The Neighborhood

By Janice Lister

The Neighborhood is about two sisters growing up in their neighborhood into their adulthood. This is a compelling story that entails many adversities that a person may go through in life. This story of adventure will make you laugh, and it will make you cry. There are surprises in this adventure that will amaze you. You will see how a neighborhood is torn apart and how the neighborhood sticks together. Will it be put back together again? Enjoy The Neighborhood.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Page Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: May 2, 2018
• ISBN: 9781640823495

Book preview

Preface

The Neighborhood is an exciting book that addresses some of today’s problems with positive outcomes. Be ready to laugh, to cry and to be inspired as you travel through these pages of the actions and reactions of a family and its community in this captivating book of The Neighborhood

Chapter 1

You’re not the boss of me! shrieked nine-year-old Annie to her eleven-year-old sister, Julie.

I’m the oldest and the biggest, so I get to go first! shouted Julie as they played jump rope.

Mom, Julie isn’t playing fair! complained Annie.

Mom came to the door, shouting out, If you girls can’t play fair together, then you’re both coming in the house and I’ll find some chores for you to do.

Julie quickly gave in to Annie, saying, Okay, Annie, here is the jump rope. You can go first.

Annie had a grin on her face as Julie gave her the jump rope.

It was a warm, sunny day as the girls played in the yard. They had a cozy home with a white picket fence and a large oak tree in the backyard, which the girls loved to climb. Sundays were a day of worship for the family. Mom would put ribbons in the girls’ hair and dress them nicely for church. This particular Sunday after church, the girls spotted their dad’s sister, Aunt Charlene. She had a tendency to spoil the girls, being that she never had children of her own.

The girls rushed over to Aunt Charlene and their Uncle Sam. The families greeted one another. Aunt Charlene gave the girls a big hug and said, I’ve heard the good news that you girls passed your grades in school. I’m proud of you both! Charlene then looked at her brother, Henry, and sister-in-law, Dorothy, and said, "With your permission, I’d like to take Annie and Julie to see the new movie for children that has just come out, called Pinocchio. It’s a surprise that I have been planning for the girls for this weekend."

Aunt Charlene

The girls were hushed in silence as they listened to Aunt Charlene. Then they began to jump and shout, Oh, Mom and Dad, can we go?

Henry looked at Dorothy and said, Dear, if it’s okay with you, then it’s okay with me.

The girls then turned to Dorothy, saying, Mom, can we please?

Dorothy smiled and said, Yes, girls, you may go.

The girls became very excited. They had seen the previews of Pinocchio on television, and they really wanted to go. The girls were still jumping up and down in excitement as Aunt Charlene continued. Hold on, now, girls. I wasn’t finished. The movie doesn’t start until 7:00 p.m., and I know that after the movie, you girls will be tired. Since I live close to the theater, I would like to know if the girls can spend the night. They can sleep in the guest room. I’ll have them home bright and early in the morning.

The girls began to say, Oh, can we spend the night too, Mom?

Dorothy looked at Henry with questioning eyes, and Henry agreed that the girls could spend the night. Henry explained, You girls remember to behave yourselves. No fussing and fighting with each other. But first, you have to go home and change clothes and then pack an overnight bag.

Henry took his family home after church, and then the girls changed clothes and ate a snack. Henry and Dorothy then took the girls to Charlene and Sam’s home. Aunt Charlene had lots of games for the girls to play with as she cooked supper. The girls played without arguing, and pretty soon, Aunt Charlene was calling the girls to come eat supper.

Did you girls wash your hands? she asked.

The girls said, Yes, ma’am, we did.

As everyone was eating, Julie said, We sure love staying here because it’s so much fun.

Annie replied, Sure do!

Charlene smiled and replied, Well, thank you, girls. I’m so glad that you feel that way. Now, I have another surprise for you, young ladies. Charlene went to the freezer and brought out some ice cream.

Seeing the ice cream, Julie said, Oh, wow, ice cream!

Annie followed, saying, Mmm, I love ice cream!

Both girls agreed that Aunt Charlene was the best aunt in the whole wide world.

Your Uncle Sam made this ice cream for you girls, Charlene said, giggling.

The girls both said, Thank you, Uncle Sam.

Sam said, You’re welcome. You girls have earned it.

Charlene then dished up big bowls of vanilla ice cream for everyone.

After supper, Uncle Sam said to Charlene, Dear, I’m going to lie down on the couch for a little bit before we go to the movies.

Charlene replied, Okay, dear.

Soon, Charlene was waking Sam up. Get up, Sam, it’s time to go to the movies.

Sam quickly responded, Okay, dear, I’m up.

Inside the car, Charlene began singing. Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.

Soon, everyone joined in the singing.

Arriving at the movie, they sat on a row by themselves. Aunt Charlene and Uncle Sam sat in the middle next to each other, while Julie sat on the left of Aunt Charlene and Annie sat on the right of Uncle Sam. As the movie went on, Aunt Charlene said, Girls, I need to go to the ladies’ room. Do you need to go too?

Julie said, Yes, Aunt Charlene, I need to go.

Aunt Charlene looked over at Annie, who was deeply engrossed