The Middle Child | Teen Ink

The Middle Child

July 26, 2010
By a.m.f BRONZE, Gainesville, Florida
a.m.f BRONZE, Gainesville, Florida
3 articles 12 photos 97 comments

Favorite Quote:
"God never shuts a door unless he opens another."


There once was a family who lived in central Missouri. There was a mom, dad and three boys. The boy’s names were Calvin, Mark and Craig. Mark, being the middle child was always desperate for attention. He was constantly competing against Calvin’s insane athletic talent and Craig’s rare intelligence. Mark was neither athletic nor a genius, but he did have talent when it came to being a comedian. This did not impress his parents, however.

Calvin was the star player of his high school track team. He ran the 1600 and always placed well. At this particular meet, he placed first, earning a golden medal. To celebrate, his teammates decided to throw a party for him. After the meet as Calvin was walking away from the track, Mark approached his older brother. “Calvin,” he said. “Can I come to the party with you?”

Calvin, who was surrounded by his friends gave an embarrassed smile. “Um, sorry kid, you’ll have to sit this one out.” Mark watched as his brother disappeared into the parking lot with a crowd of excited and happy popular kids. Mark felt deeply hurt. He had never missed one of Calvin’s track meets and that seemed to mean nothing to him.

Craig was a talented writer as well as having an extraordinary talent in the understanding of science. One day he decided to enter a writing contest sponsored by a highly respected conservation organization. Not surprisingly, he won it. The prize was a trip to Washington D.C for the winner and three guests. Craig ultimately chose his mom, dad and Calvin. Mark wasn’t surprised. But, at the last minute, their father discovered that he wouldn’t be able to go on the trip do to an issue at work. Mark immediately assumed that he would inherit his father’s ticket. He started packing, excited that he’d be able to see the nation’s capital. But Mark was soon told that Craig was giving the ticket to one of his friends. Mark stared at his half-packed suitcase with watery eyes. Once again he was let down by one of his brothers.

As soon as Mark graduated from high school he decided to move to New York City and pursue a career in stand-up comedy. His mom and dad didn’t approve of this,. Calvin and Craig betted on how long it would be before Mark came crawling back to Missouri begging for them to let him move back into the house. Mark turned out to be naturally gifted at stand-up. He instantly became a huge success and got many fans. He even got his own show on TV.

Soon after Mark’s success, Calvin broke his ankle and was no longer able to do track. Craig was caught in a cheating scandal at his ivy league school and was immediately expelled. Their father lost his job at the office, which resulted in the foreclosure of their home. Their mom was devastated by the failure of her two favorite son’s and as well as the financial crisis she was in.

Having no idea what else to do next, the mom, dad, Calvin and Craig traveled from central Missouri to the heart of New York City. They stood on the doorstep of Mark’s luxurious apartment, carrying the few belongings they’d managed to keep. The father hesitantly pushed the buzzer and moments later Mark appeared at the door, dressed in Manhattan’s finest selection of clothing.

His family looked at him with helpless, desperate eyes. Regret of ever underestimating Mark was written all over their faces.

Without even a second thought, Mark opened his door for his family. “Welcome to my home,” he invited with a kind smiled.


The author's comments:
This a short little folktale, you could call it. What would you do if you were Mark? Would you have let your family stay with you, like Mark did?

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This article has 7 comments.


on Aug. 12 2010 at 9:43 am
sleeplessdreamer PLATINUM, Raleigh, North Carolina
30 articles 0 photos 332 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I have always wanted to write in such a way that people say, 'I have always thought that but never found the words for it.'" -anonymous

I love the story. I really loved the ending, and your writing style is clean and very easy to read. I don't know, I feel like the story was a little too straight forward, too many just facts. Not enough of a personal touch. But that's just me, because I'm picky. You have talent though. Just a small suggestion. 

If you ever get the chance, could you check out some of my work? Thanks!


a.m.f BRONZE said...
on Aug. 2 2010 at 5:56 pm
a.m.f BRONZE, Gainesville, Florida
3 articles 12 photos 97 comments

Favorite Quote:
"God never shuts a door unless he opens another."

thank you! (:

a.m.f BRONZE said...
on Aug. 2 2010 at 5:55 pm
a.m.f BRONZE, Gainesville, Florida
3 articles 12 photos 97 comments

Favorite Quote:
"God never shuts a door unless he opens another."

thank you! :)

on Jul. 31 2010 at 2:10 pm
OfficialApprover PLATINUM, Orefield, Pennsylvania
48 articles 0 photos 1752 comments

Favorite Quote:
Grab life by the balls. -Slobberknocker<br /> We cannot change the cards we&#039;re dealt just how we play the hand<br /> Experience is what you get when you didn&#039;t get what you wanted<br /> It&#039;s pretty easy to be smart when you&#039;re parroting smart people<br /> -Randy Pausch

Sorry it took so long to comment:( This was awesome!  Very cute, and you feel so bad for Mark at the beginning.  I also love how he took them in despite how they mistreated him.  Great job!

on Jul. 31 2010 at 12:39 pm
Just.A.Dream SILVER, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
7 articles 0 photos 430 comments

Favorite Quote:
Part of the J7X team. :)

I loved it! I like the fact that even though the two brothers always ignored Mark, Mark still welcomed them with open arms at the end. Very sweet story. :)

a.m.f BRONZE said...
on Jul. 30 2010 at 6:57 pm
a.m.f BRONZE, Gainesville, Florida
3 articles 12 photos 97 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;God never shuts a door unless he opens another.&quot;

Yeah, I probably should've proofread it a little better. lol

Sure, I'll do that right now! :)


Babylufin GOLD said...
on Jul. 30 2010 at 1:33 pm
Babylufin GOLD, Liberal, Missouri
13 articles 2 photos 229 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;&#039;For I know the plans I have for you&#039;, declares the Lord, &#039;plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.&#039;&quot; Jeremiah 29:11. Thank you Lord, for this future you&#039;ve given me.

Haha, I really liked this. It has a really good point to it, and is very well written. A few spelling mistakes, but we all do that. Good job. :)

Please take a look, comment, rate my story Don't Kill Me Now?