Forever Reading

Read the whole book: the seventh sin.

The Seventh Sin by William Bott Copyright 2013 by William Bott Cover design courtesy of Miss Mae Smashwords Edition Smashwords Edition, License Notes This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. Table of Contents Dedication Acknowledgments Prologue Chapter 1 - Genesis Chapter 2 - Original Sin Chapter 3 - The (Competitive) Spirit Compels You Chapter 4 - Family Matters Chapter 5 - Danny Boy Chapter 6 - Higher Education Chapter 7 - Wet, Hot, American Summer (Camp) Chapter 8 - Breaking Dawn Chapter 9 - Twenty-One Chapter 10 - Unchained Malady Chapter 11 - Water, Water, Everywhere Chapter 12 - Crystal Clear Chapter 13 - Down for the Count Epilogue - Jesus's Lessons References Author's Note About the Author Contact the Author Dedication This book is dedicated to all the Edgar Brantleys out there. You are not alone. You are never alone. Acknowledgments A novel has many authors besides the one who puts ink onto paper or electrons onto your screen. An author's entire life helps write his works, and I'd like to thank the following people who especially helped make this possible: My parents - Your unconditional, infinite love and emotional and physical support, coupled with the life lessons you taught me, enabled me to live the life I had to live to gain the insight and wisdom to write this novel. I love you both more than I can put into words. Dave, my editor - Thank you for taking my rough ideas and smoothing them out with me. You took the time to sit down and extensively discuss your thoughts on my writing and how I can make things better. Your insight has been incredibly helpful. Remember your adjectives! Eddie, my web guy - Thanks for doing an awesome job with my website. You are the man! Miss Mae, my cover designer - After months of other people flaking out, you got my cover done in 3 days. Thanks a million for your hard work and good ideas! The Band Perry - Listening to your music was the final piece of inspiration for my novel. You got me motivated to put my pen to paper and turn my idea into a real book. Thank you so much. Peace and love to you all. You - Without you picking up and reading my book (and e-book), all of this would have been for nothing. Thank you for reading and supporting my work, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Prologue I am a father, a son, a friend, an enemy, a mentor, and a fool. You can call me Eddie - my friends do - though my birth certificate now has "Edgar Wallace Brantley" printed on it. I've been all over the national news channels, but if you live under a rock (or in a cave) you may be wondering who exactly Edgar Brantley is. Sometimes, I wonder the same thing myself. * * * One day, back in elementary school, our counselor visited my class to have us take part in an exercise. This exercise was supposed to help us realize who we were and how we develop. I was the first student whom Mr. Fogarty called on. Mr. Fogarty gazed at me through his thick-rimmed glasses as though he was trying to peer into my very soul. "Who are you?" he inquired. I looked back at our counselor. "I'm Eddie, Mr. Fogarty." He shook his head at my answer. "No, that's your name. Who are you?" he repeated. I glanced away, shifting uneasily at my desk. "I play games and draw pictures." "No," Mr. Fogarty admonished, "that's what you like to do. Who are you?" The tall man leaned toward me, his stature intimidating despite the kind expression on his face. Though I looked around helplessly (as if the correct response was somewhere in the room) I found myself unable to answer such a seemingly simple question. You could've asked me that question two decades later, and I'd still have been unable to tell you. How can the answer to such a fundamental question elude one for so long? How long and hard must one search one's soul to find the answer? Last summer saw my twenty-eighth birthday, and I still don't have the answer. One thing is certain - I've made plenty of mistakes during my journey through this life. I've angered some and hurt or let down others. Perhaps if I tell you my story and confess my seven worst sins, you can offer me some type of solace, and you can tell me exactly who I am. Chapter 1 - Genesis I was born on the seventh of August to Mark and Claire Brantley in Virginia Beach, Virginia, at Sentara General Hospital. Our family was in the lower-middle class, and if the cozy, aging place we stayed wasn't a constant reminder of that fact, then my discounted school lunches were. Most of my clothes used to live at the Salvation Army, but I received a new sweater every Christmas, courtesy of Grandma Doris and her knitting needles. I didn't like most of them - they were just shy of hideous - but they were brand-new and they were mine. My body was the only one they'd ever covered. I rarely felt the pincers of hunger pains at bedtime, other than when I was being punished. You'd have had a rough time of it in our house, though, if you don't like beans and franks or macaroni and cheese. I didn't care for most of the vegetables that my parents bought, either, but the carrots were nice. It's a shame that they were so expensive. Most of the other kids at school wanted the latest BKs or Reeboks, but I was thankful for my worn Adidas. Mom and Dad rarely wasted money on material things (other than my occasional video game), opting instead to spend the little extra money they earned on family outings to the zoo or picnics at the beach. I cherished every moment that we spent together, and that's something that no shoes or video games could ever replace. When I was with Mom and Dad, I was enveloped in love, hope, and security. Dad was tall - just over six feet - with a bulky frame. His brown hair and eyes usually made him appear to be serious, and it didn't help matters that he liked to stroke his clean-shaven face while thinking. My father raised me to be mindful of others. Trust me when I say that it was strictly enforced. A thin leather belt across my rear end was often the only warning I received when I sassed someone. I know that my father loves me and meant well, but he couldn't always express his emotions properly. Dad was a welder for much of his life. He busted his hump, day in and day out. In 1974, he left Michigan, the only place he ever knew, to weld at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. As you may have guessed, my father had good job security at a shipyard.Each day, Dad came home from the shipyard with red skin and the not-uncommon burn on his hands. To hear him tell it, though, it was just a typical nine-to-five. In my book, however, any job where burns are routine is not a typical job. It was his job, though, and it kept a roof over our heads. Dad busted his tail, pouring out gallons of sweat each day just to pay the bills. His work ethic was difficult to top. Once I began to truly understand the world around me, I found myself in awe of this man that was my father. He wouldn't do a thing that wasn't honest and fair. He was strict, but he was always fair. One time when we were shopping for groceries, I found a faded, brown leather wallet next to a floor display. I picked it up and peeked inside to find several twenty-dollar bills and a fivedollar bill. I wanted to keep it. Finders, keepers, after all. Dad wouldn't hear of it. He left the cart with Mom and walked me to the lost-and-found in the front office. I felt cheated as I prepared to surrender my bounty. As soon as we entered the tidy office, my father explained the situation to the daytime manager and told me to hand over the wallet. Grudgingly, I did so. As it happened, a rough-looking, tattooed man who reeked of Marlboros and Jack Daniels was there, asking about that very wallet. He snatched the billfold from the manager and stuffed it in his black leather jacket's interior pocket. The biker sneered at me and, without so much as a word of thanks, turned on his heels and left, the clomping of his heavy biker boots echoing down the hall. I was unimpressed. Dad, however, just shook his head and smiled. "Eddie, always do what's right, even if no one else cares." Mom was a half-foot shorter than Dad, with flowing blond locks that she kept in a ponytail that reached her shoulders. Her deep green eyes, slender figure, and dazzling smile made her the envy of other women more often than she'd admit. My mother used to work as a beautician before she met my father. As soon as her thenboyfriend discovered that she was pregnant with me, the slimeball left her. What kind of heartless creep ditches the woman he claims to love just because she's knocked up? Every time I saw a falling star, I wished it would land on him. Do I sound bitter? Maybe I am. Just a little. Mom met my father (my real father, not the DNA donor) when I was six years old. She had been a single mother since having given birth to me. Though Mom was always patient and loving, having two parents in my life was a definite improvement. As soon as Mom and Dad got married at Western Branch Community Church, in Chesapeake, he wouldn't let her work. Dad was old-fashioned like that. Although he didn't bring home a lot after paying taxes, bills, and the mortgage, he refused to have his wife working. Dad took pride in being the sole breadwinner, and I took pride in Dad. Both of my parents have imparted many lessons to me and have helped shape me and how I perceive and interpret the world around me. They tinted the glasses through which I view reality. How, then, can I truly understand everything from a neutral point of view or see things as those around me see them? I am enclosed - no, imprisoned - within my own machine and its biases and influences. I suffer from limitations that are impossible for me to even be aware of. Nothing in this life can help me view reality from outside this flawed machine, but how can I decide if I even want to escape? I haven't the faintest idea how reality would appear to me from outside my body; it could be wondrous, but it could just as easily be horrifying. Chapter 2 - Original Sin Like most people, I've sinned and made messes of things more times than I care to count. I'm afraid I don't have time to get into all of them, though, and I'm sure you don't have time to hear about all of them. I'd like to confess my seven worst transgressions and share a few other selected memories that I hope you will find interesting. My sincere hope is that you will begin to understand me, love me, pray for me, and maybe even forgive me for my sins. I've loved and been loved, hurt and been hurt, laughed and made others laugh, cried and made others cry. I hope you will take heart in my triumphs and heed of my warnings. Maybe you can learn from my mistakes and avoid the pitfalls I fell into. If I can salvage even one lost soul with my story, then maybe, just maybe, I can leave a positive mark on this weary world. * * * I was only twelve when the Riley family moved in down the street in our lower-class suburban neighborhood. I watched curiously as the beefy movers emptied a white-paneled moving truck of boxes and furniture. The bulky men in the ragged uniforms hoisted dressers, bed frames, large boxes, and other assorted household furnishings with apparent ease. My imagination ran wild as I envisioned who was moving into the small house with the forest-green shutters and light blue trim. The movers soon finished the job; I lost interest in the whole affair. Eagerly, I grabbed my worn Game Boy and resumed my quest in Pokémon Blue. Meowth, Pikachu, and I took part in grand adventures once more. * * * Hours later, a knock at the front door echoed throughout the house. (For the previous week, our doorbell had been broken, and Dad had promised three times already to fix it.) Annoyed by the interruption during my battle to win the Rainbow Badge, I dropped my Game Boy on my bed and hurried to the front door. I opened the door; there stood two grown-ups and a kid about my age. "Hey there, champ," said the man, by way of greeting. "Are your parents home?" I half-shrugged and turned around. "Mom! Dad! Someone wants you at the door!" I yelled toward the back of the house. I shuffled off, intent on returning to my battle. A moment later, my parents emerged from the den, scolding me. "Eddie! You could've told them to come in. Please come in," Mom offered, this last part directed to our three guests. The trio entered, looking around at our home's sparing decor. The woman offered a bottle of wine to my mother, who graciously accepted it and set it on the kitchen counter. The man of the three shook my father's hand and spoke. "I'm Daren Riley. This is my wife, Ann, and our pride and joy, Lenny. We just moved in down the street and wanted to introduce ourselves to our new neighbors." Ann Riley was an energetic, smiling woman whose aura captivated those around her. Her husband, Daren, was a slender high school teacher who seemed like one of those people who were always in (annoyingly) good spirits. Their son, Lenny, was about my age, and his parents kept his dark hair cut short. His brown eyes peered with wonder at us and our home. My father smiled as the two women embraced warmly. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. The neighborhood is usually nice and quiet, so I hope you will feel welcome here." Dad faced my bedroom. "Edgar, come out here and meet the neighbors," he called out. Reluctantly, I put my Game Boy down again and returned to the living room. Dad smiled. "I'm Mark, and Claire is my wife. This," he put his arm around my shoulders, "is our son, Edgar." "Daaaad!" I protested. "You know I hate that name. Call me Eddie!" "Eddie," he corrected himself. Dad reached for the wine, examining it at arm's length. "Very nice White Zinfandel, Daren. Thank you for the thoughtful gift." Dad was a blue-collar laborer, a Budweiser man, not a wine connoisseur. I surmised that he was just being polite about the wine. "Would you like to stay for dinner?" Mom asked. "Eddie here might even have a new playmate," she teased, leaning over and ruffling my hair. I shot her an irritated look before smoothing my hair with my hands. She knew it bugged me, but she couldn't help herself. "We'd love to, if it's no trouble," Ann said. "We don't want to impose." "Nonsense," Mom replied. "We have a whole pan of lasagna in the oven, and there's always room for more at the table." That was debatable. I wasn't convinced that six could fit around the small, round, oak dinner table. The two sets of parents strolled to the den, chatting and gesturing merrily, while Lenny tagged along with me on my way back to my bedroom. Lenny's eyes lit up when he spotted my Game Boy. "Is that Pokémon Blue?" he asked, excitedly. "Yeah. I got over sixty Pokémon," I bragged. "Really? I have Pokémon Red but I just got to forty," Lenny answered dejectedly. "Well, I think I got most of the Blue-only Pokémon, so we can trade some. I got extras anyway," I explained. Lenny grinned. "Okay!" We discussed Pokémon and which one would beat other ones until supper was ready. We gathered around the table and took our places, the savory aroma of freshly-baked lasagna and warm Parmesan filling our nostrils. My mouth watered as I waited to be served. Dad grabbed a corkscrew from the utensil drawer and struggled to uncork the wine, succeeding only after three attempts - and with Mom's help. (White Zinfandel with beef lasagna? Who does that? Martha Stewart would be appalled!) Dad poured a glass of wine for each of the adults and a Cherry Coke for Lenny and me. Mom sliced a generous portion of the main course for me, but I served my own peas and corn. Everyone else served themselves except Lenny, who had to submit to his mother's rationing. We spent dinner talking to each other, enjoying the beef-and-cheese-layered lasagna. Usually, Mom sprinkled oregano and garlic powder on top of it, but she had neglected to do so that night. It was fine, though. Every bite I cut oozed filling onto my plate. As we finished eating, the Rileys offered to do the dishes. Dad refused to let our guests clean up. I wished he hadn't. Baked-on lasagna is a pain in the neck to scour, and guess whose job it was? As a steel wool pad and I wrestled with the lasagna pan, Mom and Dad walked the Rileys out. The moment they stepped outside I swiped a finger along the edge of the pan, scooping up sauce and cheese, then licked my finger clean. Despite my mother's forgetfulness, it had been some of her best lasagna. Mom and Dad returned shortly after that, while I was still struggling with the pan. "Well, do you like your new friend?" Mom asked. I shrugged. "Yeah, he's cool," I answered nonchalantly as I scrubbed at the corner of the cookware. "Good," Mom said. "I think we'll be having the Rileys over again soon." I hoped Lenny would be back soon. He was neat and, after all, we had Pokémon to trade. * * * Lenny showed up the very next day. I was washing Dad's Hyundai in the driveway when I spotted him walking toward me. He waved and I waved back, forgetting about the garden hose in my hand. My dog, Calvin, yelped in surprise at the sudden assault. He wasted no time running back inside the house, where he was out of the evil water lord's domain. "Neat dog. What kind is he?" Lenny inquired. I shrugged. "Ionno." I frowned in thought. "Some kind of terrier. His name's Calvin." "Calvin? That's weird." "No, it's not! Calvin's a cool name," I retorted. "I named him after Calvin and Hobbes." I paused, then grinned. "Did you bring your Game Boy so we can trade Pokémon?" Lenny shook his head. "Naw, I forgot. Sorry. I'll bring it tomorrow." I put my hands on my hips and scowled. "I wanted to trade today. I hope you remember it tomorrow," I scolded. Lenny shrugged and changed the subject. "Hey, have you seen the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie yet? It looks cool!" I sighed. "Not yet. Dad hasn't rented it yet. I keep asking him but he doesn't want to spend five bucks on it right now." I paused for a beat as I had a sudden brainstorm. "Do you want to play Ninja Turtles on my Nintendo?" Lenny beamed. "Yeah. That sounds awesome!" I hurried inside with Lenny in tow, dropping the hose and forgetting all about Dad's car. I popped the cartridge into the NES after blowing on the connectors to get the dust off. Lenny picked up the first-player controller while I turned the console on. Glaring at him, I put my hands on my hips. "No, I get to be the first player. It's my game," I scolded Lenny. He set the controller down, disappointed. As we played, we debated which Ninja Turtle we would be and why. "I'd be Michelangelo," I boasted, "so I could beat up the Foot Clan with my nunchucks!" "Well, I'd be Donatello, using his big fighting stick to wipe out five bad guys at once!" Lenny returned. "Or I could be Leonardo and cut them in half with my razor-sharp sword!" I burst out. "Aww, yeah! I wanna be Leonardo!" Lenny exclaimed. "No way. I called it first," I stated in a tone that left no room for discussion. We argued over who would be Master Splinter and who would defeat The Shredder to rescue April as we played. Looking back on it now, it seems that I always had to be in charge and I always had to get the last word. * * * Months passed, and Lenny had been coming over nearly every day. Most of the days that he didn't come over, I went over to his house to play. We hung out until dinnertime most days. Now and then, I'd let him choose what we would do, but an overwhelming majority of the time, I demanded that we play games of my choice. The only thing that bothered me about Lenny was his sensitivity. Sometimes he would overreact or burst into tears for no reason at all. I tried not to laugh at him for it, but I was a stupid kid. I wasn't as good a friend to Lenny as he was to me. When we pretended to be karate masters, I was always the good guy (and thus the winner). When we played Army, I was the American and Lenny was the Vietnamese/Iraqi/Russian. I didn't realize it back then, but I was far too rough with him, especially during our karate matches. Mistreating your friends will come back to haunt you, as I would soon discover. * * * A week later, I got off the faded yellow school bus and walked the short distance home. As soon as I reached my driveway, I ran inside and tossed my backpack on my bed. I was looking forward to the afternoon with Lenny. Since he wasn't over here, it was my turn to go to his house. I hoped we could trade Pokémon again. I had a few new ones that I knew he'd been trying to find. "Bye, Mom! I'm going to Lenny's," I called out, racing to the front door with my Game Boy in my pocket. Right as I gripped the doorknob, my mother's shaky voice reverberated throughout the house, stopping me dead in my tracks. "Eddie?" she sobbed. "Eddie, please come here. Please. I need to talk to you." I was confused. I hated it when Mom cried, but this time I didn't even know why she was crying. I ran into her bedroom. "Mom! Mom, are you okay? What's wrong?" I asked worriedly, throwing my arms around her. Mom pulled back a little bit, looking me in the eyes with two emeralds at the bottom of the Atlantic. "Eddie...I don't know how to tell you this..." she trailed off, sobbing hysterically and wiping her face with a wrinkled sleeve. I hugged her tightly, wondering what had wounded her so deeply. I thought about Dad. Oh, God, no! Mom continued, interrupting my thoughts. "Eddie, it's...it's Lenny. He...he got home early from school today. He and Jarrod were rough-housing and taking turns jumping off his loft bed. Somehow, a belt...a belt got caught around his neck. He didn't make it..." I was devastated. My mind was reeling, my head spinning like a cyclone. I just gaped in disbelief. "He's...he's dead? No. No! You're lying! You're lying!" I wailed as I thrashed around. Mom hugged me tightly, pinning my arms to my sides. "I'm so sorry, Eddie," she whispered in my ear, still crying. "I know how much he meant to you." Furious, I refused to believe her. "No. No! You're just mad that I'm always playing with Lenny and I don't play as many family games as I used to! I hate you! I hate you!" I tried to wriggle out of Mom's grasp, but I couldn't. Life without Lenny? Could it even be possible? Slowly but surely, like a salve applied to a vicious burn, the truth in her words began to sink in. My body went numb and my eyes were old faucets that had suddenly sprung leaks. I sagged, my body going limp as the tears gushed forth. Mom relaxed her grip to a comforting embrace and kissed my forehead softly; she dabbed at my eyes with the hem of her blouse. I cried and cried. I felt like life as I knew it was over. Strictly speaking, it was - I'd have to cope with it and adapt. Devastated, I pulled away from Mom and ran to my bedroom, slamming the door behind me. I shoved everything on my bed onto the floor and threw myself face-down onto my bed, staining my sheets with the evidence of my sorrow. There came a soft knocking at the door. "Go away!" I wailed into my pillow. I heard Mom sigh audibly. "Go away!" I repeated. I kept crying onto my sheets. A moment later, her footsteps echoed in the hall, leading away from my room. I returned to my grief, crying myself to sleep. * * * I'd thought Lenny and I would be best friends forever. The cut was deep, all the way to the bone, and still bleeding. Would it ever heal? You can buy bandages for your fingers and toes, but there is no bandage for a broken heart. Lenny's funeral was held that Friday at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home. My parents had written a note to the school to have me excused from class, and the principal had had no objections. This was one of the few times, however, that I wished I was in school. Anything would have been better than my best friend dying. We arrived at the funeral home, a modest building with different shrubs growing all around the building and a sign out front identifying the funeral parlor. It looked clean and professional. By this time, however, the severity and finality of the situation had set in, and I was numb. I followed Mom and Dad inside to the visitation room and we took three adjacent seats in the center of the section to the right of the casket. The chairs were the metal folding type without padding on the backs or seats. The light scent of carnations was in the air, though it didn't register at the time. Once everyone had filed in and taken their seats, Lenny's service began. The minister, Reverend Norman Reed, gave the eulogy. He used his extensive arm-span and deep voice to extol the virtues of my late friend. The eulogy was brief, though, as Lenny's life had ended almost before it began. Reverend Reed asked if anyone wanted to say a few words to honor or memorialize Lenny. I wanted to talk about him, about the good times we'd had. I wanted to apologize to him and his parents. I wanted to tell everyone how much Lenny meant to me, but I was nervous about speaking in front of dozens of people I didn't know. Mr. and Mrs. Riley slowly stood and walked to the front of the assembly. Mrs. Riley leaned over her son, her face covered in teardrops, and softly kissed him on the cheek. She then whispered something in his ear. Mrs. Riley faced the crowd again, and they talked about how much they loved and missed him, what a great child he was, and the things he loved to do the most. One by one, other friends of the Riley family (including some of Lenny's classmates) took their turns up front to speak. They shared memories and tales about Lenny and how much fun he was to be around. I never made my pilgrimage to the front, though. I was a coward. Once everyone who wanted to speak had the opportunity to do so, we all lined up single-file to view Lenny's body and pay our final respects. Mom, Dad, and I were near the back of the line. Slowly, the line advanced, and we approached my friend. Once I reached Lenny's coffin, my eyes welled up again. Lenny was laid out in an elegant wooden casket with a white lining, filled with white pillows, and he was dressed in a navy blue suit with a golden tie. Lenny seemed at peace. He could've been asleep, planning our next Pokémon battle or game of Uno. More than anything, I wanted to give him a big bear hug and wake him up. This couldn't be real - but it was. I snapped out of it and reached down, resting a hand gently on my fallen friend's shoulder. "I'm sorry, Lenny," I whispered. "I'm so sorry." Carefully, I withdrew two items from my pocket: Lenny's Pokémon Red game cartridge and my own Pokémon Blue cartridge. I gently lifted one of his hands from his chest, slipped the games under it, and rested his hand on top of the games. I sighed, unable to look upon my fallen friend any longer. My parents paid their respects; as soon as they finished, I begged them to take me home. There was little conversation on our long ride home. I couldn't get Lenny off my mind. He'd looked too peaceful, too at ease. I leaned against the door, my face pressed against the cold glass of the window, and wondered what cruel twist of fate had caused the train of Lenny's life to jump the tracks and plummet into the canyon of oblivion. * * * I didn't realize it back then, but after reflecting on those events from a fresh perspective, I now know that I was a bully. I was demanding, callous, rough, and thoughtless toward my best friend. My best friend! How could I have treated so cruelly someone so undeserving of it? What drives a child with such responsible, loving parents to commit such harsh acts? That was only the first of my worst sins. It may not have been the worst, but that's no excuse for my behavior. I should've treated Lenny with dignity, kindness, and respect. Lenny had treated me well and deserved nothing less in return. Looking back on it now, I believe that Lenny intentionally took his own life. My bullying had wounded him so deeply that he killed himself simply to bring his suffering to an end. I never want to treat a human being that way again. No matter where I go or what I do, Lenny's crimson blood will forevermore stain my irresponsible hands. Chapter 3 - The (Competitive) Spirit Compels You I've always had a fiercely competitive spirit. It always motivates me to be my best, at any cost. I'm good at what I do, and I despise losing. I've been that way for as far back as I can remember. That's just how I was raised. Oftentimes, when I lose any kind of competition, I get mad or frustrated. I hate losing, and that stokes the fire in my competitive furnace, keeping me going. I do whatever I must - train, practice, research - to get or maintain the edge. Anything worth doing is worth doing to the best of your ability - why waste your time if you aren't going to give it everything you have? * * * It still feels like it was only yesterday. I was thirteen, and I was excited about the upcoming Little League season. Little League rules stated that you could play until you turned fourteen. You could then finish a season you'd already begun, but you couldn't begin a new one. That season would be my sixth (and final) year of Little League. Between it and the T-Ball I'd played, I'd become a respected (and feared) player. I was going to miss Little League once I was no longer eligible to play. Thus far, each team I'd been part of had done well, usually securing first place. Twice, though, my teams had been relegated to second place; anything other than the top slot was a tremendous letdown. I was determined to "retire" in first place, with one final MVP trophy on my shelf. * * * We had another fearsome team in my final year, and our coach was Mr. Davies, a coach I'd had during two of my first-place years. I knew his coaching style and he knew my playing style - a definite advantage over the coaches who were working with unfamiliar players. We also had Todd Jenkins, a great first baseman and prior teammate, on the team. We were ready to rock. The coaches had the honor of naming their teams. Coach Davies named us the Tigers. He always named his teams the Tigers. We'd do everything short of growing orange fur to live up to our name. As Little Leaguers approached the division with the oldest players, they played progressively more games during the season. Though I'd started out with a six-game season, I was now on a thirteen-game schedule (seven innings each), not including playoffs. We practiced hard twice a week but we played the games even harder. Between the Tuesday and Thursday practices and the Saturday games, I ate, slept, and breathed baseball. * * * Our team started the year strong, winning four of our first five games, but we dropped the following game to our rivals, the Royals. Their outstanding team was off to a 6-0 start, while we only had a record of 4-2. That was fine, though. We didn't have to have the best record during the regular season. We just had to bone up on our fundamentals and win in the playoffs at the end of the season. Over the course of the next few weeks we battled back hard, getting our record up to 8-2. Meanwhile, the Royals were still undefeated, sitting in the catbird seat with a record of 10-0. Due to the limited number of teams, we had to play most teams twice. In the upcoming week, the Royals would once again be our adversary. One major thing had changed since our previous meeting: we had acquired a sharp new pitcher named Kyle Waters. He could fire a seventy-mile-per-hour heater, and he also had a good change-up and a decent slider. His delivery wasn't entirely consistent, but when he was on, he showed shades of Chris Carpenter. This was the final game of the year that we expected to be challenging, and we needed a win. We'd most likely face the Royals in the playoffs, so a momentum shift from an upset win was crucial. Coach Davies called the entire squad in on Friday for an extra practice session and a scrimmage. Kyle polished his delivery, while the rest of us practiced batting, catching, and throwing. * * * Saturday saw clear skies, a cool breeze, and high hopes that the Tigers would prevail over the undefeated Royals. There was a nice turnout for the game - more than sixty parents and friends of the players packed the cold metal bleachers to watch the rematch. We were excited; they were excited. Our coach got us fired up with a passionate speech about teamwork, devotion, sacrifice, and dedication. We took the field, pumped up and ready to play ball. * * * The din inside the Pizza Hut was deafening. I grabbed a third slice of the Supreme pizza laid out before me, as the aromas of melted mozzarella cheese, baked bell peppers, and crispy pepperoni mingled with the scents of other savory foods and toppings. I chomped on the delicacy greedily as jubilant cheers and endless laughter resonated throughout the eatery. A couple of my teammates were playing tag, running around and (sometimes unsuccessfully) dodging tables and patrons. We'd won! In a very tight game, our ace, Kyle, had been the deciding factor. The final score had been 2-1. We hadn't been able to score much against the Royals' defense, but our own fielding hadn't been too shabby, either. The Royals got more hits, but our great pitching and fielding led to a whopping four double-plays. Those double-plays were the final pieces of the puzzle. As you probably guessed, the Royals didn't like being handed their first loss. Their coach vowed to demolish us in the playoffs. We would just have to wait and see. * * * As most of us had predicted, the remainder of the season was uneventful. We chalked up the rest of our games in the "win" column, ending the regular season with an impressive record of 11-2. We'd given the Royals their sole loss, and they ended the season with a 12-1 record. Thus, they were the number one seed in the playoffs, while we were the number two seed. Due to the fact that there were nine teams playing, only the eighth and ninth seeds played in the first round - all the other teams had a "bye" week. That brought the rest of us to the round of eight. We trounced the Jays in our first playoff matchup, scoring nine runs while holding the Jays to one run. Our team faced the Orioles, and stiffer competition, in the following round, but we pulled out a 5-2 victory. Meanwhile, the Royals routed the Rangers and smashed the Sox to meet us in the finals. It was all but expected, yet it served to heighten the tension and rivalry before the final rematch between the top two teams in Little League baseball. * * * After much anticipation, the big day arrived at last. The cool September breeze brought the scents of buttered popcorn, Oscar Mayer hot dogs, and Cracker Jack to the noses of everyone in attendance. A young boy with a baseball mitt munched on a cherry Sno-cone, his reward for turning in a foul ball. The record crowd of onlookers murmured as game time approached. Spectators filled the aluminum bleachers, leaving more than two dozen others standing along the fences. We were mere hours from discovering if all the practice and hard work would pay off in the form of a first-place trophy. Coach Davies didn't give us the usual pre-game spiel about having fun and it not mattering whether we won or lost. This day was huge, and he was as pumped up as we were. We gathered in the huddle and the coach looked around at each of us in turn, eye to eye. Once he had looked into the eyes of the last of us, he rumbled, "You guys are ready. There's not an ounce of quit in any one of you. Now go out there and give 'em hell!" We roared and took the field, the Scots ready to decimate the English who were invading their diamond. * * * The game got underway, and it was a pitcher's duel. Both teams had their aces on the mound, and both were shining brighter than the sun. Few players managed to reach first base. In the fourth inning, however, the Royals were able to load the bags with only one out, a precarious situation. Fortunately, Kyle struck out the next batter with an outside slider and forced the following batter to pop the ball up to left field, where Chuck was ready and waiting. That got us out of the inning. After five full innings of play, the score remained tied, zeroes on both sides. Then came the top of the sixth, the next-to-last inning in regulation play. I watched the action from right field, glove at the ready, as I squinted into the late afternoon sun. Kyle retired the first two batters who stepped up to the plate, but the third managed to split the gap in leftcenter field and get a double. That brought Kevin Phelps, one of the Royals' best hitters, to the plate. The kid was so beefy that it was hard to believe he was only thirteen. He chomped his Big League Chew bubblegum and spat outside the batter's box, then dug in, took two practice swings, and awaited Kyle's delivery. Kyle's first pitch was a blistering fastball low and on the outside edge of the plate. Kevin took it for a strike. The catcher tossed the ball back to Kyle, who then stared Kevin down. Kyle checked the runner, then wound up and delivered his next pitch - a bad change-up that hung right over the plate and had "Return to Sender" stamped on it. Kevin smashed the ball; it soared through the air toward me. I tried to shield my eyes, but I lost the ball in the sun. It smacked into the grass a few feet behind me. I spun around and dashed for it as their base-runner rounded third to score. As soon as I had a hand on the ball, I hurled the ivory orb to second base. We held Kevin there, unable to advance to third. Kyle struck the next batter out, but the damage had been done. The Royals had the first lead of the game, 1-0. Unfortunately, we were unable to score in our half of the inning, but Kyle locked the Royals down in the top of a tense seventh. This was our last chance: do or die. Working against us was the fact that we had the bottom of the order coming up. Due up were Brody, me, and Kyle. Uhoh. Brody stepped into the batter's box and took his practice cuts. The Royals pitcher didn't execute on his pitches, though, and Brody knocked a hanging curveball up the middle for a single. As Brody took a lead, I stepped into the batter's box, glaring at their pitcher. I tapped the dish with my bat, took three practice swings, and ground the heel of my right cleat into the orange-tinged soil. The pitcher sized me up, wound up, and threw the first pitch of my at-bat. His offering was a weak, unconvincing curveball. I laid off it and it hit the catcher's mitt a foot off the plate. Ball one. I stepped out of the box, adjusted my grip on the black Louisville Slugger, took a practice swing, then returned to the box. Their pitcher nodded at the catcher, then delivered his next pitch. The fastball soared wildly over our heads. I hit the dirt while Brody hot-footed it to second without drawing a throw. Ball two. My mind raced - I had a batter's count. He would have to start pitching to me or risk putting too many people on base with no outs. His next pitch was another curveball, a bit low, but I took a swipe at it anyway. The ball fouled off to the right; I scowled, realizing that I should've let the pitch go. His next pitch was a fastball, but everything was in slow motion to me. I watched the baseball, slowly spinning as it hurtled toward me, in perfect clarity: seams, scratches, and dirt marks. He'd made a critical mistake and left the fastball just inside the center of the plate, waisthigh - right in my wheelhouse. I swung the bat in bullet time. There was a deafening CRACK as my energy transferred from the Slugger to the baseball. The ball rocketed to left field. As the left-fielder ran for the ball, it ricocheted off the chain-link fence. I rounded first as the fielder hurled the ball back to the infield. Brody scored, so I stayed at first just to play it safe. Our teams were now tied with one run each. I looked to Coach Davies in the first-base coach's box. He clapped me on the shoulder. "Great job, Eddie! Good hit and great hustle. Now we gotta let Kyle get you home." "Can I steal second?" I asked him quietly. I'd attempted only six steals during the season, but I'd not been thrown out or picked off even once. He grinned at me and shook his head. "Your call, champ. You can really turn on the afterburners when you try. Just don't get out." I nodded and took a fairly large lead. Stealing was a risky play here. We still had three outs to get me home and win. If I were to get thrown out, we'd have only two outs left with no runners on base and no good hitters due up. Then again, none of the next three batters were likely to drive me home from first, either. I decided to keep an eye on the pitcher and see how vigilant he was. Their ace was more concerned about throwing strikes than keeping me close to the bag. Kyle was up, so it was pitcher versus pitcher. Kyle dug in and let the first pitch, an inside fastball that just missed the plate, go by. I figured that this guy wouldn't throw two fastballs in a row, and decided to run on the next pitch. As he wound up to deliver his pitch, I took off toward second base. The crowd was at a fever pitch as I sprinted toward that beautiful white square. I was right - the pitch was a change-up. Though their catcher got rid of the ball as soon as he got it, he never had a chance. I slid head-first to the outside of the bag, easily beating the throw. I stood and brushed myself off as the crowd - and my team - roared. I was safe, and in scoring position. The steal rattled their pitcher, and the wheels came off for him. His next pitch was a weak curveball that Kyle slapped to left field. I had to play it safe and let the ball drop before I could take off for third base. It fell between the left fielder and center fielder and I ran for third. As I reached third base, I looked over my shoulder to see the center fielder scooping up the ball. I couldn't resist taking the chance, and I rounded third, blowing through the stop sign, panting and heaving. As I headed to home plate, everything was quiet in my head, save the pounding of my heart in my ears. Right as I prepared to slide in, the ball landed in the catcher's mitt and he blocked my way. Past the point of no return, I gritted my teeth and steamrolled their catcher. We both toppled over onto home plate - and the ball tumbled from his glove as he pulled his arms back and attempted to break his own fall. "Safe!" screamed the umpire, gesturing emphatically. The ballpark rang out with applause and cheers. We'd done it! The Tigers had won the championship and the bragging rights. I felt exuberant. It's always good to retire at the top of your game. * * * We had ice cream and cake that evening to commemorate our ultimate victory, and Coach Davies gave a heartfelt speech thanking us for our hard work and dedication, telling us how much fun he'd had while coaching us. The night passed too quickly, and I don't remember everything about it. I do remember the smiles, the laughter, and the cheer, though. Damn, it feels good to be a winner. Chapter 4 - Family Matters Everyone has to sacrifice now and then to get something they want. That's just part of life and growing up. You no longer get everything handed to you on a platinum platter. Before you surrender something you can't get back, though, make sure there are no hidden costs. Once an opportunity is lost, just like wrecking your dream car, you might never get another one like it. * * * "Well," Mom told me, "you really don't have to go camping with us if you don't want to. You can stay with Ted while your father and I camp for ten days, if you prefer, but we'd rather you came with us." She hugged me and smiled. "Mom, I'm fourteen now. I don't want to go camping. I hate the bugs. I hate the trees. I hate having to put on nasty sun block and eat crappy food over a fire or the Coleman grill," I protested. Mom looked hurt at my remarks. "I had no idea you felt that way about our family trips." She sighed. "I won't force you to come along on any more of them." I instantly felt guilty and ashamed of myself. After all that Mom and Dad had done for me, I didn't have to act like that. I put my arms around Mom and squeezed lovingly. "Mom, I love you and Dad, and I promise we can do other stuff together. I just hate camping is all," I explained gently. "I know, sweetie," she replied, "but you'll only be a child for a few more years, and we want to treasure these moments." She kissed my forehead softly and rubbed my hair. "Okay, Mom," I relented. "Next time, I promise I'll go camping with you, but please let me stay with Uncle Ted this time," I pleaded. She sighed again. "Alright. You always do like your trips to see him. I just hope he isn't spoiling you rotten with all the sweets and money." Mom rolled her eyes at me. "Well, are you going or not? Go pack your suitcase, and don't forget plenty of socks and underwear!" "Of course not, Mom. I love you!" I gave her a quick hug and ran to my bedroom. Excitedly, I threw open my suitcase and began stuffing it with clothes. * * * Uncle Ted was always my favorite uncle. Slightly heavyset with a head full of dark brown hair, he was very friendly to everyone. Every time I visited him (which wasn't nearly as often as I'd have liked) he had a few dollars or a bowl of ice cream for me. By the time I'd return home, I'd have as much as twenty bucks. Uncle Ted worked as a mechanic in Detroit, operating out of his own garage and auto shop where he and his crew rebuilt everything from Caddies to Hondas. Detroit kept Ted and his four employees busy, but he'd always take time off when I visited. The trip to Motor City was a long one, but worth it to see my favorite uncle. * * * I got off the Greyhound at the Detroit station and looked around. The station was on a block with lots of run-down buildings that had long since been abandoned. Few pedestrians walked the streets. Detroit's "Golden Age" had, sadly, passed it by more than a decade before. I looked around anxiously for my uncle. He stood up from his metal bench inside the station. The kind bus driver who had brought me there, a middle-aged lady with her blond hair kept back in a ponytail, helped me locate my suitcases in the wide cargo bays underneath the bus. Uncle Ted came outside, met me by the bus, and gave me a warm, welcoming hug. "Hey there, sport! It's great to see you again. How was the trip?" I glanced around, finding nothing of interest to hold my gaze. "Mostly boring, but we made lots of stops for drinks and snacks. We did get to stop at a Hardee's, too, but I slept for most of the trip," I admitted. "Well, that's okay," he said. "I'm an Arby's man, myself, for their savory roast beef. Maybe we can get some Beef 'n Cheddars before I have to give you back." He winked conspiratorially. "With Horsey Sauce, of course," I added. "Of course," he chuckled. My uncle hoisted my suitcase and we walked to his black Honda. With all the money he made, it never ceased to amaze me that he drove such an economical car. I guess he just didn't want to be flashy. I opened the back door for him, and he shoved my bag into the car. We hopped inside. "Well, Eddie, are you ready for your gift?" Uncle Ted asked. I nodded eagerly. He reached behind my seat and pulled out a medium-sized cardboard box, wrapped in holiday paper with a bow stuck on top. "Well, go on. Open it up," he urged. I tore the wrapping paper from the box and lifted the lid. My jaw dropped at the sight I beheld: a brand-new Rawlings baseball glove. Thanks to all the Little League I'd played, my old glove was completely worn out, and I'd been wanting a new one to try out for the school team. I turned to face him. "Oh, thank you! Thanks so much!" I blurted out, grateful for the gift. "Don't mention it," he smiled as we took off for his house. We chatted nonstop during the fifteen-minute trip from the bus station to my uncle's house. I didn't care much for Detroit in general, though. Everywhere I looked, there were old buildings in desperate need of renovation. We passed a toy factory; it was surrounded by an eight-foot-tall chain-link fence topped with razor wire. Detroit needed some serious TLC (or a team of bulldozers). Finally, we arrived at Uncle Ted's cozy one-story home. His lawn was surprisingly well-kept and, unusual for a mechanic, the driveway was clean and there were no vehicles up on blocks anywhere. Now that I think about it, that was unusual for anyone in Detroit. Uncle Ted even lined the front of his house with rose bushes - they were still in bloom, though they wouldn't be for much longer. Uncle Ted grabbed my suitcase and we headed inside. He showed me to the spare bedroom, where the bed was already made, and I unpacked my things. Once I'd finished making myself at home, I rejoined my uncle in the kitchen, where he was just putting the finishing touches on a batch of Hamburger Helper. We ate up, then he did the dishes while I played Super Mario World on his Super Nintendo. Before long, it was bedtime. I lay down in bed as he turned off the lights. As I pulled the covers tight, I imagined what a wonderful trip this was going to be, until the Sandman accosted me and stole my wakefulness. * * * It wasn't until my second full day with Uncle Ted that I started to become uncomfortable around him. We'd mostly played catch and some video games to pass the time, but we'd also gone to the park to play basketball. That evening, though, was destined to be one that I would never forget - and not in a good way. "C'mere, sport," Uncle Ted called out from his bedroom. "Just a minute! Let me finish this level," I called back. "Hurry up!" he yelled. I hurriedly finished the sixth castle on Super Mario World and saved my game. I set the controller down and ran to my uncle's bedroom. He was sitting on the edge of his bed, several magazines spread out before him. "Shut the door and come here," he commanded. I warily obeyed. He looked at me intently. "Have your parents told you about the birds and the bees yet?" I gulped and nodded hesitantly. He leaned over and slid an open magazine in front of me. "Look at this." I stared at the large picture on the page before me. It was a disgusting picture of a man and a boy; I was repulsed and confused. This wasn't anything like the way my parents and friends had described it. "Eww! What is this?" I asked in disbelief. "Oh, this is normal," he lied. "When a man and a boy love each other, they do things like this." I wasn't sure what to make of it. The boy didn't seem to be enjoying what they were doing. "I don't think he likes it," I stated, matter-of-factly. "He's just getting used to it is all," Uncle Ted explained. "Aren't your video games more fun after you practice and get better at them?" I was still dubious. Nothing about it seemed right. Uncle Ted showed me more pictures from his magazines, but I didn't like them one bit more than the first picture. I told him so, and he got upset. "I'm just trying to educate you," he blustered. "Don't I always buy you things and treat you good? This is how you repay me?" I felt ashamed of myself for getting snippy. He was right, of course. He treated me well, and he was older and wiser than I was. Maybe he just knew better. "I'm sorry," I said. "I just don't understand why they would do that. It's gross." I shuddered. My uncle shrugged. "A lot of things are gross until you get used to them. Goat milk seems gross to drink at first. Bugs are gross until you are around them more - then they are just annoying." Uncle Ted surveyed me for a moment before continuing. "Okay, go play your game." Relieved, I ran back to the living room, grabbed the controller, and picked up my game where I left off. * * * The following day, Uncle Ted called me back into his bedroom and exposed me to dozens more of his pictures and a few videotapes. As he flipped through the material, I still didn't like what I saw. I didn't want to hurt his feelings again, though. He was my favorite uncle. "You see all these people that play that game?" he lectured. "Now you know that it's perfectly normal for men and boys to do this." I silently bowed my head. I was trapped - I couldn't agree with him, but I didn't want to argue, either. I just did my best to tune him out, nodding along with him as he continued on. Finally, he let me get back to my games. I was thankful to get out of that awkward situation again, if only for the moment. * * * That night, I awoke to my uncle shaking my shoulder. I sat up drowsily and rubbed my eyes. "Mmm? What's going on? Why did you wake me up?" I asked, yawning and stretching. He smiled and put his hands on my shoulders, squeezing gently. "I want to play a game with you." My heart stopped and my stomach churned. "What...what kind of game?" I asked timidly, fearing the answer. "You know what game," he replied, smirking. I threw his hands off my shoulders and jumped out of bed, onto the carpeted floor. "No! I'm not doing that!" I shouted defiantly. Uncle Ted paused, then shook his head sadly. "All I do for you, and this is how you act? Do you even care about me at all?" he quietly asked. "Oh, no. You ain't gonna guilt-trip me into doing that!" I fired back. "That's gross and it's not normal. I'm telling Mom!" I threatened. "Really?" he sneered, all semblance of kindness having departed. "How about I tell your mother that I caught you doing drugs? I could easily hide some pot in your things or tell her that I confiscated it from you. Who do you think she will believe, you or me?" I grew angry. I felt used, helpless, and worthless. I was a piece of meat to be bought and sold. Worst of all, though, was that I believed my uncle was right. He was an adult, a friend of the family, and I was certain his word would be taken over mine. I took a deep breath and sighed, exhaling quietly, knowing that I was defeated. "Fine, you win." The anger subsided, and shame and humiliation washed over me. * * * I was ashamed, red-faced, and horrified. I felt like I was dying; I prayed that I would. Nothing in my entire life had made me feel so dirty, worthless, and abused. My uncle had ripped my innocence from me like a tornado shredding the siding off an old house. As soon as he left, I lay motionless and cried, still in excruciating pain. My tears were the Mississippi River, flooding the Great Plains of my sheets. My trust in Uncle Ted was shattered, irreparable. I crawled slowly to the bathroom and carefully climbed into the bathtub, wincing in pain. I turned on the shower gingerly and lay at the end of the tub, sobbing in the fetal position in the downpour. After what seemed like hours, I frantically grabbed the bar of soap and scrubbed myself over and over and over under the scalding water. I still didn't feel clean. I doubted that I'd ever feel clean again. * * * My uncle "visited" me every night after that for the rest of my stay. I dreaded his late-night calls more than anything. I couldn't stand the sight of him, his hot breath on my neck, his hands on me, the way he laughed, the smell of his sweat mixed with gas station cologne. Each night, I imagined that I was someone else, somewhere else - anything to try and cope with it so that I wouldn't have to face the horrid truth. The truth that my uncle raped me. * * * Mom and Dad didn't know why I was so quiet after my trip. They suspected that something had happened, but they had no idea what, and I refused to talk about it. Dad never pressed the issue, but Mom would bring it up now and then. I'd always deflect the questions and change the subject. Five years after that, Uncle Ted was arrested and charged with several counts of sexual assault against six boys ranging in age from eight to fifteen. On the advice of his lawyer, he copped a plea that dropped two of the six counts against him and recommended a sentence toward the lower end of the sentencing range. The judge handed down a sentence of eleven years, but the man who ruined my childhood and stole my innocence served only four and a half years before he was released from Mound Correctional Facility. I never did visit Uncle Ted after that fateful vacation. After his arrest, my parents suspected that he'd done something to me, but I never told them. It was too filthy, degrading, and painful to relive those nightmares. I kept it bottled up inside, but now that I've confided it in you, my burden feels lighter. So now you know my second sin. I understand that what he did to me wasn't my fault. It was my fault, however, that I kept quiet and never told anyone. I didn't think my parents could ever love me again if they found out that I had been used in such a vile manner. I didn't trust my parents enough to know they would love me forever, no matter what. I was wrong. Nothing I could ever do - and nothing done to me - would stop my parents from loving me. If I had only told them - or any responsible adult, for that matter - Uncle Ted might have been put in jail before he could harm all those other boys. Instead, he remained free for years to torment others. Do I hate him? I used to. I used to wish that he would die a slow, painful, torturous death. I used to wish that I would die, as well. As time went on, though, I realized that I was enslaved by my own hatred and grief. To move on and grow, I had to let my anger go. It wasn't easy, but it was necessary, for my own well-being, if nothing else. If you harbor anger and hate, it will consume you, leaving nothing behind but the anger and an empty shell of an existence. Chapter 5 - Danny Boy It feels like only yesterday - bouncing on Daniel's trampoline in his backyard as the autumn wind brought golden, maroon, and burgundy oak leaves down all around us. We were laughing and playing dodgeball on the trampoline as the sun reflected off the surface of the Atlantic Ocean, just outside the Chesapeake Bay, directly behind his parents' property. Daniel Lanscomb was a taller, heavyset kid with glasses and dark brown hair and eyes. He had two younger brothers, too. With his great attitude and winning personality, he was a good guy. Unfortunately, he was also shy around strangers, but I didn't let that discourage me from befriending him. * * * I first met Daniel on the school bus shortly after he'd moved into the neighborhood, two streets over from me. He was sitting toward the back of the bus, near the middle seats where I usually sat. Since part of the seat beside him was empty, I plopped down. "Hi. I'm Eddie," I informed the newcomer as I stuck my hand out. The other boy grinned and shook my hand. "Hi, Eddie. I'm Daniel. My family just moved here from Herndon." "Oh! That's pretty far away. Nice to meet you," I replied. We kept talking for the rest of the trip to school. Daniel ended up inviting me to come over and hang out at his house after school; I happily accepted. The rest of the school day was spent wondering what his house was like and what exactly we'd do when I got there. * * * That afternoon couldn't come soon enough. As soon as I got home, I ran inside and told Mom and Dad about my new friend. They gave me permission to go over to his house, so I hopped onto my worn Huffy ten-speed and pedaled rapidly to Daniel's house. His new home was a nice three-bedroom brick house with a moderately-sized front yard and a one-and-a-half acre backyard that overlooked the Atlantic Ocean. Two boys were wrestling in the front yard as I pulled into the driveway. I hadn't met them before, so they paused their match and introduced themselves. Their names were Matt and Jason, and they were Daniel's younger brothers. While Daniel and I were sixteen, Matt was twelve and Jason was ten. I imagined that their mom would freak out when she saw the grass stains on their light-colored T-shirts and blue jeans. Mine would've. "Is Daniel home?" I asked. Jason nodded and ran around to the backyard, so I followed him. Jason pointed, and I spotted Daniel out by the dock, cleaning an aluminum rowboat. I waved, but he didn't see me, so I walked out to meet him. When I got there, Daniel had his back to me, so I slapped him on it. "Whoa, dude. There you are!" he laughed. "Hey. What are you up to?" I asked. "Scrubbing and hosing down Dad's old fishing boat," he explained. "I can play as soon as I'm finished." "Okay, cool. Want some help?" I offered. "Yeah, sure, that'd be great. If you want, just grab that hose over there," Daniel pointed, "and spray it wherever I'm scrubbing." I did as Daniel asked and the job was done in no time. After we put everything away, we went to his back porch and he grabbed a deck of cards. We pulled out the plastic chairs around the large plastic table and began to play. Daniel grabbed some Mountain Dews from the fridge and offered me one. We played cards and drank soda until it got dark and I had to return home. * * * We hung out nearly every day after that. Usually, we stayed at Daniel's house, but sometimes we spent the day at my own place. At his house, we'd jump on his trampoline and play card games, dodgeball, and croquet. His yard also bordered the woods, so we'd explore them now and then. There were worn paths through the trees, but once you went deep enough into the woods, there was nothing but overgrowth. We loved to explore the woods and see what we could find. One time we stumbled upon a cache of old tires. They were dirty, but dry, so we decided to play with them. First, we lined them up and did football drills through them. After that, we stood several of them up side-by-side and I crawled into the center of the tube of tires. Daniel pushed the row of tires (and me) down a hill and toward the muddy pit at the bottom. The tires hit a rock and scattered like birdshot from a twelve-gauge, sending me sliding through the mud on my back. We got some laughs out of it, and I convinced him to take a turn. Once Daniel had done it, we kicked the remaining few tires down the hill and watched them bounce and tumble straight into the mud. Sometimes, we'd pretend that the woods were ancient Mayan ruins and that we were in search of the treasures in a lost temple. Maybe we were a bit old for that, but we loved to use our imaginations - it was pure bliss for us. Daniel couldn't replace Lenny, but Daniel was a good friend; I always enjoyed the time we spent together. * * * One memory that stands out would have to be the time we snuck out of English 11 class to ditch school. Our regular teacher, Mrs. Price, was sick that day. Our substitute teacher was clearly not at the top of her game. Mrs. Hansen was timid and elderly, clearly not versed on the subject at hand; instead of normal textbook assignments, she just passed out worksheets to do. She'd done roll call at the start of class, but she kept ducking out to do errands, hit the bottle, or whatever. Before long, Adam decided he was going to ditch and told Ben to come with him. I asked Adam if Daniel and I could come along; Adam consented, as long as we didn't get them busted. "I don't know about this," Daniel said, hesitating. "What if we get caught?" "How are we gonna get caught?" I retorted. "She already marked us 'present'. Do you think she's gonna do another roll call?" Daniel furrowed his brow. "No, I guess not," he admitted. "Let's just go before I lose my nerve." The teacher chose that precise moment to return, so we had to put our plan on hold for the moment. She sat at her desk and looked around the room. All of us pretended to do our worksheets, scribbling furiously. As soon as she got up and walked out a few minutes later, Ben stalked over to the large window. He slid the latch to unlock the casement and swung it wide open. First, Adam stooped and exited through the low window. Ben left next. Daniel followed Ben out, and I brought up the rear as I clutched my backpack to my chest. Once I was clear of the window, our lookout closed and latched it behind us. The next step in the plan was to cross the parking lot in front of the school to get to Adam's car. We nonchalantly ambled between the cars, keeping plenty of distance between us and the double doors of the school. Adam unlocked the doors of his dirty little Honda and we slipped inside. Adam carefully pulled out of the lot and onto the highway. We joked around, chuckling about our little caper. A moment later, Adam glanced at the fuel gauge; the orange needle was sitting on the "E." "Guys, we gotta hit the Shell station and fill up," he announced. We murmured our assent. We all wanted sodas and snacks, anyway. When we arrived at the Shell station, Adam pulled up to pump four. The rest of us pitched in a few bucks for gas and snacks while Adam filled up the tank. Right as we were about to go inside, though, a sheriff pulled up on the other side of our pump. The sheriff got out of his car and looked at us from behind his aviator-style sunglasses. We smiled and nodded at him, then entered the store. Either he didn't realize that we were supposed to be in school, or he didn't care. Either way, we didn't dare take an easy breath until we'd piled back into Adam's dirty little car. "You couldn't even wash your ride? Your back windshield has 'Wash Me' on it, and they have squeegees here," Ben teased. Adam

Read the whole summary of how to kill a mockingbird.

To Kill a Mockingbird is primarily a novel about growing up under extraordinary circumstances in the 1930s in the Southern United States. The story covers a span of three years, during which the main characters undergo significant changes. Scout Finch lives with her brother Jem and their father Atticus in the fictitious town of Maycomb, Alabama. Maycomb is a small, close-knit town, and every family has its social station depending on where they live, who their parents are, and how long their ancestors have lived in Maycomb. A widower, Atticus raises his children by himself, with the help of kindly neighbors and a black housekeeper named Calpurnia. Scout and Jem almost instinctively understand the complexities and machinations of their neighborhood and town. The only neighbor who puzzles them is the mysterious Arthur Radley, nicknamed Boo, who never comes outside. When Dill, another neighbor's nephew, starts spending summers in Maycomb, the three children begin an obsessive — and sometimes perilous — quest to lure Boo outside. Scout is a tomboy who prefers the company of boys and generally solves her differences with her fists. She tries to make sense of a world that demands that she act like a lady, a brother who criticizes her for acting like a girl, and a father who accepts her just as she is. Scout hates school, gaining her most valuable education on her own street and from her father. Not quite midway through the story, Scout and Jem discover that their father is going to represent a black man named Tom Robinson, who is accused of raping and beating a white woman. Suddenly, Scout and Jem have to tolerate a barrage of racial slurs and insults because of Atticus' role in the trial. During this time, Scout has a very difficult time restraining from physically fighting with other children, a tendency that gets her in trouble with her Aunt Alexandra and Uncle Jack. Even Jem, the older and more levelheaded of the two, loses his temper a time or two. After responding to a neighbor's (Mrs. Dubose) verbal attack by destroying her plants, Jem is sentenced to read to her every day after school for one month. Ultimately, Scout and Jem learn a powerful lesson about bravery from this woman. As the trial draws nearer, Aunt Alexandra comes to live with them under the guise of providing a feminine influence for Scout. During the novel's last summer, Tom is tried and convicted even though Atticus proves that Tom could not have possibly committed the crime of which he is accused. In the process of presenting Tom's case, Atticus inadvertently insults and offends Bob Ewell, a nasty, lazy drunkard whose daughter is Tom's accuser. In spite of Tom's conviction, Ewell vows revenge on Atticus and the judge for besmirching his already tarnished name. All three children are bewildered by the jury's decision to convict; Atticus tries to explain why the jury's decision was in many ways a foregone conclusion. Shortly after the trial, Scout attends one of her aunt's Missionary Society meetings. Atticus interrupts the meeting to report that Tom Robinson had been killed in an escape attempt. Scout learns valuable lessons about achieving the ideal of womanhood and carrying on in the face of adversity that day. Things slowly return to normal in Maycomb, and Scout and Jem realize that Boo Radley is no longer an all-consuming curiosity. The story appears to be winding down, but then Bob Ewell starts making good on his threats of revenge. Scout is in the Halloween pageant at school, playing the part of a ham. With Atticus and Aunt Alexandra both too tired to attend, Jem agrees to take Scout to the school. After embarrassing herself on-stage, Scout elects to leave her ham costume on for the walk home with Jem. On the way home, the children hear odd noises, but convince themselves that the noises are coming from another friend who scared them on their way to school that evening. Suddenly, a scuffle occurs. Scout really can't see outside of her costume, but she hears Jem being pushed away, and she feels powerful arms squeezing her costume's chicken wire against her skin. During this attack, Jem badly breaks his arm. Scout gets just enough of a glimpse out of her costume to see a stranger carrying Jem back to their house. The sheriff arrives at the Finch house to announce that Bob Ewell has been found dead under the tree where the children were attacked, having fallen on his own knife. By this time, Scout realizes that the stranger is none other than Boo Radley, and that Boo is actually responsible for killing Ewell, thus saving her and Jem's lives. In spite of Atticus' insistence to the contrary, the sheriff refuses to press charges against Boo. Scout agrees with this decision and explains her understanding to her father. Boo sees Jem one more time and then asks Scout to take him home, but rather than escort him home as though he were a child, she has Boo escort her to his house as a gentleman would. With Boo safely home, Scout returns to Jem's room where Atticus is waiting. He reads her to sleep and then waits by Jem's bedside for his son to wake up.

Define read.

read See also: Read Contents [hide] 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Verb 1.3.1 Usage notes 1.3.2 Synonyms 1.3.3 Antonyms 1.3.4 Derived terms 1.3.5 Translations 1.4 Noun 1.4.1 Derived terms 1.4.2 Translations 1.5 See also 1.6 Statistics 1.7 Anagrams 2 Old English 2.1 Etymology 2.2 Pronunciation 2.3 Adjective 2.3.1 Declension 2.3.2 Descendants 3 Swedish 3.1 Verb 4 West Frisian 4.1 Etymology 4.2 Adjective English[edit] Wikipedia has an article on: read Etymology[edit] From Middle English reden, from Old English rǣdan ‎("to counsel, advise, consult; interpret, read"), from Proto-Germanic *rēdaną ‎("advise, counsel"). Cognate with Scots rede, red ‎("to advise, counsel, decipher, read"), Saterland Frisian räide ‎("to advise, counsel"), West Frisian riede ‎("to advise, counsel"), Dutch raden ‎("to advise, counsel, rede"), German raten ‎("to advise; guess"), Danish råde ‎("to advise"), Swedish råda ‎("to advise, counsel"). The development from 'advise, interpret' to 'interpret letters, read' is unique to English. Compare rede. Pronunciation[edit] Noun, and verb's present tense (UK) enPR: rēd, IPA(key): /ɹiːd/ Audio (UK) MENU0:00 (US) enPR: rēd, IPA(key): /ɹiːd/ Audio (US) MENU0:00 Rhymes: -iːd Homophone: reed Verb's past tense and past participle enPR: rĕd, IPA(key): /ɹɛd/ Audio (US) MENU0:00 Rhymes: -ɛd Homophones: red, redd Verb[edit] read ‎(third-person singular simple present reads, present participle reading, simple past read, past participle read or (archaic, dialectal) readen) A painting of a girl reading. (obsolete) To think, believe; to consider (that). [quotations ▼] (transitive or intransitive) To look at and interpret letters or other information that is written. [quotations ▼] have you read this book?; he doesn't like to read (transitive or intransitive) To speak aloud words or other information that is written. Often construed with a to phrase or an indirect object. [quotations ▼] He read us a passage from his new book. All right, class, who wants to read next? (transitive) To interpret or infer a meaning, significance, thought, intention, etc. She read my mind and promptly rose to get me a glass of water. I can read his feelings in his face. To consist of certain text. On the door hung a sign that reads "No admittance". The passage reads differently in the earlier manuscripts. (intransitive) Of text, etc., to be interpreted or read in a particular way. Arabic reads right to left. That sentence reads strangely. (transitive) To substitute (a corrected piece of text in place of an erroneous one); used to introduce an emendation of a text. [quotations ▼] (informal, usually ironic) Used after a euphemism to introduce the intended, more blunt meaning of a term. [quotations ▼] (transitive, telecommunications) To be able to hear what another person is saying over a radio connection. Do you read me? (transitive, Britain) To make a special study of, as by perusing textbooks. I am reading theology at university. (computing, transitive) To fetch data from (a storage medium, etc.). to read a hard disk; to read a port; to read the keyboard (obsolete) To advise; to counsel. See rede. [quotations ▼] (obsolete) To tell; to declare; to recite. [quotations ▼] (transitive, transgenderism) To recognise (someone) as being transgender. Every time I go outside, I worry that someone will read me. simple past tense and past participle of read Usage notes[edit] When "read" is used transitively with an author's name as the object, it generally means "to look at writing(s) by (the specified person)" (rather than "to recognise (the specified person) as transgender"). Example: "I am going to read Milton before I read His Dark Materials, so I know what His Dark Materials is responding to." Synonyms[edit] (look at and interpret letters or other information): interpret, make out, make sense of, understand, scan (speak aloud words or other information that is written): read aloud, read out, read out loud, speak (be able to hear): copy, hear, receive (make a study of): learn, study, look up Antonyms[edit] (to be recognised as transgender): pass Derived terms[edit] [show ▼]Terms derived from read (verb) Translations[edit] [show ▼]look at and interpret letters or other information [show ▼]speak aloud words or other information that is written [show ▼]have the ability to read text or other information [show ▼]to consist of certain text [show ▼]of text, etc., to be interpreted or read in a particular way [show ▼]be able to hear (in a radio communication) [show ▼]make a study of The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations. [show ▼]Translations to be checked Noun[edit] read ‎(plural reads) A reading or an act of reading, especially an actor's part of a play. [quotations ▼] Derived terms[edit] [show ▼]Terms derived from the noun "read" Translations[edit] [show ▼]a reading or an act of reading See also[edit] Look at pages starting with read. Statistics[edit] Most common English words before 1923: high · above · received · #299: read · together · already · son Anagrams[edit] DARE, dare, dear, 'eard, rade Old English[edit] Etymology[edit] From Proto-Germanic *raudaz, from Proto-Indo-European *h₁rowdʰós < *h₁rewdʰ-. Germanic cognates: Old Frisian rād (West Frisian read), Old Saxon rōd (Low German root, rod), Dutch rood, Old High German rōt (German rot), Old Norse rauðr (Danish rød, Swedish röd, Icelandic rauður), Gothic 𐍂𐌰𐌿𐌸𐍃 ‎(rauþs). Indo-European cognates: Ancient Greek ἐρυθρός ‎(eruthrós), Latin ruber, Old Irish rúad, Lithuanian raũdas, Russian рудой ‎(rudoj). Pronunciation[edit] IPA(key): /ˈræːɑd/ Adjective[edit] rēad red Declension[edit] Weak Strong case singular plural case singular plural m n f m n f m n f nominative rēada rēade rēade rēadan nom. rēad rēade rēad rēada, -e accusative rēadan rēade rēadan acc. rēadne rēad rēade rēade rēad rēada, -e genitive rēadan rēadra, rēadena gen. rēades rēades rēadre rēadra dative rēadan rēadum dat. rēadum rēadum rēadre rēadum instrumental rēade Descendants[edit] Middle English: red English: red Swedish[edit] Verb[edit] read past participle of rea. West Frisian[edit] Etymology[edit] From Old Frisian rād, from Proto-Germanic *raudaz, from Proto-Indo-European *h₁rowdʰós < *h₁rewdʰ-. Compare English red, Low German root, rod, Dutch rood, German rot, Danish rød. Adjective[edit] read red Categories: English terms derived from Middle EnglishEnglish terms derived from Old EnglishEnglish terms derived from Proto-GermanicEnglish terms with IPA pronunciationEnglish terms with audio linksEnglish terms with homophonesEnglish lemmasEnglish verbsEnglish terms with obsolete sensesEnglish transitive verbsEnglish intransitive verbsEnglish informal termsen:TelecommunicationsBritish Englishen:ComputingEnglish verb simple past formsEnglish past participlesEnglish nounsEnglish countable nouns100 English basic wordsEnglish heteronymsEnglish irregular past participlesEnglish irregular simple past formsEnglish irregular verbsEnglish verbs with base form identical to past participleen:Communication1000 English basic wordsOld English terms inherited from Proto-GermanicOld English terms derived from Proto-Indo-EuropeanOld English terms with IPA pronunciationOld English lemmasOld English adjectivesang:ColorsSwedish non-lemma formsSwedish verb formsSwedish past participlesWest Frisian terms derived from Old FrisianWest Frisian terms derived from Proto-GermanicWest Frisian terms derived from Proto-Indo-EuropeanWest Frisian lemmasWest Frisian adjectivesfy:Colors Navigation menu PreferencesCreate accountLog inEntryDiscussionCitationsReadEditHistory Search Go Main Page Community portal Preferences Requested entries Recent changes Random entry Help Donations Contact us Tools What links here Related changes Upload file Special pages Permanent link Page information Cite this page Add definition In other projects Wikipedia Visibility Show derived terms Show translations Show quotations In other languages Azərbaycanca Brezhoneg Català Čeština Cymraeg Dansk Deutsch Eesti Ελληνικά Español Euskara فارسی Français Frysk Galego 한국어 Հայերեն Hrvatski Ido Íslenska Italiano ಕನ್ನಡ Қазақша Kurdî Latviešu Lietuvių Limburgs Magyar Malagasy മലയാളം မြန်မာဘာသာ Na Vosa Vakaviti Nederlands 日本語 Norsk bokmål Occitan Oʻzbekcha/ўзбекча Plattdüütsch Polski Português Română Русский Shqip Simple English Suomi Svenska Tagalog தமிழ் తెలుగు ไทย ᏣᎳᎩ Türkçe Українська Tiếng Việt 中文 Print/export Create a book Download as PDF Printable version Feedback If you have time, leave us a note. This page was last modified on 15 October 2015, at 18:57. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License;

What is the most used word while reading?

the

Read the whole Constitution.

PREAMBLE Share We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. ARTICLE I Share SECTION 1 Share All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. SECTION 2 Share The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature. No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen. Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall be made, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to choose three, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and Providence Plantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four, Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten, North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three. When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies. The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment. SECTION 3 Share The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote. Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies. No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen. The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided. The Senate shall choose their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States. The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present. Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law. SECTION 4 Share The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of choosing Senators. The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day. SECTION 5 Share Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide. Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member. Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal. Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting. SECTION 6 Share The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place. No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office. SECTION 7 Share All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills. Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States: If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by Yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law. Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill. SECTION 8 Share The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States; To borrow Money on the credit of the United States; To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes; To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States; To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures; To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States; To establish Post Offices and post Roads; To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries; To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court; To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations; To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water; To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years; To provide and maintain a Navy; To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces; To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions; To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress; To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;-And To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof. SECTION 9 Share The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person. The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it. No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed. No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken. No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State. No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another; nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another. No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time. No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State. SECTION 10 Share No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility. No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing its inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the United States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Control of the Congress. No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay. ARTICLE II Share SECTION 1 Share The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows: Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the United States, shall be appointed an Elector. The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by Ballot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be an Inhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shall make a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate. The President of the Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shall then be counted. The Person having the greatest Number of Votes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of the whole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more than one who have such Majority, and have an equal Number of Votes, then the House of Representatives shall immediately choose by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person have a Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said House shall in like Manner choose the President. But in choosing the President, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representatives from each State having one Vote; a quorum for this Purpose shall consist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the States, and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. In every Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person having the greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the Vice President. But if there should remain two or more who have equal Votes, the Senate shall choose from them by Ballot the Vice-President. The Congress may determine the Time of choosing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States. No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States. In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the Vice President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected. The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the United States, or any of them. Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:-"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." SECTION 2 Share The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to Grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment. He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments. The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session. SECTION 3 Share He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information on the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States. SECTION 4 Share The President, Vice President and all Civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors. ARTICLE III Share SECTION 1 Share The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office. SECTION 2 Share The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the United States, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;-to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public ministers and Consuls;-to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;-to Controversies to which the United States shall be a Party;-to Controversies between two or more States;-between a State and Citizens of another State;-between Citizens of different States;-between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects. In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make. The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed. SECTION 3 Share Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court. The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted. ARTICLE IV Share SECTION 1 Share Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof. SECTION 2 Share The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime. No Person held to Service or Labour in one State, under the Laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in Consequence of any Law or Regulation therein, be discharged from such Service or Labour, but shall be delivered up on Claim of the Party to whom such Service or Labour may be due. SECTION 3 Share New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress. The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State. SECTION 4 Share The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence. ARTICLE V Share The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate. ARTICLE VI Share All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation. This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any state to the Contrary notwithstanding. The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States. ARTICLE VII Share The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same. DONE in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth. In WITNESS whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names, Go. Washington- Presidt and deputy from Virginia New Hampshire: John Langdon, Nicholas Gilman. Massachusetts: Nathaniel Gorham, Rufus King. Connecticut: Wm. Saml. Johnson, Roger Sherman. New York: Alexander Hamilton. New Jersey: Wil: Livingston, David Brearley, Wm. Paterson, Jona. Dayton. Pennsylvania: B. Franklin, Robt. Morris, Tho: Fitzsimons, James Wilson, Thomas Mifflin, Geo. Clymer, Jared Ingersoll, Gouv: Morris. Delaware: Geo: Read, John Dickinson, Jaco: Broom, Gunning Bedford, Jun'r, Richard Bassett. Maryland: James M'Henry, Danl Carroll, Dan: of St. Thos. Jenifer. Virginia: John Blair, James Madison, Jr. North Carolina: Wm. Blount, Hu. Williamson, Rich'd Dobbs Spaight. South Carolina: J. Rutledge, Charles Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Pierce Butler. Georgia William: Few, Abr. Baldwin Attest: William Jackson, Secretary. AMENDMENT I Share Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. AMENDMENT II Share A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. AMENDMENT III Share No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. AMENDMENT IV Share The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. AMENDMENT V Share No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation. AMENDMENT VI Share In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence. AMENDMENT VII Share In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law. AMENDMENT VIII Share Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. AMENDMENT IX Share The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. AMENDMENT X Share The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. AMENDMENT XI Share The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State. AMENDMENT XII Share The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the United States, directed to the President of the Senate;-The President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted;-The person having the greatest Number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in the case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President-The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States. AMENDMENT XIII Share SECTION 1 Share Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. SECTION 2 Share Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. AMENDMENT XIV Share SECTION 1 Share All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. SECTION 2 Share Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State. SECTION 3 Share No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability. SECTION 4 Share The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void. SECTION 5 Share The Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article. AMENDMENT XV Share SECTION 1 Share The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude. SECTION 2 Share The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. AMENDMENT XVI Share The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration. AMENDMENT XVII Share The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, elected by the people thereof, for six years; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors in each State shall have the qualifications requisite for electors of the most numerous branch of the State legislatures. When vacancies happen in the representation of any State in the Senate, the executive authority of such State shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, That the legislature of any State may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct. This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect the election or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes valid as part of the Constitution. AMENDMENT XVIII Share SECTION 1 Share After one year from the ratification of this article the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors within, the importation thereof into, or the exportation thereof from the United States and all territory subject to the jurisdiction thereof for beverage purposes is hereby prohibited. SECTION 2 Share The Congress and the several States shall have concurrent power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. SECTION 3 Share This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress. AMENDMENT XIX Share The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. AMENDMENT XX Share SECTION 1 Share The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin. SECTION 2 Share The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day. SECTION 3 Share If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of the President, the President elect shall have died, the Vice President elect shall become President. If a President shall not have been chosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or if the President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice President elect shall act as President until a President shall have qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the case wherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shall have qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or the manner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and such person shall act accordingly until a President or Vice President shall have qualified. SECTION 4 Share The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the House of Representatives may choose a President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of the persons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice President whenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them. SECTION 5 Share Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of October following the ratification of this article. SECTION 6 Share This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission. AMENDMENT XXI Share SECTION 1 Share The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed. SECTION 2 Share The transportation or importation into any State, Territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited. SECTION 3 Share This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by conventions in the several States, as provided in the Constitution, within seven years from the date of the submission hereof to the States by the Congress. AMENDMENT XXII Share SECTION 1 Share No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President, when this Article was proposed by the Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term. SECTION 2 Share This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress. AMENDMENT XXIII Share SECTION 1 Share The District constituting the seat of Government of the United States shall appoint in such manner as the Congress may direct: A number of electors of President and Vice President equal to the whole number of Senators and Representatives in Congress to which the District would be entitled if it were a State, but in no event more than the least populous State; they shall be in addition to those appointed by the States, but they shall be considered, for the purposes of the election of President and Vice President, to be electors appointed by a State; and they shall meet in the District and perform such duties as provided by the twelfth article of amendment. SECTION 2 Share The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. AMENDMENT XXIV Share SECTION 1 Share The right of citizens of the United States to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any State by reason of failure to pay any poll tax or other tax. SECTION 2 Share The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. AMENDMENT XXV Share SECTION 1 Share In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President. SECTION 2 Share Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress. SECTION 3 Share Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President. SECTION 4 Share Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President. Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office. AMENDMENT XXVI Share SECTION 1 Share The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age. SECTION 2 Share The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation. AMENDMENT XXVII Share No law varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.