The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXXI

Kamilanys Nicole Concepcion
Daniel Cesario, Teacher
Joseph Tynan Elementary School, South Boston, MA
I frowned as I looked at the phone in my hand. I wasn’t feeling well despite
being on vacation. I opened my phone and started calling my mom to check
on how my dog was doing, yet I was met with bad news. “Hola Mami, how’s
Bella?” I asked looking out the garage door that was currently open letting in
the sunlight and ocean breeze. “She ran away,” my mom stated sadly. I paused,
feeling my heart breaking. Bella was one of the first dogs my mom had ever let
me keep, and she had been my only friend who comforted me throughout my
dark times. “What?” I asked, sinking into the garage chair feeling awful.
“But some guy found her, and as a thank you I let him keep Bella! You could
still visit her when you come back.”
I felt myself being separated from everything. I hung up and started crying.
After calming myself, I walked back out to my uncle’s backyard to speak with
my dad. I wanted to tell my dad everything my mom had done, which wasn’t
just selling my dog. My mother was an irresponsible person who would always
leave me and my little brother alone. She also tends to talk bad about me. It
was one of the things that made me lose confidence in myself and be scared to
tell anyone about her.
“Leaving my mother
was courage that
took me lots of
years to gain.”
During my time living with my mother it was as though she never truly cared
for me. I wanted to build courage and tell someone, but I was speechless and
in disbelief since I grew up thinking mothers loved their children no matter
what. I wanted to speak with my father and seek help, but I never did because
I was scared.
Leaving my mother was courage that took me lots of years to gain. Now, my
father has full custody of me and takes good care of me. If I never had this
courage I wouldn’t be here with my new family. I’m grateful for a family that
shows respect and loves me. Courage got me to where I am today.
I was scared of what would happen, but I knew now was the time to speak up.
“I want to stay with you,” I said to my father in a flash.
“What do you mean? Did something happen?” my dad asked, shifting his full
attention to me. I couldn’t take it anymore. I felt a rush of pressure to tell my
dad everything, knowing that this was my only chance for a call for help.
“Mami doesn’t treat me and my little brother fairly, and I’ve started to pick up
on some toxic behaviors she has been showing,” I said. “I haven’t been treated
nicely in her household.” My dad listened to me. “I don’t want to live with her
anymore,” I repeated. I was so fueled with determination to tell him how my
mom was treating me, so through the pressure I spoke with him and told him
everything that I could. My father understood and took things slowly with me.
I finally relaxed, sitting down with my aunt and letting my body finally calm
down after being so tense.
The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond
Volume XXXI
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