"Erica Mendez?" says this woman in the front of the class who is supposed to be a teacher.
"Here." I call back solidly, trying not to let any drip of pain and sorrow ooze through my voice.
The teacher pauses briefly after she notices how badly I'm trying to keep my composure.
"See me after class, Ms. Mendez." says the wench, Mrs. Flail. Before I get a chance to react, she continues to call the roll, not paying attention to my reasoning as to why I will have to speed off after class.
You see, I really did have a reason to roll out as soon as the bell rang. Julius. I didn't want him on the halls alone. They'll punish him, demolish his incoherent little brain.
Julius Mendez. My brother. Brother. I am the sister of the retarded boy.
Don't get me wrong, I love Julius. He's got more soul than any other person I know. But I think its only because he doesn't know what people say about him. He doesn't understand.
Julius was born to Maria and Darren Mendez on May 21, 1998. He's half black and half latino, just like me.
But the main difference in me and Julius, is that Julius has extreme autism.
My situation is very stressful. Why? because I've had to save Julius. I've had to be his only hope for 15 years.
He cant defend himself, he cant be left unattended, and he can't comprehend his surroundings.
He's not one of those amazingly smart autistic miracles cases like the hospitals advertise, because my family was never that lucky with money. My mom lives her life paycheck to paycheck, and so do we.
Oh yeah, my mom is single now.
My dad left.
Once he found out his son was "dumb", he up and left. Honestly, i feel sorry for the poor guy. He took three years to stop loving his son. He up and left when he came to a realization that he would never be able to toss a football with, have the talk with, or even wash a car with his very own son. He couldn't live that way.
I didn't think I could either.
But I was never given a choice to leave.
So with everyday, I learn from him.
No I don't.
I don't have time to do my homework because i have to cook dinner every night for him. I cant do sports because I have to walk him home everyday.
I can't stay out of Juvie because I have to keep fighting for him.
But I value myself because
I keep fighting for him.
"ERICA!" mrs. flail hollers drawing me back to her lesson i wasn't paying attention to.
'Answer me this.. If you could get famous for any talent you have, what would it be?"
"Singing." I answer back quickly, because I really didn't have to think about it.
"Hmmph." She begins to nod her head, then suddenly I see her pull a flyer out of her hand.
Across the top it says "Detroit High Talent show"
Why does she think I have time to do this?
I'm startled by the bell ringing.
All of the kids around me begin to do the normal things such as packing and leaving.
But me, I never knew normal.
"You don't have to stay anymore, Erica, I've said all I need to.."
She hasn't said anything.. so what?
She then motions toward the flyer.
"chase your dreams" she says, hobbling to her computer chair and plopping down.
What is this all about?
