My father left my family when I was only four years old, leaving my mother Army, my sister Devi, and myself to fend for ourselves the way we saw fit in order to survive. My mother worked long hours at work, and, as I got older, I saw to it that my sister was taken care of. Together we were able to survive in a world that was not always friendly to our situation, but there were times that I felt alone because I was a boy and I didn’t always feel comfortable talking to my mom about stuff. It even got to a point where I would get angry because I had no one that could understand me, so I was confused about what exactly my role was, should I be a kid, a brother, a son or what. But, one night, I finally realized what my role was and just how much I was needed.

I had hoped that my children would grow up with a father, unlike myself, but that was not the case. Sometimes I wonder if the kids like Richard, I know they are not used to having a man around but he is……… What is that? Oh My god….

I heard my mom talking to me in a distressed voice "Manuel, Wake up, I think someone is trying to break into the apartment!" "What?" "Someone is shaking the door and playing with the handle." "Ok. um stay here with Devi and call 911, I will try to see what is going on." We lived in an apartment complex on the bottom floor, right next to the street. I remember thinking to myself about the last time that I played outside in the green grass. I thought about who could be shaking our door, then I thought to myself, what am I going to do if someone does come through this door. I ran to my room to get my BB Gun.

What am I doing, Manuel is only 13, he can’t protect us. I should probably call Richard too, maybe he can get here soon. Good, Devi is still asleep. "Devi, wake up and come sit with me in my room" "but mom, I was sleeping.." "I know just come with me.."

I remember growing up that I was always being told that I had to be the strong one and that I had to watch over my mom and sister, and wondered exactly what everyone meant by that. Now I know. I grabbed my BB gun and walked over to the door, because if someone got through, they would have to get through me because this was my house, and nothing was going to happen to my mom and my sister.

"Hello, you have to help me, I think that someone is trying to break into my house!" "My daughter is with me and my son is in the other room Please hurry…"

I was afraid but the only thing that I could think of was "you are the man of the house" and then I would get brave again because I was the man of the House. I looked out the peephole and saw that no-one was there. I stayed by the door and then saw my mom come out of the room.

"Manuel! What are you doing with your BB Gun" "What, if someone came in I was going to shoot them with it." "Well go put it away, then come into the room, the police are on the way."

As I put my BB gun away I thought to myself that the bad guys left because of me. I was brave and scared them away. My family was safe and things were going to be okay, and yes, I was the MAN OF THE HOUSE.

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