Kevin had heard about food poisoning, but he never thought that something this bad could ever happen. All the kids at his birthday party dead, and all because of that cake mix with slightly bitter smell! The first birthday of his life that he'd had a party. He had been so happy! Now, disaster. As he looked at the seven little corpses all slumped in their seats, party hats still in place, he wondered, What will I tell their mothers? Will I get to keep the presents? How will I explain about the fiery angel that warned me to eat nothing.

With a resigned air, he reached for the cake cutter.
 
 

(Anonymous, "Dead End Dada", Young Adults, New York: Tom Dorerty, 1985)
 
 

Back to: The Table of Contents of Kevin Shapiro, Boy Orphan

Got a story to share? 
Send it to: sourcedocuments@hotmail.com