Alright, I know it seemed like my parents had their shit together when I came back. But, far from it. It turns out my father was having an affair with his secretary and my mother was knocking boots with the repairman. And my parents were both threatening to file for divorce, in the mean time fighting over who was going to get custody of me and, get this, my baby sister. Turns out Denise got knocked up in hopes that it would get Jared back. And it did get him back. Only, now she wanted to get rid of him. And on the side, Denise was turning into a freaking junkie. I caught her with some heroin more than once. I tell ya, can I dig up dirt in a snowstorm or what? Man, I'm good. Anyway, back to the past.
(Seven Years Ago)
I sat in my closet, working hard to concentrate on my homework. Jared and Denise were fighting again. Before, they only fought on the weekends, when Jared was home more. Now, it was like they fought over everything, all the time. When I came home from school, there was yelling. When I came out of my room, there was yelling. When I woke up in the morning, there was yelling. Lately, all I heard was yelling and more yelling. I even started yelling when I got caught in the middle of one of their fights somehow. I had never wanted to be home with Mom and my brothers more in my life.
I froze when I heard my bedroom door creak open. Oh, who was it now? I couldn't get one moment alone in this dang house.
"Sam," a soft, nervous little voice said my name.
I recognized the voice to be Jayla's. Pushing open my closet door, I saw my five year old sister standing in the doorway of my room. She jumped at the sudden sound of the closet opening and gripped the teddy bear in her arms tightly.
"Its okay, Jayla. It's just me," I said, poking my head out of the closet so she could see me.
Jayla's cute face brightened up when her eyes fell on me. Ever since I'd gotten to the house, I'd been Jayla's safeguard. Every time our parents fought, she'd run to me. It was weird at first. I'd always been the youngest as a Mercer. Now, I had to be a big sister and it wasn't so bad. I felt wanted and needed. Jayla's what made this stay at my parents' house not so bad.
"Sam," Jayla said, staring at her feet. "Can I stay in here with you?"
"Did they wake you up again?" I said and Jayla didn't have to guess who 'they' were.
Jayla nodded, hugging her bear closer.
"Come on then," I said, putting my homework aside.
Jayla smiled as she ran over to the closet and got in with me. I closed the door again, leaving a small crack since Jayla was afraid of the dark.
"You can stay as long as you want," I said and Jayla snuggled up against me.
I hummed as Jayla listened to my heartbeat, drowning out the sound of our parents yelling. I wanted to go back home so bad. But, then I thought about Jayla. What if I left? What would happen to her? I just didn't think I could leave her. She was too much like me when I was her age and I remember how I felt. I'd felt abandoned, like no one wanted or loved me. I didn't want that for Jayla. So, what was I going to do?