Character Description...Cloyd

Cloyd Longpre is a very intersting character. He trys to present himself as if he is a nice clean cut man.

"He was wearing a fake blue suit and tie. I never saw him in one ever again. Also, his hair was all pomade oil. That also would be the only time it was so neat that they could see the comb lines." p.9
"He was trying to show he was, you know, intersted in me. That I mattered to him." p.10

Longpre was always ranting and ragging about his elks that he killed and mounted on his wall. "It was how killing them meant how much better he thought he was than me." p.30

Longpre had Sonny doing chores around the apartment complex to earn his keep without really making it seem that that was the exact reason he was doing it. "You don't mind, right? It's a big help. One less distraction for me, and the business I got plenty of distraction with already." "Good man," he said. "Good man." p.32

Cloyd wants to be a nice person to Sonny but in reality he is a drunk who has a big head. He thinks he is a gift from God to those around him and the truth comes out when he drinks.

"Cloyd was already red-eyed, and he was wearing that hick smile I hated the most and swirling that ice cube." "Hey you," he told me. "Come and shake hands."
"This is my son," Cloyd told the man. p.88

Cloyd is a tight wad with his money and his friend Mr.Womack lets that be known.
"You got to get good grub while you can, because I know this cheap bastard Longpre ain't feeding you steaks, is he?"p.90
Cloyd responds with, "Listen now, you don't gotta go let him in on that! I don't think he'd even noticed yet!"

Cloyd was always blasted from drinking. He was always in his office with a full glass of whiskey. He was always demanding respsect from Sonny and other's around him like Silvia. "Don't talk to me like that!" "You talk to me with respect, you understand?"  "He was drunk, the red in the bulb of his eyes at the bottom like it sank down there, or they were the roots growing off the blue above."p.126

Sometimes he tried to be funny when he was blasted. "He had the dumbest look on his face ever, smiling like-well, I'd heard him do that a couple of times. He'd cut one, then say, Speak again, sweet lips, I'll find you! He thought it was the funniest shit ever." p.115

Cloyd character is very complex for me. I want to think of him as a good guy taking Sonny and Silvia into his home and trying to be a family man, but then when he goes on his drinking binges I see him as a pompous jerk. He becomes this controlling man. He wants Silvia to be home waiting on him hand and foot and for Sonny to work around the complex to earn his keep and to be rarely seen and not heard. I am at the piont where Silvia is bored so it will be interesting to see what is going to come of this relationship.

   

My Father Always...

My father always was my hero.  He was kind and gentle and my bestest friend. I was always daddy's girl. He called me his little tag along or shadow. Every where my daddy went I was right there behind him. He was a big strong man. He made me laugh and was always there to wipe my tears away when I was hurt or just sad. I love my father he is the best.

My mother never...

My mother never gave up on me. She has always been here for me in anything I do in life. Of course she is my biggest critic when it comes to situation's that she feels may harm me but she is still there in the end with open arms. I have been the rebelious daughter. Always choosing to learn the hard way about life. Not truely by choice but more so because I am more independent. Sometimes it can end up bitting you in the butt. In all my mom always tells me that what you go through in life makes you harder and stronger and not to regret only learn and move forward!

My mom is a hard worker. She always told me to never rely on others to support you. Be your own maker in this world. She came from an old school house hold. Her parents both from Mexico and they believed that the Man provided and the wife stayed home and cared for the family. But my mom saw  things differently. She always worked for what she wanted and needed. She never wanted to ask her parents for money let alone her husband (my father). My parents have been married for 35 years and together for 41 years. High school sweet hearts. :) My mother is a very strong lady and I look up to her in soo many ways; even though we disagree at times with eachother. We hold a very strong bond. I am soo very blessed to have her in my life.

Predict what will happen to Sonny....

Sonny seems like a lonely young man who is tryng to find his way in this world.  He is left alone alot without any adult supervision. I feel he might get himself into trouble with the Law. He seems to be street wise when it comes to fending for himself. But that doesn't mean he is safe in all that he does.

He seems to be very interested in other peoples belongings and fantasizing on the way they live. He imagines him self in their home and what it would be like to be them. It kind of makes me sad. He doesn't seem happy. I probably wouldn't be happy either if no one cared or showed that they cared how my day went or what i've been up to or what I need and want.

If I am understanding correctly he enters peoples homes and goes through their belongings. And he looks through windows. That right there is going to get him into trouble with the law. I hope he doesn't end up a statistic and ends up in jail for his actions.

That is one prediction I have.

My Second would be that Sonny becomes smarter and proves that he is important and becomes a successful young man in anything he chooses to do and does not become a statistic. He does show that he is a hard worker when puts his mind to it. So maybe all the cleaning he does around the complex will give him the experience to go into owning property or taking over Cloyds property when he gets older.

I Am....

I am a very hard worker...I have two beautiful children who are my world! My son is 7 years old and my daughter is 9 years old, and two soon to be in the future step daughters who are 9 and 4. I have a wonderful boyfriend who is my best friend. I am blessed with two beautiful parents who love and help me with my babies so I can attend night classes so that I can reach my goals. I work full time as a caregiver and a nanny and go to school at night. I am working towards my AA in Child Development. I want to teach preschool because I love that age. Kids at that age are like sponges and I want to be the one to help open their minds to the world around them. I love to work out at the gym and cherish hanging out with my family and friends. I love to read. Reading and writing are my best subjects in school. Math not so great. I am a social bug...and make friends rather easily! I look forward to what lies ahead and welcome it with open arms! Life is a challenge...make the best of it!!