Dumpster

In 2012 a short story “The Third Dumpster,” Gish Jen expresses a fictional but all too real situation of a decision that separates two cultures and two generations. A Chinese American family, ever-aging parents, and two grown sons, Goodwin and Morehouse, face a significant decision of accommodating their parents with their living situation. The title has many connotations: it implies that by the time the “third” generation comes; the culture will be tossed away (dumped) and be uprooted forever…

The reading I have selected to read for the reflection essay is Working at Wendy's, and On Dumpster Diving. Reading the essay Working at Wendy's I had no challenges reading the essay it was straight forward. With the essay on Dumpster Diving I had a little challenge with some of the vocabulary. I had to stop reading, and look up some words that I did not understand. For the story Working at Wendy's, he had to find a job to take care of his wife that was going to college. He was determined to…

Slamming the front door you walk quickly to your car "Bastard," you growl angrily, he was cheating on you, that pathetic scum was cheating on you, with Nina Patterson of all people. How could he, he knows she hates you and your friends, the jerk! Muttering to yourself, you climb into your car and start it up, slamming your hands on the wheel. You decide to go see Audrey and Noah. Lucas comes running out of his house, struggling into his shirt. The asshole probably finished with Nina before…

“Why don’t we go out to the porch?” Sam looked at Colleen oddly until she tilted her head toward the doorway, where Maggie just entered. “It’s a bit warm in here.” Sam waved his hand for her to lead the way and they moved through the people in the dining room and out into the back porch. It was cold out, the bon fire died down that it was just throwing a little light up to where they were standing. Colleen moved over and sat down on the banister, her breath making little white puffs as she…

Evil looms all over the dreadful underworld like a dark tunnel. The tragedy of the underworld reeked. Kara wore a chalky tank top, with sapphire ripped jeans. Burning lava seared Kara’s chestnut flip flops. Kara and her atrocious little brother Jayden, scurried to go find the only hope for New York. Aunt Barbara. Kara did not feel certain about the choices she made to rescue, Aunt Barbara. With her voice dripping in tears, she spoke, “Jayden what if Aunt Barbara doesn’t remember us? Or what will…

Music flowed through the open windows of the Salvatore mansion as Damian swayed drunkenly to the melodic lyrics. Every year since Jenna Gilbert’s death, he had made sure that his best friend was duly entertained on this particular day to keep his mind from dwelling on his lost girlfriend. All our times have come Here but now they’re gone. Seasons don’t fear the reaper Nor do the wind, the sun or the rain. “They don’t write songs like this anymore.” With drink in hand, Damian danced in front of…

“Well, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?” “But he’s a guy!” “Didn’t he fight or somethin’?” “Was he asking for it?” “Mr. Pierce? Mr. Pierce?” The brunette hardly moved, staring out the window as people ran to and fro like busy little ants. A perfect baby blue sky cradled the sun, a bright lemon drop with blinding rays. He sighed, making the therapist start in his seat. With light like that, you could just take a magnifying glass and roast all those ants alive. One, two,…

Hans peers across the room at Kim, who has her Poker face on. Shooting him a glare. “Anyway, pal, you’re off the hook, the assignment has been terminated. Tamara tried to pass the info when she went to the lady’s room. She couldn’t even wait to get you home alone tonight.” “If you say so,” Robbie replied, by the way, Rachel’s is not your type. “What type is that, if I you don’t mind me inquiring?” “Guys who can’t buy her a three-million-dollar house on a beach.” “What’ makes you fall into that…

Ducking inconspicuously into the shadows, Ryder leaned on a rusty lamppost and pulled a copy of the local paper from under his arm. As he watched the ink rub off onto his fingers, the absurdity of his situation was not lost on him. In an age of computers, electronic tablets and smart phones, who in the world still read newspapers? Besides dumb ass bikers like himself intent on appearing casual while they stalked other people, he couldn’t imagine. There was something about reading the local…

"Okay, this is getting weird," she mumbled, as she rushed over to her windows, closing and locking them. Her drawers were yanked open before she begins rummaging through them, in search of night wear. She abandons her towel, coming across an old oversized camping t-shirt. She pulled the shirt over her head and shimmied into my underwear, and shorts. She looked down the lengths of her body, amazed that the ancient shirt came down to the middle of her thighs. It has been years and it…