As much as I hate apologizing, I suppose I owe that and a hell of a lot more to Naida. We'll just have to get this mess fixed up, and we will.
Heads they win, tails you lose
It's all the same either way you choose
You're damned if you don't and even if you do
It's still a Catch 22
-Terri Clark
Dunno why anyone would be interested in me life, but I guess I can give ya somethin' ta yawn about. I was bo'n in Melbou'ne Australia about 28 yea's ago now, ain't the wo'ld a betta place fe' it? I 'ad a brotha named Gregory that was 5 yea's olda than me and 'e was a really great brotha. 'e was the good one and I was the not so good one. 'e got in trouble maybe three times that I can rememba, I got in trouble mo'e times than I can count. 'e was also the bright one, I neva did quite get school. I was 9 when 'e up and died on us. 'it me parents and me really 'ard, I got in even mo'e trouble at school, although afta that 'appened they all seemed ta undastand and gave me a break. 'specially one teacha that kinda took me unda 'er wing afta that.But seven months afta Gregory died, me parents told me we was goin' ta the states. We went to LA and to Disneyland. They 'ad me sit at a table while they went ta get some food and...well, they neva showed back up. The cops took me in and set me in juvy while they set about findin' me parents. They neva did figga out whe'e they went. Guess I'm betta off without 'em anyway.
I left the fosta 'ome they put me in and 'it the streets, stealin' and doin' whateva to stay alive. When I was 12, I met Thomas Kielmeyer, or Tommy as I always called 'im. 'e was 17 and we got real close and finally I moved in with 'im. Wasn't too long afta that that I got up the duff and I 'ad me boy Gregory when I was 13. Tommy tried to get me to 'ave an abortion, but I wouldn't do it. And afta I 'ad 'im, I was real glad cuz ain't nobody eva looked at me like that befo'e. It was when 'e was about 14 months old that Tommy sta'ted grizzlin' mo'e than usual at Gregory's cryin' and...and I didn't 'ave me Gregory anymo'e. 'e also beat the shit outta me. Cops wouldn't do nothin' cuz I couldn't rememba too much. So when I got outta the 'ospital, I bailed on 'im. 'itch'iked me way away from LA, stoppin' when I 'ad ta ta make some money 'oweva I needed ta. I didn't 'ave much else, but I 'ad me looks and that always seems to bring in a little money. Sometimes I made enough to catch a bus insteada 'ithcin'. But I finally ended up in New O'leans, which I liked mo'e than the otha places so I decided to stay. Wasn't too long befo'e I got in good with the street folks the'e.
I ain't eva been real bright, but I got street sma'ts. I did whateva it took to get by, although the'e was no way I was gonna be sellin' no drugs. Tried 'em a couple times, but I saw what they did ta people so I just didn't get too inta it. I was 18 when I met me only mate, Meloni Quast. She's real mental, but she's a damn good mate. She 'ad the brains and 'elped me through a lotta shit. I owe 'er a lot. I didn't even find out she was a fuckin' vamp till 4 yea's afta I met 'er. Eitha I really am a dumb shit o' she's real good at lyin'. O' both, maybe. Took me awhile to believe it was true, but she finally convinced me. Didn't 'old it against 'er though. I mean, look at all I done. 'ow could I judge 'er? Just cuz she liked to suck on necks. 'ell, I did some a that meself although not quite that way. Was about a yea' and a 'alf lata that I met a guy named Gary. 'e and I 'ung out some, although Mel neva really liked 'im. I found out the 'ard way about six months lata that 'e was a vamp, too. Guess I just can't get away from 'em. 'e was a Brujah and 'e made me one too. Then 'e bailed. Dunno whe'e 'e went, don't ca'e.
Well, Mel and I knocked around awhile longa befo'e Mel ended up meetin' Danielle. Then we ended up gettin' on the wrong side of Milla's people (found out the 'ard way that the'e really a'e gods up the'e. And it 'urt like shit). Puttin' all that shit aside cuz this is gettin' a little too long for me likin', Mel and I ended up as Greata Vamps and got on the wrong end of a lotta people. And one side brought Tommy back and made 'im inta one too. 'e to'ments me wheneva 'e can, too. They...brought back me Gregory, which is the only thing that I can thank 'em fo' and I ended up with anotha kid by Tommy (not MY fuckin' idea). But I'm stayin' in Tandraia now and they 'elp take ca'e of me and mine, don't ask me why. I'm still scratchin' me 'ead ova that one. Well, I guess that's it. 'ope ye' still awake.
Destroy the mind,
Destroy the body,
But you cannot destroy the heart
-Smashing Pumpkins
The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.
-Maya Angelou
