The Absentee Family

    By Storybird

    The Absentee Family cover image

    29 Nov, 2023

    a couple of kids standing in a living room next to a table with books on it and a lamp

    The day started off just like any other for me, Aldo(A.J) Burrows. At 13 years old, I was used to the mundane routine of my life. After all, living with my granda had its own set of predictable patterns.

    a boy in a suit standing in front of a classroom full of children with books and papers on the desk

    I walked into my first class of the day, expecting nothing different. But as soon as I laid my eyes on the new teacher, my heart dropped. "Da, y r u here?" I asked, shocked.

    a man in a suit and tie standing in front of a group of children in a classroom with a book

    He looked at me, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of recognition in his eyes. But he quickly ignored me, introducing himself to the class as Mr. Burrows.

    a group of young men standing next to each other in a room with a clock on the wall and a window

    I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation. "He's my absentee da," I said, but the comment was met with silence.

    a group of people walking down a hallway next to each other in school uniforms and holding suitcases in their hands

    One of my classmates, a notorious bully, decided to make a joke at my expense. "Mr. B is an absentee dad bcuz ur an ugly child & mistake," he jeered.

    three boys in suits standing in a hallway with a suitcase and a suitcase bag on the floor next to them

    My da, Mr. Burrows, ignored the remark. I was hurt, but not surprised. "Srsly da, ur gonna let him bully me?" I asked, but again, I was met with silence.

    a couple of people standing next to each other in a hallway with a boy in a suit and tie

    I decided to confront my ma, who had recently taken up the position of the new principal. "At least I can report bullying to her," I thought, "love you da."

    a girl and boy sitting at a desk with books and papers in front of them, with a blackboard in the background

    As I walked into the principal's office, I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. After all, my parents were supposed to be my protectors, not my absentee figures.

    a man and a little girl standing in a room together, holding a remote control in their hands, and looking at the camera

    The meeting with my ma didn't go as planned. She listened to my complaints but offered no comfort or assurance. It was clear that her priorities lay elsewhere.

    a group of people in suits and ties standing in a room with a window and a desk with a book

    Over the next few weeks, things didn't get any better. The bullying continued, and my parents remained distant. I felt lost and alone.

    a group of young men standing next to each other in a hallway next to a window with a cat on it

    One day, after another incident at school, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I couldn't rely on my parents to protect me. I needed to stand up for myself.

    two young boys standing in the street with their arms crossed and looking at each other with a surprised look on their face

    I confronted the bully after school one day. I was scared, but I had reached my breaking point. "Stop picking on me," I said, my voice shaking.

    a group of children standing in a hallway next to a locker with a hair dryer in hand and a man holding a book

    To my surprise, he backed down. "Alright, Burrows, whatever," he muttered, walking away. I couldn't believe it. I had stood up for myself, and it had worked.

    a boy in a suit sitting on the ground in front of a tree and a house in the background

    Over time, I learned to handle my problems on my own. I felt stronger and more confident. I still wished my parents were more involved, but I realized I couldn't change them.

    a boy sitting at a table with a book and pen in his hand and a book on the table

    Eventually, I began to accept my situation. I realized that I couldn't rely on my parents for everything. I had to be my own advocate, my own protector.

    a boy is sitting at a desk with books and a book in front of him and a blackboard with a lot of books

    Despite the challenges, I managed to make it through the school year. I learned a lot about myself, and about the kind of person I wanted to be.

    a boy sitting on a couch reading a book in a living room with a window behind him and a book on the floor

    I promised myself that if I ever had kids, I would be there for them. I would protect them, support them, and most importantly, listen to them.

    a group of children sitting on a floor in front of a fireplace in a room with a fireplace and a picture on the wall

    I understood now that family wasn't just about blood ties. It was about being there for each other, through thick and thin. And I was determined to create a family that embodied that.

    a boy with a backpack looking at a mountain and a valley with a waterfall in the background, with a sun shining on the horizon

    The journey wasn't easy, but it was necessary. I grew up faster than most kids my age, but I wouldn't trade my experiences for anything. They made me who I am today.

    a boy with a camera in a cartoon style, standing in a city street with buildings and cars in the background

    I am Aldo (A.J) Burrows, a survivor, a fighter, and a protector. I may have been raised by an absentee family, but I refuse to continue that cycle.

    a boy in a blue shirt and a backpack standing in the water with a shark in the background and a city in the background

    I learned that I am not defined by my circumstances, but by my actions and choices. And I choose to rise above, to be better, to break the cycle.

    a boy with a backpack is standing in a field with flowers and a car in the background, with the sun shining behind him

    It's not the life I would have chosen for myself, but it's the life I've got. And I've learned to make the most of it. To take the bitter with the sweet and to keep moving forward.

    a boy standing on a beach next to a body of water with a castle in the background and a wave crashing in the water

    In the end, I am grateful for the hardships I've faced. They've shown me what I'm capable of, and they've shaped me into a person I can be proud of.

    a boy standing in the middle of a street with a backpack on his shoulder and a book in his hand

    I've learned to turn the negatives into positives and to never let my past define my future. I've learned to be resilient, to be strong, and to never give up.

    a boy is holding a toy in his hand and smiling at the camera in a classroom with a chalkboard and a chalkboard

    I'm not the same scared kid who walked into that classroom all those months ago. I've grown, I've learned, and I've changed. And for that, I am grateful.

    a boy standing in the middle of a city street with a backpack on his back and a plane flying overhead

    Life continues to throw challenges my way, but I'm ready to face them. I know I have the strength to overcome anything. After all, I am Aldo (A.J) Burrows.

    a boy in a blue shirt standing in front of a tree and a field with houses in the background

    I take a deep breath and look towards the future. It's uncertain, full of challenges and opportunities. But I know one thing for sure: I'm ready for whatever comes my way.

    The Absentee Family

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