Garage Conversations

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian- Junior
A Child Called It- David
Setting- David’s house in the garage



Junior was on his way to visit his cousin David, who he hadn’t seen in a long time and didn’t remember much about him. His mom’s car was out of gas so he had to hitch hike. When he arrived he heard screaming coming from inside his cousins house.

“You are worthless. Since you can’t do your chores in time you don’t get to eat. Now go into the garage.”

He didn’t know what was going on so he walked around to the side of the house and saw that the garage door was about half way open. He looked in and saw a boy sitting on the stairs. He assumed this was his cousin so he went under the garage door. His cousin was filthy, covered with dirt and had on old clothes that were baggy and torn.

“David?” junior asked.

David jumped surprised he asked, “Who are you?”

“I am your cousin my name is Arnold but every one calls me junior. I came to visit you. I heard you mother yelling when I came. What was that about?”

“I don’t want to talk about it.” Dave said

“Well she seemed very angry.”

“Yes well she gets upset when I don’t finish my chores in time.” David said.

“She doesn’t let you eat if you don’t finish you chores. That’s pretty harsh. Back on the rez I don’t have to do any chores. I just hang out with my best friend Rowdy. Except he doesn’t like me much right now but, how is life for you.” Junior said

“Fine” Dave said

Junior could tell something weird was going on but he didn’t want to be nosey so he didn’t ask.” So can we go upstairs and see your mom and dad. I’d like to see my aunt and uncle and your brothers my other cousins.”

“Yeah sure you can but I can’t go upstairs. Also go out to the front door.” David said.

“Alright ill ask my aunt and uncle if you can come upstairs.” Junior said as he was ducking under the garage door.

“No.” David said in a soft yell so his mother couldn’t hear him.

“What, why?” Junior asked.

“Look you can’t tell my mom that you talked to me. You can’t even tell here you were down here. It’s best if you just pretend I don’t exist.”

“Dude I don’t understand what you’re talking about.” Junior said as he was coming back into the garage.

“Look, my mom is, well she’s just evil. She beats me, sometimes for no reason. She likes to play games by making up new ways to punish me. Sometimes she makes me eat spoonfuls of ammonia.”

Junior couldn’t believe what hear had just heard. “She really beats you?” junior asked. David nodded.

“That’s horrible. On the rez if someone beats you up you fight back.” Junior said

“You don’t understand she has complete control over me because if I don’t do what she says she doesn’t let me eat. I usually have to steal food just to eat. She burns me and she also makes me sit in the bath tub with a bucket of chemicals I get very dizzy and usually pass out.”

“You have to tell someone you can’t let this go on. I could get my friend to come over and beat her up he could beat anyone up. Hey I have an idea. You can come and live with me on the rez then we can call the police on your mother.” Junior said.

“No, my mom will find me and beat me if she finds me and I know she will.” David said

“ That’s why we need to get you out of here your mom is going to beat you if you stay here but if you come with me there’s a very good chance you will be away from her for ever.”

“I can’t I just can’t” Said David

“It‘s your only hope of survival. You can’t live with no food.”


“Okay but we have to go fast my mom could come down at any time.”

And so Junior and David hitch hiked back to the rez as soon as they arrived Junior had his mother call the police and David lived with junior and his family on the rez.