Franco

By Waad Sartawi

We are nothing but the fruit of our childhood. How many children and young people have been deprived of the right to a decent life and ended up in shelters and nursing homes, not all of which are actually cared for. In that situation, it is nothing but friendship and love that gives them a reason to fight and live. We want to rest, we really want to rest. But life has made a promise to itself, which is, in fact, the truest of promises. It has made a promise that it will not leave us indifferent and deprive us of stability. Can we tolerate more? How? We have used all the tools of living and patience. So how can we live longer? Can we live longer at all? Can we?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Mar 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9789948825333

Waad Sartawi

Waad Sartawi is a holder of BA in communication sciences, who also invested more than four years studying human development sciences, life coaching, social development as well as Filmmaking. Sartawi is academically accredited in development coaching by the United Arab Emirates & United Kingdom. In addition, she is a holder of the federal accreditation of the practitioner coaches (Calgary, Canada). Sartawi held human development workshops in various countries including Malaysia, Hong Kong, Georgia, and the United Arab Emirates. She’s interested in Art, Anthropology, mythology, and in all family-related and social disciplines.

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About the Author

Waad Sartawi is a holder of BA in communication sciences, who also invested more than four years studying human development sciences, life coaching, social development as well as Filmmaking.

Sartawi is academically accredited in development coaching by the United Arab Emirates & United Kingdom. In addition, she is a holder of the federal accreditation of the practitioner coaches (Calgary, Canada).

Sartawi held human development workshops in various countries including Malaysia, Hong Kong, Georgia, and the United Arab Emirates. 

She’s interested in Art, Anthropology, mythology, and in all family-related and social disciplines.

Dedication

I dedicate this book along with my heart and soul and all I own to my beautiful mother – my very first supporter and my only love – the only one I seek to fill with a sense of pride for everything I achieve in life as a daughter and a human being!

Copyright Information ©

Waad Sartawi 2022

The right of Waad Sartawi to be identified as author of this work has been asserted by the author in accordance with Federal Law No. (7) of UAE, Year 2002, Concerning Copyrights and Neighboring Rights.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to legal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

The age group that matches the content of the books has been classified according to the age classification system issued by the National Media Council.

ISBN – 9789948825326 – (Paperback)

ISBN – 9789948825333 – (E-Book)

Application Number: MC-10-01-5030178

Age Classification: 13+

First Published 2022

AUSTIN MACAULEY PUBLISHERS FZE

Sharjah Publishing City

P.O Box [519201]

Sharjah, UAE

www.austinmacauley.ae

[phone]

Acknowledgement

I thank God; the One, who listens to what I have to say; the One, who is there every step of the way, and the One, who protects me and lends a hand with all that I want in life.

I thank my lovely small family, who always believed in what makes me happy and what I seek to achieve; especially to the great man, whose steps never parted mine while making this book, Mohammed; my first supporter and the ear that never got bored of my talks!

I thank my laptop and my humble house. I thank myself; my body, heart, and mind! I thank all that got me through this to publish this manuscript in the most challenging times of my life – emotionally and physically!

Last but not least and wholeheartedly, I thank Austin Macauley Publishers. I have never dealt with a private institution that embraces its members the way Austin Macauley Publishers does. Indeed, it has been the driving force behind such great work of art.

An Alarm Goes Off

A group of boys wake up, leave their beds, and head to the door. Franco opens his eyes to meet Steven’s and they smile at each other.

Franco (softly smiles): Good morning!

Steven: Good morning! It seems that you were having a nice dream!

Franco (grinning): Actually, more of a nightmare!

Steven: But you look too calm for someone who was just awakened by one!

Franco: Well, I deal with my nightmares smoothly.

Mr. James enters the room.

Mr. James (scornfully): I hope that you can join us for breakfast and sponge cake, Your Highnesses!

Steven jumps out of his bed.

Steven: Sorry, Mr. James! We are coming right away!

Mr. James looks angrily at the boys before leaving the room. Franco is still in bed. He holds up his hand to grasp Steven’s.

Franco: Stop acting contrite for trivial reasons!

Steven: Let’s move before we get the usual trash talk.

Steven heads Franco toward the dining room. Calmly, Franco steps in and scans the room – as usual. Suddenly, his eyes fall on an unfamiliar face of a stranger with a sharp visage. The stranger is sitting at the table in his fancy clothes next to a woman, who is holding a pen and a piece of paper and taking down notes.

Franco and the stranger exchange looks for a long stretch of time. Franco, who seems to be uncomfortable, pulls a chair and sits at the table while his eyes are still fixed on that stranger.

Franco sits next to Steven and exchanges looks with the latter before directing them to the other boys sharing the table. Finally, he looks at Mr. James.

Mr. Antonio, the head of the juvenile hall, enters the dining room and greets the stranger warmly. He greets Mr. James next and sits at the head of the table.

Mr. Antonio (smiles): Good morning, dear sons! The ones I have always been lucky to have in my life and will always be!

Franco smirks with his head tilting down.

Mr. Antonio (continues): Today is indeed