Task 001: Childhood and Family
death tw, child neglect tw
&& Defining Moment
“Good job, bud,” his father smiled, one that actually reached his eyes, as he skated graceful circles around the rink. Nolan had wanted to play hockey as soon as he realized his father loved watching the game and the man had been all too happy to oblige when he asked him to teach him to skate. He couldn’t remember a moment when he’d been happier, he couldn’t remember a time when his dad had actually paid attention to him for so long. It was like he’d finally found the key, like he was finally good enough. He was on top of the world.
He heard a buzzing from the pocket of his dad’s nice jeans and the smile dropped from his face. Answering the phone, his attention fell away from Nolan just as quickly as it’d come, and before he knew it he was being tugged off the ice. They were leaving - a work thing, he’d been told.
He could still feel the chill from the ice rink long into the night.
&& Questionnarie
Where are you from? Did you ever want to leave? Why?
“I’m from Beacon Hills. I wanted to leave all the time and I did pack my backpack and run away a lot, but I never got out of the city limits. I didn’t know where I’d go so...I just went back to my parent’s house.”
Who was your family there? Did you have a close relationship with them?
“My family was me. My parents were there sometimes, but not enough to be family so...no, I didn’t have a close relationship with them. I didn’t want one and they didn’t want me, so it was a win-win, I guess.”
What was your favorite activity when you were a child? Why did you like it so much?
“I liked reading a lot, I still do. You can do it by yourself and escape far away from the mundanity of life without leaving your room. It’s amazing, it was amazing. I used to spend a lot of the time at the library, my nannys would bring me there if I asked them enough times and I’d work my way through the fiction section. I think I’ve read most all of what they have now.”
Who did you play with the most as a child? Or were you alone?
“I played most with Gabe, but I didn’t meet him until sixth grade. I wasn’t alone before then, I just didn’t have...friends. I had people I talked to.”
Who was the most influential person in your life? Did you love them?
“The most influential person in my life was Gabe. I did love him, I guess. Love is weird, no one really tells you exactly what it’s supposed to feel like without going all wishy-washy and acting like it’s all a fairy tale. I don’t even know if I know what love feels like, but if I had to guess then yes - I loved him.”
What was the most valuable lesson they ever taught you?
“The most valuable lesson he ever taught me was...um...you never really know all of someone. There are always some sneaky parts that people keep hidden until they can’t anymore.”
Are they still alive? Do you keep in contact with them? If they’re not alive, what has their death taught you?
“He was dead. I watched him die. But now he’s not and I don’t know if I ever want to see him again. His death made me feel alone, his death made me want to die, but it also taught me that nothing is permanent. No one is permanent. Not even if they say they’ll always be there.”
How often were you told “no” as a child? Did you ever listen?
“No one ever told me no. No one cared what I did, not even when I did things that should’ve been...punished.”
What’s your biggest regret from your childhood?
“I’ll always regret meeting Miss. Monroe. I wish I’d never spoken to her, I wish I’d never told her anything.”
What are you the most proud of from your childhood?
“I’m proud of the time I won the spelling bee and the short stories I used to write. I’m proud of teaching myself how to draw and I’m proud of myself for staying alive this long.”
