The Story of Sylvia Likens

After Gertrude told me to leave I went home. It was about 8 o'clock. I wet to bed. In the middle of the night I woke up from yelling. I looked outside through my window to see Gertrude yelling at Sylvia. I couldn't make out what they were saying. I did see a lot of pushing on Gertrude's part, then Jenny and Sylvia went upstairs.

Next day I woke up, I asked mom again if I was allowed to sleep over at Donny's' house. My mom had a confused look on her face "Why do you want to go over to his house all the time?" I don't know, mom. Donny and I seem closer and I don't want to ruin our friendship. "oh um have fun Daniel but make sure to call before you go to bed" I promise mom. I packed up my stuff and walked into Gertrude's home . She welcomed me in and told me Donny was in his room. I went upstairs and saw Donny tickling Sylvia. Sylvia slapped Donny. A few of Donny's brothers came upstairs to see so did Gertrude. Jenny and Sylvia stood together. scared. "What happened here?" Gertrude asked. "He was hurting me" Sylvia replied. "We do not lie in this house Sylvia tell me what happen!" Gertrude then placed her cigarette down next to the desk in Donny's room. Gertrude then grabbed the empty coca cola bottle on Donny's desk. "Liars get punished" she said . "stick it up you"

Jenny backed away from her sister and cried. Sylvia said "I can't" "Do it" Gertrude replied. Sylvia took the bottle and started to lift up her skirt. All of the boys left the room " Get back in here" Gertrude demanded. All the boys stood against the wall. Sylvia tried to fit the coca cola bottle in but she couldn't. She screamed louder than you could have ever imagined. I closed my eyes . She was in pain. Sylvia looked over after me then squeezed her eyes shut. When it was over Gertrude came over to me and said "This was our little secret Danny."

I'm terrified of Gertrude. Later that day Jenny and Sylvia were walking to school. I followed them. They were going to high school. I was going to middle school.

SYLVIA'S POINT OF VIEW

I was going to school. I met Paula Baniszewski. She was telling me all about Tech HighSchool. She made it sound like Disney World. I was excited for my first day of school. After school Gerty told her sons to all go upstairs, except for Jenny and I. She told us to go in the basement. We had confused looks on our face. We just walked downstairs. Gerty started off our talk , "Your dads check has came yet" Im sure it was just late, I replied. "We'll you know what I think, I think your daddy left you two here for good." He wouldn't do that Jenny replied. "Lean over those" Gerty demanded. We listened and did as we were told. Gerty pulled out a whip and whipped us. No one could have even gone through pain as much as Jenny did. She sat down before getting her second whip. I decided to take hers instead. Jenny screamed loudly. I can't believe no one heard. When it was done I went over to my sister and hugged her. " Jenny you actin' like we never had a spanking before" I told her.

I went upstairs with Paula where I was staying and fell asleep.