41 minute read
Lone Star Authors
Region 1
Courage, Loyalty, Liberty
by Emma Boerm
blue for loyalty, and white for liberty. The stories below each contain
Red: Courage
The harsh staccato of horse hooves broke the silence of the morning. William Philip King looked up to the road, where the shadow of a rider began to take shape. He dropped the bucket he’d been carrying and raced back to the house, feet pounding in the soft Texas dirt. General Travis of the Alamo had sent out a plea for reinforcements, and Mr. Kimble, the hat maker down the road, had begun gathering volunteers. How badly William wanted to go. The fort was miles away, but maybe…
He caught a better glance of the rider then, his face catching the sun just right. Hope swelled in William’s chest. It was Mr. Kimble. He ran faster, shoving open the door just in time to hear the last bit of the hat maker’s conversation. for the freedom of this land, but without more volunteers… Well, I’m not sure if we’ll win.”
Mr. Kimble studied him for a moment. “The battle won’t be something of adventure and heroism. It may take your life.”
“I’ve lived in Texas for almost half of my life, sir. I would be more
William’s father shook his head. “It’s too dangerous. I’ll be going.”
“What about Mama?” Will asked. “And the baby? And the other kids? What happens if you don’t come back?” through his mind. He felt bad for using his family against him, but it was something to consider.
“And if you didn’t come back?” his father asked.
“I would have laid down my life for Texas.”
William watched his father hesitate, shake his head a moment. He took in a nervous breath. Then, “You may go.”
William had never respected his father more than in that and began gathering the things he knew he’d need. Inside, he was bursting. He couldn’t quite tell if it was excitement, fear, or courage. Perhaps it was all three.
His father brought his horse, the one William had always wanted to ride when they were going out for the cattle. “Be careful.”
He handed over the reins and took a long look at him. William could have sworn his eyes were wet, but the moment was gone as just a touch too long. “You come back when you’re done. Come back home.”
his home, at his family, set off for the Alamo alongside the twentyfour others. A week passed before San Antonio came into view, a they approached the Alamo was the heavy cloud of smoke and fear choking. He clutched the reins tighter in his hands.
“Are you ready, son?” Lieutenant Kimble asked. His voice was quiet in the night as they drew closer to the Mexican army. Will nodded, not quite sure how to respond. There were too many things swirling in his mind. Thoughts of his family that he’d last seen over Texas.
He tugged on the reins as they slowed, the horse stamping fearfully the hundreds of soldiers into dark silhouettes. Will’s heart pounded in his chest as Lieutenant Kimble led the group into the shadows. They passed close to several Mexican tents, and Will held his breath each time. If they heard the hoofbeats, if they looked out of their tents and saw the men… he couldn’t think about it. It seemed to take forever over them with an eerie sort of watchfulness. Lieutenant Kimble called something into the dark, then gestured for them to follow. Will ducked beneath the stockade, where a man stood waiting for them, his eyes gripping and serious.
He held out a hand. “I’m General Travis. I appreciate your joining our defense.”
Will shook it. This was General Travis, leader of the Alamo defenses. He could hardly believe it. “Thank you, sir.”
The fear that had built up in Will’s chest seemed to dissipate little by little as he looked at the entrance. This was it. This was what he’d promised his father, what he’d promised his family when he’d left home. He was going to be a part of Texas, a part of its freedom. He steadied his breath and, as the night turned to day and the sun crept across the ground, he stepped into the Alamo.
Blue: Loyalty Dickinson looked at the other women’s faces, white as sheets. They sat still against the walls, comforting the children in their arms and at their skirts with quiet words and calming lies. Lies she wished she could believe.
The Alamo had been under siege for twelve days now, and rumor to trust that the men defending the fort could hold off long enough for reinforcements to arrive. That her husband, Almeron, would have strength to lead the cannoneers and bring them to safety. How she they were together in these dark hours of night.
Susanna clutched her daughter’s hand tighter as another round
The hours passed slowly, each breath shorter as she strained to hear his men for the battle ahead. The doors of the chapel suddenly burst open, bringing in a gust of humid air. Susanna looked over, her heart
around a musket. “They’re preparing for the assault.”
Susanna made a sound in the back of her throat and clutched Angelina closer to her chest. The other women murmured among themselves, hushed and scared. This would be the end of the battle. The man glanced over his shoulder and tensed. “Be ready. And may God be with you all.” tension. So short a message. A bugle’s notes swept into the air. Moments later, there was a deafening crash that seemed to come from
Time passed, but Susanna couldn’t count how long it was. He was gone. She knew. Something came close to the chapel, the sharp sound of metal against metal harsh in Susanna’s ears. The doors crashed open and Susanna prayed it was Almeron. Prayed it was someone who had come to take them safely away. Instead, she looked into the eyes of a Mexican soldier. He said something harsh in Spanish, and it was then Susanna realized how quiet it had become. The battle had ended almost as soon as it had begun. The sun had risen, and light spilled across the ground.
“Santa Anna asks for any survivors,” one of the women said, translating the soldier’s Spanish. Susanna stood as the man gestured soldier out into the fort. Susanna’s breath caught at the destruction inside and outside the walls. A sob choked in her throat. She turned Angelina’s face away. She would not see her father this way. The soldier continued into San Antonio where Santa Anna...the leader of the army, the reason for this destruction stood in the light. When he caught sight of them, his lips curled into something of a smile. His eyes fell on Angelina.
Susanna stepped away, disgust curling somewhere inside the grief. “Not with you.”
His smile dropped and his eyes turned cool once more. “Truly.” He thought for a moment, then retrieved a paper from his men. “Then take this message to General Sam Houston, tell him of the horrors of the Alamo, of what the Mexican army is capable of.” a horse to her side and another dropped a bag at her feet. She mounted the horse, careful not to let the message slip from her hand. She would go. She would tell Sam Houston of what had happened, tell the stories of the people she’d lived in the fort with Almeron. Not for Angelina. Not for the hundreds of others that had given their life protecting the land she lived on. She was a part of what was left of the Alamo. With a sharp breath, she dug her heels into the horse’s side, took a last look at the ruins of the fort, and began the path to General Houston.
White—Liberty
raised and the siege of the Alamo had begun. The image of its still vivid in Juan Seguin’s mind. He’d left the Alamo’s destruction
almost six days ago and was now arriving back at Gonzales with the reinforcements he’d begun with. Their faces were dark, and Juan knew they were thinking of all of the people they’d lost. Husbands, brothers, sons. All were gone.
A man approached Juan, his shoulders sagging with grief. “Have you seen my son?” he asked. “His name is William Philip King, perhaps you saw him leave the fort? He’s just a boy. He’s my son.”
Juan shook his head. His heart weighed a bit heavier at the thought of the child in battle.“If I see him, I’ll let you know.”
He let the man go and watched him return to his family, their faces tear-streaked and stoic. A woman—William’s mother, Juan assumed— met his eyes. She held a tattered portrait of a boy in her hand and raised it up for him to see. He knew, even without asking, that it was their son. The child they had lost. He bowed his head in respect as he moved away. Juan found General Houston in the center of town, giving instructions.
“Three survivors came earlier today,” Houston said quietly, stepping away from the crowd.
Juan sucked in a breath. Out of two hundred… “Where are they?”
He had to see them. To see who had made it through the stables and followed a soldier to a woman and her child, along with a man Juan recognized as Joe, a slave to General Travis. The woman introduced herself as Susanna Dickinson, and her child as Angelina. Her eyes were dark, her face pale.
He listened in silence as the soldier translated her and Joe’s account into Spanish. He could hardly believe the words they spoke. It was nothing like anything he’d heard before. Only two-thirds of the reinforcements had arrived before the Mexican soldiers had climbed the walls on March 6th, even though General Travis had sent out many couriers with the plea for more. That day, the soldiers kept their promise of no quarter and spared only a handful of women and their children, including Susanna. How he wished he could have arrived at the fort earlier. Perhaps it would have been enough. Perhaps Almeron Dickinson, William Phillip King, and General Travis would still be alive.
A knock came from the door, shattering the illusion.
Juan thanked Mrs. Dickinson for her account and stood, the strange mix of grief and determination weighing down his steps. He gathered his company of Tejano soldiers, their faces just as grim as he imagined his was. His voice was heavy as he explained Houston’s plans for guarding the back of the army. It would be a dangerous task, they caught up.
“We’re protecting the families of the men we lost against forces that may very well kill us,” Juan said quietly. “I have no intention of dying tonight, but I believe it would be an honor to fall at such a service, protecting the land and those who live on it.” alongside him. They mounted their horses and joined the evacuation with a newfound determination. Someone threw a torch into the town, letting it burn as its people rushed to escape the reach of the Mexican army. Amongst the hoofbeats and small voices, a cry could be heard from the crowd.
Juan heard it echo around him, in Spanish and English. “Remember the Alamo!”
As wood crackled behind them, the words seemed to sound throughout Texas and further beyond. Juan spurred his horse on,
Heart of Texas by Krish Kohir
Manifest Destiny. It was a dream of every 1800’s American to spread their beliefs, their rights, and their kind across North America. “It’s what we were meant to do,” they said. “It’s a whole new world out there, it would be crazy to leave it!” Everyone believed that it was their duty to uphold Manifest Destiny. Everyone, except for Stephen F. Austin.
Stephen was a man walking in his father’s shoes and living in his father’s dream. Moses F. Austin was an avid supporter of Manifest Destiny, and he wanted to expand into Texas. Unfortunately, Moses died before he could see his dream come to fruition, so he gave that seed to Stephen, and told him to plant it. Sure, the only reason Stephen followed through was because his mother told him to. Sure, the only thing Stephen wanted from this was money. But, there was no reason to complain. It was just a simple matter of working out a deal with Spain and promising 300 families a better life in Texas. Easy.
Or so it seemed. Just when he had come to an agreement with Spain, Mexico had its very own revolution, and Agustin de Iturbe was now the emperor of Mexico. No matter, Stephen thought. I’ll just ask him. Agustin was willing to give him part of Texas. However, when Stephen went to scout the area, it was already taken by the Karankawas, a native tribe which wouldn’t enjoy having their homes invaded. Finally, Stephen’s mind was blown he would get in return. The whole reason he was doing this was so he would get rich! With all this frustration, it was no wonder Stephen thought I ain’t doing this anymore every day.
“I ain’t doing this anymore”, Stephen sighed, staring at the imprint he left on his chair. He felt no amusement when he realized that the imprint looked defeated. Sagging into that imprint, he read the letter in his hand once more, hoping he had missed something.
To Stephen F. Austin,
As the new Mexican Government, it is our responsibility to inform you that Agustin de Iturbe abdicated from the throne, and therefore no longer holds any power in the Provisional Government. This resignation of power applies to bills and permissions.
It is understood that the former emperor gave you a license to settle Texas. However, as he is no longer in power, this license is also null and void. If you wish to renew this license, please make sure to arrange a meeting with the government.
The Provisional Government
Just like that, Stephen’s work had swirled down the chamber the point? Even if he convinced Mexico again, he could only chuck the settlers onto inhospitable land. This whole attempt was doomed to fail, and there he was, wasting his time, and most importantly, his money. Yet again, he cursed his father for forcing somewhere, having the time of his life, while Stephen was stuck bashing his head against a brick. No, he wouldn’t have any of this. He would quit. Stephen gathered what little provisions he had and wrote two letters: one to the cabin owner informing him of his vacancy, and the other to his mom telling her he was coming back. He stepped out of the empty cabin and out of a dead dream.
Clink! As Stephen was walking, his boot struck something. He expert craftsmanship. There was even a wheel that told the date. For once, the gods had thrown him a lifeline. He could probably sell this to recover some of his lost funds. But as he pulled out a handkerchief to clean the surface, he realized the time was incredibly peculiar. It was March 28th, 1823, but the clock said January 30th, 2018. He wouldn’t be able to fetch as good of a price if the watch couldn’t even tell the time right. Thankfully, there were a number of knobs that could change the day, month, and year. There was also a button that said Go on it. Wondering what it did, Stephen F. Austin pressed the button and was whisked away into a new world.
Stephen woke up groggily, trying to clear his head. He felt as if he had heard every word and seen every person in a matter of seconds. The lights were still dancing in his head, and he felt nauseous. After a minute of lying down, Stephen realized something. This place no longer smelled so damp and full of nature. His clothes had been replaced with blue pants and a black shirt saying “Heart of Texas” with a picture of Texas. In the distance, he saw gigantic metal pillars rising to the sky. He saw a huge metal bird that was somehow in the air! He was standing next to a road made of rock. Stephen patted his pockets, and felt it bulging. He nearly fainted looking inside.There were hundreds of dollars. He was the richest man on earth! safety. He trudged towards the pillars. He could hear this place was full of life before he saw it. People were talking everywhere, either to each other or to their newfangled boxes. Huge metal carriages honked, and there was music in the background. The smell was unbearable, because there was none. No horse feces, no dirt, no rotting food. It would have been amazing if it wasn’t so different.
Stephen knew he would enjoy this world more with a full and saying “DINER” in huge red letters. Not only is this place magical, it’s also convenient, Stephen thought to himself as he entered the diner. There were many enticing options, but the line was emptying fast. He randomly chose a burger. The price nearly gave him a heart attack, until he remembered how much money he had. He handed over some cash, and was a little miffed to learn that the worth of money had vastly decreased here, and he wasn’t that rich.
The burger arrived impossibly fast. Stephen had no idea how they cooked a piece of meat, toasted bread, harvested vegetables, and assembled the whole thing in such little time. He hesitantly took a bite, and was thrown into a small state of bliss. It was the best thing he had ever tasted in his life. It took all of his willpower to not down the entire thing in one go like a starving madman. He looked around, and was astonished to see people casually eating, as if they weren’t holding the most blessed food in the world. He even heard someone complaining about how it was a bit too soggy. Stephen almost yelled at him, when it struck him that this food was probably normal for the people living here. This was how everyone lived, a life more lavish than the king himself. God, or whoever created this place, must have been incredibly proud.
Stephen spent the rest of the day absorbing this world. He found an “ice-cream” store, and was confused as to how ice could ever taste good. However, just like the burger, he fell in love with it as soon as his tongue touched the frozen goodness. He walked along the streets, marveling at everything. There seemed to be moving paintings on buildings, apparently showing the effectiveness of soap? There was a pole on the road, and it switched lights from green to yellow to red. Apparently, the metal carriages were obeying them. Stephen wanted to learn about everything here. However, the sun was setting, and so was his worry. He didn’t have anywhere to stay. Once again he explored, but this time he was looking for an inn of some sorts. Eventually, when the sun was just a memory, he found a place called a hotel. There was so much life even now, when everyone should have been sleeping. But there were even kids walking around, such as a family walking into the hotel.
“Finally, we found a place to sleep. I really need to lay down” said the mother.
Stephen followed them, and tried to watch them without being intrusive. Surprisingly, the process was just like in his world, all the way until they disappeared into a metal box. When it opened again, they were gone. He paid to stay for two days, for as much as he enjoyed this world, he didn’t plan on staying. The clerk told him that his room was C23, and gave him a little card. Stephen entered the metal box, and looked for instructions, but had no such luck. There were a bunch of buttons, each with a letter. He pressed C, and immediately felt himself rising, even though his
The metal box opened, and he was in a whole different room. He found his door, but it was locked. He stood there for a whole minute, trying to unlock the door while feeling like an idiot. Finally, he remembered his card, and tried to slide it into a nearby slot. There was a beep, and the door automatically unlocked. Stephen slowly pushed the door open.
It was the most comfortable room he had ever seen in his life. He saw a machine that looked like it showed moving pictures, and when he pressed a lever, the water disappeared, just to be replaced with more. Stephen saw a box that told the time. It even told the year!
“2018.” Stephen said out loud. “I’m in the future.” Stephen felt queasy and laid on the bed. It was the softest thing he had ever felt, much better than the chair in his cabin. He wanted to explore more, but soon he was snoring. Stephen got up the next morning, and felt homesick. Usually, he was hungry. He looked longingly at the pocket watch that sent him here. Surely it could send him back. But the button he pressed was still pushed in the nearest watch repair was, they said, “I don’t know,” while looking as if they were thinking, How should I know? However, Stephen got a stroke of luck in the form of a tour bus. for a ticket and got on the bus. However, Stephen was disappointed yet again. The tour only covered interesting landmarks and Texas really interesting and beautiful, but Stephen zoned out during the lecture, too busy feeling sorry for himself. At the end of the tour, the guide had a huge monologue. Stephen only caught a few words: Texas… Agustin…Provisional Government… Stephen F. Austin… wait what? Stephen did a double take. Did he really hear his name?
Stephen raised his hand and asked the tour guide if he could repeat what he said.
“Sure! Stephen F. Austin is considered the father of Texas for settling 300 families in Texas.” himself from telling everyone that he was the legend himself, but he knew he would just get laughed off the bus. His perspective of the world was completely altered. He noticed that a street sign was named after him. He looked at his shirt, and realized that the capital was Austin. He was a king! His legacy would live on for ages to come! He had to learn more. How many rewards would he get for colonizing Texas? He impatiently waited until the tour ended, and went up to the guide.
“Excuse me, could you tell me more about this… Stephen F. Austin?” It was hard for Stephen to stay nonchalant.
“Thank you.” Stephen didn’t mean to interrupt, but he to hear tales of him sitting on piles of gold. He wanted to be able to afford eating diamonds for breakfast, and yet he was being treated like a serf. Who cared if he grabbed some more land? So what if people knew his name? He wouldn’t get anything, not ol’ Stephen. He would have to live on the streets while some strangers got to frolic around in Texas. No, he would have to end this, it and a shockwave erupted from him. Once he could open his eyes, he could tell something was different. He asked the guide more about Austin. Would he get rich later?
“You know, the guy who colonized Texas.” This had to be some kind of joke.
A short examination proved him right. The street sign now said Burton, the capital on his shirt now said Burton. Stephen someone else colonize Texas. But there was a deep hole in his gut. He felt like part of him was gone. Stephen was Texas, not this Burton person. Without Texas, he felt… incomplete, as if he didn’t reach his full potential. He wanted to do something great. Then it hit him: this is what his father wanted. He wanted to do something too, he wanted to be remembered. Stephen didn’t really want money, he wanted to be important, to be useful. Struggles be forgotten, Stephen wouldn’t, couldn’t give up. He heard a clink from his pocket: it was his pocket watch. The button had popped out again. The watch had wanted him to realize his potential. Stephen pressed the button, and was whisked away again.
He was back in his cabin, his stuff already returned. His money was gone, but that didn’t bother Stephen at all. He sat back in his chair, ready to work again. This time, he sat up straight and he had made on the chair. But Stephen was willing to endure some struggle.
The Lonely Guitarist by Eshaan Mani
As the cold gale and curtains of snow billow, In his thin, tattered coat, beat-up moccasins, and red baseball cap tilted, the lonely guitarist strummed.
As countless lights were extinguished in seconds, the lonely guitarist strummed.
Between the chattering of teeth and news anchors, the howling of winds and of children without Wi-Fi, one warm heart swore it would go on. sat solemnly outside a teeming Starbucks: the beating heart of humanity outside the beating heart of capitalism. the lonely guitarist strummed.
The resonating chords, Attract a red-cheeked singer, crowing about love and life, travel and thought, joy and justice, angst and America, hope and hurricanes, rage and the range. and the guitarist who just kept on strumming.
Welcome to Texas.
Region 4
Remember the Alamo by Hannah Chen
The room was covered in a thick layer of dust. Boxes littered the room, stacked high to the ceiling. On the far wall, dim afternoon light shone through the cracks of the window blinds. Catherine stood in the open doorway, staring into the room. Cold wind seeped through the walls, sending chills down her back. She hadn’t entered this room in years. It held all the remnants of her past that were either forgotten, or left to be forgotten. But now she was moving back to her childhood home in Texas, and the entire house had to be cleaned out. Catherine sighed as she knelt papers, threatening to burst at any moment. She carefully picked it up, intending to take each of the boxes back to Texas with her. As she did, her elbow knocked into one of the taller stacks. The stack teetered for a moment, before toppling over. The contents of the top box spilled out as it hit the ground. Catherine coughed as the spilled contents back. She wasn’t sure why she kept all these things. It would be easier if she could just throw it all away. A lot less to travel with. But for some reason, she just couldn’t bring herself to do it.
As she sorted through the objects, a tiny bow caught her eye. The bow was lopsided, as if it were poorly handmade, and dirt stains covered one side. Catherine picked it up, examining it closely. The ribbon was soft, and tiny pieces of dust
surfaced in her mind. Clutching the bow tightly in her hand, Catherine was pulled into a string of forgotten memories.
The sun was warm and bright. Flowers were just beginning to bloom, and bees buzzed between them happily. July 1830, 10 year-old Catherine was lying the sky. Her best friend Henry sat next to her, chatting wind. Present-day Catherine smiled as the memory progressed. These had been her favorite days of her childhood. In the memory, Henry poked Catherine’s arm.
“Hey, you want to see something?” He reached his hand into his pocket, pulling out a long string of ribbon. The cloth was a bright silky red. Catherine sat up to look at it. “Where did you get that?” She asked.
“I found it,” Henry replied. He tied the ribbon into a messy, lopsided bow and held it out to her.
Catherine reached for the bow, but just as she was about to take it, Henry snatched it away, grinning.
“If you want it, you have to catch me!” He called, already sprinting away. Catherine jumped up and ran after him. They chased Catherine caught up to him and snatched the bow out of his hands. Half of it was covered in dirt.
“You ruined it!” she cried, waving the bow in his face.
Henry shrugged. “I think it looks better that way.” He took it from her hands, and tied the bow in her hair. He gave her an adorable grin making it impossible for her to be mad at him. Catherine grinned back. That The memory faded, and another surfaced to replace it.
November of 1835. was slowly picking off the petals of a dandelion, one by one. Catherine remembered thinking he had been unusually quiet that day.
Abruptly, he looked up, dropping the dandelion. “You know the revolution?” He asked.
She nodded. That year had been the beginning of the Texas Revolution. Four battles had already passed. The Battle of Gonzales, Battle of Goliad, Battle of Concepcion, and Battle of Lipantitlan. Each of them fought hard from both sides. She was sure there would be many more battles to come. Catherine watched Henry expectantly.
He sucked in a breath. “I want to help.”
Catherine blinked. “Help,” She repeated slowly. “Help how? Like with supplies or something?” She knew what was coming, but she didn’t want to say it. She refused to believe it. Maybe she was wrong and it wasn’t what he was going to say at all.
“Oh,” Catherine looked down, avoiding his gaze.
Her hands clenched around clumps of grass, crushing them together.
After a moment of silence, Henry spoke. “I know you don’t want me to go. But I want to help. I feel so useless, sitting around understand, don’t you?” He watched her desperately, begging for some sort of understanding or empathy.
Catherine looked up. “And you’re sure? You really want to go? You won’t regret it once you leave?”
February, 1836. Henry and Catherine stood outside in front of her house. The sun slowly rose in the sky, lighting the landscape in a brilliant orange glow. Cold air surrounded them, clouding their breath.
“You’re leaving?” Catherine asked. “Right now? Can’t you stay any longer?” Her shoulders drooped as he shook his head.
She nodded, looking down. She could feel the tears welling up in
Henry stepped closer, gently taking her hands into his. “Don’t story and wearing my cool clothes.”
Catherine looked into his face, worriedly. “And you will come back? Promise?”
He squeezed her hands before slowly letting go. “Pinky promise.” He backed away, then stopped. “Wait,” He reached into his pocket, and pulled out a large, red bow. “Keep this for me until I come back, okay? It’s supposed to be someone’s birthday present but I don’t want to lose it. Just don’t tell them or it’ll ruin the surprise.” Henry grinned, hoping to see a smile surface on her face.
Catherine stared down at the bow. She couldn’t decide whether she wanted to laugh or cry. Instead, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms tightly around him. Around the boy who had been her best friend for years. The boy she still loved after all these years. “Be careful.” She told him.
He didn’t come back. passed, one after another, and he still hadn’t returned. Catherine had spent the days worrying and pacing around her house. Finally, over a month later, she got answers.
March, 1836. Catherine stood, staring at the large bow Henry had given her. Its vibrant color stood out in the dull room. As she turned it in her hand, there was a quiet crinkly sound. She turned it back around to the front and her eyes widened. On the center of the bow, a tiny corner of a carefully folded piece of paper was sticking out.
As she reached to pull it out, a knock came from the door. Her father quietly stepped into the room. Catherine didn’t have to ask what was wrong. His face said it all. Her heart began to race, and her hands shook uncontrollably.
“No,” She whispered. The bow fell to the ground, forgotten. “No,” She said again. “You’re lying. You’re lying. He promised!” Her voice rose in desperation.
Her father stepped closer, reaching out to hug her. Catherine pushed him away.
This couldn’t be happening. He couldn’t be gone. He promised. He promised to come back.
That day, Catherine cried harder than she ever had in her life. Her heart had been shattered into a million pieces, and she didn’t think it “But he promised,” she whispered. “He promised.”
Catherine blinked back to the present. She looked down to see the tiny lopsided bow crushed in her hand. Slowly, she relaxed her grip to stare at it. Henry had given this to her. And now he was gone.
She remembered all the times she had spent with him, and all much she loved him. But the right time never came, and now it was too late. She missed Henry. She missed his smile, and the warmth he always carried. Her heart ached as she recalled every time he had made her laugh, and all the gifts he had given her. His last gift had
Suddenly, Catherine gasped as she remembered the second bow. There had been a piece of paper hidden in the center. After her father delivered the news, Catherine had completely forgotten about few moments of searching, she found it. being left in the dark. She quickly inspected the center to see if the paper was still there. Surely enough, the tiny corner was still sticking out from the bow. She carefully pulled it out. The paper was bigger than she had expected. It was neatly folded into a tiny square, and the edges were yellowed with age. She quickly opened it, and gasped. It was a letter, written in Henry’s neat, unmistakable handwriting. Her hands shook as she began to read.
Catherine, In case you don’t already know, this is Henry. I don’t know when you’ve found this letter, or what’s happening now. But I’m writing this to wish you a happy birthday. I know it might be a little early - or maybe late - but I wanted to make sure you got your present. Because honestly, I don’t know if I will come back. I don’t know do know is that I care about you. And I wish I could promise. I wish I could truly say that I’ll come back to you, because I love you Catherine, and I always have. But I can’t. I can’t say that I’ll come back because I don’t know what will happen. I’m sorry if I lied, and I’m sorry if I don’t come back. The only thing I can truly promise And if I die in the process, I hope you’ll remember how much I love you. Remember me, Catherine. Remember the Alamo. ~ Your best friend, Henry
A single tear trickled down Catherine’s face. It landed on the letter with a gentle thud, leaving a small stain on the paper. She closed her eyes, hugging the letter to her chest.
I love you Catherine, and I always have....Remember me, Remember the Alamo.
And she would. She would hold on to every memory of him. She would remember all the things they did together. She would remember how he fought for her. And she would remember the Alamo.
I Used to Live in New Jersey, but Then Texas Happened by Joseph P. Bailey
It was August 2, 2018. Joey was excited. “We’re moving to Texas!” he shouted excitedly. He couldn’t believe his family was about to move from the tiny state of New Jersey to the huge state of Texas.
He wasn’t the only one who was excited. His parents and his siblings Rosemary, Paul, Alex, Felix, Leo, and baby Isabel were excited too! Everybody in the family just couldn’t wait to be Texans! The Texas-sized family of future Texans couldn’t contain the Texas-sized excitement! Felix was so excited, he ran around the house.
Leo was so excited, he shouted “We are moving to Texas!”
The mover was coming today to pack up their belongings and take them to Texas. A Texas-sized moving truck pulled into the driveway. The mover came out of the truck, overwhelmed because he had no and so here he was, having to do the work of two or three movers all by himself!
The kids watched the mover start to pack their family’s belongings into cardboard boxes, and he seemed to be making good progress. A couple of hours and several frustrating phone calls with headquarters later, he saw a lot of stuff that still needed to be packed. Overwhelmed, he said “I’m not working without anybody helping me!” He thundered to the moving truck and drove away.
As the truck was driving away, Joey ran towards the truck, waving his arms, shouting “Hey! Come back! We can help you!”
It was no use. The truck was long gone. Joey felt sad. He didn’t know he had no helper. But the family was still moving to Texas, and the belongings had to be packed.
“Hey!” said Rosemary, pointing at some empty cardboard boxes. “The mover left behind these boxes!” Joey’s frown turned into a smile. They started packing.
Dad had an idea. “Let’s see if my friends from work can help us pack.” Dad called each of his friends at work. A little while later, many cars were parked in front of the family’s house. Dad’s many friends from work helped pack everything up. After lots of work packing, everybody got hungry. Dad ordered some pizza for everybody. friends, but the family and a couple of Dad’s friends sat at the dining room table. Some of Dad’s friends sat on the chairs in the living room, some friends sat on the stairs, and some friends even ate their pizza while standing! After all of the pizza was eaten, Dad’s friends went to their homes, and the family slept through their last night in their New Jersey house.
The next day was the day that they moved out. It was also Paul’s ninth birthday! The family sang happy birthday to Paul and enjoyed some pre-sliced cake from the grocery store. All the knives had already been packed up, so it was a good thing that the cake was already sliced! Paul received some fun books for his birthday. The books were so interesting, even Joey and Rosemary read them. years before this big move to Texas.
vehicles get there?”
The family had two vehicles, Dad’s small yellow car for commuting to work, and Mom’s Texas-sized passenger van for transporting the whole family. Soon, the small car and the van were loaded onto the transport truck, not to be seen (by Joey, at least) until Texas.
The Texas-sized moving truck from yesterday returned. The same mover came, with a couple of helpers this time. So, they came and loaded all the boxes into the truck.
“Thank you for packing up the rest of the boxes,” said the mover from yesterday. Then the mover and his helpers drove to Texas. Joey looked at the rooms in the house. Empty, they didn’t look inviting anymore.
“How are we going to get to the hotel?” Paul asked eagerly. He loved to stay at hotels.
The family waited for the taxi. Paul and Rosemary read the new books. Joey looked out the front window, excited that his family was in Texas-sized excitement. Finally, it arrived. It was a Texas-sized passenger van, just like the one the Texas-sized family had. The family packed their bags, and took a ride on the taxi to a hotel in the city of Newark.
The family checked into the hotel, and before they went to sleep, Dad told them the plan, “We’ll wake up very early, get dressed, and skip the hotel breakfast because we need to get to the airport as soon as possible.”
The family slept well through the night. Very early the next morning, Dad turned on the lights and woke everybody up. “It’s time to go to the airport!” Everybody got dressed, took their bags, and they all went straight out of the hotel without having breakfast.
The Texas-sized taxi from yesterday was right in front of the hotel waiting for the family. The family took a ride on it to the airport. In hotel shuttle bus of the day.
As soon as the taxi arrived at the airport, the family took their bags and rushed into the airport. They waited for a long time in a Texassized line. When they got to the front of the line, Mom and Dad put their bags on a conveyor belt. Now that the family was checked in, their shoes, and put them on a conveyor belt. Then, the family went through a metal detector and put their shoes back on. The family had just passed security, and was cleared to get on the plane. Now the family waited for a long time for their plane at the gates. Some bad weather blew in unexpectedly, causing last-minute delays. So they could have waited for the hotel shuttle after all! Oh well, better early than late.
A little food shop at the gates provided breakfast for the whole family. Dad bought sandwiches and drinks, and they ate while watching the workers outside the window checking the planes before board the plane. They walked through the gate for their plane and moment! Joey wondered what Texas would be like. Would they like their new house? heard loud roars from the jet engines. The plane accelerated down the runway. It went faster, and faster. Finally, the plane took off. It
Paul got for his birthday and some snacks and a drink that were given to the we will take another plane to Texas.” Soon, the plane landed at the Saint Louis airport.
The family rushed through the airport to their next plane. They’d made it on time! They boarded the plane. This time, Joey was seated far away from the rest of his family, next to an elderly woman who was too busy reading her book to talk to him and didn’t want the window shade to be open. Next to her was a man who was sleeping.
Joey saw a button on the ceiling marked CALL ATTENDANT. He pressed
An attendant came. “What do you want?”
“I want to sit by my family,” Joey said, pointing to the back row, where the rest of his family sat.
“Okay, follow me,” said the attendant. Joey followed her to the back to an empty seat in front of the rest of the family. Rosemary was the only one not seated there. She had a seat in the front. Shortly, an attendant gave the passengers safety tips. And after that, the plane’s engines roared to life. The plane started
Joey sat next to a very talkative man. “Hi,” said the man. “I’m going to my home in San Antonio, Texas!”
“My family is moving there,” said Joey. “And this is the second airplane that
Suddenly, the plane shook. “What is going on?” Joey asked, alarmed.
More turbulence came later. The plane shook like crazy, someone’s water fun in the turbulence, he laughed the whole time.
After the Texas-sized shakes of the plane had stopped, Mom heard a toilet
Soon, the plane landed in San Antonio, Texas!
“We’re here!” Paul shouted joyously. The family got off the plane and picked up their bags from a conveyor belt in the airport.
“How are we going to leave the airport without our cars?” asked Rosemary.
“Don’t worry,” said Dad. “We are going to rent two cars to use until our own cars arrive. I’m going to drive one with half of the kids riding, and Mom’s going to drive another with the other half of the kids riding. They don’t have a passenger van available for us to rent today.” After the family waited in a line, they rented a couple of SUVs and drove from the airport. The family checked into a hotel.
“What are those ruins?” asked Joey, pointing at a black and white picture in the lobby.
“That is the Alamo,” explained Dad. “You shouldn’t call it ruins; it played a big part in Texas history.” The Alamo was a Spanish mission in San Antonio. It was used as a fort by the Texas army and still stands today. Joey was starting his Texas education.
The family stayed at that hotel for a few nights. After their last night there, Dad had some bad news. “We can’t move in yet, our new house isn’t ready. But
The Texas-sized family had a wonderful day in Texas. After they had supper at a restaurant, the house still wasn’t ready. And so, the family looked for another found a hotel they could stay in. They stayed there for a few nights.
After the last night there, Dad told the kids, “The house is not ready yet. But Mom and I found a nice vacation rental house.”
The family went to the rental house. It was a cute little two-storied townhouse in a row of identical townhouses. Inside was cute and cozy too. So cozy, you might want to sleep there, which they did. While the family stayed at the townhouse, the kids played lots of games, the truck with their vehicles arrived, and Dad started his new job. Two moved in. It was a Texas-sized house. There was nothing in the house except for some boxes of toys for the kids to play with and some mattresses to sleep on. Nighttime came, the moving truck hadn’t come yet. So, the newest Texan family slept on the mattresses that were in the house. The next day, the moving truck arrived. The boxes got unloaded from the truck and were unpacked. They put everything in the right places.
That is the story about how the Texas-sized family moved to a Texas-sized house in the wonderful state of Texas! If this didn’t happen, they wouldn’t be Texans right now. They are so proud to be Texan. A year later, the very Thomas Xavier, so that his initials would be TX.
They all lived happily ever after, Texas-style.
Region 6
A Chisholm Tale by Madeline Snyder
The sun beats down heavy and the dust swirls ‘round The sky’s bright and blue And the wind carries th’ sound Of the cattle on the trail, Oh, the Old Chisholm Trail.
The cowboys are a yellin’ and the saddles creaking The longhorns are a runnin’ But the lassos are swingin’ To keep them on the trail, Oh, the Old Chisholm Trail.
Hear th’ hooves of the horses as they pound, pound, pound Leaving a line of hoofPrints in the ground Of the long, winding trail, Oh, the Old Chisholm Trail.
The sun goes down, and the moon up, then We’ll sleep ‘neath th’ stars And at dawn we’ll ride again On this hard, sweaty trail, Oh, this Old Chisholm Trail.
