Britney Abreu 

Intro to Creative Writing  

Short Story 

02/19/2024 

 

                          Finding My Voice  

There was one voice that found it difficult to blend in with the noise of sounds in a city that never sleeps, the big apple. That was Emily’s voice, a young woman whose speech impediment appeared to cloud every conversation she had. Speaking with others wasn’t the only thing she struggled with, she also had trouble expressing her feelings in a way that would allow others to get her perspective without, to put it mildly, fabricating a tale. But, don’t get it twisted, she was a young beautiful 20 year old, light brown hair with color changing green eyes, and very petite, just like her mother.  

Emily had struggled with the frustration of not being able to express herself as clearly as others ever since she was a little child. Words tripped over one another in their attempt to escape, becoming twisted in her mouth like a ball of yarn. It felt like there were miscommunications and misunderstandings in every conversation. Since of this, Emily found it difficult to connect with her classmates at school since they would frequently make fun of her speech impediment and give the impression that she lisped. 

Emily struggled, but she didn’t let her struggle with speech define who she was. She pushed herself into her studies, doing particularly well in topics that let her write about herself instead of having to talk in front of people. She wrote stories she wished were true, pouring her heart and soul onto the pages of her notebooks in the quiet nooks of the house and library. 

Emily sought out speech treatment because she was determined to overcome the limitations imposed by her speech handicap. She faced her worries head on in every session, employing breathing techniques and tongue twisters to improve the flow of her speech. Even though it was a difficult and stressful procedure that occasionally left Emily feeling frustrated and self-conscious, Emily persisted. She was determined to see a change in her speaking confidence and to demonstrate to herself and others that she could succeed.   

After months of persistence, Emily finally stood in front of a mirror in her bathroom of the small railroad apartment she shared with her mother, she stared at her pink diamond heart necklace as it shined from the sun, her heart racing as she got ready to take on her biggest challenge to date, giving a speech in front of her professor and her students. Standing in front of the mirror, Emily took a deep breath, her reflection showing a mixture of nervousness and determination. She steadied herself, meeting her own gaze as if preparing to address an audience. 

“Okay, Emily,” she began, her voice soft but resolute. “You’ve got this. Just remember to breathe and take it one word at a time.” 

She paused, taking another deep breath to calm her racing heart. The mirror offered no judgment, only a reflection of her own determination staring back at her. 

“You’ve practiced for this moment,” she continued, her voice gaining strength with each word. “You know your material inside and out. Just believe in yourself.” 

Her reflection seemed to nod in agreement, offering silent encouragement as Emily mentally rehearsed her lines. 

“You are more than your speech impediment,” she affirmed, her voice growing in conviction. “You are capable, intelligent, and worthy of being heard.” 

A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she imagined herself standing confidently before her audience, her words flowing effortlessly from her lips. 

“Today is your chance to shine,” she declared, her voice echoing with determination. “So go out there and show them what you’re made of.” 

With one final deep breath, Emily straightened her posture, her eyes meeting her reflection with unwavering resolve. 

“Let’s do this,” she said, her voice filled with quiet confidence. “It’s time to find my voice.” 

Emily’s journey to find her voice was not solitary, it was often boosted by the unwavering support of her mother, who stood by her through every triumph and setback. Their conversations, filled with love and encouragement, served as the backdrop for Emily’s transformation. 

“Mom,” Emily said one evening, her voice tinged with frustration, “I just don’t know if I’ll ever be able to speak like everyone else. It’s like my words are trapped inside me.” 

Her mother, ever patient and understanding, placed a comforting hand on Emily’s shoulder. “Sweetheart, I know it’s hard, but you have a voice that’s uniquely yours. It may take time, but you’ll find a way to make it heard.” 

“But what if I never do?” Emily’s voice wavered, the weight of her doubts pressing down on her. 

“Then we’ll figure it out together,” her mother replied, her tone gentle yet resolute. “You’re capable of so much more than you realize, Emily. Don’t let this challenge define you.” 

The day finally came when she had to present in front of her class. As Emily stood nervously at the front of the classroom, her palms damp with sweat, she stole a glance at her professor, who smiled encouragingly. Taking a deep breath, she began her presentation, her voice initially shaky but gaining confidence with each passing moment. 

“Um, h-hello everyone,” Emily started, her words stuttering slightly as she fought to control her nerves. “T-today, I’d like to talk about… um… the importance of… uh… overcoming challenges.” 

Her classmates listened intently, their expressions a mix of curiosity and empathy. Emily pressed on, her determination shining through the cracks of her uncertainty. 

“Y-you see,” she continued, her voice steadier now, “we all face obstacles in life… things that make us… um… doubt ourselves, I guess. But it’s how we… um… respond to those challenges that defines us.” 

Her professor nodded in encouragement, a silent reminder that she was not alone. By his support, Emily found her rhythm, her words flowing more freely with each passing sentence. 

“I-I used to think that my speech impediment… w-was a barrier,” she admitted, her voice growing stronger with conviction. “But now I see it as… as a tool… something that… um… makes me who I am.” 

Her classmates nodded a form to agree with her, their eyes filled with admiration for her courage. Emily’s heart swelled with pride as she reached the conclusion of her presentation, her voice ringing out with newfound clarity. 

“In the end,” she declared, her words ringing with conviction, “it’s not about the challenges we face but the strength we find within ourselves to overcome them.” 

As applause filled the room, Emily felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. She had faced her fears head-on and emerged victorious, her voice no longer a source of shame but inspiration for others. And as she exchanged a proud smile with her professor, she knew that this was only the beginning of her journey to find her voice. 

Ever since that day, Emily’s voice echoed throughout her school’s hallways and beyond, encouraging people to discover their own voices and disregard the opinions of others. Emily also understood that even though her trip was far from ended, she would always find her path if she had the guts to speak her mind. Emily is determined to overcome her speech impediment and will not allow anyone to undermine her. She also wants to provide a positive example for those who experience similar difficulties.