Teeka and her family are adjusting to life in a new city; they will remain here for the time being.
Taking a break; not writing for a few days. I need to clear my head, think about things, what to do next....
Teeka here, Teeka Daniels. I'm the one who fled Hurricane (Y)Ike, as I've taken to call him.
I live in Galveston, Texas (or did), until (Y)Ike chased us outta there. We now are staying in Arlington, which is in the north central part of the state, for the tiem being. Don't konw when (or if) we are going to return home to Galveston, which breaks my heart. Too much damage to our place; it's going to take a miracle to get things back together.
In the meantime, I've been assimilated into one of the elementary schools here, and Hydeia and Emrika, who are my sisters, are having as hard of a time as I am. It's hard to make friends here; people don't know how to act or what to say about us, and it makes me (and my sisters) uncomfortable. I'm also taking Spanish-immersion classes, and I am having a hard time getting used to it. This is America; we should be speaking total English (or teaching the Spanish kids English) instead of the other way around!!
That's probably the biggest issue I'm having right now. I want to find another school so bad; I don't like the school where I'm at!!
The girls at my school look at me like I'm scum of the earth; they call me "Snipe" (guess it's 'count of my long, skinny legs), and they make ugly faces at me. They say we're trailer trash and other hurtful things, and I can't deal with it right now. We've already been uprooted by a powerful hurricane; I don't need the kids' teasing to bring me down even further!!
Mama and daddy are trying to find work; they're having a hard time. Jobs are very hard to come by; it's like the job places don't want my folks because they're older or don't have the experience, and the only places that are really hiring are fast food places or department stores. It's really pathetic, especially with Christmas coming up; we could use the extra money!! Times are tight right now!
When mama and daddy aren't looking for work or taking care of us, they try to make things easier by entertaining us kids, but I don't really have much reason to smile. I worry about where we're going to get the extra cash to get by, or whether we're going to end up on the street, penniless and without hope. I've seen too many homeless people already downtown, and it is one of my biggest fears; I don't think I could live it down if we ended up homeless!!
Well, I've managed to make myself cry again; seems that's all I've done since this damnfool hurricane hit, disrupting our lives and everything else! Oh, I'd give anything to return to Galveston; I hate it here in Arlington!
Gosh, Karen, this is too sad. But very well written. I'm half-afraid to find and read the first 2 installments, but I will do it. I hope number 4 will find things going better for Teeka and her family.
I like this, Karen. You write it so well. Moving. It seems to me
that the tale you tell could have been told in the early 1930s.
It's a tale worth telling, and remembering. Maybe something good
will come of it. -gene.
Jobs are very hard to come by; it's like the job places don't want my folks because they're older or don't have the experience, and the only places that are really hiring are fast food places or department stores.
What a mess both our economy and poor Galveston are in today; and I hope better days are soon on the way, for both.
No tears, soon things will get better, they always do. Thank you for this write that shows other people have it worse than me. So I'll pick myself up and think of others as you do in your beautiful, touching writes. Love, Bonnie
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