Summary: Fleeing an abusive home for the sake of her retarded sister, an 18-year-old girl finds herself in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with the Curtis's and their friends for neighbors.

Sweet Afton

Chapter One

Leaving Home

Kaye ran around the house insanely. If she was late for work again, she knew the boss would fire her for sure. But she couldn't leave Afton alone. Mrs. Johnson, who usually watched the baby, had gone out of town for the week, and had only just called that morning. Now there was no one for her to leave Afton with, and she couldn't stay by herself. She couldn't talk, could barely walk, and would break down into shaking fits if she got too cold. She was desperately small; the four year old looked half her age. Couldn't learn, couldn't go to school, Kaye did not know what she could do with the girl for the day.

Frantic, Kaye walked past the couch, where her mother lay passed out. The air stank of alcohol. Carefully, Kaye stepped over an empty liquor bottle, before picking it up and throwing it away. "Hurt the baby if your not careful," she whispered angrily to the air, which seemed to be the only one who would listen. She took another bottle dangling half empty from her mother's hand, and poured the rest down the sink.

Kaye didn't have a choice. She took the baby to her bedroom, which had to be the most childproof room in the house. The little girl let out an ear-piercing shriek, which was her only mode of communication.

"I'm sorry," Kaye said in reply. "This is the only thing I know to do with you. I'll be back as soon as I can." Kay left the room, then returned with several sippy-cups filled with water and a huge bowl of cheerios, so that Afton would not starve in her absence. She had to keep her fed, lest she lose the small amount of weight she had to put on the "baby."

She closed the door behind her, praying the Afton would be okay while she was gone, then left the house, practically running to work at the grocery store.

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She was home at five, the soonest she could get someone to cover for her shift. What she saw left her mouth open in horror.

Her mom had found yet another bottle, and was now passed out on the couch.

Big surprise, Kaye thought.
Then she noticed the sobbing coming from the corner.

Afton was lying there, covered in dried blood. Oozing red welts covered her body, and deep scratched marked her arms.

Kaye instantly put together what had happened. In a drunken rage, her mother had attacked her sister.

She gathered the baby in her arms, and rocked her back and forth, singing.

Flow gently sweet Afton,
Among thy green bray
Flow gently I'll sing thee,
A song in thy praise.
My Mary's asleep by thy murmuring stream.
Oh flow gently sweet Afton,
Disturb not her dream.

This couldn't happen again. Kaye wouldn't let it happen again. Gingerly, as not to hurt her, she set Afton on her hip. "Come on, we got work to do."

She got out a backpack, a duffel bag, and a suitcase. Kaye filled them full of their clothes. She gathered anything she could find of value, and with baby on her hip, went to the pawnshop. It didn't give her much money, but at least it was something, which she stuffed in her pocket. Then she headed to the bank.

She had a fair amount saved up. She had begun working by the time she was fourteen, as soon as she was able, just to be able to get out of her screwed up house. She never spent more than she could help, just the bear essentials to provide them with food and clothing. But not only did she empty her own account, but her college savings as well.

Her life didn't always used to be this screwed up. Once upon a time she had lived a normal life, with both parents to provide for her, with a bright future and a good college ahead of her.

But one day, that light dimmed.

With all their earthly possessions in her arms, Kaye and her sister went to the bus depot, where she got a ticket. Children under three rode free. But that was the only advantage to Afton's small size.

At first, Kaye didn't know where to go. She didn't really have anywhere to go. She had never heard nor cared about a place called Tulsa, Oklahoma, and she figured no one else did either.

So no one would ever be able to find them.
She hopped on the bus, hoping that her troubles wouldn't follow. But Afton would let out a constant shriek, disturbing the few other passengers. They did not know about their life, what they had gone through in only a few short years.

Quietly, Kaye began to sing, so that just the little girl could hear.

Flow gently sweet Afton,
Among thy green bray,
Flow gently I'll sing thee
A song in my praise…

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So it's been a while. But I'm BAAAACK! Okay, I know its short, but this is just the beginning…. I'm not too sure where I'm going, so bare with me. Rate and review please.

Bookworm