Neighbors// A Joey Birlem Story

No More Tears Left to Cry

The Rivera Family moved into the neighborhood 11 years ago. At this time I was 5 and Parker, my elder brother, was 7. That day is quite vivid in my memory.

I was sitting on my front porch with my Mom and Parker. Admiring the warm day, my brother and I were drinking lemonade, whilst Mother was sipping her coffee.

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Flashback:

"Unacceptable." my Mother shakes her head in disapproval, taking a gulp of her coffee.

"What is it, mommy?" Parker says, confused our mother's comment.

"Those type of people," she points to the moving truck, and the rather large family standing next to it. The mother, I'm assuming, was frantically searching in her purse and finally pulled out a couple of scrunched dollar bills for the delivery man. "are going to make our neighborhood seem cheap!"

Mother is now standing, irritation is not trying to be hidden by the looks of her face, "The people who actually belong here, have worked hard for this neighborhood community and what it's become! They cannot just come in here and just- just, demolish what we've worked for!" she shouts, only loud enough for us children to here.

Behind the mom of the 'misfits' I see a few children. 2 girls, and a young boy. Maybe about 2 years old. One of the girls looks to be around my age, and the younger one seems as if she's 3.

"What do you mean, mother?" I ask, turning my gaze away from the family.

"Well can't you see for yourself?" She cackles, "I give it a month before there's an 'eviction notice' taped to their front door." She sighs, bringing her mug back to her lips.

Parker and I aren't understanding what my mother's bickering about. I attempt to ask another question, but my mother prattled on.

"The mother works at the diner down the street, I've seen her work there almost 24/7." she says in disgust.

I still don't understand what the big deal about working at a diner was, but I guess compared to my mother, who was the Investor and Owner of a branch of hotels.

I could see where the problem would be.

"Ew!" Parker screeched, "Aren't there like- bugs in diners?!" He asked, and I'm going to take a leap that he finally understood where Mother was coming from, or was agreeing with her so she'd shut up.

I however, kept my opinion to myself. And didn't necessarily agree with my prejudice family. 

"Listen boys," My mother looks us in the eye, "I don't want you anywhere near those rejects." She looks in-between both of us, "No eye-contact, talking, hell, I don't want you in a 5 foot radius of them. You got that?" Her stearn brown eyes bore into me, rather than my golden-boy of a brothers.

"Yes ma'am." 

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Present day:

Sitting on my porch today however, changed my perspective of the Rivera Family. They were loud, obnoxious, and if we're being honest; quite annoying. The yard looks like it's never been tended too, the weeds are almost taller than the small children whom occupy the residence. 

I remove my eyes from the broken home, when I see the two younger children run out the front door. They look around the ages of 5 and 7. My mother would never allow us outside at this age without her supervision. Well, our nanny's supervision.

But then again what could you possibly expect? It's the Rivera's we're talking about. 

All I'm saying is that I'm glad we have a big fence with a big yard, to block out their chaotic lives. Sometimes I get uncomfortable looking at their messy backyard while I sit in my clean one.

A girl exits the backdoor of the tattered home, her name is Oliva. She goes to my school, and has a rep. A rep for fighting, and being your typical 'bad girl.'

I go back to the scenery of my backyard, but just then a ripped-worn out football come flying into my backyard.

My eyes dart towards the direction of where the object came from, and I swear I heard my neck pop. 

I look to see Olivia coming over here, so I turn away, ignoring her presence, but quickly failed as soon as I heard the girlish voice.

"So, you gonna give me my ball back or what?" The eldest RIvera smirks. 

Oh shit.

This should be good.

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I'm so sorry for the short first chapter, but I wanted to shine some light on Joey's home life and very, very judgemental mom.

Anywhoooo, I hope you enjoyed the first chapter! 

xx

-KM

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Oops

Actually I forgot to say this but, I won't have a book cover till tomorrow:(

But yeah, ok, bye now!