1 Chapter 1
I never knew me muddah, but me fadah told me she was great. Dat was when he was still alive. Before ya get anymore confused I'll tell ya about me. Me muddah died when I was born. I then lived wit me fadah an' me bruddah, five years older den me, in our two bedroom apartment.
Every day me fadah would go work at a factory an' me aunt would take care of me bruddah, Sam, an' me, Julie. Don't get da wrong idea 'bout me fadah. He really loved us an' came home as soon as he could but he got barely enough money at da factory ta support us. Me fadah would always tell me a story ev'ry night before I fell asleep. Most of da time it was a fairy tale wit a prince charmin'.
Our life continued happily dis way til me aunt died of tuberculous. Me fadah had no choice but ta leave me an' Sam home by ourselves. Da was okay because Sam was 15 an' I was 10. At foist Sam an' me would sit at home but den Sam got restless an' went t' explore New York. He of course dragged me wit him. Foist we'd look in shop windows. We did dat for about a week before Sam got bored wit it.
One day after looking in the usual shops, Sam ventured into a part of New York we'd never been to. It was rather run down area. We saw a building with lights on. Sam pulled me to the window. There were four or five men sitting around a table. Sam's curiosity got the best of him and he led da way into the restaurant. The bell above the door announced our arrival. The men turned around and looked surprised to see us.
"Aint ya a little too young t' be in heah?" one man with brown hair and a few gold teeth asked. Sam's hand held mine tighter and I could tell he was scared.
"No" he answered a bravely as he could.
"Well den come sit down an' join our game" said a man with blond hair that I thought badly needed a cut and washing.
Sam pulled me over to the table where we sat down. The brown hair man delt the cards. He tried to deal me some but I pushed them away. I didn't trust them. They then started their game of poker that Sam willingly participated in. I just sat next to him looking at the clock every five minutes wishing the hands would move faster.
Finally the clock struck five and I nudged Sam and whispered in his ear that we'd better get home. Sam looked at the clock and thanked the men for the game. On the way home I told Sam that I didn't like those men.
"I don't see why ya wouldn't like 'em. Day were nice t' me. Plus I came out a couple of dollahs ahead" Sam replied. For some reason I knew day had done dat on purpose.
I never knew me muddah, but me fadah told me she was great. Dat was when he was still alive. Before ya get anymore confused I'll tell ya about me. Me muddah died when I was born. I then lived wit me fadah an' me bruddah, five years older den me, in our two bedroom apartment.
Every day me fadah would go work at a factory an' me aunt would take care of me bruddah, Sam, an' me, Julie. Don't get da wrong idea 'bout me fadah. He really loved us an' came home as soon as he could but he got barely enough money at da factory ta support us. Me fadah would always tell me a story ev'ry night before I fell asleep. Most of da time it was a fairy tale wit a prince charmin'.
Our life continued happily dis way til me aunt died of tuberculous. Me fadah had no choice but ta leave me an' Sam home by ourselves. Da was okay because Sam was 15 an' I was 10. At foist Sam an' me would sit at home but den Sam got restless an' went t' explore New York. He of course dragged me wit him. Foist we'd look in shop windows. We did dat for about a week before Sam got bored wit it.
One day after looking in the usual shops, Sam ventured into a part of New York we'd never been to. It was rather run down area. We saw a building with lights on. Sam pulled me to the window. There were four or five men sitting around a table. Sam's curiosity got the best of him and he led da way into the restaurant. The bell above the door announced our arrival. The men turned around and looked surprised to see us.
"Aint ya a little too young t' be in heah?" one man with brown hair and a few gold teeth asked. Sam's hand held mine tighter and I could tell he was scared.
"No" he answered a bravely as he could.
"Well den come sit down an' join our game" said a man with blond hair that I thought badly needed a cut and washing.
Sam pulled me over to the table where we sat down. The brown hair man delt the cards. He tried to deal me some but I pushed them away. I didn't trust them. They then started their game of poker that Sam willingly participated in. I just sat next to him looking at the clock every five minutes wishing the hands would move faster.
Finally the clock struck five and I nudged Sam and whispered in his ear that we'd better get home. Sam looked at the clock and thanked the men for the game. On the way home I told Sam that I didn't like those men.
"I don't see why ya wouldn't like 'em. Day were nice t' me. Plus I came out a couple of dollahs ahead" Sam replied. For some reason I knew day had done dat on purpose.