HAVE PLACES TO GO
Chapter 2: Hard Mode
Another work day, the loud alarm of her phone told her, she noticed nothing out of the ordinary and got up like every day, and after a short shower Omeliah went to the kitchen to make a coffee.
"Just one day like any other, boring and normal" she thought to herself as the water boiled ready to prepare that coffee, it could be said that she was falling asleep right there absorbed in her thoughts. Until suddenly a small figure peeked around the edges of the door.
"you're awake. "She said when saw Frisk entering.
Their serene countenance, but still a container of great energy and enthusiasm, and Omeliah knew it well. She looked at them strangely trying to stack breakfast items in their head without much success. "This child is incorrigible," thought as she followed them to the dining room. "Pathetic dining room excuse." She kept thinking. turned on the television and let the voices of the commentators fill the tiny box that was the apartment, she herself felt suffocated in the place, but there was nothing to do.
And after fixing a few more things they finally went out and as expected the energy inside the little one practically explode, she admitted for herself that it is always liberating to leave that tiny place that they both call home, but it was obviously dangerous to let them run like that, she didn't have Another but to go and catch them. When she finally reached them, couldn't help but jerk the kid's arm with bit of anger.
"For the love of God Frisk!" Omeliah took them by the arm when she finally reached. "How many times have I told you not to run like this?" finish saying a word by squeezing more her fingers and eyebrows.
And seriously, she already told them several times not to. To scold Frisk was always a strange combination of feelings, worry that something bad would happen to them, frustration of constantly doing it and not getting a change from them, and jealous of not being able to act that way when sometimes she wanted it too.
Once the annoyance and anger dissipated they continued on their way as nothing happened, the walk to the school bus stop was really pleasant, it was quite relaxing so much so that she simply could not help trying to talk to Frisk, although she knew that wouldn't have a lot of response, Frisk was the only person with whom she could let off steam, although a bitter feeling that they really didn't care but at the same time she knew that she should not tell them those things, no matter how much she explained they would not understand.
They finally reached the bus stop, she takes a deep breath, it was like completing one of the goals of the heavy day that began
"Well, see you in the afternoon." Omeliah said, the bus was approaching. "You know you can't be out of the house after 5, see you later, don't get in trouble."
Was it a plea or a threat? Perhaps a wish or a request, she didn't really know but told them, partly as if she knew in advance that Frisk was going to end up in trouble, a scrape on their knees when they stumble for not looking where they going, muddy and ruined clothes in one of their games, a bruise caused by a bully who does not know how to get into his own affairs, a report for answering with a joke to a question from the teachers, or a call from the principal because some parents take very seriously the innocent flirts of a 9 year old. A lot of ideas on how Frisk could end up in trouble.
She returned to the apartment as fast as she could, and sat on the couch taking out her cell phone to check the time, just 8AM "Frisk must be in class" she thought. Her first job was at 9AM, she had half an hour for her before taking the road further into town to clean the house of an old woman, in fact, she was hired by the lady's nurse, to maintain and clean the house. She took time to finish breakfast and get a little distracted on the internet using the cell phone.
Her mind could not help going to the days when Frisk constantly insisted to get one too, which always ended in discussions about money and how that issue prevented them from paying for another cell phone, or keeping a puppy or getting a better computer or better things for the house ... "Then why do you have one? We can pay for that?" "Because I need it! There is no more talk about it," she heard those conversations in her head as she remembered. In the end she simply ignores it and went out again.
She began to walk in the direction of her first job at the older woman's house, it was a very wide and quiet place; made the silence of the apartment comforting, even friendly or homely. The silence of that place was too much and was only interrupted by the strident (in comparison) steps of her and the nurse, neither of them seemed to have the desire to interact with the other, which Omeliah appreciated very much.
After two hours she left without announcing it, it was customary, to take a long walk to the supermarket, despite only working half a turn Omeliah could say that it was the work that she disliked the most, quite monotonous, there were people who simply arrived buying and left… those were the ones she liked the most, since the vast majority were not like that; were complaining, hurrying and belittling her.
But that was not what she hated most about that job, the main reason was her boss, the manager, a man taller than her, very thin a few years older, well shaved, always dressed in black pants, Horrible colored ties and short sleeve shirts. For Omeliah the man was infuriating, although for the rest of her workmates that guy was nice ... it could also be just appearance.
Omeliah did as much as she could to ignore him, as she usually did, however, it didn't give many results.
"Hello Omeliah." The man approaches her register at a time of low clientele, a few hours before the end of the shift.
The man was commonly smiling, more smiling in a particular way towards her, with obvious intentions ... to approach her beyond work
"Hi Rick." She said as harsh and cold as she could.
"pretty slow day, right?"
The woman shrugged trying not to continue the conversation, a gesture of "I don't know, I don't care" as an answer between kind and sharp. she really didn't want to talk to him, she didn't want ...
The man constantly ignored the signs of contempt, for that was what she felt towards him, she would feel it for anyone trying to get close; especially in that way. Soon a client arrived to pay for their purchases while she was putting them on the conveyor belt and Omeliah repeated the typical greeting of the company. It would seem that everything would end there, she would've thanked God if it been like that ...
Omeliah was registering the products one at a time when Rick removed from the path the client's cart, but instead of retiring and letting her do her job in peace, he got behind her, and without warning surrounded her with his arms across her belly and pulled her close to him, while she finished putting the money in the cash register, the receipt was barely printed, and Omeliah. oh hell! she felt that all the oxygen in the world had disappeared ...
Not because he was holding her tight, yet she felt that she couldn't escape, she could never escape; as if the walls were closed over her and all the people had disappeared, as he was sticking his body to hers, the disgust and anxiety increased, felt that she was beginning to tremble, a slight desire to cry and vomit. The worst, God the worst was feeling his breath in her hair like a vampire absorbing all her determination.
Why it has to be happening now? That animosity turned into pure hatred, especially since she had to appear like she wasn't collapsing. It was not the time because she knew that nobody cared. Once she finished giving them the change, Omeliah fled, pushing with the amount of force necessary to free herself from the man, she moved away, surrounding herself with her own arms, breathing shortly and about to cry of hate and fear...
It was the sound of her phone that forced her to regain her composure.
"hello ..." she answers, still anxious.
"Yes, Omeliah, the school principal speaks ... it's about Frisk."
"Oh, what did they do?"
Omeliah let loose with a trace of fury, anticipating the scolding that would correspond, but soon she realized that there could be more than one reason for that call, ignoring the fact that Frisk could have caused a problem, her reaction turned to the most Natural that she could conceived.
"are they okay?"
"Yes, they're fine, just ran away from school. I wish I could talk to you about it."
"I'm sorry, but I can't. I'm at work." Omeliah was very sharp, she wanted to simply escape everything.
"I understand ma'am, but it's necessary. It is not the first time that happens, and it is worrying. It is important for us to have contact with parents. It would be important for Frisk ..."
"Okay, let me see what I can do." Omeliah hung up immediately and a breath of frustration left her mouth.
Rick was still in the register, taking care of customers that Omeliah ignored without realizing it, going back to the real world was disgusting, because everything she felt still there, but she had to pretend to function according to how the world worked… deep breath.
"Excuse me ... boss." Omeliah said with all the courage she had.
"Omeliah, you know you can call me Rick." He said with a rather sly smile but very calm, he already deduced everything by the tone of her voice.
"okay. Rick, I was wondering if I could leave earlier today."
"And why if can I know?"
"It's because of my child Frisk, they called from their school and they want to talk to me." Omeliah hated the submissive tone in which she spoke, but she had to make sure he let her go.
"oh, what happened?" Rick asked like if he were really interested.
" apparently ran away from school and is in detention, can I go?"
"Oh, of course you can." The guy said it drawing a huge smile "I understand, you know ... I am not an expert, but it is well known that many times the rebel attitudes of some children are caused by the lack ... of a father figure." He smiled even more.
Rick tried to approach her again, this time much slower and discreet, but his intentions were still clear. Omeliah only responded with a "yeah ok" and got out from the place as fast as she could.
Omeliah took her things and quickly took a bus that passed by Frisk's school, she really didn't want to think about anything once she got on, the whole experience was strange; she was confused, kind of angry, just couldn't with the revulsion and feeling of helplessness she felt, and all so that in the end Frisk would end up in trouble again and complicating things more. Thinking that way made her feel disappointed, and that she was facing things she couldn't deal with, she didn't feel strong or intelligent enough, and yet she had to do it, heaviness was the only thing she felt.
When she finally got to school and entered the principal's office felt anxious and even humiliated, she didn't feel like dealing with anything or anyone...
"Good afternoon Omeliah, thank you very much for joining me." The director said offering his hand to shake it.
"It's nothing, is everything okay?" Omeliah accepted, but barely squeezed his hand.
"Yes, well, I wanted to talk about Frisk, they're on detention now."
"You mentioned that they ran away from school. And that is not the first time."
"Indeed, it is the seventh time in two months."
"Seriously?!" Omeliah asked surprised she wasn't expecting that there were so many. "Why?"
"Well, that same question I would like to ask you. "The man commented and a slightly confused and even offended expression appeared on Omeliah's face.
"don't understand."
"Frisk ... it's quite peculiar ..." said the man dubious of his words
"Like all children." Omeliah replied curtly, somehow as if that offended her
"they entered trying to flirt me ..."
"they don't mean it." She continued defensively, but ... was Frisk who she really defended?
"I know, but me and their teachers noticed that outside of some things Frisk is very reserved, doesn't participate in classes, runs away from school and hardly talks to anyone." Explained "and we were wondering if perhaps it would not have to do with something that happens in their house."
Omeliah felt attacked, despite the gentleness with which the principal spoke to her, it seemed that he did not understand ... neither he nor anyone, the sacrifices she constantly made for Frisk, and thinking about it from another angle, not even she understood... and that was the rest of the afternoon, talking to the man in front of her why she couldn't come to the meetings, why she couldn't spend more time with Frisk ... she defended herself, more than anyone , more than the peculiar attitudes of the child, that she had already assimilated as part of their personality. Frisk had a peculiar sense of humor, too simple and innocent for those times, and they like to explore, Frisk was just like that, why should it be otherwise? Perhaps all they needed was someone who understood them, friends who look at them like there was nothing wrong with them; because it wasn't… and it hurt and angered her not to be that someone, so deeply.
When finally finished her talk with the principal ...they hadn't really reached much, Omeliah could not alter her schedule, and the principal would simply have to lament over the matter, while Frisk shows an inexpressive face but their body betrayed them, at first it reflected surprise and immediately apprehension, looked away from the fierce eyes of the woman, while the man said goodbye to her with a gentle smile and with a tone that seemed to ask for more understanding, which irritated Omeliah because more she couldn't do.
Frisk go with her, taking her hand until they left a few blocks from the school, when they finally let go, no one could really tell who the idea was, since her and their arms felt like wires so tight that they couldn't tolerate it anymore. It was when Omeliah release them, a complaint, a reprimand.
"Why are you doing this to me?" Why did the whole world do this to her? she just couldn't stand anything more, she did everything she could and until that moment felt that her work was minimally decent, she always knew that it wasn't the best, but she thought it was enough, she was very upset, with the world, with her boss, with the principal, with Frisk, with herself, but unfortunately the child was there, to receive all that discomfort and disappointment within her. She kept scolding them, she was so tired, and she couldn't demand from everyone to understand how the rest asked her, she was already fed up, what else could she do if it turned out that her maximum effort was insufficient?
Frisk ignored her and went to lock themselves in the room, while Omeliah sank into the chair about to cry in anger and tiredness, but nothing came out ... she took out her cell phone and try to relax ... spend about an hour and Frisk seemed not to leave the room, she didn't worry much, they were grounded after all, but she would soon leave again to go to her next job, take advantage and clean the room a little, when she entered that small kitchen and look everywhere... when she found it, it was evident that her eyes lit up a little (very few things could make Omeliah's eyes light up like any other person's) and when it resonated from the contents in the cardboard box it was evident how her muscles relaxed a little ... found a box of macaroni and cheese.
Omeliah had a keen taste for macaroni and cheese since she remembers, especially since they are easy to prepare, just following the instructions on the box, they were the first thing she learn to cook and almost the only thing she cooked since, once ready also cook a few frozen vegetables that she had stored, at the end she looked remarkably more relaxed, Omeliah took a deep breath and headed to the room of both of them. She noticed the kid in their bed, sound asleep, woke them gently putting a hand on their back and shaking.
"Frisk, wake up, I made macaroni and cheese."
"I'm not hungry ..." Frisk said half-asleep, rubbing their face, and despite the words the sounds of their stomach gave them away. Haven't eaten nothing but the cereal in the morning. Omeliah looked at them arching an eyebrow. "I don't want to eat macaroni and cheese..."
"I also made vegetables." She answers, the voices of both were so quiet, barely audible...
Frisk was sweating, and of course, they wrapped themselves in the blankets, the sun was coming through the window and had fallen asleep with that sweater they like to wear so much ... as soon as they unraveled got up from the bed and headed out of the room, so they could go eat something. Once the two sat at the table the silence was like a mist, or like smoke, it covered all the air, and made it feel hotter than it really is, Frisk was still sleepy. Didn't know what to say, it was obvious that Omeliah wasn't angry anymore, at least she wasn't as angry, they didn't know if to take the chance, but did anyway...
"Omeliah ..." Frisk pronounced. "Do you remember what day it is tomorrow?"
The woman looked up trying to remember and, in a few seconds, an "oh" came out of her lips when she remembered, immediately gave a strange smile to which Frisk responded with another.
"And what will you want?" Omeliah raised her eyebrows and Frisk showed her the sign they found.
Omeliah takes it and sees it carefully and then speaks again.
"Well, you are lucky that tomorrow is my day off at the supermarket, but you know that I use that day to buy groceries and do some cleaning, we can do this: if you come immediately from school tomorrow and don't get in trouble as soon as I arrive from shopping around that time, we can go. Do you think it's OK?
The kid nodded, drawing a huge smile on their face Just like the woman, was an indulgent smile and pleased to see her child happy, it was those kinds of smiles that Frisk didn't see very often, but was glad a lot to see…
Time passed and Omeliah had to leave again for her third job at the bar, leaving Frisk playing on the computer, while heading to the street to take the bus.
The place where she worked was in the city, it was a small bar that was run by two women, mother and daughter, who had at least two other generations existing. Honestly, that was Omeliah's favorite job, although it was the heaviest, had to clean and serve the tables and be there more hours than any other job, from 8pm to 2am, so she slept little and even when this job tended to cast doubt on her reputation, but she didn't care much, since Omeliah didn't tend to seek to relate to others, nor her neighbors, or people at work, or anyone really, so she didn't care what that people said about her, at least the people she worked with in that place were friendlier and didn't get into her business too much…
The night had been calm, if not for Rick who appeared from time to time in the bar either accompanied by some friends or alone, with the intention of approaching her, telling her how she had such class as for that place or anything else ... it was horrible to have him there, because sometimes she felt that this place was one of the few safe places for her, and he insists on showing up, trying to get close to her and rarely taking a no for an answer, or accepting it reluctantly, showing a side of this man that only she knew. Death glares, insults, and surely some repercussion in the work. Remembering what happened a few hours ago, her body was still shaking, she still felt inadequate and as something weak and unbearable ... and no matter how much she'll try the sensation will live with her forever, and been for so long.
Omeliah a long time ago, stopped dealing with people, there was no one she really considered his friend, and she didn't want to get close to anyone, the only person she related was Frisk ... the child was practically her only human contact and with the outside world, and yet Frisk seemed to be in the same, without a single friend really. They only had each other, and Omeliah loathed not being enough, she loathed that sometimes even she loathed them ... it was difficult, caring for them, loving them ... but she couldn't do anything else, Omeliah loved them, took care of them, by inertia rather than a feeling that born of her ... out of sheer Determination ... Frisk was everything, and out of sheer determination, she would do everything in her power for their well-being, like any mother? Even if the answer was no, it was all she could do, there was nothing she wanted more than Frisk being fine, although they can't always get along.
When she got home went straight into the room and dropped into her bed covering herself with the blankets despite the hot weather, just like Frisk, who slept peacefully; and seeing them like this, felt that although what she was doing was not the best nor was it enough. Something had been done, Frisk was alive and comfortable, she too; that could well fill her with determination, with the desire to continue living and face what was coming.