THE END

Chapter 24- Forged by Fire

As Angel wakes up in the ambulance, she finds Gerald right next her, smiling at her. Monique is outside the ambulance, making sure her children are okay. The paramedics inform Angel, Gerald, and Monique that Jordan died on his way out. He slipped and fell at the doorway of the apartment. Monique is welcomed into the ambulance by Angel, and as she got in, Tiger, Angel's cat, came in as well. With the fire and fear behind the two children, their lives can be forged anew.

I was greatly happy to find out that Jordan had died. That way, the children and Monique would never have to worry about him again. Although traumatized by their past, it is time for Gerald and Angel to move on, and live their lives. Monique was not hurt about Jordan's death, she was just worried for Gerald and Angel. All is well, and hopefully Monique will become a better mother than she was before. Forged by Fire was a very good book. It was full of reality, and it really showed the true aspects of what abuse is about. I enjoyed this book very much, and would definitely recommend it to other readers.

Chapter 23- Forged by Fire

Gerald walked in and found out that the apartment was on fire. He looked for Angel and saw Jordan walking slowly to the foot of the bed to where Angel was. Gerald yelled at Jordan, and Jordan leaped toward him. They began to fight, and Gerald got pretty badly hurt. Yet, Gerald was able to take Jordan's legs out from under him and make him fall. Jordan was stunned for a bit, but then realized the fire and escaped. Gerald picked up Angel and tried to get out of the apartment through the commotion of the fire. Gerald tripped over a black mass in the doorway, but was able to breath the fresher air that was close to the ground. Then, he slinked down the first flight of steps and ended on a landing. Gerald then heard the noise of boots, and the noise of his mother looking for her children.

This chapter was very intense, and it made me very excited to read the next and last chapter. I'm anticipating to find out what happens to all the characters, including the terrible Jordan. This chapter was deeply compelling, and added suspense to what would happen next.

Chapter 22- Forged by Fire

Rob's funeral passes by, and all who knew him missed him deeply. Gerald began walking home instead of taking the bus every once in a while, so as to clear his head and think about things. One night, coming home at around midnight, he came home and Jordan was alone with Angel. Yet, Jordan wasn't doing anything, and Angel said he was fine. Later, after Angel tried to cheer Gerald up, they started to play around. Jordan walked in just as they were having fun, and he yelled at them, but then he apologized afterward. When Angel got home late in the afternoon after dance, she went to Miss Martin's like usual. However, when she got there, the door was locked. Unconcerned, Angel just went home instead. When she went in, she saw nobody there, so she decided to warm up some hot dogs and turn her music up loud. She almost didn't even notice when Jordan walked into the room, but she could smell his disgusting cologne. Jordan is drunk, and begins molesting her, while Angel refused as much as she could. He yelled that he wasn't actually her father, and then he took her to the bedroom and onto the bed. While all this was happening, the hot dogs on the stove, dried up and ignited a flame, which fed for large flames that began to engulf the kitchen.

Earlier in the chapter, Jordan seems to be trustworthy, which leads me to believe that Jordan is becoming a better person. Yet, this is probably exactly what he wanted the children to think. Since Angel was comfortable with being alone with Jordan, she wasn't afraid of going to her apartment. Hopefully Gerald will be able to jump in and save Angel like he did once before. One can only hope.

Chapter 21- Forged by Fire

Monique began to get better as Gerald and Angel watered down her beer and gave her multivitamins instead of the drugs that she asked for, which they flushed down the toilet happily. Things were getting better. Angel began dancing again, and Gerald began basketball once more. After the basketball game of November 7, Rob and the rest of the team went to the locker room. They joked around with each other and had a good time. Rob invited Gerald to go drinking and hang out, but Gerald had to say no, because he had to be home with Angel. While Gerald was at home, he received a call from Keisha, which is whose house Rob and the others were going to hang out at. She was wondering where Andy was, who was with Rob, and Gerald thought that maybe they just decided to hang out somewhere else. Later, Gerald started to worry, so he called Keisha, B.J., Andy, and Rob. There was no answer from any of these calls. Yet, finally, he reached Rhonda, who gave him very saddening news. Andy ran into a wall with the car, and there was an explosion. Everyone made it out except for Rob. Gerald grieved with Angel over Rob's death, and went to his family's house to share in their grievances for a short time. Then, they went back to their home.

I was deeply saddened to read about Rob's death. Things have gotten bad once more. The cycle of happiness to deep depression will hopefully coming to an end.

Chapter 20- Forged by Fire

Jordan left the apartment and went to a bar after the power went out. He came back later, and his window air conditioner was gone. Jordan began to yell and he hit Monique. Then, when Gerald walked in, Jordan hit him in the face. After that, he stormed out. While Gerald was washing his face, Monique came in and washed her face as well. And, for a split second, she came back to her senses. She realized that she didn't like being hit, and she didn't like that Gerald was hit either. Then, she faded away again, and back to her room to watch the blank TV. Angel and Gerald decided not to call the police, and hoped that they made the right choice.

I wasn't too surprised when Jordan flipped out. I expected him to lose his cool eventually. Yet, I think that Monique getting slapped may have been a good thing. It may have made her progress in healing. I expect that Jordan will act up again. Yet, hopefully, Gerald will have the chance to stop it.

Chapter 19- Forged by Fire

Luckily, Monique did not die from the accident. She just had minor injuries and a head problem. Gerald's mother began to take drugs that Jordan gave her to ease the pain. Also, she would watch TV all of the time, even when it was off, and she would just stare at it.

I'm Monique isn't dead, but her head injury might make her distant from the children. Hopefully, she will heal, and begin to take better care of her children.

Chapter 18- Forged by Fire

Monique has let Jordan move back into the apartment. So far, he has done the best he can to act polite and nice, but Gerald will never trust him. Gerald went out to go play basketball with his friends and left Angel at home with Monique. When he got back, the lights were off, and the door was ajar. Gerald ran in yelling for Angel, but when he found her, she told him she was all right. There was a power outage right after Monique left to get cigarettes for Jordan, and Angel had been alone with her cat since. Later on, Gerald heard sirens very close to their house. He went outside, and found out that his mom had been hit by a car.

Gerald still fears for Angel's saftety, and if it were me, so would I. Hopefully, Monique will be okay. Otherwise, Angel and Gerald are stuck with Jordan.

Chapter 17- Forged by Fire

The Saturday following the days of Jordan's reappearance, Gerald had a basketball game. Angel went to the game with Kiara, Rob's sister, yet so did Jordan and Monique. This made both Angel and Gerald very uncomfortable, and they couldn't act the same afterward. Later, Angel had her big dance recital. Jordan ended up not attending, so Angel did a beautiful job. Monique, Gerald, and the Washington family all went to the show, and they all praised her afterward.

It was great to read about a good thing happening, because ever since Jordan came back, things have been tense and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, knowing this author's style, since something good has happened, something terribly bad must happen. Sadly, the contrast is unrelenting.

Chapter 16- Forged by Fire

Jordan has returned, and he explains that he is a "changed man," and that he's been rehabilitated. Yet, Gerald does not trust him at all, and Angel is terrified in her room. Monique, however, did her best to serve Jordan. Gerald decided to call Mr. Washington. Rob's father came over to Gerald's house so they could talk, and Mr. Washington told Gerald to just keep an eye on Jordan, and write down everything he does. During the days that followed, Jordan kept coming over to Gerald's house so he could stay for dinner with Monique, and then he would leave by nine. Jordan may be back, but so far he has done nothing sinister whatsoever.

I myself do not trust Jordan, even though he hasn't done anything yet. I think that soon he will be up to something, and I don't think he has changed at all.

Chapter 15- Forged by Fire

Gerald has had great times with his friends in basketball, and Angel is greatly into dance. One day, when Gerald went to pick up Angel from school, she told him all about getting picked to lead in the dance show. She was greatly excited, and they both walked into their apartment greatly happy, until they saw what was inside. Sitting on the sofa inside, was Jordan Sparks.

It was uplifting to read about how well everything was going for the two children, until it came to a screeching halt when they found Jordan inside the apartment. Sadly, things are going to be changing once more for Angel and Gerald.

Chapter 14- Forged by Fire

It's been six year since the conviction of Jordan, and Gerald and Angel have had time to heal. Yet, at first, times were still rough for the two. Monique wouldn't admit to Jordans abuse, and they have moved four times because she couldn't afford rent. Gerald is seventeen, and Angel is twelve. Gerald attends Hazelwood High School, and is on the basketball team, and Angel has asked her mother if she could be in dance, and she said yes. Monique got a job at the YMCA, and decided to leave to celebrate. This reminded Gerald much too closely of the time long ago, when he was left home alone, and started a blazing fire.

Gerald and Angel are still struggling from their past, but hopefully they can have better times.

Chapter 13- Forged by Fire

During the trial, Gerald and Angel told their stories, and Jordan was sentenced to six to ten years in prison. Mr. Washington helped them a lot with the trial, and he also let Gerald know that if he needed anything, he would be there to help him. Justice is served, and all is well.

I wish, but I doubt it.

Chapter 12- Forged by Fire

Jordan was alone once more with Angel, and he began to abuse her again. He put her on her bed, right at the same time that two policemen came through the bedroom door. They quickly handcuffed Jordan, and read him his rights. As he watched this, Gerald had a grim smile upon his face, pleased to see that justice being served. As Angel and Gerald were in happy spirits after Jordan had gone, Monique flew into the house calling Gerald a "filthy liar."

It was a happy feeling when Jordan was being handcuffed. Yet, it is sad that Monique unrelentingly loyal to somebody so disgusting and vial. I thought that she may have become a better person way back when she was going to meet Gerald and Aunt Queen, but sometimes certain people just don't change.

Chapter 11- Forged by Fire

In this chapter, it is shown even more how careless Monique is for her children. When Gerald mentions that Angel looks like she is getting worse, she merely shrugged it off. Later, she leaves Angel alone at home, while she is still sick.

Gerald tried to comfort Angel, and finally decided that he would tell somebody about Jordan and his abuse. So, he left for school early, and battled with himself on whether to call the cops, or rather to talk to someone. Then, his friend, Rob, and his dad, Mr. Washington, pulled up in their car to go to school. Gerald ended up telling Rob's dad everything, who decided to go to the police about Gerald's issue.

I thought that the end of this chapter was relieving. I was very glad to read about Mr. Washington saying he was going to go to the police. Hopefully, he will help things become better for Gerald and Angel.

Chapter 10- Forged by Fire

Jordan was very angered to discover that Angel's bed was broken, but the children enjoyed laughing at his expence. Angel became close with Tiger, her new pet cat, but while she was sick and alone with Jordan, it dissapeared. Angel had no idea where Tiger would have went. After Jordan made Angel take off her shirt for his own sadistic pleasure, he let her know that her cat was in the oven. She quickly retrieved her cat from the oven, who was luckily fine, and clung to it and wept.

It is greatly apparent that Jordan has massive issues. I am deeply disgusted by what he has done, and I hope that he will soon be served justice with a fork.

Chapter 9- Forged by Fire

It is Christmas Day, and Gerald has seen Jordan leave Angel's room. He goes in to her room to discover that she has been abused once more. Gerald did his best to comfort her, and tried to tell her that they should tell somebody about what's happening. Yet, Jordan told her that he would hurt their mom, Gerald, and her as well. Gerald decided to take out a couple bolts out from Angel's bed so that it would break, and she could move into his room to sleep in. For Christmas, Jordan and Monique gave Angel a cat, which she named Tiger.

Hopefully, Gerald will build up the courage to speak to somebody about the abuse they are getting from Jordan, and things may soon be resolved.

Chapter 8- Forged by Fire

It been six months since Aunt Queen's funeral. Gerald is still struggling after the loss of his Aunt Queen, and is deeply saddened everyday. It turns out that Jordan is an abusive person, and he hits Gerald, Angel, and most likely Monique as well. Gerald, although not all too old or strong, tries his best to protect Angel when Jordan is abusing her. Monique scurries around cowardly, doing her best to please Jordan. Later in the chapter, Gerald walks in on Jordan sexually abusing Angel, which greatly angered both Gerald and Jordan. Jordan left, and Gerald went to comfort Angel. This chapter made me feel really bad for the children, but greatly for Angel, who has no way of protecting herself.

Chapter 7- Forged by Fire

Angel and Gerald find Aunt Queen on the floor, and quickly call an ambulance. Aunt Queen was rushed to the hospital while Monique, Jordan, Angel, and Gerald drove there in the car. At the hospital, Gerald receives the bad news that his Aunt Queen has fully passed away. Knowing that Aunt Queen is dead, it is certain that Gerald and Angel will be moving in with Jordan and Monique.

It seems that whenever there is great happiness, there soon must be the opposite. In this book, there have been times when things were bright and uplifting, and then times when it was greatly depressing. Yet, I guess that brings me to think of the saying and fact, what goes up, must come down. This saying is very true for this emotional roller coaster of a book.

Chapter 5 and 6- Forged by Fire

In Chapter five, we meet new characters and revisit old ones. Monique is Geralds mother, Jordan is her husband, and Angel is their young daughter. Jordan, Monique, and Angel all visited Gerald and Aunt Queen for breakfast at Aunt Queen's house, and Monique is selfish enough to blurt out that Gerald will be living with them. This news didn't go very well with Gerald. The chapter ended with him angry at his mother, he stormed out, and Monique and Jordan left, but left Angel at home with Aunt Queen. In the 6th chapter, Aunt Queen discovers that Angel has obviously been abused, when she sees that Angel is very afraid to be touched by Aunt Queen, and she feared to take off her black stockings because she was afraid that her mom would "get" her. Later in the chapter, Gerald and Angel go outside and bond. Yet sadly, while this is happening, Aunt Queen passes away inside.
It seems that Jordan is not a very good man, and this may be one of Gerald's new troubles in his hard life. I thought that his troubles were over, and I feel that now, sadly, they are far from that. I wish that Aunt Queen would have stayed alive so that she could end up taking care of Gerald and Angel. However, now that she is gone, I fear that hard times are on their way for the both of them.

Realism- Caylee Anthony

A three-year old girl in Florida, Caylee Anthony, has been missing since June 9, this year, and authorities have accused the mother of murdering her. There have been many people searching for her, to find her alive, but it seems that she may not be found.

If there is anymore news on this poor girl, then I will report it. I hope that she will be found alive, but, to be honest and real, I don't think that she will. In life, there is a pessimistic view of things, and a realistic one. This case must be looked at realistically, and after reading about it, it seems that this girl may not be alive. If she has passed away, I pray that she is in a happier place.

Chapter 3 and 4- Forged by Fire

In the third chapter, Gerald is now 9 years old. The author describes how well Aunt Queen takes care of young Gerald, and we find out that Gerald's mother is coming to see him on his birthday, which is the next day. In chapter four, Aunt Queen gives Gerald a new bike to make him feel better, and she comforts him for what will soon happen.

It seems that Aunt Queen has been a great guardian to Gerald, and has taken great care of him over the years.

Chapter 2- Forged by Fire

Gerald's vivid imagination and the author's intricate descriptions help us to fully understand what is happening in the book. In chapter 2, Gerald is in a hospital, finds out his mother is in custody, and that he is going to live with his Aunt Queen until his mother returns. This child has been through much in his short life, and I feel bad for him, but hopefully he can have a better life at his Aunt Queen's.

In Wisconsin on November 3, a woman who has abused and tortured her 14 year old daughter has entered an insanity plea. Yet, it was stress and thoughts that the daughter "had the devil in her" that brought this woman and her husband to torture their daughter, not insanity. The mother, Minerva Lopez, has been put in jail with a $32,000 bail, and the husband, Olivas-Lopez, with a $24,000 bail. They also both have immigration holds. This is undoubtedly hard to read about, and I am very disgusted by the things that they've done. They did things to child such as beating her with a metal rod, a broomstick, a frying pan and other objects. They also choked her, scaled her with hot water, cut her wrist with a kitchen knife and bit her in the face. How such unspeakably barbaric acts of treachery is unknown to me. Hopefully, these criminals will stay in jail, and away from their children. These children were a 14 year old girl who was the victim of two charges, and a 5 year old brother and an 8 year old sister that were the victim of one charge each. The daughter is currently out of the hospital and in a safe location.

Chapter 1- Forged by Fire

In Ms. Gray's class, my fellow classmates and I read the first chapter of Forged by Fire. This chapter described the parental abuse that a young child, Gerald, is enduring. Gerald's mother burned him, hit him, and yelled at him. His mother leaves the house one day, and Gerald played alone. While he was playing alone, he found a lighter and began using it as a torch for his G.I. Joe. Eventually, the young child started a fire by accident.

This poor child has gone through much abuse and hardship. It was sad to read about how bad Gerald's mother treated him, but at the same time very real. Child abuse is present in many homes, and, sadly, many other children have gone through what Gerald has.