Powell River Writers Conference

Powell River Writer’s Conference
Congratulations to all our  Contest Winners!

Congratulations Ernalee Alde for the winning story in the 2009 Writer’s Contest!

Hope or Hopeless

By Ernalee Alde

300 words

Dark turbulent times are the parents of bright futures, mine includes a mom named Joy and a dad called Lucky.  Life with these two is a mortal challenge.  How can I be depressed like every other teenager when my Mother sticks handmade posters on the walls that say, You Get What You Focus On, You Are What You Think and Change Your Mind-Change Your Life!  Geez, give me a break! 

While everyone else’s dad complains about the state of the economy and the plummeting dollar, mine lists everything he’s grateful for, including lame things like food, a roof and can you believe it, even me.  The guy’s wacko!

It’s getting to the point where I’m embarrassed to bring anyone home to hang out.  My mom serves Happiness Cookies and talks about how wonderful life is.  It’s so embarrassing!

My friends have cool names like Fearatio and Despairna, but what did my parents have to call me?  Hope.  I’ve decided to change it to Hopeless or I’ll never get a cool boyfriend.

When I stayed with my best friend Chaotica this weekend, I got to see what a normal family’s like.  Everyone’s so angry and dysfunctional.  We argued over an awful supper that made us all feel sick.  It was great.

Later I headed for the one bathroom only to find there were three others in line including Chaotica.

“Does this happen often?”  I asked.

“Yeah,” she nodded.  “I’ve had food poisoning three times.  Ooh,” she groaned.  “This feels like number four.  Great huh?”  She pounded on the door with her fist.  “Hurry up in there!”

I raced for my cell phone and dialed frantically.  “Mom?” I blurted.  “Can you have Dad come pick me up?  Yes, right now!  And Mom?” I whispered.  “Do you have any Happiness Cookies left?