Broken Window Part 1

The whole story didn’t really have a beginning. But it has to start somewhere. So I’ll start it here.

I just wish my grandfather didn’t die. I wish there was no such thing as cancer. Life would be easier, literally.

He was the governor of the town, the one who made all the rules, just like a king. The last time I saw him he only said the same few words.

“Don’t give up—never. When one window closes, another will open.”

I never saw him again.

*****

August 5^th, 1965. It was a day I will never forget.

We were called to the center of the town. No explanation, no news on what was going on. We waited for a long time before the new governor stepped out.

“Ladies and gentlemen of this town,” he began. “Now that you all know I am the new governor, thanks to the tragic death of former governor Dr. Lyndon Y. Cooper.”

I swallowed and blinked. ‘Thanks to?’ ‘Tragic death?’How could he say these so easily?

“Due to this change, this town will be going through many modifications. First of all, we will use a new currency.”

What was wrong with our old money? Was he trying to start us up poor?

“And next, the largest favor I may ask of you. I have decided that, to support the town better, every family my only have one child.”

He had decreed that all families could only have one child? But… I was… I had an older sister! Did that mean I was completely illegal?

The crowd argued for a clear response to the announcement.

“I know that this will be very hard for some families. But it is for the better.”

How was it for the better? How could this happen?

But before long, I was hearing plaudits of approval to this new rule.

The meeting was dismissed. Many children were crying. I failed at keeping myself from doing so, too.

As soon as we reached the house, I ran upstairs to my room and cried.

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This is a PART OF a story I wrote for my English class... More coming later!