Independent Man

Independent Man1

Growing up in a dysfunctional family is a hard thing for a child to endure. As a child my classmates and I lived average lives. On occasion I would hear stories, from friends at school, how "dysfunctional" their families were. It was not until my sophomore year of high school that I had a friend that was from a dysfunctional family. Through my best friend I learned that growing up in a dysfunctional family builds a child’s personality in numerous positive ways. I saw, in James Smith, that being raised in a dysfunctional family made him an independent man.

James was born and raised in Houston, Texas. At a young age James’ parents divorced. Due to the divorce James has two younger half brothers. One from each biological parent and their second spouse. The older of the two brothers is 16 and serving time in a state correctional facility for boys because of burglary charges. The younger of the two is about 9 years old and lives with James’ estranged ex-stepmother. James’ biological father is very ill with the HIV virus and James is unsure of his health or where he currently lives. James worries if his father is well or even still alive. His mother and stepfather, whom he lived with until he was 12, are currently trying to kick their heroine addiction. Throughout the 20 years of James’ life he has lived with multiple family members and a friend, which is I. He currently, has a two-bedroom apartment, in a very exclusive area of Houston, with a co-worker. James has been working at Compaq Computer Corp. for almost a year. He works 40 to 48 hour weeks as a computer technician earning $14.50 due to his vast knowledge in the computer field.

James is a very unique person. He is 5’5 and weights about 150 lbs. making him slightly stout. His jolly round face is set on his manila colored skin. While accompanied by hair, as brown as the wet sand on a beach, cut in a military style. However when it gets long it curls and resembles a shaggy dog. The whites of his mocha brown eyes have a blue tint to them as a result of James having Osteoporosis. A past leg injury has left him with a slight stagger when he jogs or runs. When he walks he always seems to keep his hand right at his sides.