by Arianna Townsend
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by Arianna Townsend
Ty’shawn was going home after a fourteen hour shift at The Shop, he was tired from working on people’s cars all day. As he was walking down the stairs to make it to his train, he unlocked his phone and saw a myriad of missed calls from his girlfriend, Carla. He didn’t want to call her back because he had caught her stealing money from him the night before, and he knew she would start yelling and he didn’t want to cause a scene in front of the other passengers. He just wanted to be left alone, but she would keep calling his phone and he knew if he didn’t answer the phone soon, when he went home she would be fuming, and all he wanted to do was take a hot shower, eat dinner, and go to sleep. Ty’shawn picked up his phone and pressed her contact, before he could utter a syllable, Carla was already yelling at him. She was saying things like, “So, you can’t pick up the phone?” and “Oh, so you think you can ignore me?” Ty’shawn refused to react to her tirade, but then she called him a bum. Ty’shawn was a lot of things in life, but a bum wasn't one of them, he worked everyday since he had turned twelve, and tried to make a better life for himself. Carla had gone too far. First she tried to steal and now she was calling him out of his name. She crossed the line. Ty’shawn was so angry he could barely gather his thoughts. As a reflex he said, “I wanna break up.” He knew that he had meant it because he felt major relief, but he noticed Carla had gone silent. He stayed on the line for a few more moments and then said he was moving out that night, and that she didn’t need to worry about him being a “bum” and mooching off of her. As soon as the period hit, Carla was screaming at the top of her lungs, “You’ll be nothing without me!...You’ll regret this!!...You’ll never find someone like me!!!” And he was happy because he didn’t want to find anyone like her ever again. Ty’shawn noticed that Carla was still screaming but her voice had drifted away from the phone and then grew louder. This pattern repeated a few times with Carla, in full fury, screaming into the phone, “Well, since you want to leave, your clothes are on the lawn waiting for you! Your shoes are next!!” Ty’shawn was angry, frustrated, and felt absolutely murderous. But, he knew he had to keep his composure and began taking deep, calming breaths to try and rein in his thoughts. They were only partially effective. He settled on suing her for destruction of property. He told himself, ‘Putting her in jail is better than putting her in a body bag’. To be continued….. By Christian Cazorla and Janielys Moya
*BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP* sounded my alarm obnoxiously. “Here we go again” I said before taking a few breaths in and out and walking over to the bathroom to get ready for work. Once I finally finished getting ready, I walked over to the kitchen and saw my sister. “Morning Jessie!”, she said, a wide grin on her face. “Morning, any coffee left?” I asked. “Yea right over here oh and by the way, grandma called about mom today, said she wasn’t doing so well. Make sure to give her a call whenever you have a chance.” “Ok, sure no problem. Thank you, see you later.” “Have a nice day, see you later!” I walked out of the house and toward my car. As I got in and started making my way to the hospital, I sighed with relief as the route I usually take was surprisingly empty. As half an hour passes by, I finally make it to the hospital and park in my usual spot. Before heading in, I looked around the parking lot, but only saw Amanda’s car. “Hey maybe today won’t be so bad.” As I walked in I greeted the receptionist and quickly jogged over to the elevator as the doors were slowly closing. “Hold please!” I yelled out. Dr. Rodriguez stuck his hand out and held the door for me. “Thank you.” I said as I pressed eight. I got to the eighth floor and nodded my head at Dr. Rodriguez before walking to the locker room. I greeted the other attendings as I hung up my coat. “Is Sarah coming in today?” I asked Amanda. “I'm not sure, but hopefully not. We had another argument the other day because I simply told her that she looked like a zebra with her new highlights.” I laughed, “You guys are ridiculous, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say it. Weren’t you guys ever taught that?” “Okay, but she always has something to say. It’s extremely hard to work with her. I just hope we’re never put in the same operating room together cause I swear we’ll kill someone.” She laughed. I grinned while nodding my head, “Hopefully it’ll never come to that point.” We both walked out together and headed to the coffee cart for a pastry. Me and Amanda Martienz have been good friends since our internship, but with Sarah Parker transferring to our hospital, I’ve been exposed to this side of Amanda that I’ve never seen. She brings out the worst in her, I just hoped Amanda would get over it because peacemaking is exhausting. As we both headed towards the cart, we saw Sarah parking her car and as she walked towards the front entrance, she spotted me and Amanda. “Don’t start.” I whispered to Amanda as Sarah got closer. “Hey Jessie! Amanda.” “Sarah.” Said Amanda. “Hey, how are you, want some coffee?” “No thank you, I‘ll have some from the break room. I have to check in, I’ll catch you guys later.” As hours passed of going on rounds and checking up on a few patients, me, Amanda and Sarah were all in the break room catching up on paperwork from last night. Things were all quiet until suddenly the room nearly shook when all of our pagers went off. They read “ASSISTANCE NEEDED URGENTLY IN OPERATING ROOM 802”. Without saying a word we all looked at each other before quickly getting up and racing down the hall into the operation room. “QUICK! MARTINEZ AND PARKER SCRUB AND GET IN HERE.” she yelled over the screaming heart monitor. “What about me?” I asked as I watched the nurses gown both Amanda and Sarah. “Do you need me as well?” “No. Two’s enough, you can leave.” I stopped washing my hands mid scrub and aggressively dried my hands before taking a quick glance on to the operating table. “Mom?” I said confusedly as I looked at the lifeless looking patient lying on the table. “MOM!” I bursted into the operation room with tears running down my face, “THAT’S MY MOTHER!”. “You need to get her out of here!” Said the head surgeon sternly. “Call security.” “Jessie you are breaking the sterilization wall, you need to get out for the sake of the patient.” “What’s wrong with her?” I said shakily. “WHAT’S WRONG WITH MY MOTHER!” Before anyone had the chance to answer me, two other nurses had come to take me out the room. “No please, you don’t understand, I have to help her.” As I tried to fight back, I felt my body getting weaker and weaker until I finally broke down and they aided me to the waiting room. Minutes felt like hours as I sat down and waited to hear back from the doctors. After three hours pass, I finally see the head surgeon along with Amanda and Sarah head my direction so I quickly stand up. “Did she make it, is she okay? What happened?” I asked. “I’m so sorry to inform you that your mother unfortunately didn’t make it.” Everything else that was said after that sounded indistinguishable as millions of thoughts started to race through my head and tears started rushing down my face. I was numb, the only thing I could feel was anger. “WHAT DID YOU DO, WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE DIDN’T MAKE IT?!” I yelled. “She experienced a complication during surgery and we weren’t able to save her.” Said Sarah. “WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU COULDN’T SAVE HER?! YOU WEREN’T QUALIFIED ENOUGH TO OPERATE ON HER, YOU ARE CONSTANTLY MAKING MISTAKES AND MAKING A JOKE OUT OF THIS JOB. YOU NEED TO BE FIRED IMMEDIATELY!” Sarah stared at me in awe, seconds away from breaking down in front of me. “Okay, I think it’s best we all calm down. Jessie I am so sorry for your loss, but we did everything we possibly could. I understand you’re grieving, but I think it’s best if you take a breather and go for a walk.” Said the head surgeon. I walked away, but rather than taking a walk, I just went home. I couldn’t stand to be in that environment anymore, to see Sarah’s face. I just needed time to myself, to breathe and regather myself. I got in my car and without letting anyone know, I made my way home. THE END By Adilene Diaz Torres
Women have long faced many obstacles in the world of entertainment, and it certainly has been more difficult for women to succeed in the music industry compared to men. Although the path to success hasn’t always been easy, many female musicians have been able to overcome the obstacles, which are mainly gender issues, and have been able to create a name for themselves in a challenging industry. Among these women is Stevie Nicks, an icon in her genre, who is currently the only woman to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, once with British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac and then as a solo artist in 2019. Nicks was able to achieve this level of recognition not only in the male dominated genre of rock but in her solo career as well. Dealing with fame also led to many issues for Nicks, including health and body image issues which caused her to decline in popularity, as according to Grunge, “female fans could no longer identify with the once fairy-like singer, and sadly, they listened to her music less.” This caused her to listen to her audience and shed weight due to loss of album sales. Nonetheless, she was able to overcome this issue and was declared “The Reigning Queen of Rock n Roll” by Rolling Stone. Not to mention, she influenced many of today’s popular artists such as Destiny’s Child, Taylor Swift and Lana del Rey. Another female singer who has had a lasting legacy in music is Selena Quintanilla, who popularized the then-new genre of Tejano music so well that she is now known as the “Queen of Tejano music”. Selena’s album, “Ven Conmigo” was “the first Tejano album to achieve gold record status” after surpassing 500,000 copies sold, according to Biography.This was especially groundbreaking because she achieved these accomplishments and crossed the Spanish language music industry to the American music industry with success. Her success was so extraordinary that she was able to perform sold out shows at the Houston Astrodome, adding to the lists of artists who have also performed there such as Elvis Presley and the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Unfortunately, she was assassinated at the age of 23 at the peak of her career by Yolanda Saldivar, but she has left a legacy for women and Latinas in music. In the world of rap, Nicki Minaj has become one of the most influential women in her genre, with Billboard crediting her for putting “female rap back on the map”. Nicki Minaj has received 10 Grammy nominations from 2011-2016 , . She became the first solo female rapper to perform at the Grammys in 2012 and was named in TIME’s 100 list of the world’s most influential people. With this, it is undeniable that Nicki has a tight grip on the rap industry, in which it is notoriously difficult for a woman to succeed and make a name for herself, especially for a woman of color. By Fabiany Carbajal
For the tears of our children Price tagging our people Has become easier than tagging our clothes Regressing to our steeples Quicker than we can diagnose The cases of the endless pain Will they always be in vain? We sought normality in redesigned So we rewrote it in our minds Now as what we wanted arrives We’ve once again begun losing lives When does desensitization go too far? When does reacting become overreacting? Statistics rise and efforts lower Mourning ensues with lesser exposure The ways our streets sing will never be over Will it? What exactly is a life worth? Is it the price of a two-trip metrocard? Or the latest iPhone on the market? Could it amount to the 451 pages in our bags? Or the scraping 76 cents in our pockets? And instead of wondering what a life is worth How come the reasons aren’t unearthed? Who is adding materialistic value to human life, and why? How long are we to view stories as dystopian Rather than our own custodians Until when will we ask to be safe Rather than living the government blame? For the hope deluded by all By Fabiany Carbajal
Cry with me in the motions Of a thousand oceans Peel your layers off for me, dear Let me see all to which you adhere Lose yourself in the chilling atmosphere Of what you brew, emotions A frozen painting Capturing the staining Of how your existence clashes with mine Yet there continues to be framing Of deceptions to which I am blind Cold coalitions Taint yourself in blue To bask in the situation Of the uncertain hues I can’t be unused So let me be the boat That guides you to an end by Rebecca Miralrio and Genesis Aviles
There was one conversation that started it all. It was a rainy morning on October 3rd. When I was walking towards the supermarket to get some milk and eggs for breakfast I saw Tyler and Evelyn arguing. They then entered the supermarket. Not thinking much about it I then went to the dairy aisle. As I was reaching for my oat milk I could tell that Tyler and Evelyn were in the next aisle by their loud dispute. They were just yelling at each other so I couldn't make out every word. But, suddenly Evelyn stopped talking and I heard Tyler say “You better not say anything to anyone.” “I won't.” Evelyn replied. “Promise?” He asked. “I Promise.” She responded. As they headed out I continued to buy my oatmilk and picked up a carton of eggs. After I paid and started my walk home, I spotted Tyler and Evelyn out of the corner of my eye. I tried not to stare but something told me to look. They walked toward their car and opened the trunk and I saw a hand stick out of a trash bag. It was covered in blood. My face became hot as an uneasy feeling overcame me. I couldn’t believe what I had just seen. I quickly picked back up my groceries, my legs feeling weak as I stumbled. They turned around and I saw Tyler coming at me with a look in his eyes. I started running with no hesitation. A block down I turn back and see that they are still following me. “Damn it,” I thought as they started chasing me. I kept running and I made so many turns trying to throw them off my trail. I saw a large gate that led to an empty parking lot and I headed for it. As I’m climbing my sandal falls off but Tyler starts catching up to me so I left it. After about what felt like 20 minutes of running, they lost sight of me and I limped home with one sandal. I get home and tend to my foot. It was bleeding because I stepped into some broken glass. I called out for my mom but then I remember she was off on a business trip. All night I’m worried sick thinking about the infinite number of things they may have done. Millions of questions running through my mind: “Who is the person in the trunk?” “Did they kill them?” “Why are they doing this?” “Why is this happening to me?” I decided not to immediately go to the police because I was scared and I would feel more secure if my mom went with me. Why would the police believe a 17-year-old who is reporting the town's high school sweethearts? On top of that I have no proof. I don’t think I am lying just simply withholding the truth. I try to sleep but I feel like I am drowning in a pool of lies and secrets. Not to mention my foot throbbing with pain. After staying up all night trying to process what I witnessed I start getting ready for school. I head to school frightened by the idea of running into Tyler and Evelyn. Which was nothing new because they were popular and I was an outcast. Your classic high school drama. All-day I was in a constant state of battle with myself. “Should I turn them in?” “Would they hurt me if I did?” “Would anyone believe me?” After all, Tyler's mom was the Chief of Police. I thought about it all day. From the first period all the way to the last I was completely distracted. I usually pay attention in science because it’s my favorite class, but today even science couldn’t take my mind off of what I had witnessed. The day dragged on and I did not run into Tyler or Evelyn. Or so I thought. As I am headed to my car I see Tyler and Evelyn standing next to it. I thought about running but they were bound to find me. So I keep walking. “Sky nice to see you again,” says Evelyn sarcastically. “We need to talk about what you saw.” “I didn’t see anything, what are you talking about?” I say. “Cut the crap Sky” Tyler responds. “Look, my moms waiting for me at home. If I'm not there she will get suspicious. Why don't we meet up later? I'm willing to talk to you, nothing bad has to happen.” I say hoping they will believe me. “Okay meet us at the park at 6. Don’t try anything you’ll regret.” Evelyn said with her snarky voice. I wasn’t lying about my mom; she was supposed to be back from her trip by the time I got home. Once I get home I’m welcomed with hugs. My mom is very caring. I wanted to tell her what I saw but she would just worry and I had to meet them and see if they would confess to what they did on tape. They may be popular but they aren’t the smartest. They probably won’t suspect a thing. At 6:00 I press record on my phone and head to the park on my bike. I saw them by the swings. As I approached them I could feel the tension between them. “Good. You actually came. I thought we would have to track you down.” said Tyler “Let’s just get this straight, you saw nothing. You went to the supermarket and then straight home.” insisted Evelyn. I could tell she was worried because she was as red as a tomato and shaking. “I know what I saw Evelyn. You have to explain or else I’m going to the cops. You don’t scare me the slightest bit.” I was scared and I was going to the cops either way but she didn’t need to know that. “We did nothing wrong. At least not on purpose.” she cried “Evelyn shut up.” Tyler yelled as he grabbed her arm and shook her. “Look I just need to know what happened. If it was an accident like you said, maybe I can help. But you need to tell me what went down.” They stared at each other. “We were just messing around. We didn’t think this would happen. We were just having a good time.” Evelyn pleaded. Tyler looked at her with a deadly stare. “We were on the way home and Lila was already drunk because we went to an after prom party. Tyler took a pill and offered Lila and I some. I advised her not to since she was already drunk. But, Tyler made her feel like a wuss and pressured her into taking it. I was driving so it was best for me not to take any.” I didn’t personally know Lila but she was the sweetest out of their friend group. The smartest too. I couldn’t believe Lila would be dumb enough to do that. Tyler has to pay for this. "We weren’t thinking. But now we don’t know how to cover this up. You have to help us. We’ve been lugging the body around in my car. What should we do with it?” Evelyn asked. Now I know why they were at the supermarket. Their car probably reeked of the dead body. Then I realized the aisle next to the dairy aisle is for cleaning supplies. “I’ll help by not talking to the cops. I’ve done all I can. This is your problem.” I said “If you speak a word of this to anyone I will find out and you will be sorry you did.” Tyler threatened. I grabbed my bike and headed home. When I got home, I saw my mom in the kitchen. I wanted to tell her what I did but I was exhausted and thought it was best to tell her the next day. When I woke up and saw her eating breakfast, I decided to tell her everything, even the recording. She began to yell “Why didn’t you tell me this earlier? You could’ve died.” I expected this. She had a right to yell at me. What I did was risky. She downloads the recording on her phone and laptop so we have backups. She grabs her purse and takes me down to the station. On the ride there I explain that we may not be taken seriously and we might end up seen as the bad guys. My mom didn’t care; she just wanted to do what she thought was right. When we get there we are welcomed by Tyler’s mom, Sheriff Jones, who I was hoping was off. My mom tells me to sit while she talks to her. She then brings me to an interrogation room and my mom follows. I sit in the cold metal chair and stare into the two-way mirror waiting for someone to come take my statement. To Be Continued... |
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