shania

                                    

                                          
Shania, was what the girl said
at the table sitting beside mother while father was 
reading a book squinting his eyes at the on the one 
seater chair, when I came home from school 
hearing my mother said. How was your school?
                          
I played with all my friends so I had fun. I say it 
setting my knapsack on the couch going over 
to my father peering over the cover of the book.
What are you reading?
Father bent the book towards his face revealing a 
blank cover,
I don't know. I just saw it and started reading it.
                          
Is it about dragons? 
                          
He shook his head,
Is it about a giant sea monsters?
Again he shook his head,
Then it's boring, I wince twisting over the edge of my back spreading my arms out widely 
He softly grins, 
So what do you find interesting in a book? He asks.
It needs to be a lot of fire breathing dragons, people that has superpowers, dogs 
walking on two legs instead on four. Oh! And talking to humans Cats that have a British accent that's a spy fighting crime with double secret agent 
doggie, betrays his partner so he can take over the 
world!
                          
Dad places the  book he was reading on his lap laughing 
at my ideas I grab his arm, 
Don't laugh! 
You have a great imagination, Gunner. You know what how would you feel about getting you're own personal notebook.
                          
Yes!
                          
I let go of his arm as he reaches out to the side pulling
out a plain white notebook giving it to me. 
Gladly I take it.
                          
Now this is yours you can write whatever you 
please, these pages are countless 
ideas you might wanna scheme down, okay?
                          
I nod hugging him then walking into the 
kitchen showing mom the notebook 
father gave me,
she smiles,
I pull out a chair next to the brown skinned girl 
who was curious when I opened up the first page 
taking a pencil from my pocket writing
the date and the place I live, but I stop.
                          
Hi, I say to the girl. What kind of stories do you like? 
She barley looks at me,
I dunno, maybe princesses.
Yuck! 
Gunner! Mother said although the girl pushed 
my shoulder smiling.
Dad appeared in the doorway waving mother 
to join him she gets up and leaves.
                          
I can write a better story then you. I say,
No you can't watch! She takes my pencil writing down in my notebook.
                          
I watch her as she tries to form words on 
the paper.
Where is  your mom and dad? 
                          
I dunno somewhere? Tears flood her eyes.
                          
Don't cry you're gonna find them you just 
have wait a little bit longer. 
She sniffs wiping her eyes,
                          
my name is Shania.
                          
After a whole month of her not speaking she finally says her name, this was the first step to both 
her journey and mine's as well.