by G E Barr

Created on: April 14, 2009

Early In The Morning

It is 4:43 a.m. and I am still awake. My son slumbers peacefully on the sofa. He and I had a rather strange evening, listening to strange noises in the ceiling above our walk in closet. We knew the man who lives upstairs was doing something, but we don't know what exactly. It sounds like he's working on the boards. I have renovated the apartment above mine twice in the past year. The floor in the closet was perfect. A wood floor.

He has some problems and I've tried to make light of the situation. Things just keep getting stranger. I am keeping a notebook journal on this.

"What if he comes through there and tries to kill somebody?" My son asked me with wide eyes.

Isaac is a good kid. I've seen him grow so much since he's been back home with me. "You sleep on the sofa and I'll keep watch tonight." I told him. And keep watch I have. Because I don't know what the guy in the apartment above ours is capable of. I'll deal with all the particulars tomorrow.

As I sit here, I think of what Isaac said. I've seen a lot of wierd situations in my life. I was inculcated into the insanity of this county when I was five years old. I know what it is like to be beaten down and not being allowed to defend myself. I understand just an inkling of what slaves went through. One's vocabulary shrinks and one's ability to analyze and really think is diminished.

One becomes an idiot of sorts.

That was the plan for my son, Isaac. To beat him down, tag him a pervert and destroy him. Probably before he was ever born. I've watched my son 24 hours a day for over a year now. ( Except for the 48 hours I spent in jail due to a corrupt cop.) He understands privacy and boundaries. He is well mannered. And he is annoying, like most teenage boys are.

When he first moved in with me, it was like a perfect stranger had come to my home. He was obsessed with video games and said little. He was grieving for his father, who'd died in his presence. He was worried about his dog. A beautiful dog who'd been left in the boonies in a back yard. We went to get his dog. We went to get his personal treasures.

He went from fourth grade level math to ninth grade level this year. He is beginning to understand some things about early America and why it is so important for us to know what the constitution says. He is learning about patience, and self control along with discipline.

To his credit, he doesn't cuss like I do. Nor does he smoke or drink alcohol. I'm very proud of Isaac's accomplishments this year, which includes some French basics and basic algebraic equations.

So you see, I don't mind taking watch, as he sleeps. He's worth it. He is beginning to derive confidence from his achievements. A confident mother can and often does raise a confident son.

I am not inconvenienced by my son. I am inconvenienced by a system which fosters the sort of man who lives in the apartment upstairs.

Yes, I know a little about overcoming challenges.

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