Burned by Ellen Hopkins Page A
Authors: Ellen Hopkins
Tags: Religión, Fiction, General, Mystery & Detective, Family, Juvenile Fiction, Sex, Psychology, Social Issues, Religious, Christian, Christianity, Parents, Values & Virtues, Teenage girls, Psychopathology, Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance, Aunts, Problem families, Dysfunctional families, Identity, Alcoholism, Drugs; Alcohol; Substance Abuse, Addiction, Nevada, Physical & Emotional Abuse, Novels in Verse, Family Problems, Identity (Psychology), Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), Mormons
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were people like Aunt J. And
Ethan. I wanted to tell her everything about him.
But I knew any letter from me
would never get past my dad.
303
Back to My Birthda
What a celebration Aunt J planned!
We would drive into Cedar City, Utah,
(the nearest "big city") for a shopping
spree. Later, Ethan would join us for dinner and a movie. A movie!
Wal-Mart served as Cedar City's
unofficial "mall." And that was close
enough for me. Stuff. Tons and tons of stuff. Just looking at all that stuff made me kind of delirious.
Sure, I'd been to Wal-Mart before, but never after weeks of feed stores and mini-marts. Aunt J planned on stocking the pantry, and I planned on having a great time helping her.
We strolled along the clothing aisle, commenting on summer fashions.
Aunt J insisted I model blouses and shorts and jeans. Anything I
liked went into the Shopping cart.
304
I couldn't believe it. Store-bought
clothes were like gold in my house.
Owning Wally's was as good as owning Old Navy or even Macy's.
And, hey, they carried Wranglers.
But there was more. Books. Music-- a small CD player and discs to go in it. Pricey shampoo and sweet-
smelling lotion. Makeup. I tried to protest, but Aunt J wouldn't listen.
It makes me happy to see a smile on your face. Besides, Fve got money
growing mold in the hank. Might as well spend a little before I die.
305
We Spent More Than a Little
I won't confess exactly how much, but I'd never before seen a register
ring up a total like that.
(Not even a week's worth
Shopping trip for a family of nine!)
On the way to dinner, I slithered into a new pair of jeans--my very first.
Is there anything quite as wonderful as developing a relationship with brand-new jeans?
Above them went a crocheted shell, soft turquoise in color. Even I had to admit it looked great over the tan of my arms.
(Not to mention muscles, newly
defined by yard work.)
Above that went a light brush of coral blush
(Aunt J said the color went best with my skin tone) and a stroke or two of soft black mascara.
306
Somehow I managed it with only the tiniest smear.
And when I stepped down from the pickup,
I felt a year older. A decade wiser.
Prettier than I'd ever believed I could feel.
That's how Ethan saw me when he found us at the restaurant.
307
They Say the World Sees You
As you see yourself, and that night I saw myself in a different way.
Pretty. Almost desirable.
Ethan's eyes told me I was both. And more.
He kissed me. In front of the whole restaurant. Happy birthday, Pattyn.
We had so much fun at dinner--authentic Mexican cuisine, the real deal.
Before that night, Taco Bell
had defined my total experience with Mexican food.
I let Aunt J order for me.
"Anything but tacos, please. I want to try something new."
Steak fajitas arrived at the table, sizzling and steaming in a cast-iron skillet.
I polished them off and just
I finished up, our waitress plopped a sombrero on my head.
308
Another waitress joined her, carrying three plates of flan. One had a candle in the middle.
They sang "Feliz Cumpleanos," the Mexican equivalent of "Happy Birthday," and everyone clapped.
And as we left for the movie, it crossed my mind that 1 didn't really need a birthday card from home.
309
Aunt J Surprised Me Agai
You two take in the movie without me. I'm tired and it's a long drive
home for these
achin' hones.
I tried to talk her out of her plan, but Aunt J
could be stubborn.
Only so much fun an old woman
can take in one
day. Shoppin'.
Eating tili I'm
ready to bust. . .
I tried to thank her for making my birthday more
special than any before.
310
Pshaw. What are birthday s for?
You'll take good
care of her, won't
you, Ethan? Not too
much candy, hear?
Ethan laughed, kissed her cheek, and promised
I was in very good hands.
311
Perfect Hands, Actually
They opened the Dakota's door, lifted me up onto the seat. Ethan slid under the wheel, sat for a moment, just looking at me.
Do you know
Ethan. I wanted to tell her everything about him.
But I knew any letter from me
would never get past my dad.
303
Back to My Birthda
What a celebration Aunt J planned!
We would drive into Cedar City, Utah,
(the nearest "big city") for a shopping
spree. Later, Ethan would join us for dinner and a movie. A movie!
Wal-Mart served as Cedar City's
unofficial "mall." And that was close
enough for me. Stuff. Tons and tons of stuff. Just looking at all that stuff made me kind of delirious.
Sure, I'd been to Wal-Mart before, but never after weeks of feed stores and mini-marts. Aunt J planned on stocking the pantry, and I planned on having a great time helping her.
We strolled along the clothing aisle, commenting on summer fashions.
Aunt J insisted I model blouses and shorts and jeans. Anything I
liked went into the Shopping cart.
304
I couldn't believe it. Store-bought
clothes were like gold in my house.
Owning Wally's was as good as owning Old Navy or even Macy's.
And, hey, they carried Wranglers.
But there was more. Books. Music-- a small CD player and discs to go in it. Pricey shampoo and sweet-
smelling lotion. Makeup. I tried to protest, but Aunt J wouldn't listen.
It makes me happy to see a smile on your face. Besides, Fve got money
growing mold in the hank. Might as well spend a little before I die.
305
We Spent More Than a Little
I won't confess exactly how much, but I'd never before seen a register
ring up a total like that.
(Not even a week's worth
Shopping trip for a family of nine!)
On the way to dinner, I slithered into a new pair of jeans--my very first.
Is there anything quite as wonderful as developing a relationship with brand-new jeans?
Above them went a crocheted shell, soft turquoise in color. Even I had to admit it looked great over the tan of my arms.
(Not to mention muscles, newly
defined by yard work.)
Above that went a light brush of coral blush
(Aunt J said the color went best with my skin tone) and a stroke or two of soft black mascara.
306
Somehow I managed it with only the tiniest smear.
And when I stepped down from the pickup,
I felt a year older. A decade wiser.
Prettier than I'd ever believed I could feel.
That's how Ethan saw me when he found us at the restaurant.
307
They Say the World Sees You
As you see yourself, and that night I saw myself in a different way.
Pretty. Almost desirable.
Ethan's eyes told me I was both. And more.
He kissed me. In front of the whole restaurant. Happy birthday, Pattyn.
We had so much fun at dinner--authentic Mexican cuisine, the real deal.
Before that night, Taco Bell
had defined my total experience with Mexican food.
I let Aunt J order for me.
"Anything but tacos, please. I want to try something new."
Steak fajitas arrived at the table, sizzling and steaming in a cast-iron skillet.
I polished them off and just
I finished up, our waitress plopped a sombrero on my head.
308
Another waitress joined her, carrying three plates of flan. One had a candle in the middle.
They sang "Feliz Cumpleanos," the Mexican equivalent of "Happy Birthday," and everyone clapped.
And as we left for the movie, it crossed my mind that 1 didn't really need a birthday card from home.
309
Aunt J Surprised Me Agai
You two take in the movie without me. I'm tired and it's a long drive
home for these
achin' hones.
I tried to talk her out of her plan, but Aunt J
could be stubborn.
Only so much fun an old woman
can take in one
day. Shoppin'.
Eating tili I'm
ready to bust. . .
I tried to thank her for making my birthday more
special than any before.
310
Pshaw. What are birthday s for?
You'll take good
care of her, won't
you, Ethan? Not too
much candy, hear?
Ethan laughed, kissed her cheek, and promised
I was in very good hands.
311
Perfect Hands, Actually
They opened the Dakota's door, lifted me up onto the seat. Ethan slid under the wheel, sat for a moment, just looking at me.
Do you know
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