A computer’s eulogy. June 23, 2009

Bee looked sullen as she was called up to read her speech. It wasn’t easy being at this funeral. She had to be brave though, for her friends, family and most importantly, for Bert. The reverent nodded in her direction when it was time for her to begin speaking. She took a deep breath. Here goes, she thought.

“Bert, from the minute I laid eyes on you, I fell in love with you. It wasn’t just your handsome appearance, but as I got to know you, I fell in love with your personality too. You were fast, easy to like, and you did everything for me. Every time I needed to do a math problem in my head, I would ask you. You knew so much, and I could ask you anything, and just like that, you would tell me the answer. I boasted to friends about you, I took pictures with you, and I told you stories. You would help me organize my life too. You knew when my appointments were, where I was going, and you always reminded me what I had to do! You shopped for me when my feet were sore after work, and I didn’t feel like going out to the mall. You gave me recipes I thought I would never even try. You made me technology advanced and you gave me the power to do anything I wanted. I loved you more then anything. But when they said there was nothing more I could do, I didn’t know what I would do without you. I would never love anyone else as much as I loved you. I hope you know that Bert .You were a friend, a first love, and a kind helper. You gave me memories I thought I would have, feelings I would never experience. But most of all, Bert, you were the best computer I’ve ever had!”

This is the life…(Part 2) June 23, 2009

~

Even though nobody mentioned it, Marlyn could tell everybody knew that her dad had been arrested. Faces would turn her way, and hands would cover mouths that were whispering the forbidden words of the event. Teachers would ignore her when she put her hand up in class. She was charged an extra dollar at lunch and was given snooty looks by the lunch ladies. In the bathroom, no one let her use the mirror, in gym, she didn’t have a partner. A stink bomb was put in her locker and a note stuck on her back read: ‘Kick me- I might be dangerous. After all, it runs in the family!’ Marlyn was disgusted by these actions, but there was nothing she could do about it. Her dad, had killed her best friend’s parents, and made her homeless. What could she do?

~

Amber wasn’t having a great day either. All she heard was, ‘I’m so sorry!’ or, ‘This must be hard!’ Couldn’t anybody understand she didn’t want to talk about it? Her math teacher moved their test a week later, and let the students have a study period. Her Science teacher gave out chocolates, and let Amber take an extra one. Card, after card came her way. Gifts, hugs, sad smiles, filled her hands, mind and day. She couldn’t wait to get out of school. Except, she had nowhere to go; her best friend’s dad killed her parents, and made her homeless. What if the Little family wanted to kill her too? He hadn’t spoken to Marlyn once since that morning. That’s it; she thought as she marched over to Amber at lunch, I have to talk to her!

“Hi,” said Amber, her brave feeling evaporating quickly.

“Oh, hi, Amber! How are you? Sorry- that’s a stupid question!” said Marlyn, feeling the hundreds of eyes on the conversation. The two girls looked around, and they suddenly realized, the cafeteria had gone completely silent.

“I’ve had a crappy day, you?”

“Yeah! It’s like everyone knows, but wont talk about it. It’s driving me mad!” joked Marlyn, and the girls laughed. “I want you to know Amber that I’m never speaking to my dad again. He did something unspeakably wrong, and he hurt the most important person in my life- you. I would never do anything like what he did to you!”

“Thank you so much Marlyn! You always know what to say! I’m so sorry that I doubted you and our friendship!” said Amber

“You doub-” started Marlyn but as she started to say it, an announcement came over the PA system.

“Attention students, attention! There is an emergency and we need all teachers to keep the students calm. A tornado has hit Westside valley, and all students, teachers, staff, and visitors need to make their way calmly to the Gym. Further instructions will be given there.” As the announcement ended, there was total silence. Not one person moved. Then, all of a sudden, there was screaming, crying, running, and pushing. There was pandemonium. Amber grabbed Marlyn’s hand and pulled her toward the door. She didn’t seem to want to move.

“Marlyn, move! We have to go to the gym! It’s the only place that is underground in the school! We have to get to a safe place!” screamed Amber, but Marlyn didn’t seem to hear her. Pulling harder, Amber got knocked down by a couple of screaming girls. As she fell, she pulled Marlyn down with her. There was a crack, followed by a loud thud. Pain seared though Amber’s body. Someone had stepped on her ankle. The cracking noise told her it wasn’t good. She looked over at her best friend, and saw that her eyes were closed. That must have been what the thud was. She had hit her head, and blacked out. Tears dripped down off of Amber’s nose, and she realized she was crying. So much has happened to her in the last 24 hours, and if she didn’t get herself, and her best friend to safety, it would be her last 24 hours. She tried to pull Marlyn up, but her ankle was too painful.

“I can’t go on…I can’t go on…I can’t….I….I’m sorry Marlyn,” said Amber, and then, everything went black.

~