Dave's Decision

A Child Called It, Dave Pelzer
Ender's Game, Ender Wiggin
Dave's house

Dave Pelzer was a lonesome boy who had nothing worth living for in life. He was abused and beaten both mentally and physically by his mother at such a young age. His mother ordered him chores and when they weren’t completed he was beaten and left with nothing to eat. When he did complete his chores on time, he was lucky enough to get a few scraps of food that had such low quality the dogs wouldn’t even eat them. Dave's bed was an old army cot in the basement, and his clothes were torn and raunchy.
One gloomy evening as Dave was taking out the trash he stumbled upon a minuscule creature laying in the grass. It was wearing some sort of monitor device. Dave stood still and examined the creature as did the creature to him. “Who and what are you and what are you doing here,” Dave asked. The creature stood up at only about three feet tall and said “I am Ender Wiggin; I have traveled to earth to try to get away from the stress of battle school.” Dave was depressed and had no interest in Ender so he walked back down into the dark, cold basement to get some rest. As Dave was about to lay down, he heard Ender’s voice again. He looked over and discovered Ender. “I’m sorry but I didn’t get to learn your name,” Ender stated. “Dave, now leave me alone I don’t want to be bothered anymore,” Dave acknowledged. “What is wrong with you Dave, why are you so low-spirited,” Ender aggressively asked. Dave enraged and eventually broke down into tears while he spilled out his life story to Ender. Ender was heart-broken.
The next day Ender returned to the house at the same time as the night before. Dave and Ender had found each other once again and Ender has something on his mind he wanted to ask. “Dave, why don’t you come with me back to battle school to live a happy life instead of having life-threatening difficulties here on earth,” Ender unexpectedly blurted out. Dave was stunned, he wanted to be happy and have someone to care for him but at the same time he worried about his family and mother who was an extreme alcoholic. Dave told Ender he would think over the decision thoroughly and give him an answer the next night.
As you may have expected, Ender returned. Dave was excited to see him again and was ready with his decision. Ender knew that Dave wanted to come so he was excited to hear what Dave was going to say. “I am going to stay home,” Dave shockingly stated. “I can’t leave my mom, she is battling alcoholism and I know that she has treated me despicable but it’s for her own good.” Ender was crushed and left immediately without saying one word. Dave felt like he had betrayed himself and his friend. He knew that deep inside he really wanted to go and that Ender was looking forward to spending time with Dave. The following evening, Dave had forgotten to take out the trash so his mother took out a knife and threatened to kill him if it ever happened again. Dave realized he had enough and his mother was beyond his help. But, due to his decision he was stuck in a battle of life or death for now until he is sent another savior.