Isaiah

But it's like, they're not going to find them because of a swing.

Um, and at one point someone was like, well, I would understand if, uh, you know, the house didn't have a fence and like, maybe your fear is that, you know, the, uh, the abusive person in question sees the kid from the road.

And then the person who was arguing, correct.

It was like, no, all these houses have like tall fences.

We're like, oh, well then what are we doing here?

What's the problem?

Which we did eventually.

I think, if I remember correctly, we did eventually.

win the argument and get like playground supplies to them.

But I just, that reminded me of that whole argument.

Like, nah, if a house has a slide in it, immediately abusive partner's gonna recognize that.

He's gonna smell that from a mile away, so.

Jesus Christ.

Anyway, after that fun anecdote, I've never met my real parents.

I've been in and out of foster families and group homes here in Detroit since I was a kid.

I'm 15 now, and I'm what you refer to as a bad kid.

always causing trouble always getting thrown out and placed with another unsuspecting do-gooder who thinks they can help me and I always prove them wrong my case workers sat across the black metal table looking weary and frazzled on the table between us was a thick letter-sized brown envelope my case file well your reputation has preceded you and now you only have two options military school in Lansing or the Ronald McDonald house

I didn't have the patience for drill sergeants and 5 a.m.

reveal, and how bad could a halfway house named after a fast food clown possibly be?

Ronald McDonald House it was.