The life of a child By: Jennifer Buchanan
Per 4th




Once there lived a 13 year old girl named Sheila. She lived with her mother Sandra in a small little house down South. Her parents had recently gotten divorce as a result of their frequent disagreements. Sheila was not very happy with that all, she was very disappointed. Sheila could also tell that that her mother missed her father as well, even though she tried to act like she didn’t. There were even times when Sheila’s mother would get upset with Sheila for no reason and throw harsh words in her face. Sheila would cry, run to her room, and shut the door. She knew her mother was lonely, that’s why she acted the way she did and said the things she said.

Sheila was the type of person who loved to read and write. She had this little journal that she wrote in everyday. In her journal she would write how she felt at certain times in her life, but the majority of the things in her journal were things that made her sad. For example, the absence of her father. Sheila always felt that one day things would change, but that day she didn’t think would come so soon. Things were changing so frequently that she didn’t know what to expect next. She always tried to stay to herself that she thought would be best thing to do. She figured if you got too close to some one you love or even like very much, they can be taken away from with the blink of an eye, just as her father had been, and your heart will be broken forever. Her mother was all she had now or at least that what she thought. She just had to make the best of what she had left.

It was Monday morning and Sheila was in bedroom getting ready for school, when her mother called her to the kitchen to tell her that she had just been offered a job at the 24hour food mart, a little far away from home. Sheila figured that would be good and now she wouldn’t have to listen to her mother yelling and screaming about Sheila’s father. As Sheila thought for awhile, she wondered who would care for her mother was gone to work. Before Sheila could even get the question out her mouth, her mother interrupted her by telling her that a good of hers said that he wouldn’t mind looking after her while her mother was at work. She told Sheila that this was a nice man and he wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. Sheila was not very happy about the breaking news and interrupted her mother by saying that she had to go or she would be late for school.

While walking to school so many thoughts begin to burst into her Sheila’s head. First how could her mother allow a man to look after her, especially a man her daughter barely even knew? Sheila was so disgusted for the whole day ay school and said nothing to no one, not even her teachers when they asked her to answer a problem. She couldn’t believe what her mother had done. She knew her mother did some weird things at times, but this was just out of the ordinary. It was like at times her mother didn’t think before she did things; she just did it and didn’t care about the outcome. School had finally let out and Sheila was on her way home.

When Sheila got home she noticed a man with straight, black hair that seem to have a little waves in it.. He had on black pants and a blue, yellow, and white polo shirt with black gym shoes. Sheila then realized that it was David, the man her mother had told her about earlier that morning before she was off to school. David introduced himself again just in case Sheila hadn’t recognized who he was. Sheila hadn’t seen David since she was about 8 years old. The year her parents had gotten divorced. After David and Sheila had a short conversation, Sheila headed to her room to change into her pajamas. While walking to her room she could feel David staring at her that made her feel very uncomfortable. She just tried to remember had told her that morning, David would never do anything to hurt her. After Sheila was properly dressed, she did her homework, and then started to the kitchen to fix her something to eat. She made herself a hamburger, fries, and grabbed herself a soda out the refrigerator. She sat down ate her meal and later watched a little television, hoping that soon her mother would walk into that door. After awhile Sheila realized that her mother was not coming home too soon, so she decided to go to bed

The next day when Sheila woke up her mother had already gotten dressed and was making her a little breakfast. She walked up to her mother and asked her how her first day at work was. Her mother smiled and said outstanding, although she was a little exhausted. Then Sandra asked Sheila how was her day and Sheila answered, it was alright. Her mother said that‘s good and continued preparing breakfast. Sheila decided not to tell her mother how uncomfortable she felt when David was around because she knew her mother would think she was a little over her head. After breakfast was ready, Sheila ate and headed for her room to get ready for school. After she was done getting dressed she went down the stairs, hugged her mother and said “mom you didn’t tell me you were going to be working such long hours”. Sandra replied, I know honey, but we need the money and you do like to eat don’t you? Sheila answered, yes. Alright then that’s why I have to work so I can make a proper living for the tow of us. Sheila guessed she understood where her mother was coming, but still didn’t like the idea of David looking after her, but she had to deal with it. It was just about time for Sheila to leave for school, so she left at the house.

Sheila begins walking towards the school that was a few blocks away from her home. When she got to school she went to her classroom, sat down and was ready to learn what was being taught. The teacher even saw a difference in Sheila’s feelings and pretty much liked this type of behavior. She did all her work and was finished with all her assignments on time. School was just about to let out and it was time to go home. The bell rang and Sheila was out the door. She said bye to her teacher and her classmates, then begin heading home.

When Sheila got home David managed to have a snack on the table for her with a red rose sitting next to it. Sheila thought it was very nice for David to have making her nice snack, but also hoped the rose was out of kindness as well and nothing eels. David assured her that he didn’t mean anything by the rose; he just thought it would be a nice gift for her. Sheila just hoped David was telling the truth because she thought that usually a gift to a child would be a candy bar or something of that nature. Her mother had not even received a rose from him. After seeing the rose Sheila was a little bit disgusted and decided that she didn’t want the snack or the rose after all. She just headed to her room, did her homework and took a short nap.

When Sheila woke up she went downstairs to see if her mother made home, but she hadn’t so Sheila decided to take a shower. After she was done showering, she wrapped the towel around her and headed for her room. While gong to her room she heard a voice say you look good when you’re wet. Sheila turned around to find David standing at the bottom of the stairs, staring at her nearly naked body. She hurried to her room more frightened than ever in her whole life. This man she had begin to believe was a lunatic, the way he looked and felt about Sheila’s young, developed body. Although Sheila was young, she had the body of a older person around 18years old. That’s another reason why she didn’t understand how her mother could leave her alone with this grown man she barely even knew.

About five minutes after, David was tapping at her door, telling her that she was sorry for what he said and he hoped it didn’t offend her. Sheila was not sure whether to believe him or not, but later thought that maybe she was overreacting just a little bit. David also told Sheila that she minded him of her mother, someone he has known for such a long time. Sheila just hoped she was doing the right thing by forgiving this man and the crazy things he said. She thought maybe this would be a good time to go to bed because she felt that that night should be ended.

The next morning Sheila noticed that her mother hadn’t gotten up yet nor had she fixed breakfast. She walks towards her room to find David lying right next to her. Sheila couldn’t believe her eyes. Her mother was lying in the bed with a man who had earlier offended her daughter. Of course, her mother didn’t know about that, but that however, was not the point. She left her mother’s room and quickly got ready for school. After she was done she immediately headed for the door. Before she could open it her mother called her name and Sheila answered. I know David being in may be was sort of a surprise, but it was late when I got home from work, so I told David he could stay over. Things got a little out of hand and that’s how he ended up in my bed, Sheila’s mother explained. Sheila’s mother told her that she and David had begun to have feelings for one another and one thing led after the other. Sheila could not believe the words that were pouring out of her mother’s mouth. Her mother was falling in love with a man who was offending her daughter in ways that could not be explained. Sheila tried to make it seem like everything was alright, but her mother noticed the odd look on Sheila’s face. Sandra asked Sheila why she was looking like that. Sheila answered, no reason I’m just a little surprised that’s all. Alright, I’ll see you later; you behave yourself, Sheila’s mother called out as Sheila left for school.

While walking to school Sheila could not believe what she had just seen or heard. This was not at all what she was looking forward to. How this could be happening, Sheila thought to herself. She had finally reached her classroom and walked inside. As Sheila walked everyone immediately knew something had to be wrong with her because she had a disappointed look on her face. They knew not to ask her because she would deny anything being wrong with her. She was the type of person who kept her business to herself, no matter what it was. Sheila sat in her chair and thought for a moment. A man who had recently said some horrible things to her was sleeping with her mother, at her house. There was no telling what was going to happen next. Sheila tried her best get the negative thoughts out her mind, but they continued to burst into her head. She could barely focus on her assignments. Her mind was so confused that she didn’t know what to do next. She decided to take it one step at a time. The bell was about to ring and she hadn’t done any work for the whole day she was at school. As the bell rang, Sheila headed out the door.

Sheila left the school and walked home. When she got home she went straight to her room without even speaking to David. After David figured Sheila was nearly dressed, he walked to her room and opened the door, seeing her body covered only in her underwear. He apologized, but Sheila was still mad. Why didn’t you knock? Sheila asked. David said that he thought she had clothes on by now. Sheila replied, you thought wrong. He had seen Sheila’s body, what was next?

That evening when Sheila ate supper and got ready for bed, she could not go to sleep. She had a feeling something bad was going to happen. Her eyes were getting heavy because she was so sleepy. After awhile she happened to fall asleep. She was later awakened by a knock at her bedroom door. It was David he said he needed to talk to her. Sheila got out the bed and opened the door slowly because she didn’t want him to see her half dressed again. David I guess felt that Sheila was taking too long, so he pushed his way into her room, threw her on the bed while removing the little clothes she had on. He spread her legs and raped that poor child. Sheila screamed and hollered, but no one heard her. David just did whatever he wanted to that child and felt no remorse about it.

After it was all over Sheila cried continuously. She felt it was all her fault. She had a feeling something bad was going to happen, but she didn’t follow her mind. She knew she wasn’t going to tell hr mother because her mother would never believe her, neither was she going to tell anyone else. She could not believe what had just happened to her. This man she barely knew had just taken her virginity and her pride. This was a secret she was definitely going to keep to her self. Sheila after this day she would never be the same again.

A few weeks later, Sheila became very ill. No one could figure out what was wrong with her, so she decided to the doctor. When she got to the doctor, the doctor asked her what was wrong with her and she told the doctor she felt really ill. The doctor asked her when was the last time she had her period and Sheila said she never had one. The doctor decided to give her a pregnancy test and later found out she was pregnant. Sheila begin to cry because she knew there was no way she was going to be able o take care of her baby. When Sheila left the doctor’s office she went home and notices that David was not there. She remembered seeing her father put a gun in the china cabinet drawer, so went inside to get it. Sheila immediately killed herself as well a s her unborn child.

To Be Continued