Lake Superior Memorial Day Sam Lieberman ‘22

made me a target for the other students since they all knew I was poor. I got in a lot of fights and often came back home with a black eye. My mom tried to make me think that life was perfect and that everything was going to be okay. But I was forced to face reality when I was 17. My mom died of cancer and the only thing she left me with was my old broken Gameboy. I was forced to work minimum wage to pay rent for my apartment. My manager hates me and constantly shouts at me, “GET BACK TO WORK!!!” although it’s my break. I’m never able to catch my breath especially at school where I’m meant to maintain my perfect 4.0 GPA. Ever since I was young the only way I could think of not living a terrible life was through school. I need to get a good job to get money. When my mom died I was crushed and swore an oath that one day I’ll defeat Cancer so nobody has to suffer through what I did. Luckily, I’ll be graduating high school in 2 weeks and I’ll have some of the load I’ve been carrying taken off my back.

The only thing that pushes me through all of this is the love of his life, Sandra Larson. In our crummy apartment, I sometimes forget how bad I live since all I can think of is Sandra. Sandra’s a skinny black lady who dropped out of school to work at the local furniture store.

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Sandra and I live with each other in a one-room apartment. Today I came home and my stomach was rumbling. I opened the fridge hoping for there to be something to eat but all I found is one piece of bread. So I tell Sandra, “I’m going to get us something to eat, I’ll be back.” While approaching the deli a random man wearing a suit approaches me and says, “Hello Caleb Barrett.” Confused and scared I responded, “How do you know my name?” “I know a lot of things about you.” I tremble and say “What do you want?” “I want you to join us at the University of Oxford!” Shocked and relieved, I responded, “Wait What! Why me? How much does it cost?” The man says, “I’m offering you a scholarship to the University of Oxford in England” Stricken by this I respond “Wait England! But I can’t leave my girlfriend here. We can’t afford the internet so we won’t be able to talk to each other!” Understanding the man says, “Well, I’ll give you until you graduate to decide.” The man walks away leaving me feeling mixed emotions. “On one hand, I’m ecstatic, I’m able to go to an amazing institution free of charge and I’ll be able to live a good life and avenge my mother. Although on the other hand, this means that I’ll have to leave Sandra behind. But I have to find a cure for cancer to avenge my mother and to be able to get a good job. However, Sandra’s the love of my life and I can’t leave her.” All these thoughts are swarming my head and with only 2 weeks to decide. How will I choose?

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Lake Superior Memorial Day Sam Lieberman ‘22

The weather turned from sunny to rainy. I walk into our apartment and close the door. Sandra looks at my hands and asks, “Where’s the food?’ Realizing I forgot to buy the food I responded, “Oh I forgot.” Sandra raises her eyebrow and asks, “Is everything alright?” I acted like nothing had happened and proceeded to go back to the deli to buy the food. While at the counter I was charged 10 dollars for the food. I gave the clerk a ten-dollar bill and he seemed surprisingly happy. I walked out of the deli and proceeded home. I was tired from walking all day and decided to take the bus. As I pulled out my wallet to get my metro card I realized that I only have 10 dollars. I exclaim, “What! Did I get robbed!” I had a 100 dollar bill and a 10 dollar bill in my wallet this mourning. But if the 100 dollar bill is gone and the ten-dollar bill is in my wallet that means I gave the clerk 100 dollars! I rushed back to the deli and explained to the clerk what happened. However, he refused to give me the 100 dollars back and all I could do was go back home. I was so busy thinking about a scholarship to the University of Oxford in England that I lost 90 dollars. I sigh and when I return home Sandra is gone. I shrugged and thought she was probably with some friends. I ate my dinner and laid down in my bed. I wondered if I should accept the scholarship to the University of Oxford in England or if I should stay here with Sandra. After many hours of thinking I decided to take

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the scholarship to the University of Oxford in England. As I fell asleep I woke up to all of Sandra’s stuff gone. I panic wondering what happened. I put on my clothes and called Sandra. No answer. I texted her asking where she was, but no response. I hurried outside looking for Sandra but soon it was 7:50 am and I had to go to school. While in school all I think about is where Sandra could be. I even put my shirt on backward and didn’t realize it until lunch. After school, I planned to go to the apartment and leave my school stuff there while I looked for Sandra but as I opened the door to the apartment I saw Sandra in tears. I went to comfort her but she stopped me furiously saying, “When were you going to tell me?” Realizing what happened I responded, “I was going to but…” “But what? You kept this from me even though it’s a huge decision. So what did you pick?” I sigh and sadly tell her, “I’m accepting the scholarship.” Tears running down Sandra’s face she mumbles, “Well I guess this is our goodbye.” She ran out of the apartment crying and all I could do was stand there in silence. The rest of the day seemed like it would never end. Tick Tock Tick Tock was all I could hear. I didn’t know what to do. As the days went by, graduation was finally here. I told the man wearing a suit that I was accepting my scholarship. He informed me that I had 2 days to pack everything I needed until I was meant

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to leave New York and go to England. Graduation was long and dreary. Most kids shouted hooray and were relieved to finally graduate whereas I could only stand in silence while I looked at the clock. Tick Tock Tick Tock. I finally landed in England and unloaded all my things from the shuttles. I look to my left and see Sandra. I rush towards her and as I tap her back the person turns back in confusion. I apologize and explain that I thought she was someone else. While carrying my luggage I ordered an Uber to pick me up and drive me to the University of Oxford. As I enter the cab I can only see the driver’s back. I pause and my mouth drops. “Mom?” The driver turns around and turns out to not be my mom. I frantically apologize and explain to her that I thought she was someone else. As I arrived at the University of Oxford in England I exited the cab and walked on campus. As I look at the luxurious buildings and grass, all I can do is frown. While approaching the dorms I see a man that looks like my dad. All I have is a blurry image of my dad since I was so young when I last saw him. I figure it’s someone random but as I walk past them I see their face. It’s similar to my dad’s so as I walk up to him he says, “Caleb?” Tears run down our faces as I nod my head yes. All the hatred I had towards him was gone and all he can do is hug each other. While crying I ask him, “Why are you here?” He responds, “Caleb I’m sorry for leaving you and

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