Brought to a World With No Guidance


There is a little girl who grew up in a world full of lies. Her name is Alé. She walked the streets of Hollywood at one point in her life.In April 5, 2005 her parents abandoned her in the corner of Hollywood and Vine because the dad would beat her mother. He didn’t want take responsibilities as a father. At five years old,not knowing where to go or who to turn to, she walked around town asking strangers if they’ve seen her parents. With a picture in her hands and five dollars in her pockets, Alé did not know where her destiny would take her.

Four days have passed and still not a sound from her parents.She walked down Fountain Avenue and came across the Paragon Dry Cleaners & Laundry. She thought they’d be there since they do their laundry there every Saturday morning. Still nothing. Suddenly, she saw bubbles coming from her left as she walked.So she followed the bubbles. When she arrived she began to dance to the beat of “Beat It” by Michael Jackson. She got so carried away with the music that she bumped into a little girl named Lucile and knocked her down accidentally. Alé helped her get back up they began to laugh and continued to dance.

As time passed, they began to communicate. Lucile was 9. She had beautiful long brown hair, eyes that looked like the sea. Alé asked Lucile if she’s seen her parents, showing her a picture. She stayed quiet for a moment. “I seen them yesterday… your dad was… was hitting her continuously and began to kick her violently. She was screaming for help although no one seemed to care.” Alé collapsed down to her knees as tears fell from her precious green hazel eyes, asked why, why is this happening to me? Lucile not knowing what to do just walked away with her parents and left Alé down on her knees. Alé tried denying it, saying, “It’s not true… please tell me it’s not true” No one was there when she looked up, she was in pain, she thought she had a friend.

Alé began to walk to Plummer Park on Vista St and Fountain Ave. It was getting dark so she ran to the park as fast as she can with fear in her eyes. When she arrived at the park she saw a man sleeping on the bench with a shopping cart that had cans and clothes in it, with a rope tied to his leg. She knew better then to awake the man so she crawled into his shopping cart without making a sound. The man felt a sudden movement on his leg and noticed that Alé crawled into his shopping cart. She didn’t know that the man had awoken, the man didn’t say a word about it since he was half asleep and went back to sleep.
The sun was rising, it was about seven in the morning, and you could hear the birds chirping away. The man awakes and forgets that a little girl had crawled into his go-cart. The man walked about three blocks up to Formosa Ave to the Formosa Café for a cup of coffee and breakfast. Alé awoke and thought that her parents had came looking for her from the smell of an upside down caramel latté. When she looked up from the cart she seen the man and noticed that she wasn’t at the park anymore, she then began to wonder if the man knew that she had gotten in the cart last night. The man came out from the café and was startled when he seen the little girl in his cart. He then said to her “mija where are your parents? They must be worried about you. Where do you live? I’ll get you home.”
Alé, “they left me behind. I don’t know where they went. Have you seen them anywhere?”
“What’s your name?”
“Alé, and yours?”
“Noah, I’m sorry I haven’t seen your parents anywhere. The street is no place for someone your age. How old are you?”
“I’m five years old and I’m scared” she cried, “Can you protect me Mr.? I have 5 dollars in my pocket it’s all I have to give”
Noah was in complete shock, his eyes looked glazed. He didn’t respond to Alé’s question or cry. He simply said “Get in the cart your coming with me” Alé jumped into the cart and didn’t say another word.

Five years have gone down the line. Alé is ten years old now. She had decided to live with Noah on the streets of Hollywood. Though she still wonders where her parents are, if they are alive or dead. She holds on with a firm grip with the little bit of a childhood she has left to enjoy or even express. She has convinced herself that the life she has been living is okay and healthy. Alé is as bright as a diamond for her age. She speaks with such knowledge, encourages Noah to a better way of living and to be productive with his life. Her mom used to always tell her “There will be a point when you fall down to your knees, but you’ll have to get right back up on your feet and just keep on moving with that waves and make a better living for yourself”

It was Sunday morning June 27, 2010. Alé and Noah were at De Lonpre Park in Hollywood on De Lonpre Ave and N June St. Alé and Noah were by the benches sleeping when the cops showed up they cuffed Noah. They took Alé to Social Services; she was kicking and screaming she then broke down into tears. She asked the officers “why are you taking him away from me?” the officer simply said, “He committed a crime.” They drove to Downtown LA, E. Fourth Place.

Alé’s social worker name was Alicia Paredes. Mrs. Paredes was asking Alé typical questions like; when’s your birthday? How old are you? Where are your parents? Do you have a stable home? Alé answered the questions truthfully. It was quiet for a moment. Alé asked Mrs. Paredes “where are the cops going to take me next?” Mrs. Paredes said “we’re going to place you in a foster home, so that you have a roof over your head.” Alé seemed confused; she had tears coming down her face. “What’s a foster home ma’am? “It’s somewhere you live when your unable to live in your own home, don’t worry you’ll be safe there Alé.”

Alé was placed in a foster home in Compton, Ca. Her foster mom name was Patricia. She took Alé in as her own daughter. Patricia adored Alé; she felt sorrow for the things Alé has gone through. Alé became immune to her surroundings and the people around her.