~BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP~
"Shut up." She grunted at the displeasing sound, facing down against her pillow. Casey forgot to shut off her alarm clock last night. Smacking the palm of her hand around on the table searching for the clock. It was now silent again, taking a quick glance at the time it was around 8 o'clock. It was now Saturday with another day of bright clear blue skies. She could hear water running from the shower in the bathroom down the hall. Her uncle was up. This is going to be a long day she thought.
Casey was getting dressed putting on once again her many layers of shirts. Topping it off with her ripped black jean jacket, and she placed her phone in her pocket. She then slid on her dark red burgundy Doc Martens. Her stomach started to rumble, she was hungry. Heading for the door she turned the knob and braced herself as she walked to the stair case.
Holding onto the wooden railing slowly gliding her way down to the bottom of the staircase as swiftly as possible. She made her way to the old outdated kitchen starring it down feeling a little blue.
Most families get to smell the morning goodness of bacon and eggs, along with the sweet aroma of freshly squeezed orange juice. What a treat she thought. She got nothing sadly, and there was nothing in this kitchen to make any type of decent meal. Taking quick paces to the fridge she opened it, there had to be something left. Just some old Chinese takeout, and a few ripped bananas. Mostly filled with beer bottles, and most of that was gone too. If anything, she leaned in forward grabbing one of the bananas from the back. Raising herself back up she closed the fridge, her shot up seeing her uncle emerge from around the corner. He looked at her in surprise.
"Oh, I didn't know you were up." He paused for a moment trying to fix his belt.
"Why are you up so early anyways?" He asked.
"My alarm clock woke me. I forgot to shut it off." Casey said turning around to grab a napkin from the counter. Her uncle continued to fix himself up and sat down on one of the chairs throwing on his work boots. Casey just stood there emotionlessly looking down at her food.
"Listen I was called in to work late, so I won't be back until later on tonight." He said as he walked with heavy footsteps towards the fridge. Pushing Casey out the way with his big frame, she immediately backed up. He opened it fast taking one of the beers out from the side of the door. Instantly realizing it was empty, there was nothing left.
"Son of a bitch." He shouted slamming shut the fridge. Casey just continued to stare down at the tilde floor silently. She was just waiting for him to leave the house already so she could have the whole day to herself. Her uncle took at long sign in annoyance reaching in his pocket for something.
"I need you to go out today, and get more beer, and whatever else." He said taking out his wallet as he walked towards her. Casey immediately looked up and backed away a little to have a little more space. Handing her a crisp one-hundred-dollar bill. Casey was about to reach out and grab it until John flicked it back before she could even take it.
"Then come straight back." His tone and aggressive expression were serious as he eyed her.
"But..., I'm only 17 remember?" She asked rolling her eyes slightly up by his stupidity.
"And? Go to Tony's place on the corner he'll know it's for me and bring your backpack." He said handing her the money finally. Finishing himself up grabbing his keys and phone he headed for the door.
"I'll be back. Don't get any ideas." Were his last words as he exited the house. She could hear the old pickup truck screech as it drove away.
Casey looked down at the money in her hands.
"So, you have money for beer. Hmph." She said talking to herself making a scrunched-up face. She felt disgusted by him.
At least she had the whole day to herself though, what a relief. Casey quickly jogged up the stairs into her room retrieving her backpack. Snatching up her keys, wallet, and book as she threw it into the backpack then tossed it over her shoulders. Rushing back down the stairs to the front door as ate her banana. Unbolted the heavy wooden door to exit. Closing the door from behind, the cool air woke her up completely.
Making her way to the front gate with both her hands loosely gripping the straps on her shoulders. She turned the corner closing the gate which made a loud clanking sound. Moving forward she abruptly heard a hammer pounding next store. She instantly peered up to see a man on the roof top repairing whatever seemed to be damaged. There was a giant latter leaning against the house, along with a black tool box placed beside it on a napkin or some type of white fabric. She observed this as she continued her walk facing forward once again.
He took a deep breath as he sat up straight, and removed his dark green cap. Placing his hand in his pocket and retrieved his yellow cloth. He turned his neck slightly and wiped it along with his head. Glancing at the girl walking down the street, noticing she was all in long sleeves. He thought nothing much of it, throwing his cap back on and continued his work.
Casey sat at the bus stop waiting for the right bus to come. No one else was around at the moment, which was good for her she thought at ease. Hearing the loud rumbling noise from down the street she stood up instantly as she glanced down the road. The bus was approaching as it slowly merged its way next to the curb. The doors opened wide, making her way in as she paid the fee. There were some people starring at her every movement and some who just didn't care. The bus wasn't the cleanest, but what did she expect when she must take this type of transportation. Casey took the seat closes to the door making her escape easier. She kept to herself for the time being.
"Your destination has arrived. Please stand clear of the bus."
Casey could feel the bus come to a complete hard stop as it lowered itself slightly. The doors reopened as she made her way out fast, noticing more people coming aboard. She was now at the shopping center, there were all types of stores. Clothing stores, salons, bookstores, restaurants, diners, even a GameStop. Cars were parked everywhere, there was never a day when it was empty. Casey looked around deciding where to go first, she could get the beer later she thought. But for now, she just wanted to see what else was in store, maybe even something on sale. Without any more delay she strolled her way around the shopping area.
After a good solid three and a half hours of walking into all the different types stores, she didn't get much. She bought a new pair of headphones, with a new sketch book, along with two shirts and a black dress. She didn't why she bought the dress, she knew she could never wear it, especially with her uncle always lingering around the house drunk. It was more like an impose buy she guessed. She just liked the sheer long sleeves on it and its dark velvety black bottom part. It would probably just sit in her closet forever collecting dust mites, and moths. She stopped to sit on a bench and shoved all her items at the bottom of the backpack trying to make as much room as possible for when she had to collect the beer.
Casey's stomach starred to growl, and her throat started to feel a little parched. She needed food. Just remembering she didn't eat anything today really, besides that old banana from this morning. She stood up to find some type of fast food eatery place.
"Pizza." She whispered to herself as she quickly walked towards its front door.
Opening the door to hear a small bell ring above her head as she entered. Feeling a little awkward as she walked to the cashier, she hasn't done this in years, being able to order something that she wanted to get for once. Her uncle always picked what food he wanted to eat and never bothered to ask her what she wanted to eat for once. Plus, he didn't know how to cook for the life of him.
"What can I get ya?" The man said bringing Casey back to the reality.
She got stumbled for a second after being put on the spot for what type of pizza to order. There were too many options to choose from, so she just went basic.
"I'll take two slices to go." Casey said to the man over the counter.
"Plain?" He asks grabbing the wooden peel. Casey forgot to say what type.
"Um, one plain, and one chicken, and a water. That's it." She said pointing to the specific slices she wanted.
Watching the man slide the two slices over the peel and then being tossed into the oven. Casey looked towards the window, the sun was starting to set, but it was still bright out though. She didn't want to pick up the beer, even though it was just down the street from the shopping center.
"That'll be cash, or credit ma'am?" He said making his way back towards the cash register.
"Oh yes, um, cash." She said shaking her head just remembering she had to pay.
"5.50 please." He said turning to look at her once again waiting patiently.
"Here." She said handing him the exact amount. Leaving a three-dollar tip in the plastic jar.
"Thanks, hun." He said giving her smile. He turned around to fetch the pizza from the oven.
It must've been nice to work and get payed. Some people might say otherwise towards that remark. Casey's never had a job, or any type of experience what so ever. But if she had the chance to ever try it out, she would take that offer in a heartbeat. Just to get her foot through the door a little. College wasn't much of an option right now considering she didn't have the money to pay for it, and her uncle definitely wouldn't loan her anything. She was basically stuck with nothing; her life would be a waste if she didn't do anything with it. School was the only place to get away from him, but now that's over and done with unfortunately. At least work would replace the hours she'd had lost for when being in school.
"Have a nice day." The man spoke a loudly handing her the small pizza box along with the water bottle. Casey simply nodded at him leaving a small smile as she looked downward feeling meek. She exited the eatery. Opening the box taking out the first plain slice and devoured it. The crunchy flowery bread along with the creamy deliciousness of the sauce and the heat from the melt cheese was divine. She savored ever piece of that one measly pizza.
Finishing everything up fast she started to drink her water to wash it down. She was almost at Tony's beer and liquor store on the corner. Gross men lingered outside the store doing absolutely nothing with their lives. Casey didn't look at them once as she made her way in the front entrance. The man at the front counter was on a step stool, busy stocking up the whiskey on top shelf. It was probably the old aged whiskeys, that cast way too much money. Casey went to the back of the store and grabbed the case of beer. She walked her way back to the front register carefully setting the beer down. The man still didn't turn around. She rolled her eyes at the man, she couldn't stand him, he was just another fat drinking buddy for her uncle. Or maybe he just used him for the discount on the beer.
"Hello Tony." She said emotionlessly. The man turned around to see who it was, making his way off the step stool.
"I'm assuming these aren't for you right?" He asked placing the pen next to his hand over his ear.
"Nope. It's just for my uncle, he sent me here to pick it up." Casey said it simply. Hoping she can just buy it without any problems. If she didn't bring this beer back to the house, he'd most likely lose it and go crazy on her, and she didn't want that to happen.
"Well I'm not supposed to sell this to anyone underage, but..." he paused for a moment to think and took a long sigh.
"If it's for my bud then I guess I could do it. You're not a snitch are ya?" He asked eyeing her.
"No. How much?" She said pulling out her wallet. The man was pressing the bottoms on the old outdated cash register.
"16.49 is your total." He said looking back at her. She handed him a twenty. The man shoved it in and gave her the change. He looked her up and down like a perv. Casey tried to ignore this. She didn't bother to look or acknowledge his gross action.
"You know we except tips here." He said with a smirk on his face.
"Ha, ha. Very funny." She said sarcastically to him grabbing the black bag with the beer inside. She made her way to the exit. Then something caught her eye on the wooden board on the wall. It was a help wanted sign for the old diner near the city, it wasn't that far from her. There was a number and all the information on the paper. Casey looked to see if the man was watching her, he was back on his step stool again. Casey bit her lower lip debating whether or not she should take the flyer. Screw it she thought, she ripped it off the rusty thumbtack, folding it into fours shoving it into her jackets pocket. She didn't even understand why she ripped it off in the first place, something in the back of her mind just told her to. Casey looked outside the window, all those men were still out there. Then she got an idea.
"Hey Tony, you got a bunch of men hanging out in front of your place again." She spoke loudly pointing her thumb to the direction of the men.
"Those bastards!" He shouted climbing down the step-stool, reaching under the counter for his metal bat. Casey tried not to smirk at this.
"I tell those fuckers every day to not hang out in front of the liquor store!" He yelled loudly with his cigarette barely hung onto him lips. He was waving the bat around like a crazy Italian man as he walked to the door. Casey took the liberty of holding open the door nice and wide for him.
"Aye aye get out of here before I beat all your dumb ass!" He was running after them like a mad man. The men scattered fast seeing his weapon. Casey walked out easily with another case of beer she placed in the bag. He had no camera system, plus serves him right for selling a teenage girl alcohol. She didn't want to come back for more beer in a long time. She walked back to the bus station with a small smirk on her face.
Soon making a few more extra stops at the tiny food markets buying fruits, chips, anything to munch on. She was finally finished for the day. Casey was holding at least five bags of groceries as she walked back to the bus stop. Someone like her shouldn't have to do things like this and struggle her way back home. Taking a seat on bus she kept her belonging close to her body. Her destination was approaching fast just up the street. Moving her hand to glance out the window seeing her block. The bus came to a complete stop letting Casey leave through the exit.
Catching her balance as she almost toppled over from getting off. The bus drove off, she was back where she started. The day went fast, she just realized she never even checked the time. The sun was setting leaving the skies colors orange and yellow. There was no sense in checking the time now, she was almost at the house.
Her feet and back started to ache a little from all the weight, she walked the rest of the way. Making it to the front, her expression was bland looking towards the house she desperately didn't want to enter again. Reaching her full hand out with the plastic bags dangling getting in the way causing her to fight trying to open the latch on the gate. She grunted narrowing her eyes in frustration, and exhaustion.
"Here." A man spoke softly next to her ear unlatching the gate for her.
Casey looked up in surprise her body shook out of place as she then glanced back down. She backed up an inch feeling awkward that someone stopped to actually help her. She must have looked so stupid trying to open a stupid gate she thought. Her eyes were immediately drawn to his yellowish cloth wrapped around his hand as he slightly pushed it open for her.
"Oh, um, thank you." The corner of her mouth smiled rather sweetly looking down feeling a bit timid.
The man's face was tilting downward, his cap was covering most of his features. She couldn't see any type of expression on his face. The man merely nodded his head. She made her way in and turned around to say thank you one last time. He wasn't there, she turned her head to see the man walking down the street with both his hands behind his back. Casey just shrugged, she kicked the gate completely closed.
Casey made it into the house and raced to the kitchen plopping all the bags down on the counter. Shaking her hands and arms out from the heavy loads she was carrying. Throwing the beer cases in the fridge and placing the fruits and vegetables in the bottom drawer.
Unexpectedly she heard a loud rattling and clanking sound that came from upstairs. Was someone in the house she thought? It couldn't have been her uncle, unless he got back early. Damn, she thought annoyed. She walked up the stairs to investigate. The bathroom door was opened with the light on. Casey could hear the turning of some type of tool and someone was hitting on the metal pipes. Turning the corner cautiously walking to the bathroom door as she sneaked a peek. Her uncles back was laying on the floor with tools in his hands. He seemed to be trying to fix the pipes under the sink. He looked over his fat stomach seeing who was at the door.
"Did you get it?" He asked continuing his work.
"Yes. I thought you were working late." She asked hoping maybe he would leave again.
"I am. I'm on break, came back because I forgot to fix this old piece of shit sink. It was having problems this morning." He said as he wrestled to sit up.
Casey just watched by the corner of the door placing her face slightly against it.
"I might call this place in town that fixes problems like this." He said taking out his phone as he stood back up. John was looking up the number to make an appointment, placing it on his ear he headed out the bathroom traveling back down to the kitchen.
Casey headed to her room throwing her backpack on the bed. She sat next to it as she crossed her legs. Unzipping the bag to see if she still had everything. Taking out her wallet and keys setting them down on the table next to her. Unexpectedly seeing a large presence opening the door and started to enter her room. She forgot to close her door all the way, most importantly she forgot to lock it.
"I called, and they got someone to come over tomorrow around three." He said taking a sip from his beer bottle. Casey simply nodded at what he said.
"And I'm gonna need you to stay and answer the door. "
"Why can't you do it?" She asked feeling annoyed.
"Cuz I'm not gonna be here tomorrow. So, you watch the man and make sure he does it right. I'm going out with the guys." He said fiddling with the door knob.
It irks Casey to think that she must deal with this now. He should be doing this shit she thought.
"What do I even say the man?" She asked shaking her head looking puzzled.
"Just show him to the bathroom and say the sink isn't working right. See not that hard stupid." He said sarcastically waving his arms out as he headed out the door.
Casey's blood started to boil, wanting to throw something at his head for making her feel dumb. She watched him leave completely out the door, hearing his footsteps leave through the front door. Casey shot up on her two-feet slamming the door shut and locking it. Her head started to hurt, she just felt tired and weak. Returning to sit in her bed she grabbed the backpack shaking everything out and tossed it across the room. Checking out all the stuff she bought, Casey took the shirts and hung them up on the hangers. Taking the dress to the closet as well, she neatly settled it in a box on the floor of the closet. Casey rather hide it away then hang it up with everything else, god forbid her uncle ever spotted it. Reaching towards the top of the window to unlock it, pushing it up leaving it a crack open. She took off her own jacket, tossing it on the chair feeling a relief of coolness. Closing the creaky closet door, she jumps on top of her bed grabbing the new headphones she got from GameStop. Tearing open the box she pulled them out along with her phone and plugged it in. Sliding it over her hears she leaned back to completely to lay flat on the bed. Taking her small blanket resting it over her torso. Pressing play on her music list she started to calm down feeling queasy and tired.
She shut her eyes. The cool breeze felt calming. Casey eased up for the next long day.