To Kill A Mocking Bird: Chapter 8 Summary

Jem and I sure felt guilty for this calamity. It hadn´t snowed in Maycomb County since 1885, and legend has it that when kids disobey their parents, bizarre changes in nature occur. Another tragedy happened as well, Mrs. Radley died, and Jem was convinced Boo had finally caught her. Atticus had gone to the Radley´s place to pay respect; while my brother wondered if Boo had the guts to show his face after murdering his own mother.  

Like I said, it was our fault for the cold—Mr. Avery thought so too, and by the way he accused us, I apprehended the man thought that out household was in state of anarchy. But the snow was already here, and there was nothing better to do than enjoy it; especially on a day free of the shackles of school.  Jem and I decided to build on of those snowmen—We conspired to make it ginormous, the best one humanity would ever see. We started building, until we realized there wasn´t enough snow in our backyard. Jem wore his kindest face when he asked Miss Maudie if we could borrow her snow; surprisingly, she gave us permission. But even that wasn´t enough, and we were forced to make a base out of mud and cover that with what little snow we had available.

As for the face, Jem and I had a dissension at first, whether it would be a boy or girl. Until we came to the agreement of making our creation a fat, mean masculine figure: Mr. Avery. We were so meticulous about his body parts, nose, arms and even his “private” part. Jem had gotten quite offended by Atticus´s surprise that the boy was smart enough to make the man out of mud and snow. Atticus assimilated all the details, and realized that the snowman was meant to be Mr. Avery. But what really caught Atticus off guard was Mr. Avery´s “private” section, although he didn´t mind—He just said we needed to disguise it. But, by the look of Miss Maudie´s face when she saw our addition to the snowman, it was imminent she would freak, which she did.

The hours elapsed into a short day; and my sleep wasn´t long either. Atticus woke me up, ordering me to put on my robe and go outside. I felt this sweltering heat as soon as I stepped a foot out the door—It was a fire next door at Miss Maudie´s. Atticus ordered my brother and I to stand by the Radley´s place, to keep out of trouble, and that’s exactly what we did. But, Atticus didn´t exactly believe so. He started interrogating me about a blanket I had, he said that if we had stayed where he told us, I would have not had that blanket. Now I tried to make memory, but I didn´t remember anything ‘bout someone covering me. Then Jem spoke,

“Mr. Nathan was here at the fire. Scout you were too busy watching you didn´t realize that he put the blanket around your shoulders!”

I sure felt confused, that man I far from lionized actually cared for me? But I couldn´t help but think of anything else at the moment than the second recent death. Yes, the pumpkin like, muddy, chubby, morphodite: Mr. Avery the snowman.

Zack, You Are Still Dear To Me

Dear Zack,

            I hope you read the article I wrote for the New York Times—its about when you arraigned and interrogated that assassinator. When you busted his ass, remember? I just can´t believe all you have achieved on all these years that have elapsed. Congratulations on all your success.

            New York is great, very metropolitan-very big. Although I have my dream job (although, I´m not lionized or anything,) I still miss Tiburon like you have no idea.  I might of whined about the sweltering summer days back then, but I sure miss them when it´s December over here.

            I talked to August a few days ago; she sure misses you and me when we would conspire making the honey. She also mentioned that you and your wife, Annie, celebrated little Ebony´s fourth birthday last weekend. Please wish her a happy birthday for me; I want to meet that little girl that I hear so much about.

            I still await the day when I can fall in love again, just like you did. The world was so bizarre, unfair back then when we were young. Such anarchy, they even prohibited us from being together. By the time that changed--it was too late--you had moved on with your life. But it’s nothing to regret, I mean you found Annie and now have your little Ebony to treasure, it’s a fact no one can have a dissension on.

            I look back, and meticulously read the stories I wrote in that journal you gave me—so I can assimilate every detail. I cry sometimes, when I remember my lonely nights in the honey house, the Calendar sisters, the bees, the shackles of T-Ray. But when I remember you I always gain hope. Zack, I am getting older by the second, and at thirty-four I still haven´t fallen in love more than once. But then again, I remember you--Zachary. I remember that summer, our summer love.    

            So I wanted to thank you-for showing me I am capable of falling in love, I have apprehended it is possible. If I didn´t have those memories to go back to, I´d think I´d be lonely forever, that my life would be nothing but a calamity. You will always be my first love, but not my last. I know it´s imminent that I will find my better half. Farewell for now.

Love,

Lily 

To Be A Maha

To have the name of Maha, you must gain it. To be a “Maha” you must be audacious, be joyful in profusion, when needed, serene. But most importantly to be a “Maha” you must be ghetto. A “Maha” doesn´t feel the need to be conscientious, she will even approach a new student for the first time quite ecstatically, quite cheerily. One of a “Maha´s” greatest talent is for literature, she can make a paragraph so descriptive that one can depict every detail. A “Maha” could also be sort of a detective, they are always curious, always want to know everything. Even if they have the slightest inkling, they will stop at nothing while seeking the truth. “Mahas” have hearts of gold, they never pilfer, they don´t make someone weep, even if they were to rebuke, it would be constructive criticism. In the eyes of the world a “Maha” is so perfect that even the most slovenly mess they have created, is flawless in our eyes. Now it is time to ask the real question… Do you have what it takes to be a “Maha?”  

     Maha, thank you for being my first friend in Balboa Academy. I remember it like it was yesterday,

“Oh my God, are you new? Hi, I´m Maha.What’s your name?”

Well who knew we would be such friends in such little time, thank you for that. Like I said, you posses everything in order to be a “Maha”, and because of those talent I and everyone in the school will truly miss you. Because of those talents I am sure you will do just fine in Atlanta as well. You are beautiful, kind, smart and funny, you posses everything to be successful in life! Good luck in you new adventure!

Will miss you,

Ana Lorena Garcia