Springville

I sit here in the ally day after day listening to the cheap old cars passing by as I smoke a cigarette. I'm dressed in my ripped black jeans that I found from the dumpster. In the shirt I had since I was ten and the blue sneakers with holes all around. It was a dark and cloudy day which is how I like it. It reminds me of how dark my life has been all my life. My name is Jeremiah I'm fourteen years old and I was never wanted. When I was born my mom gave me up for adoption because she couldn't take care of me and she didn't even know who my father was. I've gone around to about seven different homes and five out of seven abused me. Your probably thinking the other two were better but they weren't. They just wanted me because they got paid. You don't realize how messed up the world is until you have to go through something so horrible. In school I was always known as the new kid and I was always dumb. When I turned eight I pretty much gave up on myself. I always had bad grades in school and I was a disappointment to the world. But the following day it could have changed. I would be moving to another foster home. But this time I thought about it in a different way. What if they didn't abuse me and they didn't want me for the money like the other foster parents wanted. I woke at seven o'clock and grabbed a juicy green apple as my breakfast . I took a cold shower and I was ready. I didn't have to pack anything but my toothbrush and my one pair of clothes I had besides the ones I had on. The black car came to pick me up at eight fifteen and take me to my new foster family. I would be going to a town called Springville which was seven hours away from Chesterfield where I've been staying for the past few months. I have to admit I wasn't that scared. I haven't had a lot of feelings lately because of everything that has happened to me. I sat on the left side of the back seat for the car ride. The smell was horrible. It smelled like cat pee that had been in the car for years. The cars that would pick me up weren't the best but it was better than walking. I slept most of the time. But the time I didn't sleep I actually thought of what my foster parents would be like this time. Would they want me for the money, would they abuse me, or would they actually be good people. I was just so excited to get there and not have to smell the inside of the car. I arrived at the house at three thirty. The house was really big and it actually looked like a nice neighborhood compared to the other homes I stayed in before. I stepped out of the car and I felt my bones shaking like a volcano was gonna erupt. The street really looked and smelled like Spring. It was so green and it smelled like daisies had just been watered. But at the moment it didn't matter. I walked to the front of the house and the foster care worker introduced me to the family. I saw my foster mom first. Her name was Mary. She had blonde hair, blue eyes, and she was very friendly. Next I met my foster dad. I didn't care to much about my foster dad's because they were the ones who always beat me up. But his name was John. He had brown hair, he was ginormous like a dragon and he was very excited to meet me. There was also two other foster kids they were taking care of. One was named Sara and the other was Ben. Sara was pretty, she had freckles, and she had brown hair. Ben had long hair, he seemed shy and he had black hair. They were both biological siblings. Sometimes I wish I had a sibling so I wouldn't feel so lonely. After I met them the foster family the foster care worker left and they invited me inside. First they showed me around the whole house. It was as big as New York City. Then they showed me my room. It was the biggest room I had ever seen. When you first walked in you saw my bed right by my two big windows. The wall was white. The bed was a queen which was also the biggest bed I have ever had. I had a plain black comforter. Across from my bed was a desk with a jar of pencils and the right side of it was my closet. The closet was the size of all of my foster bedrooms combined which was the size of the whole town. I realized that it was nice and all but I only had two pairs of clothes. After I went up to see my room my foster parents wanted me to go sit down in the living room so we can discus rules and all the stuff that doesn't matter to me since I heard rules about a billion times. I walked into the living room and they asked me to sit down. We talked for about two hours. They also told me stuff about them and just stuff about the town. Which none of my other foster parents ever did. I knew that there was gonna be a change in the town and my family but I knew there wasn't gonna be a change in me. I'm always gonna feel like I'm not wanted and I'm not smart enough. Nothing in this world could really change me. But anyways they had the regular rules any other foster parents would have and I didn't care to much about them. However they did have a few that I didn't like and I wasn't comfortable with. They were that I couldn't smoke or do any drugs and if I did I had to go to rehab, I also had to get A's and B's in school. Smoking was always my get away from the bad things in my life and I didn't want to give it up. In school I never got A's or B's I usually got D's and F's. We didn't talk about it that much today but they said we would later. Some of the rules I was ok with was I had a curfew and just being respectful to everyone. They talked about how the town was always warm and it always felt like Spring and that was why it was called Springville. They also told me a little bit about themselves. Mary worked as a Kindergarten teacher and John was a mechanic. They knew that I was abused because they saw scars on my arms. John said that his dad abused him too. So he said that they would never abuse me. I never had anything in common with my foster dad's but for the first time I felt like me and my foster dad were gonna get along. He even said he would take me to get new clothes the next day. It was seven o'clock when we finished talking. I ate cheese pizza from Jerome's pizzeria in town. It was like the first time I had an actual meal besides a sandwich with one piece of meat and cheese on it . I went to bed right after because it was a long day. I got up the next day and John took me shopping. I never got so many clothes in my life. I always had the two pairs of clothes my whole life. But now I had twenty and it was like I was in heaven even though I didn't believe in that kind of stuff. While we went to the store he showed me around the town. It was a small town but it was big enough to have restaurants, stores and schools. He said everyone knew each other and it was like a family. We got home and I put all my clothes away in the big closet in my room. A few hours later I went out to buy a pack of cigarettes because my foster parents were running errors. I sat on the sidewalk near the house. My foster parents then drove up and saw me. They told me to get in the car and we drove to the house. We sat down on the couch and they talked with me. They said they weren't mad because they know that I have been through a lot. They were just worried and they reminded me about the rule they had. Which was I had to get rehab if I was on any drugs. I told them that smoking was my get away from all the bad in my life and it would be hard to stop. But they said that I needed to try it. After we were done talking I went to my room. Then Sara and Ben came and sat on my bed. It was the first official time we actually talked. They told me that they also had to go to rehab when they first got here. It was for the same reason as me. They were both smoking because they wanted to get away from all the bad in their life. They said that rehab helped them and they no longer smoke. They said the rehab worked differently than most other towns. Instead of staying at the center you go a few times a week and your parents watch you. So while your in rehab you can still go to school and do whatever as long as your not smoking. Sara, Ben, and I all talked for a while and then Mary and John called me to the living room. They explained everything pretty much the same way. They said that I was going to rehab but I didn't have to stay at the center. They also told me that I would be starting school at Springville Academy in a couple days. Which is also were Sara and Ben go. Another day passed but I couldn't sleep. I thought about everything that was going to happen. Starting a new school having to get A's and B's. Going to rehab and not being able to smoke anymore. What was I gonna do. I wasn't ready for this. Sure I actually liked my foster family for the first time but I didn't like what was gonna happen to me. I sat in bed when I first got up that morning since it was a Sunday and we weren't doing anything. I thought about what I should do. Should I try getting good grades in school and get rehab or should I figure out another plan. I really thought long and hard. But I decided I was not gonna do it. My next plan was to figure out what I was gonna do. I thought for a while and I decided that I'm going to run away and get out of this town. I couldn't change myself so what was the point of even trying. I didn't really know what and were I was gonna go. All I know is that I'm leaving tonight since rehab and school start tomorrow and I would go a few towns away from Springville. All I really needed to pack was clothes and that wouldn't be a problem since I just got a lot a couple days ago. It was about two hours before I was planned on leaving and I started to feel guilty. I was just leaving my new family behind and not saying a word when really they are just trying to help me. But I couldn't feel this way. Finally nine o'clock came and it was time for me to leave. I went out through my wide windows in my room. Everyone else in the house was asleep so they didn't hear me. I got out of Springville at ten o'clock. The only reason I knew the time was because John gave me a silver watch earlier today. I walked for miles and miles and it was already past twelve. I was walking past trees the whole time so I decided to just crash for a few hours then I would wake up and keep moving to wherever I was going. I got up at three o'clock and kept moving north. I got to the first town at four and it was called Lexington. I never heard of it before but it was another small town like Springville. I sat down on a bench for a while and I started to get hungry. I didn't have any money not even a penny. There was a gas station across the street. I never stole anything before but I would have to if I wanted to survive. But I decided to wait. John and Mary were probably up and they might have already saw that I wasn't there. I had to keep moving or else they would come looking for me and find me. I kept walking for a few more hours and I past two other towns. They were Albany and Berkeny. I decided not to stay at those towns because they were small and they would have a better chance at finding me since they were closer to Springville. I got to another town at three o'clock in the afternoon and it was called Fort Worth. It was a pretty big city and it would be harder for anyone to find me. It was also three towns away from Springville and it seemed like a good city. I got to a Safeway store and I was so tired. I was gonna go inside and get something good to eat but I wasn't sure. I didn't get a lot of sleep the past few days so I decided just to skip the food and sleep. I went behind the store and I saw a heater that was attached to the inside of the store. Since I didn't really have a place to sleep I decided just to sleep there because it was warm. I woke up the next morning and I had a really bad headache. I think it was because i was so nervous about what my foster parents were thinking. Were they looking for me? Did they even care? But I should have been at school right now and starting rehab. But instead I ran away because couldn't face getting good grades and to stop smoking. I finally got up at nine and a breeze flew by like I just entered an ice skating ring when I left the heater. I walked to the front of the store with my backpack. I entered and I started searching for any food that would fill me up. I grabbed a sub sandwich, a big bag of lays chips, chocolate, cheese its, goldfish, and I couldn't forget to grab a pack of cigarettes. I got all my food and went to isle ten were there was no one around and I stuffed it all in my bag. At the moment I felt so guilty I never committed a crime. I walked out of the store and the alarm started beeping. I didn't know what to to do. I freaked out. I ran through the parking lot with trucks and cars honking at me. Beep, beep, beep, and beep. A dark blue truck almost hit me and the store manager and security were chasing after me. I didn't know if I should keep running or stop. I was going to keep running but I knew someone would catch me. I stopped at the sidewalk by the road. Security got me and they but my hands behind my back. They said I wasn't under arrest until the cops came to figure out why I did this. I waited for an hour but it really felt like six hours. I never had been so scared in my life. Most people saw me as a bad kid but I really wasn't because I didn't commit any crime. The cops got there and they asked me why I stole the food. Where were my parents. Also what I was doing alone there. I told them that I didn't have any money for the food and I haven't eaten in days. I said that I was staying in a new foster home and they wanted me to follow certain rules that I didn't like and think I could do. I thought about lying to the cops about running away but I decided not to because they would find out somehow. I said I ran away even though I liked the family. The cops understood why I did it but they said they still had to arrest me because it was a crime. They got my backpack and gave the food back to the store. Then they put it in the cop car along with me in my hand cuffs. I sat on the hard seats that felt like rock for about thirty minutes before I got the Juvenile center. I was so fearful once we pulled up. It wouldn't be as bad as going to actual jail because I was still fourteen but it was the most scariest thing I've ever experienced. They processed me and took my mugshots and fingerprints. They charged me with shoplifting. After they processed me and I was put into a dirty cell alone. They fed me a bologna sandwich that wasn't good but it was better than nothing. I had a metal toilet and a hard bed but that was it. I had court the next day so I could find out what they were gonna do with me. So I went to bed early again. I got up the next morning and met with my public defender who would represent me. The Judge got there after. Then thirty seconds before it was gonna start my foster parents and siblings walked in. They caught me by surprise. I thought they were mad at me for leaving them when they were trying to help me. Court started at ten. They asked me the questions the cops asked me. I responded the same way even though my foster family was in the room. They told me since I never committed a crime before that I wouldn't have to serve time. But they said I had to go to rehab for the smoking and I had to go home with my foster family. I agreed to these terms and I was ready to go home to my foster family. I got discharged from the Juvenile center two hours later and then I got released to my foster family. I have to admit I was pretty happy to see my foster family. They all hugged me and said they were so worried about me. They said they spent the past two days looking for me all over and they were just glad I was alive. They told me that I would start school and rehab the next day but I shouldn't have to feel nervous and if I was it was ok. I told them I was nervous but I can try and get good grades and stop smoking. Mary said that it was normal to feel that but she believed I could do it and so did John, Sara and Ben. We got home two hours after and it was already six o'clock. Mary cooked rice, baked chicken, and peas for dinner. While we ate they told me all about Springville academy and how it was a great school. Ben and Sara said everyone helped out and they had the best lunch. After they said all of this I wasn't as nervous for school but I was still nervous for the rehab. We finished talking and eating dinner at eight and we all decided we had a long day so we took out showers and went to bed. I woke up the next day and it felt like my heart was going to burst. It was less than an hour before I was gonna start school. I didn't eat anything for breakfast because I felt like my heart was gonna explode. John drove Ben, Sara and I to school. We pulled up to school and everyone told me good luck. I walked into the school and seemed small which was good. I past a few kids in the hall and they told me welcome and if I needed anything to just ask. All my nerves were calming down. I walked down to the office and got my schedule. Next thing I knew the bell rang. School started at eight o'clock. I quickly looked at my first class and it was physical education. This class I knew I would do well in. I walked so many miles to get to Fort Worth so it wouldn't be a problem. I walked in the gym and the class was small. There was about fifteen kids total. I introduced myself to the class and everyone was welcoming. We ran around a track for the class. The next class I had was English. I don't really know I feel about it because I didn't like any other class but Physical Education. I walked into the class and I introduced myself again. I had Math third period and then it was lunch. I sat next to Sara and Ben because I didn't really know anyone. They had hamburgers for lunch and they were really good. They even had lettuce, tomatoes, and cheese. Lunch was thirty minutes and then the bell rang. My next class was Science. Fifth period I had History and sixth period I had Art. Every class I introduced myself the same way and we didn't do a lot of work. It was hard being a new student like always but this school was different. It felt like no one looked at me different and I fit in. I also made friends in my afternoon classes. Jose, Michael, and Hope. Hope and I had the same classes and it turned out that she was also a foster kid. School finished at two forty five and I had to go to rehab right after at three. The bell rang and I went to pick up. John picked us up and he asked how school went. I told him all about my new friends and how it was a good fit for me. He was happy for me and he knew I would like it. The rehab center was five minutes away from the school. We walked into the center and I didn't feel nervous at all. I figured I had a good day at school so this wouldn't be bad. I waited in the waiting room and they called my name. I walked into an office with a couch. I sat down on it and this guy asked me questions. He asked stuff like why I'm smoking and why I don't think I can stop smoking. We talked for an hour and a half. He told me I would come here twice a week. On Tuesdays and Thursdays and I would also go to support groups were we talk about what we're going through and why were in rehab. I was done at the center at five o'clock. We went home ate dinner and talked about how my day was and how I felt. The next day I went to school and I was actually excited to go for the first time in my life. I went to all my classes and sat with all my friends at lunch. Hope and I bonded a lot because we had so much in common. She also has been to so many homes in her life. Michael and Jose also supported me and they believed I was a great friend. Weeks and months went by in my life. Rehab and school were going great. I had A's and B's in all my classes and I haven't smoked in four months. I didn't want to become the person I used to be. So I decided to fly into my new life like an airplane in the blue sky and leave the past behind. I was also getting really close to all my family members and Hope. Hope and I were actually dating. She was really Hope and I think that's why her name is Hope even though it sounds cheesy. She gave me so much strength and she always believed in me. One night my foster parents invited Hope to dinner. We went up to my room while while John and Mary made dinner. All of sudden I smelled smoke and I head the food sizzling like it was burning. I ran downstairs and the kitchen was on fire. I went upstairs and screamed at Ben, Sara and Hope to get out because the kitchen was on fire. They all jumped out of the window and I ran downstairs. I needed to get John and Mary out. They were trapped and I was so scared. No words can describe it. But I had to think fast. I decided to just run in between were there wasn't a fire. I ran as fast as I could without getting burned. I saw Mary moving right by the sink but her foot was trapped behind the shelf. She told me to help John because he wasn't moving. I ran to John and I pulled him out of the kitchen. I ran outside and put him on the ground we're Hope, Ben and Sara were standing. They told me to be careful. I ran like I never had before in the kitchen again. Mom was losing her breath. I pulled her foot from where it was stuck and carried her out of the house. I was having a hard time breathing and I was shaking . I saw John, Ben, Sara and Hope watching me they all hugged me and said thank you so much. I said no thank you all for everything you've done for me I'm just glad I saved the people I love. I was losing my breath and I was trying to gasp for air but it just didn't work. The last thing I said was I love you guys.