March 5, 1973, Daly City, California I’m late. I’ve got to finish the dishes on time, otherwise no breakfast; and since I didn’t have dinner last night, I have to make sure I get something to eat. Mother’s running around yelling at my brothers. I can hear her stomping down the hallway towards the kitchen. I dip my hands back into the scalding rinse water. It’s too late. She catches me with my bands out of the water.
SMACK! Mother hits me in the face, and I topple to the floor. I know better than to stand there and take the hit. I learned the hard way that she takes that as an act of defiance, which means more bits, or worst of all, no food. I regain my posture and dodge her looks, as she screams into my ears.
Comprehension Questions
1. Who hits the narrator?
A. His brother
B. His father
C. His mother
2. Why does the narrator have to finish the dishes on time?
A. To get breakfast
B. To have enough time to play outside
C. To have more clean dishes to use
A. To get breakfast
B. To have enough time to play outside
C. To have more clean dishes to use
Your Thoughts
3. Did you like this excerpt? Why or why not?
Vocabulary
4. List any vocabulary words below.