EJust the way it is
Chapter 1
At 8 AM this morning my alarm clock went off, signaling me out of my cozy cocoon. As soon as I got out of bed, I was clutching my stomach as sharp pains began to course through my body. I began to remember the events of the night before…
#Flashback#
It was around 10 o'clock when Phillip came stumbling through the door making a ruckus. Drunk and high off god knows what. "Mikayla, where are you?" He kept calling out. I knew it was going to be bad he sounded super wasted, his words barely recognizable. The last time he was this wasted was the night aunt Melinda died. He came bursting into my room, screaming nonsense that I couldn't even understand. A few of the words I caught here and there were bitch, slut, and killer. He
always did blame me for Melinda's death, probably because he couldn't remember what he had done. The first slapped pulled me out of my trance and knocked me on the floor. He kicked me a few times before screaming at me to get up. I pulled myself up only to be grabbed by the throat and slammed against the wall. He was yelling at me, his face so close to mine I could smell the whiskey on his breath. When he released his grip on my throat I fell to the floor, wishing that I could fight back, but I knew that it would only result in this lasting longer. He kicked me in the stomach a few more times before walking out the room. A few minutes later I began to lose consciousness, all the while thankful that he didn't rape me this time.
#End Flashback#
I begrudgingly made my way over to the bathroom across the hall. I turned on the light and got a first look at the damage. My cheek was bruised and still red, I removed my shirt to find what I expected, ugly dark bruises covering my torso. Bruises in
the shape of fingers were littering my neck, I sighed knowing it was going to take a while for this all to heal. I was honestly surprised I was even able to walk, let alone get out of bed, after looking at myself in the mirror.
I got out my makeup and took great care to cover up all of the marks on my face and neck. After I was satisfied with my makeup job did I leave the bathroom and make my way back to my room. I walked over to my dresser to grab a turtle-neck and my favorite
pair of jeans.
I hurriedly got dressed and made my way downstairs, happy to find Phillip not home anymore. I was thankful that he wasn't here because that meant that I could safely make it out without any further beatings. I was still struggling to walk a little bit
this morning because of last night.
I shook my head free of that awful memory and pulled on my jacket as I walked into the cold winter morning air. I pulled out a cigarette from its carton and lit the end, taking my first drag. Then started my fifteen minute walk to the diner.
This morning my usual fifteen minute walk turned into thirty minutes because of the pain in my stomach. I had just finished my third cigarette when I reached the diner. I dropped the butt and put it with my shoe.
"Morning Joe," I managed to call out as I walked into the diner. I was surprised because it didn't look as messy as it usually does when I don't close. None of Joe's other waitresses really care about this place and leave without cleaning the tables or
sweeping the floor.
"Mornin' kiddo," Joe called out from the kitchen. He always had treated me like the child I assumed he never had. I made my way over to the counter, taking off my jacket and putting it under the counter along with my bag. I reached down and grabbed my
apron, a small groan escaping my lips.
"Everything all right?" Joe asked. The groan must have been louder than I thought. I quickly covered it up.
"Yah, I must've pulled something last night." I said making another excuse. I know better that to tell Joe the truth. I know he would help me get out, but honestly I couldn't risk it. I would be 18 in a few months and I would finally be able to get custody
of my little sister, Michelle.
"Kiddo you need to take it easy, I can't loose you. You're my best waitress!" Joe said, on second thought he added, "and stop smoking those cigarettes you're way too young."
I put my apron on, and reached around myself to tie it in a bow. I started to set the tables up for the morning rush and get everything ready. I've worked here long enough to know just how Joe likes his diner set up. The first group of customers came
in at nine.
I was barely managing until after the lunch rush and I had to work a little too hard. One table had left a large mess on the floor and as I bent down to clean it up, I just about fell over, practically screaming out in pain. "damn it," I groaned through
clenched teeth.
Joe came rushing over to me, "that's it I'm sending you home" he said. Knowing that I was going to argue with him and insist on staying he added… "no buts go home and rest."
I was in too much pain to fight so I went behind the counter, took off my apron, put on my jacket and grabbed my bag. I began to walk out the door when Joe called out, "
Mika, sweetie, take this home," he said handing me a small take out bag. I would bet anything that it was a slice of cherry pie, my absolute favorite.
I walked out the diner and lit yet another cigarette. I began walking in the opposite direction of my house. Even though I was almost positive Phillip wasn't going to be there it was the absolute last place I wanted to be. I was walking for what felt
like several hours before I began to recognize where I was again. I had just passed the DX, and if I remembered correctly I just had to turn down the next street and go down an alley before I would reachthe park. I decided that I would sit there
for a while until I had to go home.
As I turned down the street and made my way toward the alley, I realized just how big a mistake I had made.
It was then that I heard the low rumble of a mustang…