Choosing the wrong path
Author's note: This story contains descriptions about bullying, substance abuse, substance addiction, withdrawal symptoms and criminal behavior. You will also find some rough language. Please don't read if you can't deal with these topics. Although Albert Ingalls is one of my favorite Little House on the Prairie characters, I have to say that his behavior in this story isn't commendable. You should see the story as a warning. No matter what happens in life, consuming drugs (whether legal or illegal) won't be a solution.
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It was a warm day in June when Albert was trying to read one of his medicine books. Usually he was very interested in learning about the human body and medical treatments, but during the last weeks he had problems to concentrate. Too many things were on his mind. Three month ago the whole Ingalls family had moved to Burr Oak, Iowa. Leaving their beloved Walnut Grove was very hard for everyone, but after a long and cold winter the financial situation of the family was so miserable that there was barely a choice. Charles had to sell the farm, and so the Ingalls' were forced to start a new life in the city.
Albert closed his book and looked out of the window. It was late, but there were still people on the streets and wagons passed by. Although he had lived in the city for some years when he was a little boy, all that noise felt strange to him. It seemed that the city never slept. When Albert thought about the next day, his stomach started aching. He had never really complained about school as long as he had lived in Walnut Grove, but going to school in Burr Oak was different. The school building was so big that he always feared to get lost. Every subject was taught by another teacher, and so he had needed almost two weeks to keep all the names in his mind. The other pupils avoided him most of the time because he was just the boring country boy for them. But the worst thing was, that he couldn't go to school with his younger siblings anymore. Albert was sixteen years old now, and so he had to visit a school for older pupils while his siblings visited a school for younger children.
Albert pulled down the lamp and went to bed. After a little while, he could hear a creaking door downstairs. He knew it was his father. Albert sighed. He remembered all the evenings in Walnut Grove where the whole family sat at the table, having supper, sharing stories and laughing with each other. This was also different since they had started their new life in Burr Oak. Charles couldn't join the family for supper, because he was too busy with working. Albert didn't blame his father, because he knew there was no other way to earn enough money. Life in the city was expensive, but he wished his father could spend more time with him and the rest of the family. Albert turned around, trying to find some rest, but he needed a long time until he finally drifted off to sleep.
The next morning started hectically. Carrie couldn't find her history book and Albert helped her searching. The rules at school were very strict, and he didn't want that his sister would get into trouble because of a forgotten book. James and Cassandra were already waiting when Albert and Carrie hurried downstairs. There was no time anymore. They just waved Caroline goodbye and left home in a haste. After James, Carrie and Cassandra had arrived their school, Albert started running. He gasped for air as he reached the main building of his school. He rushed through the corridor and arrived at his classroom the moment the school bell was ringing. Albert's classmates were laughing and whispering, but he didn't really care. All he felt was relief because he wasn't very eager to get extra work for being late.
After two double lessons in history and mathematics, Albert sat down on a bench outside. It was lunch break and time for eating the sandwiches his mother had prepared for him, but he wasn't very hungry. He felt tired and his tight shirt bothered him. He didn't know if he would ever get used to this uncomfortable school uniform he had to wear. Albert sighed. Seeing all the other pupils talking and laughing with each other reminded him that he hadn't made any friends so far. He opened his math book to get the folded paper that he kept inside it. It was a letter from his sister Laura that had arrived two days ago. Albert smiled when he started reading it for the third time. Laura had always been his special sister, and she still was. He missed her every day, but her letters helped him to deal with his loneliness.
"Hey Albert," a sharp voice interrupted him.
Albert stopped reading and recognized that he was surrounded by a group of boys. In front of him stood Jeremy, one of his classmates who bullied him since that day he had started school in Burr Oak.
"What are you reading? A love letter?" Jeremy asked provocatively.
"Nobody would ever write a love letter to that dirty country boy," another boy said maliciously.
The whole group started laughing at Albert.
"I'm just eating lunch. Maybe you should do the same," Albert answered. Those boys had bullied him so many times before, that he didn't feel hurt or angry anymore. He just wanted them to leave him alone.
Suddenly the school bell was ringing and all pupils hurried back to their classrooms. Albert was glad that recess was over. His next lesson started with a spelling test, but he couldn't concentrate. He wished he could spend time with his friends in Walnut Grove. He missed playing baseball and going fishing.
After another two hours, school was over. Albert felt relief. Just a few more days until summer break would start. He had already made some plans with his siblings and hoped that things would get better soon.