In Issue 9, New York, New Life, we asked students to write to us about their neighborhoods. Here is one response.
When I was a little kid, about four, five, or six, I used to play Cops and Robbers with my brother and cousin, along with whoever wanted to play that day. I lived by West Side Middle School, in Branford Manor, to be exact. When I played, I always chose the robber team along with my brother and cousin. We were never the cops. We were only by ourselves against everyone in the neighborhood who played. I remember buying popsicles at the grocery store and having to wash my blueberry-stained lips.
When I was eleven, I went over to Branford Manor with my Mom to see her friend. I wandered off to our old apartment. While I was standing on my old step, I enjoyed a memory, one that I know will stay with me; the memory of Cops and Robbers. I spotted a few other children playing the game. I joined them and just left after about five minutes because it just wasn't the same. Everybody who played when I was younger no longer lived in that area.
- Devon
