Tomoka Manji's Blog

My Journey to Find a Perfect Life – Competition Story

Have you ever thought how your life would be different if you had a perfect life? I have, and I don’t have the life I want. When you read those fairy tales books, the princess always get the life they want and live happily ever after. I, Lucie Smith was not even close to having a perfect life. But, I had made a decision, I was not going to give up. I was not going to make my whole life miserable. I had to do something, so I came up with an idea: I was going to take a journey to follow my dream for the life I want.

 

I was standing in the police station expecting someone to help me. I waited for one minute and impatiently thought to myself: this is not going to work! I was going to ask something very important, a thing that would change my life. I was going to ask where my mom was. I have always wanted to meet my mom. When I was 9 months old my mom suddenly disappeared.  I forgot what she looked like, the only thing I knew was that her name is Samantha. I would always ask my dad and my grandma where my mom was and why she had left me, they would always give me the same answer. “Mom left you because she loves you”, I never got what that meant. Today my mind was made. I was going to find my mom and ask why she had left me. I had wanted to meet her and ask her that for ages.

 

“Excuse me,” I said out loud. I saw a tall man coming up to me. “May I help you?” he asked. “Yes, I am looking for my mom”, I answered. “Ok, wait a minute”, said the man and brought a huge book. “What is your mom’s name?” asked the man. I have never expected for the man to ask my mom’s name right away. I thought he would ask me why I was here and why I was alone. “Samantha”, I answered, surprised. “Last name?” I paused for a second. I have never expected him to ask her last name either. I was going to answer Smith but there was no way it was that because it’s my dad’s name and they had divorced. I decided to say the truth. “I’m not sure”, I sadly said. The tall man stood there paused and then he said back, “Sorry girl, we can’t find your mother if we don’t have specific information. In this big world, I’m sure there are millions or billions of people who have the same name. “Thank you” I said sadly and walked out of door.

 

 

 Grandma was getting ready for dinner when the phone rang. “Lucie, Can you get that for me it’s in my bag” grandma shouted. Luckily, grandma’s bag was next to me so quickly handed her the phone. While I was watching T.V I saw a small phone book in her bag that I have never seen before. I decided to see what was written in it. It was in cursive so it was hard for me to read it. While I was reading, something that started with an S popped out of my eye. “Samantha”, I read. Could it be mom or was it grandma’s friend? I knew most of my grandma’s friends and there was no one named Samantha. Next to the name spelt in small letters was the word LM and an address that was based in San Francisco. LM I thought. What does that stand for? L….um…Lucie? M…money. No. That doesn’t make sense. M..MOM! “LUCIE’S MOM! AHA I got it!” I shouted. That address should be mom’s address!  “Lucie, What’s going on dear?” grandma came in and asked. I quickly put the phone book under the sofa. “Nothing! The T.V was just funny!” I said. “Alright, well It’s almost your bedtime so get ready” grandma replied and walked away.

 

That night, while in bed I couldn’t get to sleep. I was trying to figure out a way to get to San Francisco without my grandma and dad knowing. It took 4 hours from Los Angeles to San Francisco by bus and train.   Maybe Lizzie could help me. The next day, I called Lizzie and she came around afternoon. Lizzie is my best friend. We have known each other since kindergarten. Every time I’m sad or feeling worried she would always make me happy. She is like my sister. “So why did you want to see me?” she asked. Bravely, I told Lizzie everything. I told her that I need to figure out a way to get to San Francisco without grandma and dad knowing it. “Maybe you can tell your grandma and dad that you’re going to stay at my house” Lizzie said. Good idea I thought. We went on the computer and searched what train and bus I had to take to go to San Francisco. There was only one problem, I needed 200 bucks for transportation and for food.  “200 bucks! That is way too much” I said to Lizzie. “Yea I know, how much do you have on you now?” I quickly ran to my room and got my wallet, I only had 20 bucks. “20 bucks! That’s not going to be enough. That is how much it costs for one train ride.” Lizzie said sadly. We just paused and stood there for a minutes. “AHA! My parents have this cupboard where they keep money for emergencies! When I checked it yesterday I remember that there was about 300 bucks!” Lizzie said happily. “Well, that will be great but won’t your parents be mad that you used it?” I asked sadly. “It’s ok, they never check that cupboard and they won’t know who took it” After that Lizzie had to go and I thanked her. She was the best I thought.

 

That night, I told grandma and dad that I will be staying at Lizzie’s house. Luckily, they accepted and told me to be a good girl. The next day was the day. I felt that I was very close to my dream coming true. I waved to my grandma and left the house. In the entrance, Lizzie was waiting for me. She was going to take me to the station and give me the money. When we got to the station I thanked her and I went inside the station happily. The first train I had to take was easy to find. In the train, I ate bread and bought some drinks with the money I had. I was almost going to fall asleep but I managed not to. I got off at the 9^th station and went on the other train. This train ride was very long so I looked out the window and saw the great view of Los Angeles to San Francisco. When it was the last station I got off. The last thing I had to do was take the bus to Mason Street and so I went on the bus. In the bus I waited for 1 or 2 hours but Mason Street didn’t seem close. I looked outside and nothing seemed to indicate that it was Mason Street. So I decided to ask the bus driver. “Excuse me, how close are we to Mason Street?” “Mason Street? You took the different bus girl”  said the bus driver. “What!” I shouted. I got off and checked where I was. Lombard Street? Where is that! What shall I do? My dream is not even close now! I fell down and cried. What am I suppose to do! I’m alone in nowhere! “Are you ok?” I heard a man’s voice. I looked up and saw a kind faced man looking directly at me. “No” I answered. I told him everything and how I came to the wrong place. “Where is it that your mom lives?” he asked. “Mason Street” I said sadly. “Oh! That’s where I live too. Lombard Street is where I work” “REALLY!” I said happily. “Yea, I’m, going home right now so I will take you. Oh! And my name is Jack” he said. “Thanks Jack!” I answered with a big smile.

 

It took 1 hour to get to Mason Street. When we were finally there I waved goodbye and thanked him. This was the moment I was waiting for, I was standing front of a small white house. I felt very excited but sad. What if she doesn’t want me back? What if she forgot me? I was very worried but I decided I was not going to be sad. So many people had helped me to make my dream close and come true. I was not going to make it not happen. Bravely, I walked near the door and rang the bell. A woman opened a door. Soon as she saw me I saw a tear coming down her cheeks and for some reason a tear was coming down from my cheeks too. “Lucie?” the woman said. “Mom?” I answered. “How did u come here, come in” I went inside the house. The house was very nice and smelt like home. I told her everything how I came here and how so many people had helped me. After that I asked the question I wanted to ask. “Why did you leave me?” I said quietly. She stood there paused for a second. “Because after marrying your dad George, he had been very busy and didn’t really have time to spend with me, I was very sad. I wanted to go and have a happy life. I wanted to take you but I thought it was safe to leave you with Bella and George” she said. Mom also said she always wanted to go and meet me but she thought Bella and George will not accept it. After that we ate dinner and called dad. We ate lasagna, it was the best lasagna I ever tried. For dessert we ate homemade apple pie. It was really good. It made me feel like I was at home. After dinner I called dad, Dad was very surprised but understood.

 

From that day my life was different. My life was different to a happy life! You know what’s the best thing is? After that my mom and dad started their relationship again and decided to re-marry. That was the happiest thing ever! I think if you keep trying your dream will one day come true so, believe in yourself!

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