I am from the dirty streets where I have to watch my back  second, from the schools where people like to start fights around the hallways.

I am from the neighborhoods where you are scared to come out of your house. 

I am from the comfortable bed, the pages with words on it

and the place where my family lives called home.

I am from the place where we get to eat crabs all day,

and the place where we get sand over our bodies from building sand castles...

I am from the place where I drove around in my mom’s car on Christmas               day to see my grandparents and the snow that covered my uncle’s yard.

From Crystal’s side of the family and Russell’s side of the family. 

I am from the place where I was told about my emotional behavioral disability.
I am from the place where I was told that if boys are mean to you, it means they like you...and that the police are enemies.