Sam O'Connell

2

         I lay on the cold bedroom floor. Ella was sleeping on the other side of the bed. We didn't light fires at night, the house could burn down. In winter we put candles around the bedroom though. It's winter now so we're putting up a few. It barely kept us warm, the worn blankets kept us warm otherwise. Wendy and Julie were sighing softly in their sleep. I had my eyes closed and wanted to sleep, yet I couldn't. My mind was bent on America. In my mind at least America is a synonym for food and no hunger. I knew I would have to work for it, but I would do a lot for a hearty meal. Beef, bread, cheese, I could even go for potatoes right now. 

I wouldn't understand Mother and Father if we stayed here. We eat grass, leaves, and dried cabbage leaves if were lucky. The O'Connells are poor, but this is a new level. We used to be farmers, for livestock, plants didn't grow much here. My family can't afford this land anymore soon. Homeless we'll be. Doomed to die in the wild. 

Like many, our landlord would take is out of our home. He would make us pay two tokens a month. We said we would pay soon, but we couldn't at the moment. I wish mother had never told that lie. The truth is we can't afford things like this. 

I don't understand why we have a landlord anyway. We live three miles from town. The town only spreads three kilometres of it's five. We live outside its fifth kilometre. Mr McCarthy is a rotten fellow. I believe he slapped Father for not giving his pay right away. He's also always pushing folk around. Might even believe he's a Brit, going around, treating people the way he does. Awful man he is. I think he's coming over to our house in two days. Mother and Father said they would have their savings ready for today. Living here in Ireland was torture at the moment. I wanted to leave. 

"Go to sleep, Sam," Fred whispered. It did look late out, so I closed my eyes. I really didn't want to close my eyes though. I wanted to think about things here in Ireland. The people starving to death, businesses closing, and people leaving Ireland for a better life. Tomorrow we would probably get no food, and be removed from our house the next day. 

I wonder if mother and father had a plan to get us out of this dilemma. Me personally, would leave. I looked up to see our only clock through the open door in the main room. It was ten at night. I should be going to bed now. 

My stomach ached with hunger though. Sleeping was necessary though, but I was tired. "Sam, I said go to sleep," hissed Fred again. He was a psychic. My eyes were closed, I don't know what gave it away. 

"Get up!" Mother cried throughout the room. My eyes cracked open. The world was becoming slightly less blurry. I blinked a bit, before getting up. "Grab anything you need! Now get up," Father boomed, grabbing things from the kitchen. Wendy, Julie, and Ella were zipping up their boots already. Fred threw my trousers and shirts at me. My arm's catch them, then bundle them into my arms. I was so confused. "Get dressed!" The girls commanded. Quickly, I got my shirt and trousers on. "What is happening?" I ask, desperately wanting to know what's going on. "We must leave. We're leaving to a boat, Sam! Keep quiet," hushed Mother. I furrow my brows before moving hastily again. I grab a pillow sack and put Joey, my flat cap, and my soap. It was the last bar I had, I must have it on roads journey. 

"Girls shawls. Boys boots and coats," Mother sighed, wrapping a shawl around Julie's shoulders. I hastily grab my boots and put them on. My mind raced with many thoughts. The one cruel thing crossed my mind. It was that it was snowing out, and we have no wagon. "Mother? Are we going to walk to the doc?" 

She nodded wrapping her shawl around her. Anyone could feel the slightly warmer air, but it was not much. I looked outside the window. The glass was dirt-smeared, yet I could see some grass peaking out.  I was quite happy with the lack of snow. It made for easy travel. 

Our rags would be no use for the frigid weather, but the grass being shown gave me a little more hope. "Why must we leave, Mother?" asked Julie. "The landlord would put us on a ship anyway. We don't have enough money to pay. The ship England and te landlord would put us on would be bad. Typhus around those ships," Mother rambled as Father grabbed his gun. "What ship are we going on?" I ask. "Alleghany," said Father, opening the door. Never thought leaving, really leaving could be this scary. Leaving the pine logs and snowy roof behind. But I had to. I had my family, Joey, and me. I was ready to leave home. Almost happy, yet sad. 

Wendy blew out each candle burning and threw snow on the fire. My body was almost pushed out the door by Fred. I sigh walking into the crisp air. 

Fred puts on his cap and beings to run. My legs are stiff, but I try. When the ship leaves, I have no idea. Getting there is a long journey though. The docs are six hours away if you walk. I know this because when I was eight my friend Henry and I went on an adventure. Mrs Edwards was furious with us and spanked Henry. Mother made me skip dinner and I had to do extra chores. "Where is the boat going to drop us off," I ask. "Stop asking so many questions," Father barked over his shoulder. Rather rude, but understandable.