This won't be a long story...about three of four chapters max, but just something I was thinking about doing and wrote out on paper. I own Richard, Avery, Kevin, Michael and Sylvia, and that's about all.
One. Two. Buckle my Shoe.
AJ is six.
"Your first day! I can't believe it's finally here!'' AJ looked up into the overjoyed eyes of her happy mother. She was adjusting the straps of AJ's bookbag on her shoulders. Honestly, Avery was more excited about this than she was, buying AJ the best of things for school out there that she could while maintaining a budget.
"You'll make new friends, learn new things and you'll have fun!'' Avery leaned back and gave AJ one last long look before she sent her off.
On the porch, Avery stood watching as AJ made her way to the bus. She at first didn't want to admit that her little girl was growing up but sooner or later she had to let her go. She just wished Richard were here to witness this with her...but he was at work unfortunately.
AJ was really excited. Of course she was scared of being away from Avery for so long but she knew her mother would be there at the end of the day. As AJ climbed the steps of the bus she noticed her shoe felt loose on her foot. The buckle had come off. Bending down, she fixed it and then took a seat next to a promising girl with blonde hair and blue eyes.
"Hi, I'm AJ.'' AJ smiled. The girl smiled back.
"I'm Sylvia."
And with that the bus drove off.
Three. Four. Shut the door.
AJ is now ten. She was at the top of the stairs in the dark, listening to her parents bicker down in the kitchen.
"Richard this is the third job in a week that you've lost! What's going on with you?"
"Avery I don't need this crap from you right now. I'm trying and you constantly bringing this shit back up doesn't help at all!"
"I'm thinking of our kids Richard! Or have you forgotten about them too?"
A slap echoed up to AJ's ears and she flinched. No matter how many times she's heard it she could never get used to it.
Whimpering came from Avery.
"Don't you think I don't try my hardest? Right now it's hard finding a job, much less keeping one! Don't you ever think I wouldn't provide for my kids. Not one second. And as far as I'm concerned I don't ever recall you doing anything in the past six months so don't you dare try to pin anything on me!"
Avery gasped. "I was pregnant with your son you unbelievable idiot! I just gave birth, I don't return to work until two weeks from now. Do you expect for this entire family to be on my shoulders? You're here, step up your aim!"
"AJ?"
AJ turned to see her four year old brother Kevin clutching his bear and looking at her with large doe eyes identical to her own.
"Go back to bed, Kev!'' She whispered.
"What's going on?"
"Richard stop. Richard please!" Avery's voice carried into the living room and the sound of glass breaking, followed by a scream echoed.
AJ took this as her cue to leave and quickly got up and gently pushed Kevin into the room, just as her parents were making their way up the stairs.
"You want to act like a smart ass, you'll get what a smart ass deserves." Richard shouted. AJ jumped to close the door and went to comfort Kevin. The newborn baby's crib was right nearby and AJ went to make sure he was still asleep.
Avery started crying from the master bedroom and they turned into shrieks and even more pleadings. AJ didn't exactly know what was going on but had the slightest idea. She didn't dare go out and do anything as she had no idea what the outcome would be, so she hugged Kevin tight and covered his ears, rocking him back and forth as their mother's crying was their lullaby for the night.