Blog Post #9

Finally, nine days after arriving at the Karate studio in Iron City, we were allowed to go home. While stuck in our temporary home, among forty other families, I made a new friend named Steffie. The studio was dusty, dirty, and very crowded. I was happy to go home and sleep in my own bed that is comfortable and warm. Steffie told me all about her family, and her Dad, J.A.K. Gladney is head of the Hitler Studies at the College-On-The-Hill. I’m not sure who Hitler is, but now I want to find out.


My family lives in a small town next to Steffie’s. We had to evacuate also due to the “Toxic Event”. “Time for homework Lizzy”, yelled my Dad as he was watching the news, looking for any new information on the Nyodene D. “It is done, Father. Why don’t you ever bug Alex about his homework? His is the one always in trouble, not me.” “Your brother is a senior in high school now; we still have a chance with you to make something of yourself.” Father was always fantasizing about one of his children going to the College-On-The-Hill. I smiled at Father and went to set the table for dinner as Mother was getting dinner ready. Since the Toxic Event, Mother boils everything; she says it will kill any bacteria that may have gotten on our food, to keep us healthy. What I could go for is some good ‘ol barbequed chicken, baked potato, and fresh corn on the cob.

I wonder if Steffie is still wearing her mask. She told me she would never take it off, it’s bad enough she got de ja vu from the Nyodene D. Steffie doesn’t want anything else to happen to her. Before we left the Karate Studio, I promised Steffie that I would write her every week, and Steffie said she would do the same. So it was Monday, and I just got a letter back from her, so I decided to write her back before going to bed.

My new friend Steffie,

Here is another letter to you, responding to yours I just received today. Have you decided to take your mask off yet? It has been 2 weeks since we were allowed to come back home, I think you will be safe now. My mask ripped over the weekend and my parents won’t let me wear it to school, they say it will scare the other children. I hear my Father and Mother talk all the time about your parents, how they want to get together with them. With my Father being an author, he really wants to interview your Father and write a Biography of him. He is pretty impressed with J.A.K. Gladney’s accomplishments. My mother wants to learn posture and how to walk properly from your mother; she is very fond of her too. Is Wilder talking yet? It must be fun to have so many brothers and sisters; you always have someone to play with! Since it is just me and Alex, it gets boring around here. Alex says it isn’t cool to hang out with his baby sister… I just heard Father say we are going to come to your house in a couple of weeks to Mother! That means we get to see each other and play! I’m so excited!

I will wait for your response to this letter and soon we will see each other! In your letter back to me, tell me what we are going to do while we are there visiting. I can’t wait!

Your new friend,

Lizzy

The next morning I mailed my letter to Steffie on the way to school. Recess was still limited to being indoors, keeping us from any possible Nyodene D still in the air. They say within a few weeks we will be able to be outdoors more. By then the days will be shorter, and the cold will role in.