Memoir Gabriel Vargas

When I was seven I moved across the country from Arizona to New York. When we got there I was afraid. I was scared by the height of the buildings and how their gray shadows towered over me. Later we went to our apartment. It was nice. We had gotten a house in Sunset Park.  It was okay we lived across the street from our school.

            I loved school. In the morning standing next to the entrance of the building I could hear the birds chirping.  I could hear the dogs barking, as a bitter early winter breeze blew in stinging my face.  Sadly the sound of kids playing was over only the silent pitter-patter as moms rushed their kids. I quickly joined the group of kids and walked in the entrance. I could smell the sweet smell of perfume as mothers said goodbye.

            Everyday I would daydream trying to make second grade go by quicker. The bell rung signaling the end of the day and I left in silence. Time although flew by when I got home. My mom was in a frantic mood to make her self-look good. It was strange but funny watching her quickly iron her hair, mumbling under her breath, and pacing.

            Then I heard a nock at the door. I opened the door with my small grubby hands and man with a beard and a moustache walked in. He was wearing a fedora, his hair was a black, and his skin was very dark.  My mom walked in front of me and said “Gabriel I would like you to meet Mike”.  I wasn’t stupid though I knew this was more than a friend. This was a boyfriend. He sat down in a chair and as the silence was too unbearable I ran around the room and asked as many questions as I could. Like do you like Pokémon or what’s your favorite TV show. Mike was surprised how easily I had taken the him in.

            I teased my mom chanting “ Mom and Mike sitting in a tree… KISSING”. I ran to Mike making kissing noises. His face scrunched into laugh. He was nice I figured it was going to be fun to have him around. He was playful and fun. We had dinner and we ordered pizza. We watched Teenage Mutant Ninja turtles and played. It was a lot of fun.

            This is the first time I met my stepfather!