50-05 Broadway - JJ

I always attributed JJ's mellow dramatic nature to her growing up on Broadway, yes I mean the Broadway, however in Queens not Manhattan. Although, they were not allowed to be outside, JJ wasn't one to follow the rules, she took every opportunity to get into mischief.

        

      I never understood why I wasn't allowed outside, the people in our neighborhood were so nice, better then the person my mom would have watch me, if I got locked out. Bryndel, worked late into the night and school early in the morning, when he gets out of school he passes out for four hours before going back to work. I learned that if I knock really softly, I can say I knocked he didn't answer and I get to explore Wood-side.

     In elementary school, if I got locked out, there was this really noisy neighbor, Ms. Barbara, if I took one step out of my building. There she was upper body hanging out the window, cigarette in hand, "Jasmine, where you think you going, I'm going to tell your mom you walking around." 

    I'm locked out my bother wont answer

    "Then get your butt in this house, you know you ain't supposed to be outside, trying to be slick."

     I really didn't like her, she is almost as bad as this other women my mom use to have watch me. I loved her older daughter but the mom was so mean; one time she was watching me, I was about three. My mom dropped me off at her house, however she was in the back and the door was still open. I walked out and went to what would be my future elementary school. They called the cops and my mom had to come pick my siblings and I, up from the police station; she was so mad I left. I told her I missed her and grace, I miss being that cute and little, before the beatings started getting really bad. 

     Growing up, I ran away a lot, one time Grace and I got into a fight, I pulled a knife on her and then left the house. I got back 2 am, my mom was pissed, I told her I was at church but she beat me senseless for running away and for pulling a knife on Grace. I think that next day I cut Grace's hair while she slept, not sure but I got beat senseless when I did that too. One time I ran away from home but went to my mom's job, you know she still beat me when we got talking about, I don't care if you came to me, I said don't leave the house. I think she just likes having me as a punching bag.

      You might think I deserved it but I was trapped, I could never leave and I was always getting beat up by Grace. If my mom listened to me when I tried to tell her, she would see that I don't deserve to be beat.