CDC

If you have any concerns or questions about COVID-19, please, please for the love, go to the CDC website. They will have the most accurate information you need.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

SEA by Heidi R. Kling


Haunted by recurring nightmares since her mother’s disappearance over the Indian ocean three years before, fifteen-year old California girl Sienna Jones reluctantly travels with her psychiatrist father’s volunteer team to six-months post-tsunami Indonesia where she meets the scarred and soulful orphaned boy, Deni, who is more like Sea than anyone she has ever met.

She knows they can’t be together, so why can’t she stay away from him? And what about her old best friend-turned-suddenly-hot Spider who may or may not be waiting for her back home? And why won’t her dad tell her the truth about her mother’s plane crash? The farther she gets from home, the closer she comes to finding answers.

And Sea’s real adventure begins.


I can't believe this was a debut novel.
The writing was simple and moving.
The story was moving and impressionable.
The characters were impressionable and complex.
The relationships were complex and real.
The character arcs were all amazing! And I enjoyed watching Sea change and grow. I felt her growth.
Ms. Kling painted a beautiful picture of life and love from something was devastating to so many.
This story portrays that life can go on and can be good.
And I TOTALLY didn't predict the twist.

Rating: PG 13
L: None
V: Tsunami aftereffects
S: Kisses

Page 69 test:
"...front row of tsunami kids, a curtain of black hair falling out of her jilbab, veiling an eye.
She looked just like the shy girl in the video! The one I wanted to meet. I smiled at her, hoping she'd notice me, but she didn't.
"Orphans from Papua, please stand."
The Aceh kids sat down and about fifty other kids stood up. Tom whispered to me that many of those kids suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder too,l because many witnessed their parents' deaths in street riots.
His words hit me like an anvil to me chest. If yo bottled up all the trauma in this room...I couldn't even imagine. And these kids were my age and younger. Suddenly I was very glad we were here. Like Dad said--these were people who really needed his help.
"Thank you, children," the owner said, and then he turned to Team Hope. "The Acehnese orphans have prepared a special welcome ceremony for you. Children?" he nodded to the crowd and led us against the wall, where we were apparently supposed to watch.
A dozen mixed-age boys stood up off the floor and carried gold and red drums entwined with dark leather straps to the front of the room.
One of the boys stood out immediately.
He and his drum were the tallest, broadest, most striking. The other boys' eyes were only on him, silently..."

BELIEVING CHRIST by Stephen E. Robinson


Author Stephen Robinson illustrates the power of the Savior as he uses analogies and parables, such as his own bicycle story, and scriptures and personal experiences in this moving, best-selling book. -Mortals have finite liabilities,- he explains, -and Jesus has unlimited assets.- By merging the two, exaltation can come. As long as we progress in some degree, the Lord will be pleased and will bless us. We must not only believe in Christ but also believe him - believe that he has the power to exalt us, that he can do what he claims. People will better understand the doctrines of mercy, justification, and salvation by grace after reading this book.

I learn a lot more about gospel principles when they are applied to real life situations, found in stories or used as a parable. Stephen Robinson used all these ways to help his readers learn to believe Christ, not just believe in Christ. Those two are different. When we believe Christ we know He will help us return to Him. He will forgive us as we repent. And He knows and loves us.

Rating G

Page 69 test:
"Of course not, and in much the same way, God, our rich Heavenly Relative,offers us his kingdom by grave, by doing for us what we can't do for ourselves. But he also requires that we acknowledge and accept the offer by faith in Christ, repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost. Then as long as we keep the gospel covenant, the grace of Jesus Christ is "sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify." The scriptures are clear--as long as we keep the covenant, the grace of Christ is not simply necessary, but sufficient for our salvation. (See Ether 12:27; Moro.10:32-33.)
But we must agree to this arrangement. When we accept Christ and enter into his covenant, the demands of justice, which are demands for a perfection we do not have, are met by the grace of God, and we are saved. Thus the saving principles of the gospel covenant are offered to us as a favor, as an act of grace and goodwill. But we can still refuse grace. We can resist God's love and reject his covenant. Christ stands at the door and knocks, but he never kicks it in. We must open the door.
FAITH VS. WORKS
For centuries theologians have argued pointlessly over whether individuals are faced by faith or saved by works."

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

THE WIT & WISDOM OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN by James C. Humes

My hubby bought this book for me when he and our Scouter boy were at Gettysburg. Love it!
I'm kinda cheating on this review because I haven't finished the book. I plan to leave it on my nightstand and randomly pick it up and enjoy Lincoln's wisdom. And wit.
He was an amazing man!

Rating: G

Page 69 test:
""OLD BUCK" PASSES THE BUCK
As the term of the fifteenth President wound down to its end, James Buchanan wrestled with the insurmountable problem of avoiding war. Many of his own cabinet members were open Southern sympathizers.
"Old Buck," as Buchanan was once affectionately referred to by his friends, had expected his presidential term to cap a distinguished career in public service-as a senator, secretary of state, and minister to the Court of St. James in London. Instead, he found his reputation crumbling in the final year of his term. The ordeal had visible aged Buchanan.
As Buchanan rode down in the presidential carriage from the executive Mansion to the Capitol for the inauguration ceremonies, he said to President-elect Lincoln:
"If you are as happy coming into this office, as I am in leaving it, you are the happiest man in America."

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

THE LAST BOOK IN THE UNIVERSE by Rodman Philbrick


It's the story of an epileptic teenager nicknamed Spaz, who begins the heroic fight to bring human intelligence back to the planet. In a world where most people are plugged into brain-drain entertainment systems, Spaz is the rare human being who can see life as it really is. When he meets an old man called Ryter, he begins to learn about Earth and its past. With Ryter as his companion, Spaz sets off an unlikely quest to save his dying sister -- and in the process, perhaps the world.


Apocalyptic story about life after the Big Shake. The majority of the population live in awful conditions--no running water, no food, no peace--while a small portion live in "Eden."
The main character, Spaz, is epileptic, which is a pretty big weakness, dontchya think?
He is on a quest, which crosses many battle lines, to help someone. He travels with an old man and a young boy. Quite the group. They meet several engrossing characters along the way.
I liked the story. The possibility of good and happiness. And writing your own story.

PG 13:
V: Post apocalyptic fighting
L: Slang
S: No



Page 69 test:
"...light hits it the wreckage glitters like diamonds, but Ryter says that's only chunks of broken glass, and that many a man has diedlooking for treaue that doesn't exist.
"The only real tresure is inside your head," he says, tapping the side of his skull. "Memories are better than diamonds, and nobody can steal them from you."
Staring up at the scrapers makes me feel extra small. "Why did they buld them so high?" I ask him.
"Because they could, I guess."
"But weren't they afraid of earthquakes?"
"Not afraid enough," he says. "I don't suppose nybody really nows how bad a thing can be until it actually happens."
The sun is barely visible through the smog, but Ryter sys if we keep it over our left shoulders and walk straight ahead, we'll get where we're going, no problem. We trudge along for a couple of hous and in all that time we don't see another living thing. No weeds, no insets, nothing Just ruins melting into dead sand, Not even the rats are dumb enough to live this close to the Edge, which is fine with me.
We seem to be alone, but I keep getting this creepy feeling that something is watching us. aybe the scrapers themselves. I don't know if the old buildings..."

Saturday, August 21, 2010

THE ADORATION OF JENNA FOX by Mary E. Pearson



Seventeen-year-old Jenna has been told that is her name. She has just awoken from a year-long coma, and she's still recovering from the terrible accident that caused it. Her parents show her home movies of her life, her memories, but she has no recollection. Is she really the same girl she sees on the screen?

Little by little, Jenna begins to remember. Along with the memories come questions—questions no one wants to answer for her. What really happened after the accident?

In this fascinating novel, acclaimed author Mary E. Pearson presents an unforgettable look at one human life and a glimpse into a possible future that may be closer than we think.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book but I guessed the twist early on. I enjoyed watching Jenna learn and grow through the story, from a coma patient with no memory to a strong girl who found she could live with herself.
This story reminds of the movie...no, I can't tell you or it would give it away.
It's an intriguing look at what could realistically happen in the future. The story made me reevaluate my feelings on...ah, can't tell you or it would spoil the story.
There was at least one loose end in the form of Dante. Why was he 'empty' as Jenna says he is??
The only twist I didn't totally see was at the end. I was worried about the ending but it was ironic and good.

Rating: PG
S: None
V: None
L: a few slang words

Page 69 test:
"Dane saunters past me and plops onto the couch. He is full of smiles. He seems to be the happiest of the group.
"You can put your stuff in there, if you like, " Allys tells me, pointing to a cabinet behind the library tables, All I have is a small knapsack containing my vial of nutrients, but I go ahead and wk to the other end of the room to put it away
"Wrong!" Dane calls out. "I stand corrected. You are one of us."
I turn back to him. "Pardon me?" I say.
"Your feet?"
"Leave it, Dane."
"What? We're supposed to pretend she doesn't walk funny?" Right, Allys. And you've got all your digits, and Ethan has a magnetic personality."
"Eat it," Ethan says and falls back into one of the sling chairs.
Gabriel slinks into the corner and sits at a Net state, looking small and thankful to be under the radar.
Allys works her way back to her chair. "Learn to ignore him, Jenna. The rest of us do."
I walk funny?
"It's okay," I say. "I had an--" Don't discuss the accident." --an illness. I'll be better soon."
"That's what we all say," Dane answers.
Dr. Rae breezes into the room "Jenna, you're here. Welcome! And You've all been getting acquainted. That's nice."
Nice.
I need to look that word up again."

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

LET'S DO LUNCH by Roger Tory Wilson



With this Revised and Updated Edition of Let's Do Lunch, you eat until full in all the food groups, including all you want ofunprocessed starchy carbs, the sweetest fresh fruits and fruit smoothies, lean red meat, corn thins, cheese, healthy fats, veggies, whole-grain cereals and crispbreads, dark brown and wild rice, snacks, dressings, condiments, and sauces. But because these foods stabilize your blood sugar, your body forces you to become less and less hungry with each passing day. Thus, you begin to eat less and less, consume fewer and fewer calories, and lose all the weight you want.

In Let's Do Lunch, Roger Troy reveals:

  • Eat until full whenever you are hungry, no matter how often that is and no matter how many calories you consume (even if you start by eating 10,000 calories a day)-thus eliminating your hunger cravings.
  • Your body can't tell the difference between starchy carbs, so when you eat the Let's Do Lunch starchy carbs, it eliminates your cravings for the fattening starchy carbs.
  • Your body can't tell the difference between sugars, so when you eat the sweetest fresh fruits and fruit smoothies, it eliminates your cravings for all the foods made with fattening sugar in them.

If you want to read about and talk with other Let's Do Lunchdieters, go to www.letsdolunch.com and click on "message boards." Once you do, you'll want to get started on this program right away.

I think with any diet plan you have to take a little salt with a little sugar and make it your own. What I liked about the plan: Eating lots of fruit! Substitute low-fat.

What I didn't like: Eating lots of beans! I REALLY hate chili, Lima, kidney etc, beans.

I'm willing to try eating more fruit before breakfast, more protein at lunch and a small dinner. The author goes over cravings, eating out, what to eliminate from your diet, gives a 14-day meal plan, ideas on what to buy and not buy and recipes.

There are quite a few yummy recipes.

What I got out of the book: eat lots of fruits and vegetables; don't eat fattening foods like sauces; figure out what you are craving and fix it with a fat-free version; taylor the diet for you.

AND! Eat lots of frozen grapes!


Rating: G

Page 69 test:

"Confronting What You Are Really Craving

After I had cleared our home of all the wrong foods,I was pretty proud of myself And then the day came when I had a sudden, unbelievably strong craving for pizza. A craving is an uncontrollable lusting for something you've found extremely pleasurable in the past. Believe me,I was listing for pizza on that day!

Fortunately there were no pizzas in the house, and I had no pizza coupons. In the time that it would have taken me to look up the phone number for my favorite pizza delivery service, I satdown and ate a mountain of frozen grapes. That got me through.

Later that night, I realized that what I was really craving was the cheese on the pizza. I hadn't thought to analyze just what portion of the pizza I was desiring. The good news was that I knew how to satisfy that craving in a less fattening way. I ended up eating a half-slice of fat-free cheese melted on a couple of wholegrain fat-free crispbreads (no sugar).

Another time when that craving for pizza hit me, I ate as much as I wanted of Little Mary's Pizza soup (see chapter9). these were the least fattening choices that tasted the best to me. And eating this way worked! I don't remember how much I ate of Pizza Soup at that time, but I now this, my craving was satisfied, and I didn't consume nearly as many calories as in a family-size pizza, which was my usual portion in those days. My cheese craving was also satisfied in two ways:

Real Food Original Corn Thins, with a slice of tomato and half-slice of sharp fat-free cheese melted on top."

THE REMARKABLE SOUL OF A WOMAN by Dieter F. Uchtdorf



If you are feeling overwhelmed with change, challenges, or checklists, you may wonder how you can partake now of God's happiness and find your pathway to peace, hope, and joy. With loving insight, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf addresses two attributes that contribute to our Heavenly Father's perfect happiness the power of creation and service with compassion. As a treasured daughter of our Heavenly Father, you can develop those remarkable abilities as well as find happiness in the journey. In The Remarkable Soul of a Woman, President Uchtdorf's timely thoughts on creating and being compassionate will buoy you up, give you strength, and help you realize what a great power for good you truly are.

This booklet is the talk President Uchtdorf gave at the Relief Society General Meeting in September, 2008. I LOVE the cover of this book. I keep it on my side table just because I think it is so pretty. And of course I LOVED the talk as I know so many women did. It's a powerful talk on our role in life.
It's the perfect book to give any woman you love and it's perfect for any holiday especially Mother's Day.

There are only 50 pages in this book so I can't do a page 69 test. Instead, I'll leave a few quotes from the book:

"The desire to create is the deepest yearning of the human soul...we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before."

"In the end, the number of prayers we say may contribute to our happiness, but the number of prayers we answer may be of great importance."

"As a spirit daughter of our Heavenly Father, happiness is your heritage."

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

The Strange Case of the Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger


In this funny, uncannily wise portrait of the dynamics of a sixth-grade class and of the greatness that sometimes comes in unlikely packages, Dwight, a loser, talks to his classmates via an origami finger puppet of Yoda. If that weren’t strange enough, the puppet is uncannily wise and prescient. Origami Yoda predicts the date of a pop quiz, guesses who stole the classroom Shakespeare bust, and saves a classmate from popularity-crushing embarrassment with some well-timed advice. Dwight’s classmate Tommy wonders how Yoda can be so smart when Dwight himself is so clueless. With contributions from his puzzled classmates, he assembles the case file that forms this novel.

I really enjoyed the total realistic, gross, weird, humorous viewpoint of sixth graders!
I also enjoyed the "case studies" done by the main character on crumbly-looking paper.
And who wouldn't enjoy making their own Origami Yoda from the instructions at the end of the book?
Excellent read for boys! And girls will like it too.

Rating: G
S: none
L: none
V: none

Page 69 test:
"...bags into my backpack and an old Elmo backpack I used to use. U had to leave all my books at home. And then I put on my winter coat and stuck the rest of the bags into all the different pockets. It was still a little chilly outside so I didn't look too crazy, I hop.
As soon as I got to school, I crammed it all in my locker.
Yoda had been right about there being an assembly. It was Mr. Good Clean Fun. Mr. Good Clean Fun comes to our school every couple of months to talk about how we should was our hands after using the bathroom and take baths and things like that. His puppet is a singing monkey.
Mr. Good clean Fun does his show for one grade at a time, and us sixth-graders weren't having our assembly until 1:30, the beginning of seventh period.
Now, remember that everybody had heard Dwight?Yoda the day before at lunch, so everybody knew what I was doing. And they asked me about it all day long.
"You really brought the Cheetos, Quavondo? I don't believe it," said Tater Tot. It was working already! He called me by my name and not Cheeto Hog!"

Friday, August 13, 2010

HOW TO TAKE THE EX OUT OF EX-BOYFRIEND by Janette Rallison

Boyfriends are supposed to be loyal, caring, and handsome. Giovanna's boyfriend, Jesse, has perfected the last two. But when her twin brother, Dante, runs for student body president, Jesse doesn't support Dante, choosing to campaign for his opponent instead. Shouldn't the fact that Jesse is Giovanna's boyfriend count for something? So Giovanna dumps Jesse and becomes Dante's campaign manager. But as the political debates heat up, Giovanna begins to regret breaking up with Jesse, and realizes that maybe her decision wasn't the political strategy she should have used . . . .

I LOVE JANETTE RALLISON'S BOOKS! And that's my review!

Rating: CLEAN

Page 69 test:
"...few steps away to take the call in private while I stared at my shoes and wondered if it wold be lethal to eat a pair.
I mean, let's face it. There was a much greater chance that I'd be sawing up a pair of high heels than there was that Jesse would e chewing down chunks of his cowboy boots.""Giovanna!" Jesse motioned me over to where he stood and pushed the mute button on his phone. "I thought it was Dante, but actually it's your stepmom." One of his eyebrows rose, and he tilted his head at me. "Do you have any idea why she would holler at me for being with you at the mall?"
"She's pretty much psychotic," I said.
"Could it be you didn't tell her you were coming here?"
"Well, that too."
He shook his head and handed me the phone.
I released the mute button and held the phone to my ear. "Hello?"
That's really all I got to say. The rest of the phone conversation was Gabby screaming at me because she'd come home early in order to supervise the garage cleanup, and I'd disobeyed her and gone off the the mall.
"Don't think there won't be consequences for running of with your boyfriend after I told you that you couldn't..."

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

AWAKENING AVERY by Laurie Lewis

"You're depressed," the doctor declared. "Ya think?" is author Avery Elkins Thompson's sarcastic response to the astute diagnosis for the malaise that set in following her husband's untimely death. Avery's carefully controlled world is imploding, and her adult children fear they are losing her too. "You're just a shadow of the person you used to be...We'd gladly give you up for a while if it meant getting you back." Avery can't write, and questions about their father's death leave the family mired in pain. "We need a healing place," her oldest son tells her, suggesting she find it on Anna Maria Island, Florida, a former family vacation spot. When Avery returns to Baltimore to sell the family's waterfront condo, she meets rodeo-ers-turned-real-estate-brokers Teddie and Rider Davis, and Avery's quiet life will never be the same again. The Davises help arrange a short-term house swap with widower Gabriel Carson from Anna Maria, whose overprotective parenting has resulted in two self-centered, twenty-something daughters. Avery and Gabriel are in for the summer of their lives as they step into one another's messy, complicated worlds. Still, venturing out on her own again is challenging for Avery, whose experiences at the Ringling's magnificent Ca d'Zan mansion, and with the quirky characters she meets there, eventually awaken her to truths she has long forgotten - that as crazy as life can be, it is possible to laugh and love again.

I haven't read any work by this author and after reading this book I might try her other works.
Avery, the main character, has lost her husband and in a sense, has lost herself. She travels to a favorite family place to find and renew herself. Along the way, she meets and introduces us to many intriguing people.
Laurie has given us a book with many characters and their stories, all woven together. I had no problem picturing each character and hearing their voices. Like the Texans, Teddie and Rider (I'd like to meet them), or George and his cooking. Laurie has layered them with depth as well as their lives. I found myself laughing, sorrowing and feeling frustrated with them.
I would have liked more of Gabriel's(older love interest) back story instead of adding it in at the end.
This is a good, clean story with great insights into others souls which turned me to search mine.

Rating: PG
V: None
L: None
S: None

Page 69 test:
"Gabriel closed his eyes and shook his head. "What have I gotten myself into?" he asked himself as he shoved the phone in his pocket. He had to face it. He was committed to this move now. As miserable as that that was, it was the way things were. He pulled the phone out of his pocket and started dialing, amazed that he could recall the number so readily. Voicemail took over and the familiar voice invited him to leave a message.
"Mark. It's Gabriel Carson. Listen, I...i, uh...I'd like to uh...Heck, I know you don't owe me the time of day, but I was wondering if you would meet me at the Sandbar around noon. There're some things I'd like to square with you. If you can't make it I'd appreciate a call back, but it would mean a lot to me if you'd come. I hope to see you then. Thanks.'
He checked his watch and headed for the Star Fish Company to buy some stone-crab legs for their Thursday-night supper. It was the girls' favorite , and he wanted to do something special for them tonight. He tossed the crabs into the company fridge and called his brother-in-law Tino in. The swarthy, squat, fifty-ish man ambled in with a big smile on his face. "You want to talk with me?"
Gabriel pointed to a chair. "Tino,I took that Maryland job."
Tino's bushy salt-and-pepper eyebrows arched in surprise. "You really did it?"
Gabriel tapped a pen against his desk planner. "Yep, I really did it."
"Wow. How are the girls taking the news?"
"Not good. I told them a couple of days ago, but it didn't seem real to me until today. Sorry I didn't tell you sooner."
Tino waved a hand of absolution in the air." For what it's..."


Monday, August 9, 2010

THE UNWRITTEN RULE by Elizabeth Scott

Another sweet and funny coming-of-age novel by the author of bloom; Perfect You; Something, Maybe; and Living Dead Girl.

From the back: He's looking at me-well, like he wants to look at me. Like he likes what he sees, and he's smiling and his eyes are so blue, even in the faint glow of the porch light they shine, and I nod dumbly, blindly, and then grope for the door handle, telling myself to look away and yet not able to do it. "Sarah," he says, softly,almost hesitantly, and my heart slam-bangs, breathing hard, and this is what it's like to want someone you can't have. to want someone you shouldn't even be looking at.

Easy, quick (finished it in about four hours) read about a girl who's obsessed with her BFF's boyfriend, Ryan, whom she's had a crush on since eighth grade. Three-fourths of the book is Sarah wanting said boy but not wanting to hurt her friends feelings.
Sarah has a parents who are kind and loving with a bit of quirkiness thrown in. She's loyal to Brianna because she rescued her from a bully in kindergarten. And yet, Brianna is always saying cutting things to Sarah like you'll get a boy soon enough when you grow up or comb your hair, it'll look better.
Brianna (BFF) has divorced parents who use her as a pawn in the their games. Brianna comes into her beauty and likes the power she has over boys. She also likes that she can leave them when they get too close. But Brianna would like a boy to really love her, say the words and not leave her even though she doesn't have the same feelings in return.
There isn't much depth to the characters or story.
I did like the writing style, though, so I might check out a different book by this author.
Teen girls might enjoy this book.

Ratings:
V: No
L: 4-5 "F" bombs at the climax plus a few other swear words
S: Kissing. A couple make-out scenes that aren't detailed.


Page 69 test:

"I have to look perfect," she says. "All you have to do is talk to him for a few minutes."
"Brianna--"
"Fine, don't talk. Just do homework with him. You can do that, right? You were going to do homework tonight anyway."
"Brianna," I say again, but she races upstairs,calling out, "You're the most awesomest ever, Sarah Bear," and I know that nothing short of Ryan himself going upstairs will get her to come down before she's ready.
I grab my homework and try to figure out where to sit. On the weird little bench by the front odor?
No, because then it will look like I'm waiting for him and I--
Well, the thin is, I am."

Friday, August 6, 2010

LOOK AGAIN by Lisa Scottoline


When reporter Ellen Gleeson gets a “Have You Seen This Child?” flyer in the mail, she almost throws it away. But something about it makes her look again, and her heart stops—the child in the photo is identical to her adopted son, Will. Her every instinct tells her to deny the similarity between the boys, because she knows her adoption was lawful. But she’s a journalist and won’t be able to stop thinking about the photo until she figures out the truth. And she can’t shake the question: if Will rightfully belongs to someone else, should she keep him or give him up? She investigates, uncovering clues no one was meant to discover, and when she digs too deep, she risks losing her own life—and that of the son she loves. Lisa Scottoline breaks new ground in Look Again, a thriller that’s both heart-stopping and heart-breaking, and sure to have new fans and book clubs buzzing.

How would you feel if the child you adopted was on a missing persons postcard? What would you do to find the truth? That is what happened to Ellen. The story had me intrigued from beginning to ending with kidnapping, murder and a smattering of romance thrown in. Plot twists and turns kept me guessing. I guessed a big twist but not the last one.
The only complaint I had was the ending was a little too convenient but by then I really wanted Ellen to win.

Rating: PG
L: None (that I remember)
V: One scene with bad guy and guns
S: None

Page 69 test:
"...crayoned drawings, a king-size box of skittles, sympathy cards, and a mound of spray-painted daisies and sweetheart roses, still in plastic wrap. a sign handwritten in Magic Marker read WE LOVE YOU, TEEF, and a few candles sat around it, unlit in the cold and wind. Lateef Williams was denied the smallest measure of warmth and light, even in death.
Ellen felt a wrench in her chest. She didn't know how many children had been killed in the city last year, but she could never get used to the idea. She never wanted to get to the point at which a child's murder was old news. She fed the car some gas and pulled into a parking space , then gathered her things to meet Lateef's mother.
Laticia Williams was twenty-six, with a slim, pretty face, narrow brown eyes, high cheekbones, and a prominent mouth, devoid of lipstick. Long earrings with wooden beads dangled from her earlobes, showing just under chin-length hair colored reddish. With her jeans, she wore an oversized black t-shirt that bore her son's photo and the caption, R.I.P. LATEEF.
"I appreciate you coming," Latiica said, setting a mug of coffee in front of Ellen as they sat at her round table. The kitchen was small and neat, the cabinets refaced with dark wood and the Formica counters covered with Pyrex oblongs of cakes, cookie tins, and two pies covered with tinfoil, which Laticia had said were "Too ugly" to serve.
"Not at all, I appreciate your talking to me at a time like this," Ellen said., having already expressed her condolences. "The only think I hate about my job is barging into people's houses at the worst time of their lives. Again, I'm so sorry for your loss."
"Thank you," Laticia sat down with a weary smile, showing the old rim of her front tooth. "I want it to be int he paper, so everybody know what's happenin'. So they know kids are gettin' killed every day. So it's not just a number, like Powerball."
"That's the point. That's what I'm here to do. Make them see it and understand what it's like to lose Lateef this way."