I found myself staring at the place he once stood. I started to make my way home. On my way home I tried to think of how I would get into the house without being seen. I thought of the fire escape. It would be a good idea I could just climb up the fire escape and into my bedroom. But then I thought of my dress getting caught on something and me slipping off of the fire escape and falling to my death! Maybe that was't the best idea... I hurried home deciding that it would be fine if i was caught anyway. My mother wouldn't hurt me or slap me. To her the wasn't ladylike so I wasn't very worried.
I hurried into the apartment building and up the stairs. I tried to slip through the door as quietly as possible. I opened the door without a sound. But mother was already standing in the door.
"Where the he-" she stopped her self from saying anything "improper". "Where in the world have you been?"
In her face was a fury that you didn't usually see in her. I stayed quiet. I knew I was in huge trouble!
"Well answer me!" She demand.
What do I say?
"I... I went out for breakfast." I said hoping she would let this go.
"Maria, why did you go leave this building with out my permission? You know you are not aloud to do that."
I rolled my eyes. If only Jack were here to see this. He would understand after this, I thought.
"Don't roll your eyes at me young lady! Do you understand the stress i have suffered from? Your father and I have been worrying about your recent behavior..."She rambled on.
My mind was on other things. I looked down at my feet.
"Look at me when I am talking to you!" She said as she grabbed my face and raised it from the floor. "I don't know what you're doing but I am on to you!"
She finely released my face. I hurried to my bedroom and quietly sat on my bed in silence. Thinking about what had happened in my day. Nothing had exactly changed with mother. She made me feel degraded once again. I wanted freedom like Jack had, a life of my own! I sighed.
I heard a knock at my door. I knew it was father and I expected a rant. I took a deep breath and slowly made my way over to the door. I opened it to see father in the door way with a angry expression.
"I would like to speak with you Maria." He said.
I could see that he was holding in rage. I follow him to the parlor.
"Don't you understand what you are doing to your mother and I?" He said calmly.
I stared up at him. I knew not to answer...
"I have never never seen a child more selfish then you Maria!"He stared building up steam.
I took a deep breath knowing what was coming... He grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me violently!
"Maria I swear if you ever do that again to your mother I there will be dire consciences Maria!" He shouts.
I could smell liquor on his breath. Father didn't drink though... Did he? I stared at him. I felt myself shaking. His eyes were so cold. I looked at him again. I saw how he looked his face angry and twisted... Not like him. Not my father. He shook me again. He started cursing and screaming at the top of his lungs!
"Your god damn life isn't as important! I don't give a crap! Why can't you just make your mother happy? You don't seem to give a damn!"
I felt hot tears going down my cheeks. My chest tightened. I felt an overwhelming fear come over me. I was so afraid! I wanted to scream but I felt like I was unable to make a sound.
"I swear to god Maria if you do this again I will..." He stopped holding himself back. Even drunk he knew what he was about to say was to harsh. He released my shoulders. He seemed to calm a bit. He stood and backed away. Had he noticed the horror on my face. I had seen him rant he was never physical! He escaped to the solitude of his own room. No comforting words, no apologies and none of the sweet personality that I had grown to know and love. I watched him as he retreated into his bedroom. I felt ashamed. I sat there tears rolling down my face. I looked down at my hands they were shaking. I rose from my seat and walked to my room. I control myself from having a nervous brake down.
I look up into my mirror. I was a complete mess. My face was bright red (this always happened when I cried), my hair was a mess from my father shaking me like a rag doll. I fix my hair. I knew that my face would go back to it's natural color. I took a deep breath and decided to go down the fire escape and take a breath of fresh air. Suddenly the idea of slipping and falling off the fire escape didn't seem so bad. I looked at my face to see if I was looking normal. I took off my shoes and started to make my way down the fire escape. Once I finely reached the bottom I but my fire escape I put on my shoes. I wanted to be anywhere but in my apartment. I hurried down the streets on the city as I started to think what had just happened to me. That wasn't my father. I knew my father! It was just the liquor! I convinced myself this by saying this over and over in my head. I fought off tears when ever I felt a serge of them.
"Hey Maria!" I heard.
The voice was unmistakable.
"Hi Race." I said.
Jack stood next to him. He waved to me. I waved back. I hurried over.
"How's it rolling?" Jack asked.
"Oh fine." I lied. "What about you guys?"
"The same." They said together.
"Hey Maria I figured I should introduce to the newsies crowd." Jack said.
