“Go now. Go run to the stables Mia. Your dad is on his way”.
I looked at my mom with my big, frightened eyes. “Please don’t, please don’t tell me he is on his way?”“Yes, Mia he is now run”.With adrenaline running through my veins, I stood up from my bed and ran as fast as I could out of the door. Almost losing my footing when I exited the back door. I shrank back in the corner of the stables trying to make myself as small as possible. I could hear him screaming in the house at my mom.“WHERE IS SHE”! My dad screamed.“Richard, please don't. She is not here, please don't hurt her!”Slap, I could hear the loud smack he gave my mom. I started sobbing softly. Why must my life be like this, why must he hate me so much? Why does my mom love him so much that she does not take us away from here? Why does she love to torment herself? My sister is the one the whole town knows. She's the one who always makes trouble for us. I know this is her doing, I know she told him something to make him this mad. I do not understand why she gets joy out of hurting me and my mother. I try keeping to myself. You can see me as the plain Jane and invisible. If I don’t get seen or heard, I will be fine. That is what I keep telling myself... Yeah not like if that ever worked. The last thing I want is for anyone to know me, to know what hell I live through every day, and most important I don’t want anyone to know who my sister and father is. I don't want anyone’s pity. I just want to live my life like an ordinary teenager.“I told you long ago, to keep your daughter in check, Isabel.”” She is your daughter too Richard.” “What did she do now?”“Does it matter, call her here right now and tell her to get her ass here now?”“Please Richard, why can’t you speak to her tomorrow? You have drunk a lot today, can't you please go and rest first.”Smack, “Do not tell me what I should and should not do woman”. “You will do what I tell you to do”Everything went silent. My mom would rather get beaten on my behalf. Once he hit me so hard, that I could not walk for a week. My dad only beats us. He would never touch my sister, she is his previous gem. You see my sister is only my half-sister. She is my dad's first love child. Her mother Rebecca died in a car crash when she was small. My dad met my mom 3 years later. My mom fell in love with him at first sight. I can't say the same for him, you do not treat someone you love like he treats my mom, but my mom loves him with her whole heart. I think my dad only married my mom to look after his precious daughter. A year later my mom got pregnant with me. I can't say my dad was not happy, because he wanted a son. Well, here I am. 'n GIRL who looks nothing like my dad or mom. My dad hates me because I am not a boy and because his precious daughter hates me too.My mom told me before “Mia never leave the stables before I come to get you. You must remember NEVER.”So here I was waiting. It soon started getting dark. It was in the middle of autumn, so the air was starting to get cooler. I only wore my normal faded jeans and a black t-shirt. I did not have time to put on shoes. I was really starting to get cold. We lived on the outskirt of town on a small range. With no neighbors nearby. I wrapped myself in my arms and slowly started to drift to sleep.“Mia… Mia wake up”I slowly opened my eyes and saw my mom kneeling in front of me.“Mom?”“Yes darling, your dad is sleeping come back inside.”“Mom are you alright?”She had a dark red handprint on the right side of her face.“Mom, why do you always let him do this to you, to us? Why can’t we go live with grandma and grandpa?”“No Mia we can't.”“Why not mom?” I asked her with tears running down my face. I hate seeing her like this.“Mia, you will never understand you are still too young.”“Mom, I'm 18, I know right from wrong, and this is wrong. Dad does not love us. If he loved us, he would never treat us like this. This… this is not love mom this is… I don’t know even what this is. Do people even have a word for this kind of living. Haven’t you had enough mom?”“Mia, your dad just had a long day and too many beers with his friends after work. It will get better.”I looked at her with shock written all over my face. Am I still dreaming? Am I really awake? Did she really, really just stand up for him? I cannot believe what I just heard. I have lived through this nightmare for 18 years. I knew no words would change her mind about him. You know what they say. Love is blind. Yea some people are more blind than others. But all I know is, that I am done. As soon as I’m done with high school I am out of here. I love my mom more than anything, but she has to leave on her own accord. Maybe, things will get better for her once I am gone. I stood up and went inside the house with my mom. I first took a quick shower and climbed into my bed. That night I made myself a promise. I need to get stronger. I need to learn to fend for myself if I want to go live on my own after school. Because I know. I will not come back to this house, and I will never have some
I just shook my head and started walking to class. It’s not that I could not talk in front of anyone. I just chose not to. I did not want to draw any attention to myself.“Hey, you! Wait for us!” They both yelled from behind.We entered the classroom and took our seats.“Carolyne, are you going to the fight tonight?” Mike asked.“Yes, we are.” Carolyne replied.Mike scratched his head.”Who are we?”“Me and Mia.”I think I have never seen Mike so excited in my life. He is probably excited about the fight. I told myself. Mike is average build, has short black hair, green eyes, and a killer smile.“That’s good, I'm happy to see you climbed out of your shell Mia. I and the boys would love to get to know the real Mia.”I gave him a half smile and look to the front giving my full attention to the teacher. Luckily, we only have 3 months left of school.It was a long day. I really got too much attention for my liking. After my one-sided conversation with Mike. Everywhere we went, we heard whis
“Carolyne, my mom called. Clara sprouted nonsense to Richard again. He wants me home right now.”“But why can't he wait until tomorrow. It's already so late.”“You know how he is Carolyne. My mom told me if I don't come back right now he will come looking for me himself. I do not want that to happen.”“Okey, let's go. I will take you back.”“No Carolyne, I don't want to spoil your night, I will take a taxi. I still have a few bucks left from our summer break job.”“Are you sure Mia? I really want to take you back and make sure you get home safely.”What an ironic word “Safely” I think I am safer on the road than at home. Home is anything but safe.“No Carolyne. I will take a taxi, please stay, and enjoy yourself. Maybe you will be lucky and meet one of the fighters tonight. You have been so excited for this night.”I really did not want her to take me home. I was scared that Richard will be waiting for me outside. I know Carolyne would not leave if she saw Richard hurting me. I did not
In no time we turned into my driveway. Looking out of my window I saw Richard standing in front of the house, with a deafly facial expression. The car stopped. The driver turned around and looked worriedly at me. Looking between Richard and me.“Miss, will you be fine?” He asked not really knowing if he wants to get involved.“Yes, Thank you.”I paid him and got out of the car. I quickly hurried passed Richard hoping to get to my mother before he could do anything to me. The house was filled with dread.“Mom?” I called out.I hurried to the kitchen. I saw her sitting in the kitchen with Clara my half-sister. Looking between them. My eyes stopped at Clara's.“What did you tell him, Clara?”Before she could answer I felt a blow to the side of my face. I fell to the ground hitting my head on the cabinet door.“You, do not get to speak in this house, slut!”His punch was so hard that I almost lost consciousness. I knew I should get up. Scared, he would start kicking me. I slowly stood up,
I felt the train coming to a stop. Opening my eyes, I quickly jumped down. Walking away trying to see in which town I am. I’m so tired. How late is it anywayWalking into town, I got a few stares from the town people who are still awake. I probably look like hell. I could imagine what was going through the people’s minds. A young girl walking alone at night looking like crap. Hell, I would also stop and stare at myself.I spotted an Inn in front. It does not look too bad. Hopefully, it’s not too expensive. Walking through the doors. The lady sitting behind the counter does not look too happy to see me.“How can I help you?” She looked me up and down. Scrunching up her nose.“How much for a single room?”“Sixty dollars.” She said while chewing on her bubble gum.Searching through my jean pockets, I took out my last money. Counting sixty dollars, sliding it over to her. “Here.”With a frown on her face, she looked between me and the money on the counter.“Am I supposed to pick that up? I
We stopped in Georgetown. Climbing down I slipped on the step falling to my knees. “OW” Standing up, I turned wanting to thank the old man, but the pickup had already sped off. “Thank you!!” I shouted from behind. The rain kept falling even harder. Running to a nearby filling station. I went straight to the bathroom. Twisting my coat over the sink trying to get all the water out. When it looked like I got most of the water out, I held the coat underneath the hand dryer. With it almost dry, I did the same to my hair and clothes. Mostly dried I started drinking water from the sink. Hoping to fill my stomach with water to ease the hunger.Walking out. I walked straight to a pump attendant. He looked in his late twenties, with long thick frizzy black hair that’s tied up, an athletic body, rather handsome-looking, brown eyes with a sharp face that’s neatly shaved. He already changed out of his work clothes ready to leave for home, I assume, but still wearing his attendant cap. Dressed in a
Luckily, we quickly turned into what looked like his driveway, that’s what I hoped.Closing my eyes, I started to pray softly, please oh please, don’t give me any more surprises.When the car stopped, two beautiful boys ran out. He quickly got out and hurried to them, picking both up and showering them with kisses. I slowly got out, standing very uncomfortably next to the car, switching legs now and then.He turned to me with a wide grin on his face. “Come on in, we don’t bite.” He started laughing again.Walking to the house. I slowly followed behind him. The children were acting like monkeys. One hanging on his arm and the other one strapped around his legs.“Honey I’m home.” He sang.“Look at what I brought you, ain’t I a good husband!” He said while looking very smug.OH, please earth, please open, and swallow me whole. Rubbing my forehead with my hand. I looked confused at the man standing in front of me. Why would any man give another woman, what doesn’t even belong to him, to hi
The boys ran up to me.“Hi lady, what’s your name?”Kneeling in front of them. “My name is Amore,” I said with a soft smile. “And what are your names?” I ruffled the older one’s hair.“I’m Liam.” The oldest one said. “His Lucas.” He points to his younger brother.“Oh my, what beautiful names.”“Thank you.” He said in the cutest voice.“Where’s your mother, cutie?” He points towards the car.Looking at where his finger’s pointing, I spotted Charlene help load the car. I headed towards her.“Anything I can help you with?”“Hey!” She looked me up and down. “You look so much better.”“Yes, thank you I do. Thanks for the clothes by the way.” She gives a dismissive wave of her hand.“Don’t mention it. It’s only clothes.”“Lady’s I’m done.” Knocking the top of the car two times with his knuckles. “Let’s hit the road!”“Come on kids, Let’s go.” The kids came running, climbing in the back.We all got in and started our journey. Closing my eyes, I rested my head back against the headrest.“Amore