Short Stories

3. Boulevard of Broken Families

OK, please don't hate on this short story that I wrote for you today. It means a hell of a lot to me. My favorite Aunt Lisa died in July of 2005 of an overdose the day before my cousin's birthday. At her funeral, they played "Wake Me Up When September Ends" and Boulevard of Broken Dreams". I don't care what you say, but I will always have respect for Green Day. My Aunt Lisa's death was a lesson, to teach myself and others it's not the end when it's the end for some (if that makes sense). My cousin, guess where he is now? He's a rapper. And my mom? She spends most of her time outside and every time she does, a blue butterfly will land on her, not a orange butterfly or red butterfly... always blue... my aunt's favorite color.

Green Day - Boulevard of Broken Dreams

I walk a lonely road

The only one that I have ever known

Don't know where it goes

But it's home to me and I walk alone

Growing up, I had a rather large family so I was rarely lonely or bored. I grew without a dad, but only a caring grandmother, a strong mother, 5 aunts and 4 uncles, 3 older siblings and 2 cousins. As time passed, I noticed that the house became less crowded. As fewer entered the threshold, more left our lives. I found less and less people to go to, to talk to. When I grew to the age 6, I moved out of that same house with one senile grandmother, a tired mother, 3 older siblings, 2 aunts, 1 uncle and 2 cousins. Everywhere I turned, my jokes were denied, my dreams were crushed, and my prayers were ignored. I found myself losing people who I thought to be friends or lovers. I lost myself.

I walk this empty street

On the Boulevard of Broken Dreams

Where the city sleeps

And I'm the only one and I walk alone