The sun had hidden itself behind the clouds that afternoon as Chrissy stepped off the bus, and began walking home slowly. She hung her head sadly as she trudged toward her run down house. How she hated coming home to her mother's screams and yells. The only thing that perked Chrissy up was the fact that she would get to spend the evening with Monica.
She opened the front door and walked into the dark, musty house. She could immediately smell alcohol and knew her mom had started early; she hadn't even left the house. Chrissy hated when she drank at home, because her anger sometimes led her to throwing empty beer bottles. Chrissy felt lucky the bottles never hit her.
Chrissy placed her backpack on the ground and walked into her house. Her mom was sitting at the kitchen table, a cigarette in one hand, and a bottle of beer in the other. Her cold brown eyes stared at her daughter as Chrissy inched her way closer. Jessica narrowed her eyes as she put out her cigarette.
"Start dinner!" She commanded. Chrissy looked at the clock on the wall, and frowned.
"But, mom, it's only 4:00p.m. Isn't it a bit early?" She asked, regretting it immediately as Jessica stood up, slamming her bottle on the table. She walked over to Chrissy and grabbed her hair tightly.
"Your attitude is driving me crazy! Don't talk back to me. I am your mother! You do as I say! I'm hungry now and I want to eat now! So go and tell Monica we're eating early or she won't eat at all!" Jessica let go of Chrissy's hair and spun around to grab her beer. Chrissy turned, and as she rubbed her sore head, still sobbing from the pain, walked down the stairs to Monica's bedroom. She knocked on the door and Monica answered with a friendly smile.
"Hello. How are you today?" She asked, but noticed that Chrissy had been crying.
"What's the matter?" Monica asked, concerned. Chrissy looked as if she would tell Monica, but she quickly turned toward the stairs and sighed. She turned back to Monica, but didn't look her in the eye.
"We're having dinner early. My mom wants dinner now, so if you want, we'll add another plate." She said in a monotone voice. Monica nodded.
"Yes, I'll join you. I don't mind eating early." She said. Chrissy nodded and turned to go upstairs. Monica could only watch, sadly.
At dinner, Jessica gulped down her dinner as usual, and Chrissy poked at her food, as usual. Monica was beginning to feel out of place. Jessica never talked to her and Chrissy wasn't allowed to.
Jessica reached for her beer, and realized the bottle was empty. She sighed heavily and stared at Chrissy.
"Get me another one." She commanded. Chrissy jumped up, running to the kitchen. Monica could hear rustling in the kitchen, as Chrissy opened the refrigerator. Monica and Jessica both heard Chrissy quietly gasp as she slowly walked back to the table. Jessica eyed Chrissy.
"Well?"
"There's…none left." Chrissy replied quietly. Monica could feel the tension building as Jessica's face turned a horrible shade of red.
"What?" She yelled. Chrissy looked down and sighed.
"There's no beer left, mom." She said, a little louder. Jessica stood up quickly, as she grabbed her empty dinner plate. Chrissy closed her eyes fiercely as if expecting something. Jessica threw the plate against the wall, and the plate shattered into tiny pieces on the floor.
Without a single word, she grabbed her keys and ran out the door, slamming it behind her.