70 S.W. 878

170 Mo. 335

HOAGLAND
v.
FOREST PARK HIGHLANDS AMUSEMENT CO. et al.

Supreme Court of Missouri, Division No. 2.

December 2, 1902.

LOST GOODS — RIGHTS OF FINDER — FALSE ARREST — ASSAULT — PLEADING — GENERAL DENIAL — INSTRUCTIONS — EVIDENCE — VERDICT — PUNITIVE DAMAGES — COMPENSATORY DAMAGES — NECESSITY.

1. Plaintiff found a pocketbook in a place of amusement, when he started for the ticket office, to leave it there. The office was closed, and he was accosted by three of defendant's employés, who each asserted himself to be the proper person with whom the pocketbook should be left. Plaintiff refused to deliver the pocketbook to any one except a uniformed ticket seller or police officer, when defendant's employés assaulted and arrested him, and took him to a policeman, who took the pocketbook, but refused to continue plaintiff's arrest, which defendant's servants demanded. Held, that an instruction, in an action for unlawful arrest and assault, that the amusement company had a right to exercise reasonable care to protect the property of the true owner, inadvertently mislaid or lost upon its premises, and that if defendant and its manager only endeavored to obtain from plaintiff valuables so found, to keep them for the true owner, their request was not unreasonable, and defendant had the right to eject plaintiff on his refusal to comply with their request, using such force as was necessary, was erroneous, where the property had been lost, and plaintiff, therefore, as the finder, being entitled to its possession as against every one except the true owner.

2. The instruction was also erroneous as not supported by the evidence, since the assault was not committed for the purpose of ejecting plaintiff from the premises, but in an unlawful arrest.

3. Where plaintiff sued for an unlawful arrest and assault committed by defendant's employés for his refusal to deliver a pocketbook he had found on the ground in defendant's place of amusement, and defendant pleaded a general denial, such plea was insufficient to present a defense that it was the defendant's duty to protect lost property, and that, if plaintiff unreasonably refused the request of defendant's employés to deliver the pocket book, defendant was entitled to eject plaintiff from the premises, using such force as was necessary.

4. Where plaintiff was assaulted and arrested by reason of his refusal to deliver a pocketbook found on defendant's premises to defendant's employés, evidence of defendant's system in making a record of lost articles, and of its advertising the finding of the pocketbook in question, was inadmissible in an action for such assault.

5. In an action for assault and unlawful arrest, a verdict assessing plaintiff one cent punitive damages, and finding no compensatory damages, was erroneous, since actual damages must be found, as the predicate for the recovery of exemplary damages.

6. A jury found that defendant arrested plaintiff, and cursed and abused him, with no lawful excuse whatever. Held, that he was entitled to have damages, to some extent, assessed in his favor.

[70 S.W. 879]

Appeal from St. Louis circuit court; Wm. Zachritz, Judge.

Action by George A. Hoagland against the Forest Park Highlands Amusement Company and another. From a judgment awarding plaintiff one cent punitive damages, he appeals. Reversed.

Charles & Lackey, for appellant. Rassieur & Rassieur, for respondents.

BURGESS, J.

This is an action for $5,000 damages alleged to have been sustained by plaintiff by reason of an unlawful arrest and assault and battery by the employés of the defendants of and upon him. On the evening of June 24, 1898, plaintiff was at Forest Park Highlands, a place of amusement and refreshment in the city of St. Louis, operated by defendant company, all parts of which are open and free to the public, except the open-air theater, which is fenced off from the rest. He attended the performance at the theater, and, after its close, sat down at one of the tables, which were scattered about the grounds, when he found a pocketbook lying on the ground. He at once started with it to the ticket office, for the purpose of leaving it there. The window was closed, but, in his efforts to attract the attention of those within, he was observed by the head waiter, who asked what he wanted. When told by plaintiff that he had found a pocketbook, this man claimed that he was the proper party to whom to deliver it. Another employé then approached, and he likewise claimed to be the proper custodian. A private watchman then came up and informed plaintiff that he was the right man to take it; and finally defendant Scherf was called, and, after telling plaintiff that he was the manager, demanded that plaintiff give it to him. Plaintiff refused to do so, telling each of the men, in turn, that he did not know him, and that he would deliver the pocketbook only to the ticket office or to a uniformed police officer. He had not shown it to any one, and, except for his statement, they would not have known he had it. His refusal angered the men, — particularly Scherf. They became violent, abusive, and profane in their language to him, and thereby attracted a large crowd. He handed his card to each one of them, but they all refused to take it. After detaining him some time, and refusing all the while to comply with his request to get the ticket office open or bring a police officer, Scherf ordered the others to arrest him. This they did. They took plaintiff from the ticket office, in the southern part of the grounds, to the street-car entrance, on the north, — a distance estimated by different witnesses at from 200 feet to 200 yards. Here they found a policeman, who took the pocketbook, but refused to continue the arrest, although Scherf demanded it. Plaintiff's clothing was disarranged, and he was so roughly handled that that night he found on his arms marks made by the two watchmen. They cursed him, and were violent and abusive. There was a large crowd, composed of people who were sitting around at the tables, and people who, like plaintiff, had attended the theater, and were starting home. The jury gave plaintiff no compensatory damages, but gave him one cent punitive damages! Having moved unsuccessfully for a new trial, plaintiff appeals to this court.

The only points urged upon this appeal for a reversal of the judgment of the trial court are error in giving instruction No. 5 on the part of defendants, and that the verdict was against the evidence, and must have been the result of bias or prejudice.

The instruction complained of reads as follows: "The court instructs the jury that the defendant Forest Park Highlands Amusement Company not only had the right, but was in duty bound, to exercise reasonable care to protect, for the true owner, all valuables inadvertently mislaid or lost upon its premises; and if the jury find that the defendant company and Henry Scherf, its manager, only endeavored to obtain from the plaintiff valuables so found for the purpose of keeping the same safe for the true owner, then their request was not unreasonable, and the defendants had the lawful right to eject the plaintiff from said premises upon his refusal to comply with their request, and in doing so the defendants could use such force as was necessary."

The argument is that the statement in this instruction that the request of the defendants for possession of the pocketbook found by plaintiff was not unreasonable is incorrect, because the defendants had no right to its possession. All of the authorities hold that the finder of a lost chattel is entitled to its possession as against all other persons, except the true owner. The finder has a special property in the chattel found, sufficient to maintain trover against every person except the true owner. 2 Kent, *356 (Lacy's Ed. 1892, p. 453); Darlington, Pers. Prop. 35-37. And generally the place in which it is found creates no exception to this rule. Hamaker v. Blanchard, 90 Pa. 377, 35 Am. Rep. 664. In that case a domestic servant in a hotel found in the public parlor a roll of bank bills. She immediately informed the proprietor of the hotel, who suggested that the money belonged to a transient guest of the house, and received it from the servant, to hand to him. It was afterwards ascertained that the guest did not lose the money, and upon demand by the servant for the return of the money the proprietor refused to return it to her. She brought suit for the money, and it was held that she was entitled to recover. In the case of Bowen v. Sullivan, 62 Ind. 281, 30 Am. Rep. 172, an employé in a paper manufactory, while engaged in assorting a bale of old paper purchased by the proprietor for manufacture, found certain lost genuine bank bills inclosed in a clean, unmarked, and

[70 S.W. 880]

undirected envelope, which had formed part of such bale, and, for the purpose of ascertaining whether they were genuine, delivered them to the proprietor, upon his promise to return them, who, upon demand, refused to do so, whereupon the finder instituted suit for their value. Held, that she was entitled to recover the value of the bank bills, as against the defendant. Durfee v. Jones, 11 R. I. 588, 23 Am. Rep. 528, the plaintiff had bought an old safe, and soon thereafter instructed his agent to sell it again; he in the meantime having permission to use it. The agent found between the outer casing and the lining a roll of bank bills, belonging to some person unknown, whereupon the owner of the safe first demanded the money, and then demanded the safe and its contents as they were when the agent received them. The agent returned the safe, but retained the money. In an action brought by the owner of the safe for the money found, held that, as against the plaintiff, the agent was entitled to retain the money, and that the place where it was found made no difference. Now, the authorities, as a general rule, hold that money or other property voluntarily laid down and forgotten is not, in legal contemplation, lost, and that the owner of the shop, bank, or other place where it is left is the proper custodian, rather than the person who happens to discover it, as well, also, as to all other persons except the owner. State v. McCann, 19 Mo. 249; Lawrence v. State, 1 Humph. 228, 34 Am. Dec. 644; McAvoy v. Medina, 11 Allen, 549, 87 Am. Dec. 733; Kincaid v. Eaton, 98 Mass. 139, 93 Am. Dec. 142. The question, then, was as to who was the proper custodian of the pocketbook in question, — the plaintiff or defendant? It is clear, we think, under the evidence, that the pocketbook was not laid down and forgotten, for certainly it would not have been left intentionally upon the ground, under the table, but was dropped there, or in some other way came there accidentally, and was, within contemplation of law, lost when plaintiff found it.

Another objection urged against the instruction is that it told the jury that defendants might use force to eject the plaintiff from the premises for refusal to comply with their request. But as plaintiff had the right to retain the property as against all other persons except the true owner, it logically follows that defendants had no right to eject him from their premises upon that ground, even if they had attempted to do so; but the record discloses that, instead of ejecting him, they arrested him, and that, too, without authority. Hence the instruction was without evidence or law upon which to predicate it, and is erroneous for these reasons, also. Moreover, no such issue was presented by the pleadings; the answer being a general denial, while the matters covered by the instruction, if thought to be available as a defense, should have been pleaded in the answer.

But the instruction is erroneous for the further reason that it told the jury that the defendant company "was in duty bound to exercise reasonable care to protect, for the true owner, all valuables inadvertently mislaid or lost on the premises," when the finder of property which had been lost on the premises was himself entitled to its possession and custody against every person except the owner.

The testimony concerning respondent's system of making a record of lost articles was clearly inadmissible, and no defense whatever for the illegal arrest of plaintiff, and the same may be said as to the advertisement by defendant with respect to the loss and finding of the pocketbook.

It is claimed that the judgment should be reversed upon the ground that the jury, by their verdict, gave the plaintiff no compensatory damages, while they assessed in his favor punitive or exemplary damages at one cent. It is held in 1 Suth. Dam. § 406, and Kiff v. Youmans, 86 N. Y. 324, 40 Am. Rep. 543; Stacey v. Publishing Co., 68 Me. 279; Freese v. Tripp, 70 Ill. 499; Maxwell v. Kennedy, 50 Wis. 648, 7 N. W. 657; Jones v. Matthews, 75 Tex. 1, 12 S. W. 823; Trawick v. Martin-Brown Co., 79 Tex. 466, 14 S. W. 564; Schippel v. Norton, 38 Kan. 567, 16 Pac. 804; Kuhn v. Railway Co., 74 Iowa, 137, 37 N. W. 116; and Mills v. Taylor, 85 Mo. App. 111, — that actual damages must be found as a predicate for the recovery of exemplary damages. The verdict, therefore, seems to be inconsistent with itself, for when no actual damage has been sustained, as found by the jury in the case at bar, no exemplary damages can be allowed, nor can exemplary damages constitute the basis of a cause of action, for they are mere incidents to it, and, when given, they are not given upon any theory that the plaintiff has any just right to recover them, but are given only upon the theory that the defendant deserves punishment for his wrongful acts, and that it is proper for the public to impose them upon the defendant as punishment for such wrongful acts in the private action brought by the plaintiff for the recovery of the real and actual damages suffered by him. No right of action for exemplary damages, however, is ever given to any private individual who has suffered no real or actual damages. He has no right to maintain an action merely to inflict punishment upon some supposed wrongdoer. If he has no cause of action independent of a supposed right to recover exemplary damages, he has no cause of action at all. Schippel v. Norton, 38 Kan. 567, 16 Pac. 804. Courtney v. Blackwell, 150 Mo. 245, 51 S. W. 668, the court instructed the jury on the question of exemplary damages as follows: "If the jury find for the plaintiff, and further find that plaintiff is entitled

[70 S.W. 881]

to exemplary damages, under the evidence in the case, their verdict should be in the following form: `We, the jury, find for the plaintiff, and assess and award to her as exemplary damages the sum of ____ dollars.'" The jury did find for plaintiff, and did assess and award to her as exemplary damages the sum of $7,750, but made no finding with respect to compensatory damages. The court said: "The jury did find for the plaintiff, and, in so doing, found that the defendant had published the slander with which he was charged; and upon that finding the plaintiff was entitled to have actual damages assessed in her favor, the slander being of that character from which the law implies such damages. They also found, as is apparent on the face of the verdict, when read in connection with the instructions, that the slander had been wantonly and maliciously published, and it was also within their province to assess exemplary damages therefor in her favor. So that there was in fact a basis, under the instructions, for the assessment of both actual and exemplary damages. But by some mischance in the form of the verdict which was given to the jury, no place was left therein for the separate assessment of the actual damages, and the whole was returned in a lump sum, according to the form as exemplary damages. This was an error of form, and not of substance; and as, under the facts and circumstances of the case, the assessment was reasonable and just, we do not think the judgment ought to be reversed for this error." But the case at bar is distinguishable from that case in this: In that case the jury made no finding at all in regard to actual or compensatory damages, while in the case at bar they expressly found that plaintiff was entitled to recover, and that he had sustained no compensatory damages, but assessed punitive or exemplary damages at one cent. The jury, in finding for plaintiff, in effect found that defendants arrested the plaintiff, and cursed and abused him, without any lawful excuse or reason therefor; and upon that finding he was entitled to have actual damages, in some amount, assessed in his favor. Under such circumstances, at the common law he is entitled to pecuniary reparation by way of damages, at least nominal, and as much more, if anything, as the jury may think him entitled to under the evidence.

The judgment is reversed, and the cause remanded. All concur.

A new Jennifer Hudson track has surfaced and features Ludacris...

Jennifer Hudson Feat Ludacris - "Pocketbook"

I'm overly excited about Hudson's debut effort! This tune is dope as hell! I'm glad she's come with something like this, coz I was a bit worried she was gonna be doing only big-ballads. This Hip Hop influenced style works perfectly with her voice and above all! Is there anything this lady can't sing?? Luda's verse kills it! Great collabo!

Jennifer Hudson's self titled debut is released Sept 30th!

What do YOU think of the track?

Peace, Love & Jennifer Hudson

Speeakz

In an effort to collect on personal property taxes, a neighboring county, is going through apartment complexes, courthouse parking lots, and shopping centers, scanning everyones licenses plates.  Yes! Now, I know states are hurting for money and I know that there are other places that are using this same method, but are you serious! Really?

Has it taken this long for technology (like this) to come out and be used?? Oh wait a minute, because the government is feeling the pinch of what they have created -- it's ok now to use such tactics to collect taxes in this method.  It's not ok though to have brought this out for collecting child support.  Um.. Or to find other things --- Heck, seems to me like everyone is going to have a lot of dirty laundry exposed here soon.  Oh yeah, it's coming.  And what other technology is out there????? Ummm... You are only being told a little at a time...

Start clearing out your closets people.  Soon... Why? Because we have grow accustom to convinces and the piper is coming to collect.  What was not acceptable way back when, is now.  You know it - just like I do. Look at the writing on the wall.  Stop turning your nose up at it.  If you don't like what you are seeing, now is the time to do something about it. 

Everything works together.   As complex as it appears - and it does appear that way - and the toleration of what a person, then people will allow to transpire - it's going to be every man for himself.  Damn --

So onto the Top 10!

Okay so once again I couldn't just pick 10! So here's the Top 14.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9922309

I decided to include this glasses/cellphone holder into the fashion accessory category because well it doesn't really fit anywhere else and you could carry it around with you not hidden inside of a pocketbook so that everyone could see the beautifully designed piece. This was embellished with yarn and beads.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_2&listing_id=14546694

This was created using rolled felt strips. I love the movement that the strips create in this piece. And I love the use of black in combination with the bright colors. These brooches have a very unique style.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12118539

I have admired this artist's embroidered felt cuff bracelets for awhile now. All her bracelets are equally as beautiful as this one. They all look very professionally made and have beautiful embroidered designs with beautiful color combinations.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12184323

The felted part of this item is very simple, just a simple needle felted ball. But again I wanted to include it to show the different ways of using felt and the different ways of embellishing it. And this piece is not short on embellishments! Beads and embroidered designs give this piece a fun, festive look. And there are endless color combinations that can be created.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12988414

This was done in a very unique way that I have not seen done before. Wool rovings were weaved together and then wet felted to make the piece strong. She then attached the belt fastener.  With every color of the rainbow in this piece, it is sure to make a statement.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15084764

This pocketbook was made by stitching cut pieces of felt to a felted background. I love the color combination that is used and I love the overall design ofthe piece. It is a pocketbook that makes a real fashion statement.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10764638

Here is another pocketbook created in using a different method. This item was knit and then wet felted. I will probably have another one like this featured in my knit posting but I wanted to include one here to show the different techniques that can be used when creating felted accessories. Here again I love the color combination (of course because it has my favorite color, teal, in it) I like how the felting process gave the colors a very soft look.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14555492

This is a very unique felt necklace. The pieces of felt are cut out and strung to a string of seed beads as if the felt cutouts are beads themselves. The overlaying of colored felts and the embroidered edging over each piece creates interest and here again I love the color combination, it is probably my favorite color combination of all.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=10815543

I will admit, most felt hair clips or hairclips in general usually do not appeal to me. But this one I think has a very elegant look to it. I could see someone even wearing this on their wedding day as their "something blue". The added pearl beads help give it that elegant look.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14843405

These baby shoes are just adorable.  They are very well designed and seem to be very professionally made. I love the added touches of the strawberries and flowers. If I had a baby, my favorite baby fashion accessory to dress her (or him) in would be shoes! Lots and lots of cute little baby shoes!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14738950

I am usually not one for fall colors or a fall themed accessory but this scar is amazing. The colors and the flowers (she calls them flowers but they take on a leaf resemblance I think) just scream fall. And in front of that brown shirt, the scarf really pops out at you and makes a real fashion statement.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14567523

Here again I had a different headband  of this artist's picked out to feature but it was sold before I got the chance to right about it. These headbands sale like hotcakes and for good reason! Her designs are beautiful as are her choices in color combinations. She also offers custom color combinations.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11209934

What a fashion statement! Just beautiful!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14917423

I originally planned on featuring a different one of these lariat/necklaces but it was sold before I even had a chance to right about it! That is how hot of an item these are and how gorgeous of a fashion statement these make! Her ability to make a felted flower look very realistic is amazing!

]]> http://crystal2008.wordpress.com/?p=64 Sat, 06 Sep 2008 05:12:43 +0000 crystal2008 http://crystal2008.wordpress.com/2008/09/06/great-deals/ Just to let you all know that on Friday's and Saturday's, the Salvation Army has deals.  They select a color sticker, and that sticker is only $1.00 for each piece of clothing.  Why not spend the time, going through the clothing and find these deals.  I usually only look for that color, and if the piece is my size and I like it, I try it on.  Yes, for only $1.00, I still try it on.  There have been many items I would have bought, thinking they fit me, and did not.  I spent fifteen dollars and got a pair of Will Smith corderoy pants, a black and white plaid short jacket, a blouse, black vest, tee shirt, blazer and a valour leopard shirt.  Pretty good don't you think?

Be creative with your clothing budget.  Wardrobe Remix, a website that I look at almost daily, has photos of women and men and their combinations ofclothing they wear.  You will end up falling in love with at least one persons style of wardrobe.  I get ideas of colors and patterns that I like, and then see if I have pieces like them in my closet.  If not, then I can look in the Salvation Army.

The boys do not care for it.  I have tried to buy them clothes and do bring them in time to time hoping they will find something.  I think I in the past couple of years, have bought men's leather jackets for less than $10.00.  I have found them for $1.00.  The ones I found did not smell or have stains.  They were clean and my husband and three of my sons are wearing the others.  A leather jacket wears well and lasts for ever.  A leather jacket is also warm if it has a lining so a winter coat may not be needed.    My boys love the leather jacket and hoodies.

On Wardrobe Remix, you can also put photos of clothing you do not care for anymore and you can swap with another viewer from remix.  I have received a nice silk scarf after swapping a pocketbook.

Don't forget those yard sales now that it is the week-end.  Great time to find clothes!

Have a wonderful Saturday!

Crystal

My brother's newest grandaughter was born this past Wednesday. I believe she weighed somewhere between 6 and 7 pounds...I'm not sure. I called my brother's house a few days later, and talked to my sil. She didn't sound sure when I asked how much the baby weighed...she believes Caelyn weighed 6 pounds 7 ounces. I asked her to send pictures; I'm still waiting. My sister received this one from my brother...when he responded to a joke she had sent him by e-mail. I feel like I've been snubbed...by my own brother. Men! Grrr...

Tomorrow, I'm going to put a little package in the mail to his daughter, including a congratulations card for her and her husband on the birth, and also a wee gift and card for their three year old daughter..congratulating on her on her new "big sister" status.

I bought the little pocketbook at WalMart for a couple of dollars, and altered it. I think it turned out really cute. The fringe along the bottom of the skirt, the pink felt belt, the flowers on the pocket and the skull on the pocket were all added on. Watch...she'll throw it in the washer..and it'll all fall apart...lol

So my friend Marilyn asked, "Wait a minute! Where’s the photo of YOU in that lipgloss?" My response, "Isn't the one I posted of Christina Aguilera so much better!? I am a beauty blogger, not a beauty model." It is always difficult for me to pose and demonstrate a product or shade in a picture. To please Marilyn here is my attempt at taking a picture of myself wearing Becca's Glossy Lip Tint in Cherrybomb. To intensify the color and keep "in bounds" I first lined my lips with the newly released and fabulous 24/7 Glide-on Lip Pencil by Urban Decay in a shade called "Wicked." It's wicked pretty together with Cherrybomb don't you think?

My little Becca even joined me during the photo shoot! I think that is another reason why I love the Becca Cosmetic line so much; it has a beautiful name.

Hope this inspires you Marilyn! ;)

I love them.  I could carry a different one every day.  I simply love them.  Coach, Dooney & Bourke, Liz Claiborne, Nine West. . . I love them all.  My husband gave me a gorgeous black leather Coach pocketbook for Christmas.  I love it!  It's so versatile, it would go with anything.  It would, but due to my love of pocketbooks, I feel the need to change them every few days.  Last summer I purchased a purple crocodile Dooney & Bourke from my friend, Kelly.  She received it as a gift and didn't like it.  What is wrong with that woman?  It's so cute, I had to have it.  It's my favorite, fun summer pocketbook. 

Recently, my friend Diane introduced me to Vera Bradley.  I must admit that at first I laughed at her and called them "Old Lady Pocketbooks."  But then, the more she talked about them and the more I looked at them, I just had to have one.

So a couple months ago, I treated myself to Vera's Out to Lunch bag.  It's so cute, I had to have it.  I mean, what woman wouldn't want to take her lunch to work in something this cute?

Then Diane started talking Vera Bradley again and told me about some of the patterns that were going to be retired.  Naturally, I had to have the mini-hipster in Windsor Navy while I could still get it.

Knowing that I was looking for the Mini Hipster in Windsor Navy, my friend Carol suggested that I checkout eBags.  Well, I had already purchased the Hipster, but naturally, being the good friend and pocketbook lover that I am, I checked out eBags anyway.  Ahhhhh...found this today and ordered it.  A tote can always come in handy, right?  And I can just slide my cute pink Coach billfold right down in it!  (yes, billfold....not wallet :) )

You'd think I'd be done.  But sadly, I was at Coach the other day and already have my eye on my next purchase. 

Seriously, someone needs to help me.  I'm a pocketbook-aholic.  Diane, Carol and Kelly?  You ladies are not helping one bit!!

Okay...maybe you are!  :)

Volunteering at a soup kitchen is an experience – a heart-breaking, thought-provoking, heart-warming experience. I've had the opportunity to volunteer serving several lunches at a soup kitchen on Long Island, New York. What's it like? Well, I'll try and share that with you now.

The doors to the kitchen open at 11:00 a.m. Before that time, people queue up outside, sometimes quietly, sometimes not so quietly, usually without any major problems. As I walk by the queue into the warmth of the kitchen, I look at the people standing in line, waiting in the cold for a warm meal and a place to thaw out. Many carry their prized possessions; shopping bags piled high with god only knows what. When the doors finally open, they are directed inside, first to a table to secure their spot, then to the food line. The volunteers greet them with big smiles and welcoming words. Depending on the day, the food options vary. Sandwiches, soup, hot entrees, salad, bread, fruit, whatever can be put out is. The guests fill their plates, one to a customer, but they know as long as the food holds, they can get seconds.

They return to their seats, and a few words are spoken – a non-denominational prayer of thanks, announcements made about availability of social workers, housing, job opportunities, language classes, the week's schedule for the kitchen. The guests begin eating, and for a moment, I see contentment. Here, they are safe, even if it's only for a few minutes.

Glancing around the room I take note of the guests. The ages range from newborn to senior citizen. The ethnic mix is similarly disparate – Hispanic, African American, Caucasian. Some are known to have psychological issues and are seated accordingly. All sit side by side as they eat their lunch. There is a buzz in the room as conversations are held and information conveyed. The guests maintain a cautious air about them, as if afraid to fully let down their guard. I watch as the young mothers feed their small children and wonder what life will be like for those little ones. The time goes quickly, and the guests begin to funnel out, many reaching for the bag that contains their dinner – a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a piece of fruit.

As they leave the kitchen, I wonder where they go. To an apartment filled with a dozen other men, all sharing one room? To a car, where they spend the night huddled against the cold? To a shelter, where they are safe, but transient? What about the children? How do they do their homework or attend school with all the uncertainty of their lives? For those with mental illnesses or other physical ailments, how do they obtain their medications and take it on a regular basis?

I've spoken to some of the guests, trying to learn their stories, and each one tears another piece out of my heart. The woman whose mental illness caused her to lose her job, her husband, her home and her children. The man who lost his job and ran out of unemployment benefits and is just barely hanging on to his apartment. The Hispanic man who tells me through a translator about coming to America in hopes of a better life, and living next to a dumpster until he found a mattress in an apartment with 12 other men. The woman with three children whose latest man was arrested, leaving her homeless. Not all of the guests have hard luck stories, some are stories of stupidity, of foolishness and of criminal acts. But all the stories share the same result and one of the key factors for all of them is the lack of a safety net.

I spoke with a woman whose two young children played quietly next to us. My pocketbook sat on the table, next to where I stood. Easily within both watch and reach. I left it there intentionally, trying to combat my own fears. Trying to trust in the goodness of this place. The woman I was speaking with pokes me, "Is that your bag?" I nod yes. She says, "Hold on to it, you can't trust these people."

I spend a lot of time wondering about these people. About how to change things so that homelessness and hunger can one day be eradicated. The problems run deep. There are no easy answers, no quick fix solution. Money needs to be invested into our poor. Money to teach them basic life skills. Better help networks need to be set up and made accessible. More lower income housing and better social services for those in the neighborhoods. Education for parents and kids. Bilingual education for adults. Reasonably priced quality child care. Better public transportation. Health care that won't force sick individuals into bankruptcy and homelessness.

When I get discouraged over this growing problem, I remember the amazing thing about all of this. You can make a difference. You can change someone's life. You can help make this a better country. All it takes is a phone call and a couple of hours of your life. Call a food bank in your county and make a commitment to volunteer one afternoon a month. Hold a food drive for a local food bank. Call and volunteer to tutor some kids or adults. Call your legislators and demand that America invest in its poor. Look at what you have to offer and see if you can find a good fit. It doesn't have to be a weekly commitment – whatever you can give helps. The more the merrier.

Together we can all make a difference.

Here are some links to organizations that may be a good starting point for you:

Share our Strength

America's Second Harvest

World Hunger Year

The New York City Food Bank

This is my first blog for the BAH – Bloggers Against Hunger Project. Please join the group – we'll be blogging again in the fall, trying to call attention to hunger here in America. I'll be posting links to all the blogs later today, so take some time and read how other folks address the issue.

Here are the blogs posted so far - please check them out!

You still have time to post yours - just let me know so I can put a link up for you!

CC's Blog

http://frugalc.wordpress.com>bloggers-against-hunger-reporting-from-maine

Aaaaaaaaron's Blog

Chances Are, You Won the Lottery

Torment's Blog

Bloggin Against Hunger

McFeisty's blog

In The Ghetto

Misha's Blog

I Don't Know How They Do It

By: Lauren J. Walter 6/18/08

In fact, here are some rules for all you purse designers to sell on Etsy, Ebay and store outlets:

1. Stop using magnets. Please. I know they are cheaper than zippers. They also mess up debit cards, metro passes, hotel room keys and iPhones. And no, I don't want to carry my iPhone in a separate bag. One, good, big bag will do. I looked at 300 bags tonight, and two of them (both priced at more than $300) were magnet free.

2. Use a lining that isn't black. I don't want to have to carry a flashlight to find something in the dark recesses of my purse. Use a lighter lining--tan, gray, red. Just not black.

3. If you are going to add a cellphone pocket, please measure a cellphone first. And not just yours. Measure an iPhone, too. The purses I saw tonight are apparently designed for gum-chewers, as  the pockets were neither deep enough nor wide enough to hold my cell phone.

4. All those samples from Restoration Hardware you've attached to the outside of the purse can be exchanged for a decent outside pocket. It's where I'd like to put my keys or cellphone, or my boarding pass or even that tower of precarious bills, change and receipt that the grocery checker  balances on your palm, leaving you to walk out of the store carrying because you need both hands to put it away.

5. If you are going to build a vertical purse, please put a lot of pockets on the walls. Otherwise, everything falls into the dark bottom and bulges. I already have a body that looks like that, please make my purse more practical.

6. Make the strap adjustable. I know the Size 00 you designed it for can get it over her tiny shoulder, but if the strap is so short that I have to apply antiperspirant to the bag  to be able to wear it without ruining it, the strap is too short.

7. Give the top a closure I can use with one hand. No magnets, please. In addition to the problems in Item #1, a magnet shuts the middle, leaving both ends open, inviting the pickpocket riding next to me on the Metro to help himself. A zipper is the best. A zipper that closes from both sides is best of all.

8. Please don't tuck that extra foot of lining you have leftover into the bag. A lining that fills up the bag and hides half the contents of the bag is no friend to those of us in a hurry to find the checkbook.

9. If you are going to use a double handle, measure carefully. If they aren't the same size, the longer one will keep flopping off our shoulders.

10. Many women like to carry a magazine or a file folder in their bag. Please don't make it 1/8 of an inch too short. Make it fit, or make it a lot smaller. Don't be a tease.

--Bags, from top:  Red, shiny bag: Antonio Melani Small Hobo Bag $199.00 at Dillards; turquoise pleated bag: Prada Tessuto Gaufre Hobo $1,195.00 at Neiman Marcus; taupe multi-pocket bag: Plenty by Tracy Reese Multi Pocket Drawstring Hobo, $335.00 at Nordstrom.

--Quinn McDonald is a writer who carries a journal, colored pencils, an iPhone, and a book in her purse. She is convinced that the right purse is out there, with clean lines and no frou-frou. See Quinn's website at QuinnCreative.com

One word- couponing! When I read about all the lovely ladies who save oodles of the green stuff by CVS-ing, clipping coupons and doubling them and rake in regular cash with rebates....I think 'God bless them!' But I'm not one of them, and there's a list of reasons why:

1. Too disorganized- I've bought the coupon carriers, added notes to my routine, like 'cull old coupons', dutifully toted said organizer to the store....but at checkout the coupon never seemed to match the item exactly (wrong size, etc) or was expired. Usually, it was the latter situation.

2. Not many coupons to be had- We live in a small, rural town where many (maybe even, most) people do not get the 'big city' newspaper. Our small Podunk Daily has a small insert of coupons on Fridays (no weekend edition), but not like we would get in a metro newspaper. For a long time, I would purchase a Sunday paper, call family and friends, find out if they had bought the Sunday paper and beg for their inserts, then clip coupons like a good wifey and get to the store to experience Situation #1.

3. Our diet changed- My dd, now 11, was diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy at 18 months. So many processed and packaged foods were now out the door, often because of cross-contamination issues. As I started to cook so many things from scratch, our palates changed and many off-shelf-convenience foods didn't taste as good as homemade. I was finding that I rarely bought things that had a coupon offered through my limited coupon sources.

What does work for me and my grocery budget? Buying whole foods and preparing meals and snacks from scratch. Serving simple side dishes with simple entrees. A serving of white/brown rice is usually cheaper and definitely more nutritious than a Cheesy Dehydrated Potato Mix, not to mention, easier! Shopping at a discount store (Sav-A-Lot) and buying store brands at our local grocery and Big Box stores. The quality, on most items, is comparable and the price is the same, or even lower, than I would achieve with couponing. For more information on comparing prices of homemade items to those prepared with convenience foods see 'The Complete Tightwad Gazette' by Amy Dacyczyn (pronounced 'decision'). Her explanation on page 396 on how to figure the cost and value of both really changed my perception of the dollar value of our food.

Brain flash! Coming soon- a mini-tutorial on how to make my favorite biscuit recipe and I'll buy a 'whack-em' package of biscuits and do a cost-evaluation study. I love playing scientist in the kitchen :)

Maayos na nakarating si Raymond sa bahay nila Amantha. Agad siyang kumatok at sinalubong naman siya ng dalaga, kasama ang kapatid niyang si Andrea.

"Kuya Mon! Welcome back! I missed you!" sabay suntok ni Andrea sa sikmura ni Raymond. Nagkunwaring nasaktan siya sa ginawa ni Andrea kung kaya't kiniliti na lamang niya itong bilang ganti sa kaniyang ginawa. Gumanti din ito sa kaniya ng kiliti. Nagsimulang magharutan ang dalawa.

Biglang pumagitna si Amantha at inawat ang dalawa sa pagbibiruan. "Andrea naman, babatiin mo lang ang kuya Mon mo eh pasuntok pa. At ikaw naman Raymond, sinasakyan mo pa itong craziness ng kapatid ko. Ewan ko ba sa inyong dalawa oh, pumasok na tayo sa loob at ng makapag-almusal."

"Kaka-almusal ko lang sa bahay. Pero kung ikaw ang naghanda ng almusal, baka pwede kong tikman at husgaan kung pwede na bang lumagay sa magulo itong ate mo, tama ba cute?" Cute ang palayaw nito kay Andrea kasi talaga namang cute ito at makulit. Pagdating kasi kay Raymond, malambing ito. Pero pagdating kay Amantha, hindi ito ganuon kalambing sa kaniya.

"Ay naku Kuya Mon! Mas masarap akong magluto kaysa kay sa ate ko no. You should try my ultimate breakfast treat, "Sunset Bomb!"

"Whoah! Bakit naman 'Sunset Bomb'? Nakakatakot naman atang kainin yan..."

"Naku Raymond, pinag-sama niya yung favorite recipe mo at yung sa akin and she came up with that 'Sunset Bomb' breakfast cuisine."

Pagkatapos ng ilang minutong pagtatalo, tumuloy na rin ang tatlo sa loob ng bahay at sabay-sabay na nag-almusal kasama na rin ang kanilang bunso na si Andrew.

"Daing, itlog, kamatis, asin, kanin na may margarita at juice... errr... ito ba yung 'Sunset Bomb'... ?" pagaralgal na tanong ni Raymond kay Andrea. Medyo nabigla siya sa kaniyang nakita dahil kakaiba ito ng konti sa kaniyang inaasahan.

"Hindi no! Typical breakfast lang yan dito sa bahay pag nagtitipid. Ito ang sinasabi ni ate sayo..." sabay abot ni Andrea ng may katamtamang laking mangkok kay Raymond. May takip ito kaya't hindi niya agad nakita kung ano ang nasa loob nito.

Pagkatanggal sa takip ng bowl ni Raymond ay bigla siyang namangha sa kaniyang nakita at naamoy. "Rice topped with sliced tenderloin beef, sprinkled with sesame seeds, rosemary seasoning, tomato cheeks, carrot slices, egg, broccoli leaf, corn particles, some mushrooms, onion, pepper, olive oil, and..."

"... and!?" naghihintay na tanong ni Andrea kay Raymond, tila nasasabik sa huling ingredient na isasagot nito sa kaniya.

"And lots of love." sabay ngiti ni Raymond bago nito tinikman ang 'Sunset Bomb' ni Andrea. Malapit na sa pagiging professional level ang cooking skill ni Andrea at konting practice pa ay tiyak na mas magiging magaling na cook ito kaysa sa kaniya.

"Tama! Thank you Kuya Mon! I love you!" sabay halik ni Andrea sa pisngi ni Raymond. Bagama't nasa murang edad pa ito ay halata namang may gusto ito sa kaniya. Niyakap niya ng mahigpit ang lalake at pasimple na idinikit nito ang kaniyang dibdib sa mga bisig ni Raymond.

"Oi Andrea, tigilan mo na ang Kuya Mon mo dahil ka--"

"Kami na ni ate mo Andrea, isn't that a good news?" tinitigan muna ni Raymond si Andrea at umaasa siyang magiging maganda ang susunod na mga mangyayari.

"Ka... kayo na ni Ate? Kailan pa ate? Kailan pa!?" biglang napalayo sa pagyakap si Andrea pagkatapos marinig ang pagtatapat ni Raymond. Malapit na itong umiyak sa kanilang harapan habang tahimik pa rin ang kaniyang bunsong kapatid sa pagkain.

"Kahapon lang, diba Amantha?"

Nagsimulang magbulungan si Raymond at Amantha sa isa't isa...

"Patay Raymond."
"Bakit?
"Hindi ko pa pala nasabi sayo na matagal ng in-love sayo yang kapatid ko."
"What!? Bakit di mo sinabi?"
"Nakalimutan ko, pinaakyat kasi kaagad ni papa sa kaniyang kwarto si Andrea."
"Paano na yan?"
"Naku, hindi ko alam. Yari ka sa kaniya. At mas lalong yari ako."

"Hmpf! Ate! Kuya Mon! I hate both of you!" biglang sigaw ni Andrea sa dalawang nagbubulungan. Napahinto lang ang dalawa at naghintay sa mga susunod na sasabihin ni Andrea.

"I hate both of you kasi nilihim niyo sa akin! Alam mo bang mas gusto ko si Kuya Raymond para sayo instead sa Jonathan na yan!"

"Bakit naman Andrea?" tanong ni Raymond sa kaniya.

"Kasi naman, di hamak na mas gwapo, talented at mabait ka kaysa sa lalaking yun. Ewan ko ba kung ano nakita ni ate sa Jonathan na iyon at duon pa na in-love ng todo."

"Andrea, hindi ka galit?" pagtatakang tanong ni Amantha sa kapatid. Halatang hindi na natuloy ang pagluha nito pagkatapos itong makasigaw ng malakas.

"Konti. Diba I just said that I hate both of you nga. Mawawala rin ito siguro kung mauubos ni Kuya Mon ang 'Sunset Bomb' ko."

Napatigil ang dalawa bago nakahinga ng maluwag. Akala nila'y magiging hysterical si Andrea pag nalaman nito na sila na. Buti na lang at hindi naging ganuon ang sitwasyon.

"Aba, uubusin ko talaga ito. Pang professional level na kaya ang skill mo Andrea. You should step up to the highest degree of cooking."

"Meaning?" may katarayang tanong ni Andrea sa kaniya habang tinititigan siya nito sa mata. Tinitigan din siya pabalik ni Raymond.

"It means... ikaw ang magiging assistant cook sa big event ng ate mo."

"REALLY!? O.M.G.! I'm so happy! I love you na talaga kahit kayo pa ni ate ko! Mwah!" sabay yakap at halik na naman nito sa kaniya bago ipinagpatuloy ang kanilang almusal kasama ang unique na 'Sunset Bomb' ni Andrea.

"Buti ka pa Andrea, nasasabi mo yan... Gago ka talaga Jon..." sambit ni Amantha sa sarili pagkatapos marinig ang mga sinabi ni Andrea. Naiingit ito sa kaniya dahil mas maraming itong naiipong lakas ng kalooban kaysa sa kaniya.

"Nasaan ka na? Kailangan kong makitang muli ang tatay ninyo para matapos na ang problema ko. Patawad Amantha, Andrea at Andrew... pero kung may kinalaman talaga ang tatay ninyo sa pagkamatay ng tatay ko, wala akong magagawa kung hindi tapusin ang nasimulan ko..." pagbabanta ni Raymond sarili.

Pilit na binuksan ni Raymond ang mga talukap ng kaniyang mga mata ngunit sadyang napagod yata siya sa kanilang pagniniig ni Amantha kagabi. "Ma, bakit nandito ka? Baka makita ka ni Amantha..." mahinang bulong nito.

"Amantha? Naku iho, tayong dalawa lang ang nakatira dito sa bahay. Huwag mong sabihing nagdadala ka na ng babae sa kwarto mo ng hindi dumadaan sa akin!?" sambit ng kaniyang ina bago namilog ang mga mata nito sa pagkabigla.

Biglang napatayo si Raymond sa kaniyang pagkakahiga at tiningnan ng maigi ang kaniyang paligid. Tama nga ang kaniyang ina, nasa kaniyang sariling kwarto pa rin siya at wala siya sa kwarto ni Amantha. Isang panaginip lang ang nangyari sa kanilang dalawa. Isang panaginip na tila totoo dahil napansin niyang mamasa-masa ang kaniyang alagang sundalo.

Mabilis na tumindig at pagdaka'y huminto sa pintuan ng kaniyang kwarto ang kanyang ina bago ito muling nagsalita. "Anak, maligo ka muna. Amoy klorox ka kasi. Ahihihiiii!" sabay ngisi ng kaniyang ina bago siya iniwan nito sa kaniyang kwarto.

"Inay naman! Talaga naman oh... Anak ng... Sa dinami-dami ng mapapaniginipan ko... Bakit yun pa..." bulong ni Raymond sa sarili bago niya inayos ang kaniyang higaan at pumunta sa comfort room upang ayusin ang sarili.

Tumigil muna sa paglalakad ang kaniyang ina pagkatapos niyang makalabas sa kwarto ni Raymond. "Ito na ba ang tamang panahon mahal ko?" tanong ng kaniyang ina sa sarili bago tuluyang pumunta sa kusina upang maghain ng almusal para sa kanilang dalawa.

Samantala, sa loob ng kwarto ni Jonathan, sa kanilang mansyon...

"Sir Jonathan... good morning po..."
"Same here."
"Ahm... gusto mo ba ng oats or heavy breakfast?"
"It's up to you."
"..."
"..."
"Sir..."
"What is it?"
"Ba-- Bakit mo ginagawa sa akin ito..."
"I'm not doing anything, am I?"
"Shut up! Mahal kita! Hanggang kailan ako magtititiis ng ganito!?"
"..."
"Ginagawa ko ang lahat para mapansin mo ako pero si Amantha pa rin ang nasa puso mo!"
"That cannot change Clara..."
"Pilit kong ibinibigay ang sarili ko sayo kagabi ngunit tinanggihan mo ako..."
"I will not take advantage of your weakness and this situation."
"Ano pa ba ang gusto mong gawin ko para mahalin mo ako? Kahit ano gagawin ko... mahalin mo lang ako... Please..."
"I'm sorry for not making love you with last night..."
"Kahit... mahalin mo lang ako sa kawalan kaya kong tanggapin"
"..."
"Kahit... pag-ibig na isang ilusyon, hindi na ako hihiling pa ng higit duon..."
"..."
"Kahit... ilang beses mong kunin ang aking kabuuan, hindi ako tatanggi..."
"..."
"Kahit... na pagsilbihan kita ng walang anumang kapalit basta't nasa tabi lang kita..."
"..."
"Kahit... kahit na isugal ko ang lahat mahalin mo lang ako..."
"..."
"Kahit... na ano... kahit ano..."
"..."

Tuluyang nilisan ni Clara ang kwarto ni Jonathan, luhaan at puno ng paghihinagpis. Handa niyang ibigay ang sarili para kay Jonathan subalit iba ang naging pagtanggap nito sa kaniya.

Para kay Clara, isang kabaliwan ang kaniyang pag-ibig kay Jonathan. Maihahalintulad siya sa isang mapulang rosas na walang anumang tinik na siyang dahilan upang walang maging hadlang sa kaniyang pag-ibig para kay Jonathan. Determinado siyang gawin ang lahat makuha lamang ang atensiyon ni Jonathan at hindi siya magdadalawang isip na isugal pati ang kaniyang sariling buhay para lamang sa lalakeng minamahal...

Ngunit para kay Jonathan, si Clara'y magiging isang magandang panaginip na lamang dahil kapwa sila alipin ni Frederico. Bagama't itinuturing siyang anak nito ay alam niya sa kaniyang puso na may ibang plano ito sa kaniya. Uhaw at ganid sa kapangyarihan ang kaniyang ama-amahan kung kaya't magiging isang malaking kabiguan lamang ang kanilang pag-iibigan kung tatanggapin niya ang pag-ibig ni Clara.

"I'll find a way... but not for now... my Clara..." bulong ni Jonathan sa sarili bago niya nilisan ang mansyon sakay ng kaniyang bagong kotse na iba sa kaniyang ginamit pagkatapos makipagkita kay Raymond.

"Mother... I'll see you today..." muling bulong niya sa sarili bago niya pinaharurot ang sasakyan patungo sa direksyon ng bahay nila Raymond.

READ KABANATA 8: WALANG PAGLAGYAN

“Ang ganda na ng binabasa ko…” reklamo ko kasunod ang pagbitiw muna sa librong hawak ko.

“Gan’to kasi. Merong nag-abot sa aking lalaki. Sobrang gentleman kung alam mo lang. Sabi niya nakita niya daw yung picture ko sa diary ko kaya ipinagtanong niya ‘ko. Ta’s ‘yon! No’ng nakita niya ‘ko sa may library, tinanong niya kung ako ba ‘yun. Ayun nga ‘yung diary ko. Nagpasalamat ako tapos umalis…”

“Bakit, nasagwaan ba sa hitsura mo?”

“Ang sama mo! Tinawag kasi siya nung kaibigan niya.”

Tumawa ako. “Weh?”

“Oo nga. Sayang nga lang hindi ko natanong ‘yung pangalan niya. Pero parang pamilyar siya.”

“Kailangan pa bang itanong kung sino siya? If I know, binasa niya na ‘yang diary mo!”

“Hindi kaya!” Ipinakita niya ang bukasan ng talaarawan niya. “Tignan mo naman naka-lock pa rin.”

Natahimik ako sandali. Pagkatapos ay niyaya ko na siyang bumalik sa silid-aralan. Patuloy pa rin siya sa paulit-ulit na pagkuwento tungkol sa lalaking iyon.

“Pwede ba tumigil ka na. Naririndi na ‘ko sa’yo!”

Imbis na magalit siya sa akin ay siya pa ang natigilan. Walang salitang lumabas sa kanyang bibig ngunit may itinuro siyang estudyante. Hindi ko siya pinansin bagkus ay ibinaling ang pagtutok sa binabasa kong libro.

“Siya yung—siya yung nagsauli sa akin nitong diary ko, o.”

Hindi ko namalayan na nasa harapan na pala namin ang lalaking tinutukoy niya. Napatigil ako sa pagbabasa upang makinig sa pinag-uusapan nilang dalawa nang hindi tumitingin.

“Salamat nga pala ulit. Ano nga pala’ng pangalan mo? Ako nga pala si Mariel. Teka, alam ko na! Ay! Oo nga! Varsity ka, diba?”

Napatingin na ako dahil sa salitang ‘varsity.’ Kasabay nito ang pagsabi niya ng “Ako nga pala si Brixx. Nice meeting you.”

“Siya naman pala ang best friend ko, si Donna.”

Pilit na lumabas ang “Hi!” sa bibig ko.

“O, sige, mauna na ako. May practice pa kami.”

“A, sige. Bye!” sabay ngiti ni Mariel. “Thank you talaga.”

Simula noon ay naging kaibigan na ni Brixx si Mariel. Parati na silang magkatelebabad tuwing gabi at madalas nang magkasama sa pamamasyal. Naging mabilis ang mga pangyayari. Hindi ko maubos-maisip na naging malapit silang dalawa sa isa’t isa. Palagi nila akong niyayaya ngunit palagi naman akong humihindi at nagdadahilang may gagawing iba. Alam kong makagagambala lamang ako sa pagiging malapit ng dalawa kaya palagi kong hinahayaang magkasama sila. Tuwina pa rin ang pagkukunwari kong maayos ang lahat. Hindi ko sinasabi kay Mariel na si Brixx, ang bago nitong malapit na kaibigan, ang dahilan ng bawat pagpunta namin sa mga basketball game. Wala akong balak. Ayokong masira ang magandang samahan ng dalawa lalo na noong nagkaroon na ako ng malakas na kutob na maaaring may relasyon na ang dalawa at hindi lamang nila sinasabi sa ibang tao.

Si Jen naman ay tahimik lang na kumakain, pero sa loob-loob nya ay nagngingitngit na sa kakaisip kung sinong tsismosa ba ang nagkakalat ng tungkol sa kanila ni Rommel.

Samantala sa bahay naman ng mga Galvez:

“Mel, napapadalas na yata pamamasyal mo sa hapon ah” puna ng ina nyang si Luz.

“Ma, bakasyon naman eh, isa pa kung di ako nagbabasketball ay si Jenny lang naman kasama ko” depansa agad ni Rommel sa sinabi ng ina.”

“Ayoko sa batang yun, napakataas ng tingin niya sa sarili niya, isa pa ang bata bata mo pa para mag nobya Rommel, ang landi naman ng Jen na yun din a inisip ang edad nya at kumarengkeng sayo!” Litanya naman ni Aling Luz sa anak.

“Ma! Hindi kumarengkeng si Jen sa akin! At lalong hindi siya mayabang! Sagot ni Rommel sa ina sabay tayo at din a tinapos ang almusal niya. Padabog na lumabas ng bahay at sumakay sa kanyang bike papunta sa bahay ng kaibigang si Nelson.

“Nen!!!” Tawag ni Rommel kay Nelson.

“Oi Mel, an gaga mo ah, ano atin….? Teka, bababa ako, pasok ka na lang, dun tayo sa may duyan.” Sagot ni Nelson sa Pagtawag ni Rommel sa kanya habang nakadungaw sa bintana ng bahay nila.

“Nen, puntahan mo naman si Jen o…. sinagot-sagot ko kasi si mama kanina, may nagtsismis kasi na nobya ko na si Jen. Kakaasar talaga!” nakasimangot na bungad ni Rommel sa kaibigan habang nakayoko at pinaglalaruan ng isang paa nya ang maliit na bato.

“Kaw naman kasi, Alam na alam mo naman na ang mga tao ditto walang ibang pampalipas oras kundi magtsismisan, eh panay pa ang pakikipagkita mo kay Jen! Pagtsistismisan talaga kayo niyan.” Paintindi ni Nelson sa kaibigan habang nakaupo at inuugoy ang duyan nya.

“Ano naman masama dun? Masama ban a magkita kami? Bakit may ginagawa ba kaming bawal? Wala naman diba? Masama ba kung magmahal ako? Masama ba mahalin ako ni Jen?” Tanong niya sa kaibigan.

“Hindi, hindi masama, kaso lang ay napakaaga niyong pumasok sa ganyang relasyon, napakaaga mong sumagot-sagot sa nanay mo, at kahit ikaw ay alam ang pagkahilig ng nanay mong makiunpok sa mga tsismosa habang nasa palayan ang tatay!”

“isa pa, si Jen kasi yun, pag sinabi mong si Jen… ibang usapan ‘yon! Di man sila mayaman ay alam ng lahat na mula sa isang matandang pamilya si Jen sa baryo natin, oo, alam ko may pera kayo, sino ba magmamana ng lupain ninyo eh wala kang kapatid, ikaw lang. Pero di pa rin sapat ‘yun para intindihin ang relasyon niyo ng mga tao dito na makaluma pa rin ang isip. Sa edad nating ‘to dapat ay naglalaro pa tayo, di nagliligawan!” Mahabang paliwanag ng kaibigan.

“Hay, iba kami ni Jen, ayoko ding tumanda na ang sakahan ang inaasikaso, Oo bata pa kami, pero magtatapos kami ng pag-aaral naming, magiging doktora si Jen, at di ako magsasaka kagaya ng mga pinsan ko. Yan ang pangako ko kay Jen.” Seryosong sagot niya sa kausap.

“Okay lang yan, alam ko naman kaya nila Auntie na pag-aralin ka, isa pa di malayong magiging iskolar ka, ang talino mo kasi…” sagot ni Rommel habang nakatitig sa mukha ng kausap.

“Hay…. Hanggang dun lang ba ako? Ano ba yan mula pa kinder ako yun na palagi kong naririning…” tila nayayamot na sambit ng 12 anyos na si Jen at bumangon mula sa pagkakahiga.

“Ano ba nasabi mo na nagalit ka?” nagtatakang tanong ni Rommel.

“Yun nga palagi na lang maririning ko mula sa ibang tao na matalino ako…makakagraduate ako mula sa magandang course sa college, para kasing unfair. Parang kailangan na isubsob ko sa libro ang sarili ko. Ang taas ng expectation nila sa akin Mel….” Tila nagrerebeldeng reklamo ni Jen sa kausap.

“Pero alam mo naiinggit ako kay Lenlen… sa kanya walang mataas na standards na kelangan nya abutin…ang sarap ng buhay ng kapatid ko…at ang swerte niya, Maganda siya.” Halata ang insecurity sa boses ng batang babae habang nakatingin sa malayo.

“Di naman ah, alam naman natin kung ano ang kaya mo, siguro lang naninibago ang baryong ‘to sa isang gaya mo, alam mo naman wala pang nakakasali sa mga quiz bees at contest mula sa scholl natin noon , ikaw pa lang…proud lang sila sayo kaya inaasahan nila maganda ang kinabukasan mo.” Sabi ni Rommel na bumangon na rin sa pagkakahiga sa damuhan at lumapit ng upo kay Jen.

“Isa pa sino may sabing di ka maganda? Para sa akin ikaw ang pinakamaganda sa buong San Jose.” Dagdag pa ng binatilyo at hinawakan ang kamay ng dalagita habang nakatitig sa mata nito.

“Ungas, sinasabi mo lang yan kasi sinagot kita kahapon!” singhal kunwari ni Jen sa kausap sabay baling ng tingin sa kabilang panig ng burol kung saan makikita ang pag-agos ng ilog. Pero sa totoo ay namumula na ang pisngi niya sa sinabing yun ng “nobyo” nya.

Sa maagang edad na dose anyos ay nagsimulang umusbong ang relasyon ng magkababatang si Rommel at Jen. Si Rommel ay solong anak ng may-ari ng malaking lupang sakahan sa San Jose. Si Jen naman ay panganay sa dalawang anak isang sundalo ang ama ni jen at ang Ina nya ay ang Assistant principal ng nag-iisang eskwelahan sa baryo nila. Matalino si Jen at malamang kesa hindi na siya ang maging Valedictorian ng klase nila, samantalang si Rommel sa murang edad na 12 anyos ay nakikitaan na ng pagiging magaling na atleta sa basketball, bagaman siya ay katamtaman lamang ang talino sa mga asignatura nila.

“Mel alas-4 na pala baka hanapin na ako ni Mama. Uwi na tayo total tatlong oras na rin tayo dito sa burol.” Nakangiti ng baling ng dalagita sa batang katipan.

“Kiss muna” at pinikit pa ni rommel ang mata at pinahaba ang nguso sa kasama.

“Ungas! Bawal yan diba…diba nagpromise ka na wala munang kiss at yakap!” Maktol naman ni Jen.

“Sus daya mo naman isang kiss lang…sa pisngi naman eh di naman sa labi…” pangingulit pa rin ni Rommel .

Napaisip si Jen alam niya kung gaano kakulit si rommel, kaya nga nasagot nya ang kababata dahil kinulong siya nito sa classroom nila at di pinalabas hanggang di niya ito sinagot noong nakaraang araw.

“Sige na nga, kulit mo naman .” at inilahad na niya ang pisngi sa nobyo.

“Muah…” Halik ni Rommel sa pisngi ni Jen sabay yakap sa bewang nito. “I love you Jenny” bulong pa nito sa pisngi ni Jen.

“Oo na sige na abuso ka na ha. Sabi mo kiss lang yumakap ka pa! Tara na baka hinahanap ka na rin sa inyo” at kumalas na siya sa pagkakayakap ni Rommel. Tinungo nya ang bisekleta nya na nakahiga sa damuhan at itinayo ito, ng akma na siyang sasakay sa bisekleta niya ay biglang nagsalita si Rommel na nakasakay na rin pala sa bisekleta nito.

“Wag ka na magbibisekleta ha, di maganda sa babae tingnan ang nagbibisikleta, iaangkas na lang kita sa likod ng bike ko pag pasok natin sa school at pag-uwi isa pa sabi nila nakakasira daw ng virginity ng babae ang pagba-bike”

“Ashus!kaw naman….nagpapaniwala ka sa ganun…okay,okay di na po ako magba-bike mula bukas. “ Nakangiting baling ni Jen kay Rommel. At nagsimula na silang bumaba ng burol pauwi sa mga bahay nila.