Esther Silvius
March 3, 1958
Effective Writing
Miss Evalyn Johnson
My daughter Suzanne was invited to spend the night with her friend, and rather than be alone, I went with her just for the evening. While watching TV, my neighbor and I discussed the article in the paper about an escape from the Medical Center. He was considered dangerous, might be armed, and the police did not believe he had gone very far. Since we lived rather close to the hospital, we talked of the possibility that he might be in our neighborhood, as there were but few houses and plenty of brush in bushes in which to hide. After the movie was over and I was walking home alone, the chilly thought passed through my mind that he really could be close by! I hurried on home, and as I unlocked the door I remembered that I must put out the milk bottles. It is my usual custom to lock the screen door behind me; however, as I was going right out with the bottles, I did not. I was reaching for the money on the kitchen shelf when I heard the front door open. It was good-bye stomach, as mine hit the floor with a thud, and my heart rose in my throat until I could barely breathe. Too frightened to scream, too terrified to move, I could only think... Shall I try to get out the back door, or shall I see who it is? Somehow I managed the long walk through the kitchen, down the hall to the front door. Standing there smiling, was Suzanne. She had decided that she did not want to spend the night after all.
Teacher’s comment: A-