Eleven

Peering at the darkened screen, Alex sees the reflection of his mother in her nurse’s uniform holding the computer plug. Alex groans. His mother aborted his most heroic flight simulation game ever. When she asks about the rules for playing video games, his mind wanders to his six-year-old sister, Nunu, and the rule that she does not cross the line that separates their respective sides of their room. Her half is littered with dolls and everything pink, which Alex detests. Meanwhile, his side contains model planes and pictures of dogs. When Alex looks at a photograph of the Navy’s elite Blue Angels squad flying in formation, he remembers his greatest birthday ever two years prior, when his dad took him to an air show in upstate New York.

Interrupting his thoughts, his mother asks again about the rules, calling him “young man.” This frustrates Alex because he feels like his parents treat him like a little kid. His parents constantly proclaim that he needs to grow up. If Alex becomes more responsible, one of his greatest dreams will come true: He’ll get a dog of his own. Ever since he can remember, he has asked his parents for a dog, and he is convinced that tomorrow, on his 11th birthday on September 11, 2001, his parents will finally give him one.

His mother reminds him that he cannot play video games until homework and chores are complete. Alex tries to distract his mother with a joke about time travel. Although his mother does not crack a smile, Nunu laughs. Alex appreciates his little sister, mostly, and if it were not for her doll named Lolly, he would appreciate her more. Nunu brings Lolly everywhere. Alex cringes to remember the time she forgot the doll on the bus, and he ran back to get it; Jordan McCreevy, a bully, snatched Lolly out of his hands and called him a baby.

Once again, Alex’s mom interrupts his spiraling thoughts when she offers 10 more minutes on the computer if he can answer one question. Excited by the prospect, Alex takes the bait. Unfortunately, he cannot answer the question because she asks what they were just talking about while his mind was wandering. Instead, she instructs him to do his homework; Alex agrees to this, saying that he’ll have more time to play with his new dog on his birthday tomorrow. His mother sighs, reminding him of their agreement: Alex could only get a dog if he stayed on top of his schoolwork, but Alex is earning C’s in school. This reminder deflates Alex’s birthday hopes. However, at dinner, Alex devises a plan to talk to his father about the dog, as well as an alternate plan if that does not work. He makes a deal with the universe to not think about dogs and just get his homework done, and then maybe he will get one. Either way, he understands that if he doesn’t get a dog, it’s his fault for not holding up his end of the bargain.

Later, his dad returns from work and visits the kids’ bedroom. First, he sits and sings with Nunu. Even though Alex pretends to be asleep, his dad sits on his bed and chats, mentioning the argument Alex had with his mom. His father understands that Alex desperately wants a dog but reminds him that he needs to be able to handle the responsibility of caring for a pet. Alex insists that he can do it, but his father disagrees. When Alex claims that if his father loved him then he would get him a dog, his dad proclaims his love for his son. Alex scoffs and tells his father, “I hate you” (22). Then, he hears the door click shut.

When Alex wakes up the next day, he rushes to the mirror to see if he looks any older on the morning of his 11th birthday. As he thinks about shaving like his father, he remembers his cruel words the night before and hopes that his dad did not hear them. Then, Alex thinks that maybe his parents will get him a dog for his birthday after all. Sliding on his Heelys into the kitchen, he realizes his mom has made his favorite breakfast. His father has already left for work—driving a train under the Hudson River to the World Trade Center in Manhattan—so Alex cannot yet determine if he heard what he said the night before.

Alex’s mom shows him his birthday cake: chocolate fudge with icing depicting an airplane. She also made him cupcakes for school. After eating his pancakes, Alex is in better spirits and is convinced that the day will still be the best. As he gets on the bus, his mother reminds him to be careful with the cupcakes, and he insists that he is responsible, hinting that he is ready for a dog. When his mother looks away, Alex’s hopes deflate again.

On the bus, Alex talks with his best friends, Doug and Kwan, about his video game. Then, Alex admires the view of the Manhattan skyline and thinks of his dad driving the train to the World Trade Center. Soon, Jordan McCreevy and his two sidekicks, Calvin and Deemer, get on the bus. Jordan sits next to Alex. In an uncharacteristically nice voice, Jordan asks about the box of cupcakes. Alex slides the box away and warns Jordan not to touch it. As the bus takes a turn, Jordan physically pins Alex to the window, crushing his body and the cupcakes, and doesn’t let up for the rest of the ride.

Enduring Jordan’s antics, Alex spots a stray dog outside his window while the bus is stopped at a light. Alex immediately falls in love with the dog, who is playing with a sock. The dog looks right at him, and when Alex whispers to the animal, its ears twitch in response. Then the bus starts moving, and the dog chases it. In a busy intersection, Alex shouts for the dog to stay. Miraculously, the dog sits down. As the bus pulls into school, Jordan finally stands up and wishes Alex a happy birthday as the ruined cupcakes ooze out of the box.