This World We Live In
First published by Steven Bowman © 2020
Copyright © 2020 by Steven Bowman All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.
This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.
Steven Bowman asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
First edition
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A little brother teaches his older siblings how to be more patient, and they teach him what happens if he pushes their buttons.
– Author Unknown
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Itwillbeagreatsummer,nomatterwhatittakes.Bythe way, I am fourteen-year-old Michael James, and I was born at 6:57 pm on February 26th, 1990.
It is 2004, and I live at 29 South Rockwell St., Houston, TX
77267. I have got a ten-year-old little brother named Casey James. He was born at 6:25 pm on February 10th, 1994.
My Mama is Margaret “Margie” Callahan-James. She was born in Boston, Massachusetts, at 9:51 am on July 6th, 1969.
She grew up in her parent’s house at 13 North Birchwood St., Boston, MA 02118.
And Papa is William “Liam” James. He was born in Pasadena, Texas, at 12:31 pm on November 18th, 1966.
He grew up in his parent’s house at 9069 Hope Drive, Pasadena, TX 77503. He is thirty-seven. I am also going into the ninth grade in high school, and Casey is going into fifth grade.
It will happen after the summer is over. However, high school sucks. There is always trouble when someone gets me into it.
Hmm, a bully?
That is who.
1
ItisnowSunday,June27th,2004.Oneweekaftersummer started. Summer begins on June 20th, so that is a week from then.
I am enjoying my summer so far; no worries have pitied me.
It is like the best summer ever. However, my little brother has been bugging me.
Ugh, this is the world we live in, I try to ignore him, but at ten, he should know better than to bug people when they fucking do not need it!
I am so much for a caring, lovable brother. Right? Nothing ever goes my way, it is sometimes my teenage attitude, but I say,
“fuck that shit!”
Maybe the world requires a teenage attitude. However, I was able to lay off the dramatics. Nobody gives a fuck about me, not Mama or Papa, well, definitely not Casey. Hell no, not him whatsoever!
Well, it is not like my life requires my little brother. Hell no!
I am better off without him, not that he will care about it. I am a teenager that is rampaging on and on, but who gives a fuck?
There I go with the dramatics again. Yeah, yeah. I know.
Quit bullshitting. Haha, that is a good one. Life sucks! But this summer has made my life better.
2
It has been a week, and I have not seen much. My life gets boring, and my family does not help. I am getting bored just staring at the plain old white ceiling. Shit is rough!
My world does not need such boredom. Anyway, I may be used to the boredom. Like no school until September, and weirdly, the unwillingness to kill my little brother.
Well, I will not kill my little brother. That would end me up in prison, charged with a murder case. That is a no-go for me.
Although I dream about killing him, that would not be very pretty. It would end up brutal and ugly. I do not need that on my hands, nor mind. Let us move on from that, shall we?
Let us shall.
3
ItisnowThursday,July1st,2004,fourdaysafterJune27th.
And I am still bored to death. Hell, I have not killed Casey yet.
Moving on, moving on, I know. Well, today, I am stressed. It is because of the so-called girlfriend I used to have, who has now broken up with me.
She and I have been dating since April 17th, 2002. That was back when I was twelve, and we had been dating for two years, two months, and two weeks before the breakup.
Well, I was a twelve-year-old, and she was an eleven-year-old.
I am fourteen, and she is thirteen, but fuck her. I do not need that bitch anymore!
I will put that in the graveyard before feeling wacky, and she was a great girlfriend and friend. Now, I have got to go fishing with another girlfriend. Oh, brother! Woe is me!
The next day.
Right now, it has been a day. Now, it is Friday, July 2nd, 2004.
Great news, I have a friend that helped me out by giving me a girl’s number.
It looks like her name is Carolyn Hunter, and she goes by 4
Carrie. She is a fifteen-year-old, born at 12:42 pm on December 25th, 1988.
Maybe if I ask her out, she will be my girlfriend. Let us find out, shall we? Vamos. I dialed Carrie’s number on my phone and waited for her to pick up.
Then, after a few rings, she picked up, and we conversated.
The conversation went well, and I hope she will be my girlfriend.
“Hello, is this Carrie Hunter?” I wondered as I waited for a response. “My name is Michael James. I got your number from a friend. Who am I speaking to?”
“Yes, I am Carrie Hunter,” she replied. “Who’s this? How’d you get my number again?”
“Michael James, madam,” I politely said. “I got your number from a friend of mine. That is not important. I wondered if you would like to be my girlfriend, Carrie. What do you say, miss?”
“Okay, Michael. I will decide,” Carrie says. “I decide to be your girlfriend. Where do you live, Michael?”
Michael says in his mind, “Yes! ”
“I live at 29 South Rockwell St., Houston, TX 77267,” I responded. “Where do you live, Carrie?”
“I live at 9908 Little Street, Houston, TX 77088,” Carrie responded. “We are four-point-forty-miles apart.”
“Okay, cool,” I said. “Thanks for being my girlfriend, Carrie.
You will not regret it. Te lo prometo.”
Carrie said, “Anytime, Michael. I know you will not make me regret it.”
Michael then hung up the phone and jumped for joy. Now that he has a girlfriend again, things for this summer are better.
5
TodayisFriday,July9th,2004,aweekfromJuly2nd.
And it has been boring for me so far. Maybe I should ask Mama to drop me off at Carrie’s house.
After I told her I got a new girlfriend, would she be disappointed that I broke up with my ex-girlfriend two years, two months, three weeks, and one day ago, on April 17th, 2002?
I entered the living room, “Mama, can you drop me off somewhere?”
Mama politely responded, “Sure. Where do you want to go, sweetie?”
“The address is 9908 Little Street, Houston, TX 77088,” I told her. “Her name is Carrie, and she is my girlfriend. She lives four-point-forty-miles from our house. So, can I go, Mama?”
“Sure, sweetie,” Mama says with a smile. “What happened with you and Britt Allison?”
I frowned, “I do not want to speak about her anymore, Mama.
It did not work out for us. That is all you need to know.”
“Okay, sweetie. Let us get to your new girlfriend’s house,”
Mama motioned for me to get ready. “That is disappointing that you and Britt broke up, sweetie. You two were a great couple.
It is time to get your shoes on to see your new girlfriend.”
“I know, Mama. It is too bad, right?” I said with a half-smile.
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“Maybe Carrie and I can be a better couple than I was with Britt.
Okay, let me get my shoes on. Please do not rush me.”
Then, I went and got my shoes on. Mama grabbed her car keys, and we both headed out the door and into my Mama’s car and drove four-point-forty miles to Carrie’s house.
And then, I finally got to meet Carrie for the first time. Finally, once I got there, Mama dropped me off, kissed me goodbye, and Carrie and I hung out for the day.
Once I got there, I got to meet Carrie’s family and was her little sister like my little brother, yes, annoying as fuck.
I leaned for a kiss on Carrie’s cheek, “What’s up, Carrie? It is me, Michael James. It is nice to meet you. What is your sister’s name, and how old is she?”
Carrie replied, “Cynthia Hunter, she goes by Cindy. She is my six-year-old little sister.”
Cindy was a six-year-old, born at 2:05 am on July 5th, 1998.
I introduced myself, “Hello, Cindy. My name is Michael.
Michael James.”
“Hello, Michael. It is nice to meet you,” Cindy says with a smile. “Who are you to, my big sister?”
“I am your big sister’s boyfriend,” I replied. “How cool is that, Cindy?”
Cindy smiled, “It is so cool, Michael. As long as it makes you two happy, it makes me happy.”
Then, Cindy went to her room, and I believe she was playing with her dollies. Along with some makeup of some sort. Ew, girly stuff, am I right?
It is whatever, though. I am a man! Never am I a sexist, I do not understand what girls have with dolls and makeup at such 7
a young age.
Well, with Cindy, I am getting it, I guess. She is a six-year-old little girl. And it is a little girl thing, but it is just their thing.
I sat on Carrie’s couch and sighed, “What do you want to do, baby?”
“I could introduce you to my parents,” Carrie replied. Then, she told me to hang on for a bit, “I have got to get them. Hold on. Please give me a minute, and I will be back. Okay, sweetie?”
I smiled and nodded, “Sure, baby. Go right ahead. Hurry back now.”
Then, Carrie went and got her parents. It took her more than a minute, by the way. And then, after a few odd minutes, she came with her parents, and I got to introduce myself to Mr. and Mrs. Hunter.
“Howdy, Mr. Hunter. My name is Michael. Michael James,”
I said as I introduced myself to Carrie’s father. “What is your name, sir?”
Mr. Hunter introduced himself, “Howdy, Michael. My name is Curtis Hunter. It is nice to meet you, sir.”
Mr. Hunter was thirty-nine years old, born in San Antonio, Texas, at 7:48 am on January 9th, 1965.
“Howdy, Mrs. Hunter. My name is Michael. Michael James,”
I said as I introduced myself to Carrie’s mother. “What is your name, madam?”
Mrs. Hunter introduced herself, “Howdy, Michael. My name is Courtney Mitchell-Hunter. It is nice to meet you, sir.”
I smiled, “It is nice to meet you as well, Mrs. Hunter. I finally got to meet you, miss.”
Mrs. Hunter was thirty-seven years old, born in Dallas, Texas, at 10:13 am on February 16th, 1967.
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Carrie motions her parents to leave, “Okay, Mama, Papa. You met Michael. You may leave. Goodbye, guys. I love you all.”
Then, Mr. and Mrs. Hunter left us alone, and Carrie and I hung out for the rest of the time until my Mama came and picked me back up.
Boy was the day a fun one. My first day with Carrie, hell yeah! Today was special. I wish I could do it over and over.
It was a score, and I am better off with Carrie than my ex-girlfriend Britt. I did not miss Britt for the whole day. She was not on my mind.
Can I get a boo-yeah, anyone?
The day ends.
9
TodayisSaturday,January1st,2005,andsinceJuly9th, 2004, it has been five months, three weeks, and two days after. I am still a fourteen-year-old, and Casey is still a ten-year-old.
My Mama is thirty-five years old, and my Papa is thirty-eight.
My fifteenth birthday is eight weeks away, and Casey’s eleventh birthday is five weeks and five days away.
I am still a ninth grader, and Casey is, again, a fifth grader.
And now, since July 2nd, 2004, it has been five months, four weeks, and two days since Carrie and I dated.
And since July 1st, 2004, it has been six months since the breakup between Britt Allison and me.
Also, speaking of how long it has been since April 17th, 2002, it has been two years, eight months, two weeks, and a day later, after my first date with my ex-girlfriend Britt.
Wow, that is the exact number of months, weeks, and days from each. Too long, shall I say?
Now that it is January 1st. It is New Year’s Day of 2005. I am too cold, and I believe I am coming down with a cold, achoo!
My goodness, I cannot afford to get sick. Well, I could miss school, I guess. Well, it is a good thing that I will miss school.
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That does mean no homework, no stress, and NO BULLIES!
Yay, I love being sick, achoo! Well, I am sick, my Mama took my temperature, and my fever is 105.7 °F, 41 °C.
Since it is Winter Break at my school, I do not have to miss it.
GODDAMMIT! Well, I am staying home one way or another.
However, achoo! My goodness, I cannot keep myself from sneezing. I am sorry for sneezing so much. I cannot help it, achoo! There I go again. I am sorry.
One and a half hours later.
The time right now is 2:17 pm, and it has been one and a half hours since 12:47 pm. And my Mama made me chicken noodle soup with saltines for lunch, and I ate that right up.
Boy, was that soup delicious? You guessed it; it was. Quite yummy! Now that it is 2005. And no longer 2004. The year has just begun.
And since 2004 passed, the year has been going great for me.
I no longer have to worry about my ex-girlfriend Britt Allison.
And I have got yet, a more beautiful and stunningly gorgeous girlfriend. She is way better than Britt, by like one hundred times better.
Well, achoo! My goodness, sorry for sneezing again. Please excuse me when I sneeze, achoo! There I go, sneezing yet again.
I am sorry, I cannot help myself when I sneeze. Bless me, right? My life is more entertaining now that I have got Carrie.
She and I clicked more than I did.
She understands me, and yes, our younger siblings drive us crazy. I am talking about my ten-year-old little brother Casey, and Cindy, her six-year-old little sister.
Wow, we have got annoying younger siblings commonly. We 11
both can agree that they are both fucking annoying!
Fifteen minutes later.
Fifteen minutes have passed, and now it is 2:32 pm. Fifteen minutes ago, it was 2:17 pm. I feel like calling Carrie. I bet she will make me feel better, achoo! I am sorry, I am sneezing again.
Where was I? Oh, yeah. I will call Carrie. Once I dialed her number, and the phone rang, she picked up after three minutes at 2:35 pm. Our conversation was this:
“Hello, beautiful,” I told Carrie on the phone as she picked up.
“I am sick, baby. Please, make me feel better, Carrie.”
Carrie said, “Aw, poor baby. I wish I could be there with you. But you know. It is a four-point-forty-mile drive from my house to yours.”
“Thanks, Carrie. I feel a little better now that I am talking to you,” I said with a smile. “Do not forget that I love you, Carrie.”
Carrie smiled, “I love you too, sweetie. By the way, happy anniversary Michael. Do you know how long we have dated?”
I replied, “Exactly, five months, four weeks, and two days.
And thank you. Same to you, Carrie.”
“Correct, Michael,” Carrie felt proud. “Thank you, sweetie.
What is it like at your place since you are sick?”
I replied, “Anytime, Carrie. Well, I am in my room, and I am in my boxers on my bed. I am also bored to death, baby.”
“Aw, poor baby. I feel bad for you, sweetie,” Carrie said with a frown. “Well, I hope you feel better soon, Michael.”
I sniffled and said, “Thanks, I appreciate it, Carrie. What are you doing right now?”
Carrie replies, “Anytime, sweetie. I am in my room, doing nothing but watching television and catching up on some 12
homework. Also, I had to tell Cindy to leave my room a lot.
She is so fucking annoying. My God! Ugh!”
“Okay, that is relatable,” I smirked. “Casey kept going in my room a lot, so I had to yell at him to leave my room. He can get fucking annoying as well. I agree. Our siblings are annoying as fuck.”
Carrie laughed, “Yeah, you have got that right, sweetie.”
“Well, I will let you go, baby,” I said. “You have got homework to do, so goodbye. Talk to you another time, Carrie. Enjoy your day. I love you.”
Carrie says, “Okay, Michael. Goodbye, I love you too. Enjoy your day, sweetie. Talk to you another time.”
Then, I hung up the phone. It left me still sick, bored, and with an annoying little brother who made me want to kill him. However, I cannot kill him. You know, a murder case, remember?
Well, that conversation was a good one. I love talking to Carrie. She is the best girlfriend ever. I feel complete when we talk to each other.
Amazing girlfriend and best friend. Way better than my ex-girlfriend, Britt. Achoo! There I went sneezing again. I am sorry for sneezing so much.
Anyway, the rest of the day finally blew by. That left the rest of January 1st boring. It is whatever. Anyway, achoo! I am sorry. Bless me yet again.
13
TodayisSaturday,February26th,2005,nowitis6:57
pm, and it has been eight weeks since January 1st.
Guess what?
It is my fifteenth birthday, and I have survived on Earth for fifteen years. Also, Casey’s now an eleven-year-old since Thursday, February 10th.
His birthday was lame, and it had no pizzazz to it whatsoever.
Snort! I cannot keep myself from laughing! Well, my birthday will not be lame. I can guarantee that 100%.
“Happy birthday, Bubba,” Mama says as she hugs me. “How does it feel to be fifteen, Michael?”
I replied, “Good. Thank you, Mama.”
“Happy birthday, Michael-My-Boy,” Papa says as he pats my back. “I cannot believe my oldest is fifteen now.”
I got weirded out, “Gees, Papa. You do not have to start crying.
Quit while you are ahead, please!”
Casey punched my arm fifteen times, “Happy birthday, Big Bro. There are your fifteen birthday punches.”
I was flustered, “Quit that shit, Casey! I do not need those fifteen birthday punches. Enough with that bullshit!”
Mama started getting angry, “Quit arguing, you two, RIGHT
NOW!”
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Casey and I said simultaneously, “I am sorry. We will stop.”
“Now, blow out the candles, Bubba,” Mama says, lighting the number 15 candle. “And make a wish, Michael.”
I started blowing out the candles, and in my mind, I said, “I wish that Casey would die. ”
I mean, come on, that is not my wish, “I wish to marry Carrie someday and have beautiful children. ”
Then, I blew out candles for real, and I got some birthday presents after everyone said, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Michael!”
Two hours and thirty minutes have passed.
Right now, two hours and thirty minutes have passed between 7:10 pm. And now it is 9:40 pm. Since 6:57 pm, it has been thirteen minutes.
It has been two hours and forty-three minutes since. And I am in my room, bored, and doing some homework. Also, I am trying to keep Casey from annoying the shit out of me.
Come on, Casey, it is my birthday, for God’s sake! Hold on, I am getting an incoming call from a person, especially, and that person said:
“Happy birthday, sweetie,” said the special someone. “It is me, Carrie. How does it feel to be fifteen?”
“Thanks, baby,” I thanked her, smiling. “It feels the same way as it did when I turned fourteen, same old, same old.”
“You are welcome, Michael,” Carrie said. “Currently, what are you doing right now? I am in my room doing homework peacefully.”
“I am in my room doing homework as well,” I replied. “Happy anniversary, baby. How long has it been since we dated since July 2nd, 2004?”
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Carrie said curiously, “No, how long has it been, sweetie?”
I replied, “Exactly, seven months, three weeks, and three days.
So, I love you, baby.”
Carrie giggles, “Wow, that is cool. I love you too, Michael.”
“Okay, I got to do homework, baby,” I said with a frown.
“Goodbye, and I love you, Carrie. Enjoy your day, baby.”
Carrie said, “Okay, I love you too, sweetie. Goodbye, and enjoy the rest of your birthday, Michael. Take care, sweetie.”
Then, Carrie hung up the phone. I went back to doing my homework. Well, until Casey came in and started annoying the fuck out of me.
So, I told him to leave, or he would get an ass-kicking from me. That scared him enough to leave my room. Phew!
Twenty-three days later.
Today is Monday, March 21st, 2005. Since February 26th, 2005, it has been three weeks, two days, or twenty-three days later.
Also, it has been eight months, two weeks, and five days since I dated Carolyn Hunter. Wow, the days have been flying by so quickly. It is driving me insane.
It is also the second day of spring. Before my Mama turns thirty-six, it will be three months, two weeks, and a day. And before my Papa turns thirty-eight, it will be seven months and four weeks.
So they have got quite some time until their birthdays.
Exactly, that is how long they have got until their birthdays.
Wow, that will be thrilling.
One hour has passed.
16
It is now 3:38 pm, and an hour has passed since 2:38 pm. And I am stuck in my room, still bored with an annoying brother.
Maybe—not, I should not bother Carrie. She is probably out on the beach in Galveston, Texas. Well, she went without me.
Her family drove an hour and three minutes from Houston to Galveston Beach. Also, it was a fifty-six-point-forty-eight-mile drive to their destination.
What a shame she did not take me to Galveston Beach. Oh, well. I guess I am not that important. Oh, well.
Um, it is this world we live in, I guess. However, I would have loved to go to Galveston Beach. But I have not been to Galveston, Texas.
By the way, from my house to Galveston Beach, it would take a fifty-nine-point-eighty-mile drive.
I guess saving three minutes off their Spring Break by not letting me come. Oh, brother!
Oh, well. I must crawl into a hole and die now. By the way, this Spring Break sucks because I cannot spend time at Galveston Beach with Carrie.
However, I can cheer myself up when she comes on Saturday, March 26th. She is spending a five-day Spring Break vacation on everything. WITHOUT ME!
Nine hours and ten minutes have passed.
It is 11:55 pm, and nine hours and ten minutes have passed since 2:45 pm. I am getting tired. Besides, I have got to sleep. I will be dreaming of Carrie. I bet you were!
Anyway, I am getting sleepy, snort! Anyway, I have got to say goodnight to the world since today has ended.
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Sleep tight, world! I am hoping to get some good sleep tonight.
I need it after the day has me so bored.
Michael sleeps until the morning.
18
ItisnowTuesday,June21st,2005.SinceMarch21st,2005, it has been three months. Now it is the first day of summer.
Also, it has been eleven months, two weeks, and five days since Carrie and I dated. Britt and I have been exes for eleven months, two weeks, and six days.
Since April 17th, 2002, it has been three years, two months, and four days after I first dated my ex-girlfriend. I know, I know, I am dwelling on the past. Stop it! Stop it!
Also, I finished ninth grade in high school. I am heading into my tenth grade. Casey finished fifth grade in elementary school.
He is heading to middle school as a sixth grader. Oh, boy, will Casey love the sixth grade, hehe? Speaking of the sixth grade, I had a horrible school year as a sixth grader in middle school.
Well, until my Mama’s birthday is fifteen days away. Her birthday will be on Wednesday. She will be thirty-six. And until my Papa’s birthday, it is four months and four weeks. His birthday will be on Friday.
He will be thirty-nine. My Mama’s birthday is July 6th, and Papa’s birthday is November 18th. Also, Carrie is a sixteen-year-old. She has been sixteen for five months, three weeks, and six days.
19
Well, I am bored. Maybe I should give Carrie a call. Here I go. I dialed her number and waited for her to pick up. After a short while, she finally picked up. Our conversation went like this:
“Hey, Carrie. It is me, Michael,” I said as I waited for Carrie to talk to me. “Happy summer, and happy anniversary, baby.”
“Hey, sweetie. How are you?” Carrie says as she answers the phone. “Thanks, Michael. Happy summer, and happy anniversary, Michael.”
“I am well. How are you?” I spoke. “Anytime, baby. Thanks.”
“You are welcome, sweetie,” Carrie says with a smile. “I am well. How’s your first day of summer so far?”
I smiled and replied, “Okay, my first day of summer is good.
How about you?”
Carrie replies, “Mine is well. Hey, how long has it been since we have dated?”
“Exactly, eleven months, two weeks, and five days,” I responded. “How cool is that, my love?”
“So cool, my handsome,” Carrie says with a delightful smile.
“I cannot believe it has been that long. I feel like a princess. You are the prince, Michael.”
“Yeah, it has been that long. I cannot believe it either,” I said.
“No, princess. You are the queen, and I am the king.”
Carrie giggled, “You are my king, my love. I love being the queen.”
I laughed, “Yes, I am. Likewise, I bet it felt great being the queen.”
“It does feel great, Michael,” Carrie agreed. “I am sorry for not taking you with my family and me to Galveston Beach on March 21st.”
“No worries, my love,” I said with a smile. “Besides, that was three months ago. So, it is not anything to worry about, Carrie.
20
I forgave you, baby.”
“Okay, I would have taken you, but I feel bad,” Carrie frowned.
“So, you are not mad at me, sweetie?”
I laughed, “No, I am not mad, my love. Do not worry about it. As I said, it was three months ago. I forgave you, Carrie.”
“Okay, sweetie. I have got to let you go now,” Carrie says. “I have got to deal with Cindy. Goodbye, and I will talk to you another time. Perhaps tomorrow or next week? Anyway, I got to go. Bye, sweetie.”
Carrie hung up the phone before I could say anything. It was a delightful conversation, and I always loved talking to Carrie.
She is such a great girlfriend, and I love her so much. She will always love me more than my ex-girlfriend Britt Allison would.
A week later.
It has been a week. Now, it is Tuesday, June 28th, 2005. Good news: Carrie took me to Miami Beach, Florida, on a seventeen-hour and forty-seven-minute car ride.
It is also a nine-hundred-seventy-seven-point-twenty-two-mile drive from my house to Miami Beach, Florida.
I am lucky this time. Carrie took me on a four-week vacation from today, Tuesday, June 28th, until Tuesday, July 26th.
Also, on Saturday, July 2nd, the first anniversary for Carrie and me since we have been together for four days from now.
Carrie, her family, and I will relax, for four weeks, in Miami Beach, Florida. I get to spend a lot of time with my girlfriend.
We are also stopping in Miami, Florida, a three-point-ninety-one-mile drive. Wow, that trip from Houston to Miami Beach was a long one.
21
I cannot believe it. Boy, am I so tired! I am excited to be in Miami Beach with Carrie. Her family, even though I will be with Cindy for four weeks.
Hopefully, she will not be—well, I should not say I hope she will not be annoying or rude. Anyway, once I marry Carrie, Cindy will be my sister-in-law.
Casey will be Carrie and Cindy’s brother-in-law. Well, I have got a while until I marry Carrie. Hopefully, that day will come.
Oh, boy, I wish that day was now. To Carrie and Cindy, my Mama and Papa would be their parents-in-law. I will be the son-in-law of Carrie and Cindy’s parents.
Casey would be the nephew-in-law of Carrie and Cindy’s parents. The in-laws get confused, so I guess Casey would be their nephew-in-law.
Four days later.
It has been four days later. And it is now Saturday, July 2nd, 2005. And we have twenty-four days left of our vacation or three weeks and three days.
Also, as it has been a year since we have dated since Friday, July 2nd, 2004, today is my first anniversary with Carrie. I woke Carrie up from her sleep to tell her the good news.
It is our first anniversary. We have dated for a year. Was this great news to hear or what? The answer is yes. Here’s how our conversation went:
I shook Carrie awake, “Wake up, Carrie. Happy anniversary!”
Carrie snorted, “Huh, do you know what time it is, Michael?
Please, go back to sleep, and wake me up a little later.”
“It is 9:36 am, baby. But happy anniversary, Carrie,” I replied.
“Please, I need today to be special for us. So, I love you, baby.”
22
Carrie yawned, “Okay, I am up. Happy anniversary Michael, Now, please go back to bed. Wake me up around 11:30 am, and go back to sleep!”
I respected her wishes, “Okay, my queen. I will let you go back to sleep. I love you, Carrie. Get some rest, my beautiful.”
Then, I allowed Carrie to go back to sleep. Then, I rested until an hour and fifty-four minutes later, at 11:30 am. Carrie, her family, and I all went out and explored Miami and Miami Beach.
And a week passes, and it is now Saturday, July 9th. We have got seventeen days. Or two weeks and three days left of our vacation. Meanwhile, in Miami Beach: I held Carrie’s hand, “Isn’t the beach lovely? My beautiful?”
Carrie kissed my cheek, “Yes, my handsome. It is. I love you.
Happy first anniversary, Michael.”
“Okay, thank you. I love you, too. Happy first, Carrie,” I said with a smile. “I cannot believe it has been a year since we have dated. Can’t you, my queen?”
“Thanks, sweetie,” Carrie says while her hair shimmers in the sunlight. “No, I cannot, my love. I am glad it has been a year.
How about you?”
I smiled and replied, “I am glad too. It has been a great year, in my opinion. How about you?”
Carrie giggled, “It has been a great year, I agree. So, what do you want to do while we are on the beach?”
“I am not sure, my love,” I replied. “What do you want to do? I mean, we are alone without Cindy and your parents. We could do whatever, I guess.”
“Yes, I guess that is true,” Carrie nodded. “How about we go into the ocean? Well, only as deep as we can, my handsome.”
I agreed, “Okay, we can do that. Let us do it, my queen.”
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Then, Carrie and I went into the ocean, holding hands. Then, an hour and a half passed, and it was now 1 pm. So, I went to eat lunch with Carrie.
Once we arrived at a spot for lunch, we went to Los Soñadores, a Mexican restaurant in Miami Beach. The restaurant’s name in English means The Dreamers.
Fifteen minutes later.
It is now 1:15 pm. Fifteen minutes later, we left Los Soñadores and went back to see Carrie’s family for the rest of the day, then the rest of the vacation blew by.
We took the seventeen-hour and forty-seven-minute car ride back to Houston, Texas. Everything in Miami and Miami Beach was a sight to see, and I loved it all.
Then, I came home and went to bed until the morning. I was tired, and my family welcomed me home from the trip.
My family missed me, I feel like, and my annoying little brother, Casey too. It feels great being back home.
Michael comes home and sleeps until the next day comes.
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ItisnowWednesday,July27th,2005,adayafterJuly26th, and I have been dating Carrie for a year, three weeks, and four days.
Yesterday’s trip back from Miami Beach to Houston was tiresome, and it feels great now that I have rested from that long drive back to my house.
I am amazed. I got to go on a four-week vacation with Carrie and her family. Maybe I should give—
Well, I cannot because Carrie’s probably sleeping right now.
Then, Casey came to my room to hang out with me. So, we had a conversation, and this is how it went: Casey entered my room, “Hey, Michael. How are you doing?”
I faked a smile and said, “I am doing well, Casey. What do you want?”
“How was it in Miami Beach?” Casey says. “And who is your girlfriend? How long have you been together?”
“My girlfriend is Carolyn Hunter,” I answered. Then, I rolled my eyes, “Miami Beach was great, and we have been together for a year, three weeks, and four days. Any more questions?”
Casey sighed, “No more questions, I guess. Fine, I will leave you alone. Ugh!”
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Then, Casey left my room, and I was bored for half an hour.
Now it is 2:12 pm. It was 1:42 pm, thirty minutes ago. I called Carrie, and we spoke about our usual.
I then asked my Mama if she could drive me to Carrie’s house, and we hung out for most of our day. Boy, was it fun? The answer is yes. Our conversation went like this:
“Hey, my queen. It is me, Michael. How are you?” I said as I waited for Carrie to answer the phone. “Some long trip last night, huh?”
Carrie answered the phone, “Hey, My king. I am doing well.
Yes, it was a long trip last night. How are you doing, Michael?”
“Okay, good,” I said with a smile. “I am doing well, my love.
Say, do you want to hang out? I can ask my Mama if she can drive me to your house. So, would that be alright with you and your parents?”
Carrie answered, “Okay, Michael. Yes, we can hang out at my place. Be here in a half-hour, and we will hang out. Is that alright, my handsome?”
I replied, “Yes, my beautiful. That is alright. See you in a half-hour. I love you. Goodbye.”
Then, I hung up the phone, and a half-hour passed. It was 2:42
pm. And my Mama drove me to Carrie’s house. I was thrilled to hang out with Carrie and her family.
Well, mostly Carrie. Once I got to Carrie’s house, we hung out. And we watched television in her room. The TV had this in the background:
Today, a seven-year-old little boy’s kitten had gotten stuck in a tree, and the Houston Fire Department had to rescue 26
it from the tree. Thanks to the Houston Fire Department, the family was relieved to have their kitten back.
Then, after that, Carrie flipped the television to another channel.
The channel was nothing I would hear. So, she watched it until she finally got bored.
And she allowed me to watch whatever I wanted. It was not long before Cindy came to bother us. Yet, Carrie had to tell her little sister to leave us alone.
She left and went into her room to play with her dollies and makeup. And after that, Carrie allowed me to stay with her for dinner.
Once three hours and forty-eight minutes passed, it became 6 pm, and Carrie’s father made us all burgers and hot dogs on the grill.
Then, after we ate, I stayed another two hours and thirty minutes until 8:30 pm, and then my Mama picked me up and drove me home.
Finally, after I got home, it was not until three hours and twenty-five minutes, from 8:30 pm to 11:55 pm, and I slept until the next day.
The next day.
The date is Thursday, July 28th, 2005, a day after July 27th, and it has been a year, three weeks, and five days since I dated Carrie.
I am, once more, bored, so I did what I always did since the entire time I would be with Carrie. You know, I am going to call her. So, this is how our conversation went: 27
I called Carrie and said, “Hello, my beautiful. It is me, Michael.
How are you doing today? It has been a year, three weeks, and five days since we dated way back on July 2nd, 2004.”
Carrie answered her phone, “Hello, my handsome. I am doing well today. How about you? Wow, that is a long time.”
“I am doing well today,” I said with a smile. “Yeah, it is a long time.”
“Okay, sweetie,” Carrie said. Then, she curiously says to me,
“Hey, Michael. Who did you date before me?”
I answered with a half-smile, “Her name was Britt Allison, we dated from April 17th, 2002, until July 1st, 2004, two years, two months, and two weeks. Why?”
“Oh, okay. I am sorry to ask,” Carrie sounded sad. “I was just curious, my love. I am sorry to ask you this question.”
I said with a happy heart, “There is no reason to be sorry. It was only a question. You can ask me any questions. I promise to answer them to the best of my ability. Okay, baby?”
“Okay, my love,” Carrie cheered up. “You are the best boyfriend I could ever want. I love you, Michael.”
“Thanks, and I love you too, Carrie,” I said. Then, I curiously said, “Hey, Carrie. What is your middle name?”
“My middle name is Rose,” replies Carrie. “I was born Carolyn Rose Hunter. What is your middle name, Michael?”
I replied with a smile, “William. I was born Michael William James. And Casey’s middle name is Richard. He was born Casey Richard James.”
“Oh, how cool,” Carrie says with a smile. “And Cindy’s middle name is Lauralyn. She was born Natalia Lauralyn Hunter.”
“That is cool, my love,” I said with amazement. “So, currently, what are you doing?”
“I am doing nothing. I am so bored,” Carrie sighed. “How 28
about you, my handsome?”
“Aw, poor baby. I feel bad for you,” I frowned. “Same here, my love. I am so bored. I am getting hungry as well. Maybe I will eat lunch and call you back when I get done. Okay, my love?”
Carrie’s phone starts cutting out, “Okay—”
Then, I hung up and made myself lunch. Then, after I ate, it took five minutes. I gave Carrie a callback. Somehow, her phone cuts out mysteriously.
That was strange. I tried calling Carrie again, and she picked up after the first ring. Once again, our conversation went like this:
I said curiously, “What happened to your phone, Carrie?”
Carrie replies, “I do not know, sweetie. I guess my phone had connection issues. I am sorry for the cutout.”
“No worries, my love,” I smiled. “That was strange. But, it is whatever. I forgave you, baby.”
Carrie says with a smile, “Okay, my handsome. Thank you for forgiving me.”
“Anytime, Carrie. I love you, my queen,” I said. “Currently, I am finished eating my lunch. What are you having for lunch?”
Carrie feels adored and says, “I love you too, My king. I ate way before you did. I had a ham and cheese sandwich with a little mayonnaise. Not only that, but I also had some potato chips on the side. What did you have for lunch, Michael?”
“I had two slices of plain pizza,” I replied. “I ordered it from Pizzeria Marchegiano, an Italian eatery ten minutes from where I live. It was so good.”
“Oh, I bet it was so good. That is cool,” Carrie says delightfully. “Do you recommend I get from Pizzeria Marchegiano sometime?”
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I agreed, “It is so cool. Yes, if you want to, my love.”
“Okay, Maybe someday,” Carrie says with a thought. “Okay, I will have to let you go, Michael. Goodbye, my handsome.”
Then Carrie hangs up the phone. And I was left bored for the rest of the day. So, I did nothing, and once it became night.
And at 11:55 pm, I slept until the morning came. Then, my day was back to where it is always, bored to death.
Michael sleeps until the morning comes.
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Ithasbeentwoweeksandadaynow.AndthedateisFriday, August 12th, 2005. Since I dated Carrie, it has been a year, a month, a week, and three days.
And since I have broken up with Britt Allison, it has been a year, a month, a week, and four days. Also, since I dated Britt, it has been three years, three months, three weeks, and five days.
Remember, I dated Britt from April 17th, 2002, until July 1st, 2004. And I have been with Carrie since July 2nd, 2004, a day after the breakup with my ex-girlfriend.
So, from April 17th, 2002, until July 1st, 2004, it has been two years, two months, and two weeks. That is how long I dated my ex-girlfriend, Britt Allison.
However, that still is my past. And I have got to let that shit go.
So, there. I put it six deep into the ground. And I am moving on. Good riddance, Britt. I am bored now. Maybe I should give Carrie a call. Right now, it is noon.
And I woke up at 9:13 am, two hours and forty-seven minutes ago. I gave Carrie a call. Of course, you know, this is how our conversation went:
I waited for Carrie to pick up, “What’s up, baby? It is me, Michael. How are you doing today?”
Carrie picked up and replied, “Hello, my handsome. I am 31
doing well. How about you, Michael?”
“I am doing fine, my love,” I answered. “I love you, Carrie.”
“Okay, my love. I love you, too,” Carrie giggled. “How are your family doing? Is Casey a pain for you, my love?”
I chuckled, “Yes, Casey is a pain for sure. My family is doing well. How is your family?”
Carrie laughed, “That is funny, Michael. Okay, good. My family is doing the same old, same old.”
“Very well, then. That is good,” I said. “Well, is Cindy being a pain for you, baby?”
Carrie replied, “It is good. Yeah, Cindy can be a pain. That is because she is only a seven-year-old.”
“I agree with you 100%, my love,” I agreed. “Cindy is seven now? When did that happen?”
Carrie laughs, “She turned seven back on July 5th. I forget how long ago it was. Please, tell me, my love.”
“July 5th was a month and a week ago,” I said. “Cindy’s birthday was on a Tuesday this year.”
“Okay, Michael,” Carrie says with a smile. Then, she asks,
“Hey, isn’t Casey an eleven-year-old by now? When was his birthday again?”
I replied, “Yes, Casey is an eleven-year-old. His birthday was on February 10th, six months and two days ago. February 10th was on a Thursday this year.”
“Okay, sweetie,” says Carrie. Then, she asks, “Does Casey have a girlfriend? Because I know someone who can date your little brother.”
I snorted in laughter, “You know someone who can date Casey? That is funny, Carrie!”
Carrie gets embarrassed, “I am serious, Michael. I know someone who can date Casey. What is so funny about that, my 32
love?”
“Okay, I am sorry, baby,” I apologized. “What is this person’s name, and who are they to you?”
“She is my friend, and it is her little sister,” Carrie answered.
“Her little sister is a twelve-year-old named Audrey Bauer. She was born on December 15th, 1992. They were all born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.”
I said with a smile. “Okay, that will make Casey happy.” Then, I told Carrie, “According to the Internet, in 2005, 317,559 is the population of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Cool, huh?”
Carrie is amazed, “Yeah, that is cool, Michael. You are so smart, my love.”
“Okay, my queen. I have got to let you go now,” I sighed.
“Thanks for the compliment. I hope you enjoy your day.
Goodbye, Carrie. I love you, baby.”
Carrie’s phone starts cutting out, “Okay—”
My phone randomly disconnected our conversation, and that was the end of our call. That is freaky that Carrie’s phone starts cutting out again. Weird, no?
Anyway, I am getting hungry. Maybe I should order from Pizzeria Marchegiano and get an order of two plain pizza slices and a side order of cheese fries. Boy, I am famished.
Michael ordered his food, and he slept until the morning.
33
Twenty-fivedayslater,itisnowTuesday,September 6th, 2005. Today is the first day of school. I am now entering the tenth grade of high school.
Casey now enters sixth grade in middle school. Also, since July 2nd, 2004, it has been a year, two months, and four days since I started dating Carrie.
Oh, boy, here I go starting my tenth grade. Oh, woe is me!
However, I will not bore you with stuff at my school.
I will be at school. And I will see you in four days on Saturday, September 10th. So, let us flash forward four days from now.
Four days later.
Oh boy, it is finally the weekend! I had three days of school.
And I am happy it is Saturday. So I will give Carrie a call, and yes, this is how our conversation went: I called Carrie and waited, “Hey, baby. It is me, Michael. How is your day going? Do you like the eleventh grade so far, Carrie?”
Carrie answered her phone, “My day is going well. And yes, I like the eleventh grade so far. However, I get bored at school.
How are you, Michael? Do you like tenth grade so far?”
“That is good, my love,” I said. “I like the tenth grade so far.
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And I agree, I get bored at school too—”
You should be doing homework, Michael William James! Stop talking on your phone, and do your damn homework!
“I am sorry, Carrie,” I apologized. “That was my Mama yelling at me from the stairs.”
“Maybe you should do your homework, Michael,” Carrie sounded amazed. “Goodbye, and we will talk another time. I love you, my handsome.”
Carrie then hung up the phone, and I did my homework. It took me an hour and a half to complete it all. I gave Carrie a callback, and our conversation went like this: I called Carrie back, “I am sorry. Now that I have done the homework, I can conversate with you, my queen.”
Carrie said, “How long did it take you to do your homework?”
“Well, it took me an hour and a half to do it all,” I replied. “I started it at 1:35 pm and finished it at 3:05 pm. And now, it is 3:07 pm. Did you have homework?”
“Well, I did my homework on Friday. So, I did not have any to do today,” Carrie said. “Currently, what are you doing?”
I replied, “I am not doing anything. What about you?”
And Carrie says, “Not a thing. How is Casey doing?”
“Casey is doing well,” I said with a half-smile. “He is happier since he has a girlfriend. And yes, I told him about Audrey.
Thank you for giving me her number on August 14th. They have now been a couple for three weeks and six days. It kills me seeing my dorky little brother dating.”
Carrie says curiously, “Why does it kill you to see Casey dating? It does not need your approval, so what do you care, Michael?”
Sarcastically, I said, “Like, come on, we are talking about 35
Casey here. He is not boyfriend-material. But, whatever. If it makes you happy, I guess.”
“Whatever, Michael,” Carrie snarled. “Hey, can you call me back in like five minutes? I have got to do something. Okay?
Goodbye, my love.”
Then Carrie hung up the phone. Carrie, why do you care about Casey’s love life? It is whatever. I am feeling better now. I called Carrie back, and our conversation went like this: I waited for Carrie to answer her phone, “Hello, my love. I am glad we got to talk again. What did you do before I called you back?”
Carrie answered her phone, “Hello, Michael. I am glad we got to talk too. I am sorry, I had to bribe Cindy with five bucks to leave me alone. I told her to leave my room as well.”
“That is fine, my love. No worries,” I smiled. Then, I asked,
“So, what are you thinking about doing for a job?”
Carrie says to me, “I alright have a job. Well, two. I cut grass on Saturdays and Sundays, and I am a lifeguard at a pool. That is fifteen minutes from my home.”
“Okay, Carrie. I have got no job, sadly,” I frowned. “What time do you work while doing your two jobs?”
Carrie answered, “When I cut grass on Saturdays, I work from 9:15 am until 12:35 pm. I work a three-hour and twenty-minute shift. And on Sundays, I work from 9:30 am until 2:55
pm. I work a five-hour and twenty-five-minute shift.”
I was amazed, “Wow, you must make good money doing these jobs, huh?”
“Yeah, I do. But I will not tell you how much I make,” Carrie said. “That is none of your business, Michael. I am sorry.”
“Okay, baby,” I said. “You are right, Carrie. It is not any of my 36
business. Fine, I will not ask. You do not have to tell me.”
“Okay, thank you,” says Carrie. “I got to have you call me in five minutes again. Cindy is back in my room. Goodbye, my love.”
Then Carrie hung up the phone. So, in the meantime, I just stared at my old white ceiling, bored, until I called Carrie back.
As we talked, our conversation went like this:
“Hey, it is me again, Carrie,” I said as I waited for Carrie to answer her phone. “Did you have to bribe Cindy with another five bucks again?”
Carrie answered, “Yeah, now she is got ten bucks. And she is so fucking annoying. Gosh, I wish I could move! But I cannot.
I am not old enough yet.”
“I feel your pain, my love,” I said with a heavy heart. “I wish I could move too. However, I am not old enough yet. Maybe someday. But not right now.”
“Yeah, I would say so myself, Michael,” agreed Carrie. “Since it has been longer than we have spoken, how about this? I can let you go for the rest of the day. For now, goodbye, Michael. I love you, my handsome.”
“Okay, my love. I get it,” I sighed. “Goodbye, Carrie. I love you, too.”
Then, I hung up the phone and rested until the next day.
However, my life is boring. Solely just a fantasy, but this is my future in the year 2008.
I am now an eighteen-year-old, and Carrie is an eighteen-year-old for ten months, three weeks, and two days, and this is how I envision our wedding:
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Flash forward to date Monday, November 17th, 2008.
It is now three years, two months, and a week later, from September 10th, 2004, into the future, and this is my wedding day with Carolyn Hunter on November 17th, 2008.
Since July 2nd, 2004, it has been four years, four months, two weeks, and a day since I have dated Carrie. On our wedding day, I envisioned this:
The marriage officiant says, “Dearly beloved, we gathered together here to unite Carrie & Michael James in marriage. This contract is not to be entered into lightly but thoughtfully and seriously with a deep realization of its obligations and responsibilities. Please remember that love, loyalty, and understanding are the foundations of a happy and enduring home.”
The marriage officiant says to Michael, “Do you, Michael James, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?”
The marriage officiant says, “If so, answer I do.”
Michael says to Carrie, “I do.”
The marriage officiant says to Carrie, “Do you, Carolyn James, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer keeping yourself unto him for as long as you both shall live?”
The marriage officiant says, “If so, answer I do.”
Carrie says to Michael, “I do.”
The marriage officiant says, “If there is anyone present who may show a lawful cause why this couple may not be legally wed, let them speak now or forever hold their peace. By the authority vested in me by the State of Texas, I now pronounce you both husband and wife.”
38
And kiss the bride I did. My Mama, Papa, Casey, Mrs. James’s parents and Cindy are there. And my Mama is in tears as I kiss my wife. Ah, this wedding went perfectly.
Now, we are back to Saturday, September 10th, 2005.
I am sorry. That was just my fantasy wedding with Carrie. I am still a fifteen-year-old, and Carrie is still a sixteen-year-old.
Now that we are back to the present day, I am stuck living my same boring old life. I wish I could marry Carrie now. However, that still has to wait. Oh, boy, one can only fantasize!
Well, my story has been a long one. It started on Sunday, June 20th, 2004, and ended today, Saturday, September 10th, 2005.
That is a year, two months, and three weeks.
I hope you enjoyed my story. And I have got to say it has been fun and not as terrible as I thought. Well, I wish you goodbye, and hopefully, you have ended up here near the end of it all.
Some people would think my story was boring. I am sorry, I cannot help that. However, if you have ended here and now, hopefully, it was an adventure.
Maybe I deserved one tale to tell. If you believe my story has been good, kudos to you. If this has been horrible, I am sorry about that.
Oh, hum, I guess my story is about to end now. And I wish I could not say this, but goodbye and a hopeful good day.
Maybe this story was a thrilling tale or not. I cannot say that it is up to you to decide. Why does this story have to end?
Oh, well, I hope you liked reading my story. Once more, see you later, and do not forget, I love you! Goodbye, you all!
39
In “This World We Live In,” author Steven Bowman takes readers on a journey back in time to the summer of 2004, where we meet Michael James, a fourteen-year-old boy living in Houston, Texas. Michael’s life has been turned upside down
- he’s recently lost his girlfriend, and his annoying little brother is driving him crazy. With the world around him changing rapidly, Michael struggles to find his place in it. As he navigates the ups and downs of family life and teenage love, he discovers that sometimes the things that seem the most important are really just distractions from what’s truly valuable.
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Self-Publishing Date This World We Live In was self-published originally on March 1st, 2020.
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