... own father, and all that remains of his father is a picture on the wall. Before he regretfully leaves his family, his only escape from the madness inside the walls of their apartment, was the fire escape. For many years it had been saving Tom from a simingly-cramped apartment. The other escape, "the movies," as he would tell his mother, but in reality he was out drinking. Out drinking, and ... she is beginning to suddenly loose control over, and needs to hold on to. When her husband was there things where a lot easier, she holds on because that is the life she deserves. She remembers th...

• Word Count: 1336
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... When life in this tenement world becomes unbearable, she recalls the days of her youth when she lived at Blue Mountain and had seventeen gentlemen callers in one Sunday afternoon. Indeed, this story has been told so often that it is no longer an illusion and instead has become a ... a "slight disadvantage" which is "hardly noticeable". Amanda does not wish to see how Laura's physical deformity affects Laura and causes her the inability to go out, complete the business course and interact socially. Despite Laura's obvious short-comings, Amanda chooses to pretend that there is still hope fo...

• Word Count: 1567
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School

... imagination. Laura's damaged leg began to haunt her throughout high school. Amanda would tell Laura that she just had "a little defect, hardly noticeable even- although Laura believed the students in her class heard the clumping, and "it sounded like thunder" to her. Both Amanda and Laura exaggerate her handicap, and it tore away her confidence in finding friends, making her very shy and unable to ... a world of her own because she does not fit into the world that has been created for her by her mother. Constant expectations are placed upon Laura by Amanda to be perfect. Amanda dictates...

• Word Count: 1784
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... imagination. Laura's damaged leg began to haunt her throughout high school. Amanda would tell Laura that she just had "a little defect, hardly noticeable even- although Laura believed the students in her class heard the clumping, and "it sounded like thunder" to her. Both Amanda and Laura exaggerate her handicap, and it tore away her confidence in finding friends, making her very shy and unable to ... a world of her own because she does not fit into the world that has been created for her by her mother. Constant expectations are placed upon Laura by Amanda to be perfect. Amanda dictates...

• Word Count: 1745
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School