that stays in mind.One end of the bumper had to hang out Eva's window because she had a small cut on her hand.
Lilly is almost thirteen years old."Who cares about stupid bumper, we're going to get a new car soon anyway, when rich, right?"
Put bumper in garage when you get home.There was a dead mouse or small squirrel in the garage.A shovel is used to transfer animals.There is a squirrel on the garage floor.
Stood looking up at the house.Thought: Why sad?Don't be sad.Everyone will be sad if it is sad.Eva got an extra ice cream because I had spoken harshly to her.
Have to do better.Be kind.Start now.When they are grown, they will be sad if only you remember a testy, stressed guy in a bad car.
When will I have enough money to sit on a hay bale and watch the moon rise?At that time, will have a chance to reflect on the meaning of life.Have a feeling that this and other good things will happen for us.
The mansion is where Lafayette stayed.The Fun Den is located in Lafayette's room.Thirty acres, six garages, and one for historical merry-go-round, they are restoring as family.The red Oriental bridge was flown in from China.We were shown a hoofmark from a dynasty.There is a plaster cast of hoofmark in the front room.There are many autographs and dresses displayed in a cabinet.
My wife is very sweet and loves life.What is she saying wrong?Wouldn't you?Would you like to live here?I know I would.
In front of the house, all in white smocks blowing in the breeze, Lilly asked, can we go closer?
We don't, as we already have, many times, dear, but you perhaps would like to?Maybe this is new and exciting to you?
Just then father (Emmett) appears, hopes we like sailfish flown in fresh from Guatemala, prepared with a rare spice found only in one tiny region of Burma, which had to be bribed out.
The tree house is painted Victorian and has a gabled roof, a telescope and a small solar panel.
The tree house is one-third the size of our house.Still, a big tree house.
Our gift is not the worst.The least expensive item was a lock of hair from an actual mummy.In my opinion, it was the most sincere.She already had one, so she was disappointed by the lock of mummy hair.The simplicity of our paper-doll set touched me.At the time we bought it, we didn't see it as kitsch, but I thought maybe we did intend.This alleviated the blow when the next gift was a ticket to the Preakness.She had previously refused to feed the six llamas because she was interested in horses.
Although actually, honestly?On days when Les had yoga, it was a chance for me to rediscover what terrific animals they are.
I guess you just have to trust your kids, trust that their interest in life will win out in the end, don't you think?Which is happening now with Les and horses.She loves them.
Emmett, the surgeon, does something two days a week with brain inserts and small electronic devices.Or maybe biotronic?They are small.Can hundreds fit on a pin?Or dime?Did not completely follow.I told him that he asked about my work.He asked, "How do they expect people to hold their heads up when our culture requires some of us to do, degrading things, and things that offer no tangible benefit to anyone?"
Couldn't think of a response.Think of a response and send a card to strike up a friendship.
Returned to the house and sat on a platform to watch the stars come out.Our kids were fascinated by the stars.I asked if there were stars in our neighborhood.There was no response.From anyone.The stars there seemed brighter.I had too much to drink and everything I thought was stupid.Just went quiet.
Pam went home.I was sitting in the passenger seat of Park Avenue.Kids are talking about a great party.Thomas was spouting llama facts.
It was pulled up to the house.We thought the yard was blank and empty.That is, mostly crabgrass and no red Oriental bridge, but only Ferber, who we had forgotten about, and who, as usual, had circled round and round the tree until nearly strangling to death on his.
I was watching to see if the kids would pick up.But no.Kids were exhausted by the front door.I should pick up and take initiative.I had to write a stupid book because I was tired.
Poor people feel dopey and inadequate when they see rich people.We are not poor.We are middle of the road.We are very fortunate.I know that.It's not right that rich people make middle people feel inadequate.
I'm not tired of work.It's a privilege to work.I don't hate the rich.I want to be rich.We will know we earned them when we get our own bridge, trout, tree house, etc.
Eva was sad in her room after the party.I asked why.She didn't give a reason.There is a crayon picture of a row of sad SGs.Due to frowns going down on faces like Fu Manchus and flowers springing up where tears hit ground, could tell they were meant to be sad.Talk to her and tell her that it doesn't hurt, that they are happy, and that their previous conditions made them happy.
A moving piece on NPR about a girl sending money to her family in Bangladesh.You should find online, download and play for Eva.The first thing to do is fix the computer.The computer is very slow.Maybe remove "CircusLoser"?Elephants do not hop, so acrobats run all jerky.
Lilly gave me a list of b-day gift ideas.A pair of fierce porcelain jungle cats are being cared for, at least for now.The wildness of ornamental pillows is not underestimated.$350 is for the left-facing cheetah.The tiger is right-facing.Then, on Post-it: a figurine of a girl reading a book to her sister.A girl and a little girl are reading.
I felt discouraging.Why does young girl of thirteen want an old-lady gift, and where does she get the idea that $300 is appropriate for a b-day gift?It was usually homemade when I was a kid.
Do not remind Lilly of our limitations or break her heart.She is reminded often enough.For the "My Yard" project at school, there were pics of the Oriental bridge and background info on the people.Lilly brought in a nineteen-forties condom box found last year during an aborted attempt to start a vegetable garden.Was it a bad call to allow her to bring a condom box?It would be historical and kids would not notice it was a condom box.The teacher used the opportunity to discuss safe sex, which was good for class but not so great for Lilly.
Lilly would rather not have a party."Why not, sweetie?" I asked.She said there was no reason.I asked if it was because of our yard or our house.Is it because you don't want our party to be boring or embarrassing?
One figurine is not excessive.She had a sad look on her face when she dropped the condom box on the table.
Is it possible that Girl Reading to Little Sister is the cheapest?Is it possible that giving cheapest sends a bad signal?frugality even in midst of attempt to be generous?Is it best to go big?Do you want to go for "resting Fierceness"?Hope she is surprised, put her on Visa.
Mel Redden was at work today.He did well.I did well.I caught all of the minor errors he committed.Tab can was thrown in the wrong bucket.Tab was thrown in the wrong bucket and had to get up and re throw.The second error was that did not squat when picking up Tab to rethrow, which increased the risk of back injury.Mel asked me to re-Observe after he signed off on my Observations.Very smart.Mel did not make any errors during re-Observation.Threw the cans out of the bucket and sat at the desk.He was able to add that to his record.Parted friends.
Not that simple.There have been recent problems with Visa.Full.Past full.When Visa declined, I found it at YourItalianKitchen.Left Pam and kids there and drove to the ATM with a fake smile.The scary moment was when the ATM card declined.Wino said the ATM was broken and directed me to another one.As I drove past, I thanked wino with a wave.I was given a finger by Wino.Thank God, the second ATM did not decline.Returned to YourItalianKitchen to find Pam on third cup of coffee, kids falling off chairs and the wait staff angry.There was paid cash and a big apologetic tip.I was considering collecting dimes from kids.Over all nice night.Really enjoyable.Kids showed good behavior until the aquarium bit.
Visa full is the problem.AmEx is full and Discover is nearly full.$200 avail.$400 would be available if we transfer $200 from checking.It's possible to get cheetah.Timing is problematic.Checking at zero right now.Hope paycheck clears quickly, must put paycheck in checking immediately.Pick bills totalling $200 to not pay.To take a break from paying.
In our time, credit cards are such things.You pay back the loans at a high interest rate.It's nice when you don't have a lot of money to do what you want.It would be better to not do things you can't afford in the future.It's easy to say!You are not here, in our world, with kids, kids you love, while other people are doing good things for their children, such as a Heritage Journey to Nice, or three weeks wreck-diving off the Bahamas, if you are Gary Gold and his family.
I want to experience and give to kids.Kids are growing up fast.If not now, when?When will we give them largesse?Have never been to Hawaii, parasailed or eaten lunch at a cafe by the ocean.I worry that they will become too cautious when they grow up.They are growing up in abundance.There are things we can't have.Will the world not chew them up and spit them out if kids are raised too cautious?
It's still necessary to fight a good fight.Think of your dad.Dad continued to go to job when Mom left.I got a paper route when I was laid off.When laid off from the paper route, I got a lesser route.The route back was better in time.By the time Dad died, his job was almost as good as the original one.After being demoted to lesser route, most debt was paid off.
You should visit Dad's grave.Bring flowers.I had to wear Dad's old tuxedo to prom because I couldn't afford a rental tux, so I have to talk with Dad about it.No need to be rude.Dad, though tall, had tiny feet, so his pant legs were dragged, hiding his borrowed shoes.
There is a small family-only party in the kitchen.Mom used to wrap a picture of something with a note promising it when it wasn't available.Mom did other things, which was when child tries to redeem, roll eyes, and ask if money grows on trees.
There is an ad with a picture of the cat for I.O.U.There is a coupon.I was on the desk, but not anymore.Is it possible to record phone message on?Is it possible to pick up something the cat threw up?
Poor Lilly.When she was a toddler, she wore a Burger King crown.She didn't know she was destined to be a poor girl.Poor girl.Girl not rich.
There was no party or present.There is a chance that there is no picture of cheetah in I.O.U.Lilly might think she was getting a camel.Not getting a camel.It's not the best drawer.Ha-ha!It's important to keep spirits up.Laughter is the best medicine.
Friday was the most incredible day ever.I will never forget this awesome day, so don't write down!Will record for future generations.Good luck and happiness are real and possible.I want them to know anything possible.
All I can say is wow!I always buy a lunchtime scratch-off ticket.Have I said anything?Is it possible that did not say so?I treat myself to Butterfinger and a Scratch-Off ticket on Fridays to reward myself for a good week.Sometimes there are two Butterfingers.Sometimes there are three Butterfingers.If there were three Butterfingers, there wouldn't be a scratch-off.But Friday won ten grand.It was on scratch-off.Dropped both Butterfingers and stood there with a dime in his mouth.It was kind of pulled into the magazine rack.The guy at the register read the ticket.The guy shook my hand and righted the magazine rack.
On his way home, he forgot his car.Went back for a car.I thought what the heck, I raced home on foot.Pam asked where the car was.She showed her ticket.She was stunned in the yard.
Ferber looked at sudden dancing, then doing dance of his own, by chasing his tail.
It had to be decided how to use.Pam asked if she could partially pay off credit cards.I felt that O.K. could.I did not think it was exciting to her.
Did they do total new yard design?There are ten rosebushes, a cedar pathway, and a small hot tub.How soon could it be done?Is it possible to do it in secret?It could be done in one day, while kids are at school.Go ahead and write a letter praising Melanie.
The second step was to send out secret invites to a surprise party to be held on the evening of the day of yard completion.Have been busy.
Like in old days, Pam and I worked well together.When arrangements were made, I went to bed early.Do not ask!).
There is a note to future generations.Happy is better than sad.Hopefully you know!I knew but didn't remember.I used to be sad.It was sad due to stress and worry.Wow, no: happy!
This is what life is about, there are days that are perfect.I will feel whole life worth it when I am old.
Kids go to school in the morning.It comes at ten.The yard was done by two people.There are roses in the fountain.The truck arrives at three.The exit truck is near a fence.It's nice to rack.Bronze uprights w/ Colonial caps, EzyReleese levers, and Opted for "Lexington" (midrange in terms of price).
People are already in white smocks.Microline is strung through.Mountain climbers hold rope and microline slack in their hands.There is only one mountain.One squatting, others standing polite, one sniffing new roses.She gives a timid wave."Hey, not supposed to wave" is what the other person said to her.O.K. is in this household, I wave back.To wave.
The doctor watches the installation.So young!Looks like someone should be working at Wendy's.We can either watch or not.Wife squeamish, gives me meaningful look, cuts eyes at Pam?Pam was a bit squeamish.Sometimes I don't like handling raw chicken.I want to put candles on cake.
We leave.Approx. SGs are up now.Three feet off the ground, smiling and swaying in the breeze.Left to right: Gwen, Lisa, and Betty.The effect is amazing.Having seen similar configuration in yards of others more affluent makes your own yard seem suddenly affluent, as if at last in step with peers and time in which living.
Picked kids up.Lilly is hangdog because she doesn't have a party or gifts yet on her b-day.
Pam is scrambling to decorate.The food was delivered from Snakey's.People arrive.When Lilly gets out of her car, she sees a yard full of friends from school sitting at a picnic table near a new hot tub, and she burst into tears.
There were tears as shiny pink packages were unwrapped.I remembered figurines that Lilly touched.She hadn't even requested the hobo-clown fishing, which she did just to prove largesse.Several more waves of happy tears, hugs, and kisses, right in front of friends, as if gratitude/affection for us greater than fear of rebuke from friends.
The guests played games in the new yard.Kids were happy and thanked us.Several people said they loved the yard.The parents said they loved the yard.
Eva picks up a cat the way she sometimes does when she's angry.A cat runs over to Ferber.roses bought for Lilly crash down on Ferber as he dashes away.
Thomas rushed over to show the cat that he is a master of cat.They applied for it.
I came up with the idea of going to the kitchen page through personal statements.It was very bad.Laotian applied due to two sisters already in brothels.Gwen has a cousin who thought she was going to be a window-washer in Germany.The father and little sister died of AIDS in the same year.Filipina (Betty) has a little brother who is very skilled for computer, her parents cannot afford high school, and they have lived in a tiny lean-to with three other families since the earthquake.
Does that help me?Do you understand?Can you imagine her little brother going to a good school because of her?
Eva was quiet at the window.It was deep well.It's so sensitive.Eva was sensitive even when tiny.Kind kid.The biggest part of the body.When she was little, she found a dead bird in the yard and placed it on a swing-set slide so she could see him.
I worry that if a kid is too sensitive, the world will rip his guts out.
Lilly wrote all thank-you notes in one sitting, mopped kitchen without being asked, then was out in the yard with a flashlight and a new poop-scoop to buy her own money.).
Everyone is curious about the Scratch-Off win.People came by to look at the pics posted in the cubicle.Steve Z. asked if he could see the yard in person.This is the first time Steve Z. has given me time of day.How many Scratch-Offs do I typically buy from Greenway?
Went to the mall and bought four new shirts.I have only two shirts.Not true.There are three blue shirts and two yellow shirts.Hence confusion.Don't buy new clothes for yourself.I don't want other kids to say my kids have only two shirts, so I think it's more important for them to have new clothes.Pam was raised with money.When young, had so many clothes, but now, due to him, badly dressed, do not want former wealthy beauty wearing the same clothes over and over.
Pam wasn't raised wealthy.Pam's father is a farmer.The biggest farm was on the edge of a small town.Pam is related to girls on smaller farms.If the same farm is close to a bigger town, it's an estate.
On the way home, I took a detour around the side of the house to look at the yard.It's hard at work.
There was a person found over there.This is huge.Leslie has never done it on his own.She likes the way our SGs hang close to the pond.Someone calls home and wants a pond.The mother says no pond.This is a big score for Lilly.We are not happy when someone else is not.Maybe O.K. is the one who is glad when Lilly isn't happy.If, just once, Lilly is riding high and Leslie is sad.
Girls stay in the yard for a long time.We look out.Girls getting along?Girls are exchanging girlish intimacies in the shade of trees, cementing Lilly's status as a friend of Leslie?
Positive feelings associated with Scratch-Off win should be extended into all areas of life.Be present at work.Get raise as you race up the ladder.Start dressing nicer if you want to get in the best shape of your life.Do you want to learn guitar?Is it possible to notice the beauty of the world?Why not teach kids the names of birds, flowers, trees, and constellations while walking around the neighborhood?Kids should go to Europe.Kids have never been there.Have never, in the Alps, had hot chocolate in a mountain cafe, which is served by a kindly white-haired innkeeper, who finds them so sophisticated/friendly relative to usual snotty/rich American kids, that he shows them a secret hiking path.
I have never been to Europe.There were portions that Dad felt were too small.Dad lost his job and got a paper route.
Have been sleepwalking through life.Can see it now.The win was a wakeup call.In rush to graduate college, win Pam, get a job, make babies, move ahead in job and forget that I used to have a feeling of special destiny when I was tiny, sitting in a bedroom closet and looking up at trees blowing through high windows.
Eva is sensitive as I mentioned above.Pam and I feel good about this.This is a sign of intelligence.Eva seems to have developed a tendency to set herself apart from others, possibly as a way of distinguishing herself, i.e., casting herself as better, more refined than others.In the past, he has refused to eat meat, sit on leather seats, and use plastic forks.Is endearing to a small child.Eva's tendency to object on principle is starting to feel a bit precious as she gets older.
Family life in our time seems like a game of Whac-a-Mole.Future generations still exist?You whack a plastic mole with a hammer and he dies.As soon as one child is happy, another child will register a complaint, requiring the parent to hack them.
Ms. Ross sent home a note about Eva acting out.Eva was grouchy.Eva put her foot in the air.Eva threw the container at John M.This isn't like Eva, says Ms. R.
The house is typical.Our house is supposed to be by a mock-cherry tree.The people are in the yard.Betty had thought in a cartoon balloon.Second (Gwen), pointing a finger at the house, and third (Lisa), crying.
Eva was taken for a drive.Drove through Eastridge.Pointed out houses.Eva kept count.Approx.Thirty-nine houses had.
I had a banana split.Eva had snow.We sat on a crocodile and watched the sun set.
Eva is resisting because she doesn't understand basic science of thing.Eva was asked if she knew what it was.Did not.Drew human head is on a napkin.There is a way to route microline through the brain.The technique uses lasers.Microline was threaded through the silk leader.Microline comes out here and touches Eva's temple.Is very gentle and does not hurt anyone.
Lilly is at a critical juncture.Lilly will start high school next year.Lilly's parents want her to enter high school as a confident young woman with a good family around her.Not an overt source of embarrassment is in the ballpark of peers.
I had a summer job at Seor Tasty's when I was in high school.boss always goosing us with tongs was hot and greasy.My hair and shirt always stank of grease when I went home.I can't do that job now.But back then?I enjoyed: flirting with countergirls, participating in prank with other employees, and slipping a magazine down my pants so that the mean boss wouldn't hurt me.
I said that point was everything relative.Our lives have been very similar to that of the SGs.Their lives were brutal.It is possible that what looks scary to us may not be so frightening to them.
Discussed situation with Pam tonight.Pam offered sound counsel, "Go slow, be patient, Eva bright, savvy."Eva will be happy again in another month.
Kids are sleeping at a table, Pam is making eggs, Ferber is trying to get some food to fall.Thomas is eating a bagel.
Go out.There is a rack empty.Microline is gone.The gate is open.To see if they are there, take a frantic run up block.
Go back inside.Call the police.Cops are in the yard.A cop shows me a drag mark.The good news is that with microline still in, it will be easier to locate SGs, since they are forced to take baby steps, so one does not get too far behind others.
If they were on foot, that would be the case.Come on, he says, the people are not on foot, they are in an activist van.
Rob arrives.Rob is tall, thin and bent.If archery bow had pierced ear and long hair, it was wearing a leather vest.
Rob says he is sorry to have to be more or less a hardass in our time of trial, but is legally obligated to inform us if they are not located within three weeks.
Replacement Debit is $100/month per individual, per each month still remaining on their contracts at the time of loss.There are 21 months left for Betty, Tami, Gwen, and Lisa.That's $3,400.
That is a lot of money, right?I mean, obviously, that was not cheap, just in terms of visas and airfares, is our take on it?
I had a feeling.There were times when Melanie was rushing to close the deal.Who was going chintzy in the first place?No offense.Which is the reason she is gone.Home Depot is a good place to yell at her.She is the second in charge of Paint.
In the dark of night, someone came into our yard and stole from the kids who were sleeping nearby.Stole from us?Stole $8,600 plus the initial cost of SGs.How much is $7,400?
Rob: Sorry.Sorry about this.I am going to snap your head back using that stupid braid of yours.Just kidding!I don't talk to her.All this is in your contract.You guys read your contract?
Pam: You know what?Fuck them.Let them file a lawsuit.I am not paying.That is obscene.They can have a stupid house.
Eva had her lower lip out.Think, Oh, great, nice parenting, arguing + swearing, raising spectre of loss of house in front of tightly wound kid already upset by troubling events of the day.
Pam: I was just being silly.We are not going to lose the house.They wouldn't let that happen.
Eva leads us outside and shows us how she did it.At that point, the microline was completely loose.
I am so angry.Eva has made a mess.Huge mess for us and also for other people.Where are they now?Is it in a good place?Is it a good thing when illegal fugitives in strange land are forced to hide in woods, swamp, and other places because they have no money, food, or water?
In our time, families get into dark place.Everything we do is wrong for the family.Parents blame each other for a bad situation.Father puts a hole in a wall.A family skips lunch.There was too much tension to sit at the same table.This is intolerable.Father wondered if humans would be better off living alone, individually, in woods, and not loving anyone, because of this.
The storm moved out to the garage.The squirrel stain is still there after all these weeks.To eradicate, used bleach and hose.Sitting on a wheelbarrow, I had to laugh at the situation.Won ScratchOff was the greatest luck of life.
Pam asked if I had been crying.I got dust in my eyes from cleaning the garage.Pam isn't buying.Pam told me that it was difficult time and that I was crying.
Pam: Go inside.Things need to get back to normal.We will get through this.Kids are dying in there and they feel bad.
Eva had a big head of black hair.Would stand on the couch and eat from a coffee mug.
Eva sitting with her head in her hands like an old lady mourning the loss of a vigorous flower.
The first name of Pam's dad was Rich.He is a rich farmer.Does not like me.I have said at various times that I am not a hard worker, and I had better watch myself in terms of weight and credit cards.
Rich is not a fan of the show.Thinks anything fun is a showoffy move.Going to a movie is showoffy.Not doing self in the car wash is a showoffy move.When I said I had to get root canal, the person looked dubiously at me.I was wondering if root canal was a showoffy move.The dentist I chose was disapproved of due to the fact that he had seen the dentist's TV ad.
If we pay mortgage, heat bill, AmEx, plus $200 in bills we deferred last time, would be down near zero.$880 would be freed up if we deferred AmEx + Visa.We would only free up a measly total of $3,100 if we skip mortgage payment, heat bill, life-insurance premium.
Let us know what you intend to do with the money.Will you put it into a college fund?You will not.Are you investing in real estate?No.You flushed the seeds away when you had a chance to plant them.And for what?A display is pretty.I don't find it pretty.Since when are people nice to look at?Conditions of poverty are cited by do-gooders in our church.That is fine.You will soon have a situation of poverty within your walls.When I was tempted to put my oar in, I remembered that physician heal thyself is a motto.I'm going to say no.In the long term, you and yours will benefit from learning a valuable lesson from walking yourselves into some deep water.
Do not know what she means.Do know but do not agree.Agree but wish she wouldn't say it.Why say that?It makes us feel bad about ourselves.
Pam said no, she went online today.Releasing SGs is a felony.They wouldn't prosecute eight-year-old, but still.This goes on Eva's record if we confess.Is Eva required to get counseling?Eva thinks she is a bad kid.On the side of bad, hanging out with rough crowd, looking askance at whole notion of achievement?She failed to live up to her full potential because of one mistake.
Pam and I dropped everything when our kids were born.To be good parents.Has not been exciting.It has been a lot of work.Many nights, tasks undone, have stayed up late and exhausted.On many occasions, dishevelled + tired, baby poop and/or vomit on our shirt or blouse, one of us has stood smiling wearily/angrily at camera being held by other, hair shaggy because haircuts expensive, unfashionable glasses slipping down noses because never
Pam and I agree that they must be like sin-eaters who ate sin.The bodies of sinners?Is it possible to eat meals off sinners who have died?I can't remember what sin-eaters did.Pam and I agree that they are going to be like sin-eaters and will break the law as they please.).
Went down the hall to check on the kids.Thomas was sleeping with Ferber.This is not allowed.Eva and Lilly are in a bed.This is not allowed.Eva was sleeping like a baby.
It felt like waking Eva, giving her a hug and telling her that though we don't approve of what she did, she will always be our girl.
Lilly was working on a poster at school.There is a poster with a photo of each SG, a map of home country, and stories Lilly got during the interview.With each.Gwen is very tough due to the fact that she used bloody sheets found in trash and duct tape to make a soccer ball.When swimming, Betty's daughter will sometimes hitch ride on the shell of a sea turtle.Lisa saw a lion on the roof of her uncle's mini-lorry."Fun Fact": their names.Not their real names.The names were given at the time of arrival.Januka is a happy ray of sun, while Betty and Nenita areblessed-beloved.I don't know what her name means.Ayan is a happy traveller.
A letter comes, family celebrates, girl sheds tears and thinks, "Must go, am family's only hope."She promised to return as soon as the contract was complete.The mother and father feel that they cannot let her go.They do.They have to.
The whole town walks a girl to the train station.There were more tears and vows.As train/bus/ferry pulls away, she takes last fond look at surrounding hills/river/quarry/shacks, all she has ever known of world, saying to herself, "Be not afraid, you will return, + return in victory, w."
No money, no papers.Who will remove the microline?Who will give her a job?Fix hair when going for a job to hide scars.When will she see her family again?Why would she do that?Why wouldn't she leave our yard?Had a nice run with us.What was she looking for?What would make her pull such a desperate stunt?