I didn’t expect to end up liking these kids, because I never really liked kids. I was introduced to this family all at once, on the fourth of July. I walked into my boyfriend’s uncle’s house and caught 2 of these 8-10 year old kids sneaking red and blue jell-o shots into their bathing suit, nonchalant as the summer breeze. Out of concern, I said something about it to their father. “That’s just what they do, they’re little shit-heads,” is what I was told. I didn’t expect to be taking shots in a kiddie pool with 5th grade kids. But I eventually surrendered to the chaos when I realized there was no stopping them.
Bryanna is 12 years old and AJ is 8. They live with their mother Amber, and stay at their dad’s house twice a week. They have moved around from house to house, residing in Gary, Hammond, and East Chicago. They spend the majority of their time with their cousins Kaylee, Damien, and Julian. It isn’t uncommon for them to all be living under the same roof every once in a while, frequently getting kicked out of wherever they are renting.
In time they’ve allowed me to witness their fear, sadness and anger. I sympathize with them because I know what it’s like to be barely acknowledged, only receiving attention while acting out. I would often thought we really weren’t that different. In staying close to them, I’ve addressed my own former feelings of failure, frustration and rage. Despite being second to drugs and alcohol every day, they find joy in their wild ideas and adventures everywhere they go.
It's in the smaller moments that I admire their quick wit and humor. Like the night I sat with AJ, trying to bring his dead frog (that he accidentally killed) back to life, while the whole house partied around us.
I know one day we will part ways, but for now I hope to support them and be a true friend. Despite everything, I hope they continue to be wild and crazy, because the world is much too filled with dullness.
