Pufferfish

Outline for Naomi's speech to the judge- I am Naomi Soledad Leon Outlaw. My mom abandoned my brother and me seven years ago, as soon as our dad left. Dad was fishing, and Mom was supposed to be taking care of us, but left. Since then, I've lived in a trailer with my great grandmother, whom we call Gram, in Lemon Tree, California. Suddenly, My mom arrives and wants to take me away with her boyfriend Clive, a tattoo artist. My life at home and school in Lemon Tree is extremely good with Gram, and a new girl, named Blanca, is a great friend. Mr. Marble, the librarian, and Mrs. Morimoto, my tender, are so nice to me. Fabiola and Bernardo are great neighbors. So is Ms. Maloney. They treat us like family, and Gram has been Fabiola's sewing partner for years. Owen is a great optimistic brother, who would only be with me if I stayed at Lemon Tree, since Skyla wants to separate us. Gram has been much more motherly than Skyla. She is a great mother because of her kindness, and she even makes me and Owen clothes. She stands up for us, and is always happy to get us things. Optimism is a good quality in her. Gram is protective, and caring. The trailer we have is comfortable, and Gram always tries her best to make us happy. Lemon Tree is where all my friends live. How can I go to a noisy place with Skyla, when I would be leaving a calm, friendly place, containing my brother and Gram? In Las Vagas, I would stay with Skyla and Clive. At Lemon Tree, I played with Owen and explored my hobbies, like carving soap. Now, I wouldn't be able to play with Owen, and Skyla wouldn't appreciate my interests. The mean woman thinks I could make lots of friends, but I would miss Owen and Gram. She said I would have to baby-sit Clive's daughter. Skyla probably would just drink with Clive and she just wants the money given for the poor. Owen and I need each other, and Skyla won't bring Owen. What kind of mother wants to separate her children? She doesn't like Owen just because he is deformed. However, we are both her children. Owen has just as much right to be with Skyla, even though neither of us wants to leave with her. Skyla takes drugs, and is very violent. She has been in rehab hospitals and halfway-houses numerous times. Skyla even drank at the children's hospital.Harsh and bossy are some qualities she has. She is always telling me what to do, and since I said that I don't want to go to Las Vagas, she slapped me! It even left an imprint on my cheek! She threatens us. Our own mom left us when we were children, and now thinks she can just take us back after destroying some of our life. How irresponsible is that? She had us as kids, but was too irresponsible to take care of us. She left on a shopping trip to Tijuana and left us at home with no one. She probably caused Owen to be deformed since she drinks. In Las Vagas, my life would be horrible with Skyla. I would very much rather stay in Lemon Tree with friends, neighbors, Gram, and Owen, and be happy with them.