As I look in the mirror for the eighth time I realize, they will never love me. There I said it. Maybe I should just kill myself now and get it over with. I hear Aunt Petunia coo to her precious Dudders as they are leaving. I suddenly realize that for the first time Uncle Vernon has forgotten to lock me back in my cupboard! Freedom! I listen closely for the sound of the auto leaving. I race to the kitchen to finally get something to eat. As I finish my sandwich I wonder if I just left would anyone notice I was gone. I saw a telephone number on the wall at my school. It was for a crises hotline. It said to call if you were sad or lonely. I move slowly to the telephone, did I dare? Would they find out? I slowly lifted the hand set and listened to the dial tone. I stared at those numbers on the telephone so hard. If only I had someone who cared about me, about Harry, then things might not be so bad. But, if Vernon ever found out I was sure to get it.
I did it! I called the crises hotline. Of course when some man answered I hung up quickly. I called back and a nice lady answered. "Crises hotline, we're here for you". I started crying in relief and some fear. "Hi, my name" "Oh no dearie we don't use names here. We want you to feel safe, so we can help you better". "Um okay, I uh well this is the first time I've tried to get help, so I don't really know how this works". "That's okay dearie you just start talking when you feel comfortable. You can say anything you like". "Well, I'm an orphan and I live with my Aunt and Uncle. Sometimes my uncle gets mad at me. He mostly yells but sometimes he hits me." "Does he discipline you or hit you where he leaves bruises?" "Sometimes I have bruises. Sometimes he hits me with the belt other times with hit hands. I've even been kicked a few times. I know if I could just do all my chores faster and neater then he wouldn't be so angry with me". I heard the auto and quickly hung up the telephone.
That was a close call. I started calling the crises hotline every chance I got. They really cared about what I was going through! I had almost thrown away my hope, but there it was, A beacon that I could depend on. It has been two years since I started calling the crises hotline and I don't think I could survive without their support. Well good night to me. Tomorrow is my birthday and I will turn eleven!