Without Words

My name is Joey

     Hi I'm Joey. I can't really talk or communicate with anyone because of a dumb birth defect. Something about my mom having a drinking problem when she was pregnant with me but she's better now. On the other hand she was not the only one with a drinking problem. Her beer buddy was my dad. The only difference is that my dad is still an alcoholic. Which sadly causes him to be abusive towards my mom and I.
     Everything is okay though because I have my best friend Finn. He can't talk either. His family didn't have any drinking or drug problems just bad luck. Which makes me feel very lucky because Finn has a lot of other medical problems since he was born. Finn's mom is our teacher because public school was not for Finn and I. I love it though, Finn makes it easy for me and well...fun. On Thursdays when we are done his dad brings us our favorite orders from In and Out Burger. Which makes Thursday's our favorite day.
     Finn has doctors appointments twice a week so sometimes I'm left alone with my dad. My mom provides for our family while my dad says he is going to interviews when really he is sitting at home watching T.V, asking me to get him more whiskey, and drooling all over his playboys. My dad doesn't comprehend why I can't talk and it frustrates him and he takes it out on me.
     My mom is great. The only thing is, she works really long hours at the hospital so I barely see her. She is a wonder but since she is gone so much I don't have a huge connection with her, plus I can't even speak to her. I do have a fish named Stan though. He can't talk either. So it's just fun to watch his blue colored fins float around in the water.
     I don't do any team sports. I do have a passion for swimming and I do one on ones with Mr. Hosen. He is really supportive and he makes sure I understand every correction and improvement. Mr. Hosen also says one day I could do great things with swimming. I swim on Monday's, Wednesday's, and Friday's.
     And when I'm not swimming or hanging out with Finn I'm listening to music or playing music. I play the piano. I taught myself. I love playing it to get away from my dad when I'm stuck at home. I also love listening to Micheal Bublé. I'm really into jazz and Alternative music. That is really all interesting about me. And I really don't know what this year will hold.