Novel+Study++'No+Time+to+Say+Goodbye'

//Dear Journal,

I didn't want to go to school that day. As usual, though, Thomas made me get up out of the warm bed I shared with Joey and get ready. It was like any other day, I suppose. Except it wasn't just any other day. I could tell that something was off because Mom let us have butter and jam with our warm bread. Mom only ever gave us butter on special occasions or holidays, and I knew there was nothing special that day. What happened in the next few hours is a blur, but I can recall some of it. I remember going up the path to school and Nelson taunting me like always. He was so mean, I always hid behind Thomas, because I knew he would protect me. At school, Sister Theresa introduced us to two men, Agent Macdonald and Mr. Lawson. Then she dismissed everyone save for Thomas, Howard, Nelson, Dusty, Monica and me. Last time Sister Theresa called people to stay behind, it was Charlie and Bernice. That was the last time I'd seen them. She told us we had been given the privelege to go to Kuper Island Residential School, and then before I knew it we were bustled into a shiny black car. I started crying into Thomas's shoulder; I couldn't make the tears stop coming. To make matters worse, Joey appeared and started hanging on to the car, so they took him too. I remember Dad storming after us, shouting at Agent Macdonald that no kid of his was going to Kuper. He tried to punch the Agent but two other men trapped his arms. Agent Macdonald told him that if he didn't stop he'd be sent to jail. Dad stopped struggling, and walked away looking defeated and sad. He didn't even say goodbye. Soon after we were on a boat and heading to Kuper Island. When we got off the boat, we were all hungry and feeling sick. A man called Father Maynard took Thomas away from us, and Joey and I tried to follow. A kind man named Brother Eubieus stopped us and took us to a seperate room. We got new clothes and seperate beds, but that just made it worse. I tried to explain that Joey and I always slept together, but he wouldn't listen. That night, I couldn't sleep. Would it ever get better?

Yours, Wilson

Dear Journal,

It's been about a week since I came to Kuper Island. I feel awful all the time, like every bone in my body is made of lead. I can't eat; I try so hard, but no matter what I do my throat closes, my teeth won't chew, my lips are parched. There's a knot in my stomach that won't loosen, and when I try to eat it tightens. Joey and I had been secretly sharing a bed like back at home, until Father Maynard found out and we got yelled at for it. My days at Kuper pass in a fuzzy haze, and each night, I climb into my cold, lonely bed and feel even worse. Am I dying?

Yours, Wilson

Dear Journal,

Today I woke up in the hospital. Yesterday I passed out in class and a doctor told Father Maynard that I was starving to death. Father Maynard got so red and angry, I should have laughed. But I didn't. It wasn't funny. I// was //dying. The nurse told me that my fever broke, and that I should be well enough to go back to Kuper Island. That is, if I could eat something. Brother Eubieus came in and tried to get me to eat, but I just couldn't. That feeling came back, and I pushed the food away. I let Brother Eubieus down. Again. So, since I can't eat, Father Maynard explained that he didn't have the time or patience to deal with my condition, so I can go home. I was so overjoyed with the idea I nearly burst into tears of relief.

Yours, Wilson

Dear Journal,

I'm home now, thank the Creator. I'm starting to eat again, which is a huge relief to everyone. I worry about Joey and Thomas everyday, and wish that they could be here with me. Mom says they'll be okay, but I still want them here, instead of at that awful place. Mom's calling me now. She promised to make fresh bread, butter and jam, just like that one day when our lives changed forever. I can smell the bread now; it reminds me of my brothers. I miss them, but at least they're okay. And that's really all I can hope for until summer, when I see them again.

Yours, Wilson//