The Fog Clears

Sam's p o v

The imagines were clearer now the fog wasn't clouds it was smoke ..pure throat clogging chest compression smoke. Mom was having one of her wild parties again..she had been having them for months every night now. The music was so loud it was shaking the whole house which was already in pretty rough shape broken windows shredded floors peeling wall paper rotten food the only kind we had in the whole house glass shattered from broken alcohol bottles the stink of Mom's drinks penetrated the air making me gag. Her friends were acting stupid dancing with their private parts against another person. Yelling and laughing out of control a few people were pushing other people against the walls kissing and grabbing each other in dirty places that my teacher always told us not to touch on someone else.

I watched from my view point like a bird my eyes caught all of it.

Sam I'm scared I don't like Momma like this

I glanced down with one eye never taking my other eye off of everyone else trust no one is what I had learned from an early age.

Melanie was by my left side tears pooling out of her beautiful eyes her blond curls pulled back behind her ears.

We may be twins but you could never confuse us for identical even though we were.

Even at age 8 Mel carried herself with such dignity and grace always had the best clothes she was wearing a cute sundress of light orange she called it tangerine which had purple flowers on it. Mel was always freshly done up her hair in the best styles she had cute pink flats on. She always smelled amazing as well.

Then there was me in my ripped white jeans which were so dirty they looked black my huge white shirt

which had a million smiley faces frowning all over it saying Yucky ..my sneakers were so old they were missing laces and had holes in them they were covered in mud. I was sporting a huge black eye and check from a fight I got into today with Tommy Henderson I broke his arm and gave him a bloody nose.

Mel buried her head into my shoulders as we watched Mom dressed in the skimpiest black leather skirt that she could con out of latest sleazeball of a boyfriend shaking her butt against some dude's front side.

She had on a tight halter top which stopped below her breasts she was bra-less.

Mel was covering her ears and burying her face in my shirt as she cried she never handled Mom's parties well. The music was always too loud the strange noises the grownups made including mom bothered her the smells made her sick. Mom was now in the middle as four guys surrounded her one had her skirt pushed up so far you could see everything. I could tell the guys were from the crisp gang from the colors they were wearing. Mom had her arms dripped across two of the guys shoulders while she closed her eyes shaking her body pressed against those guys.

One guy grabbed her butt laughing as a bottle of vodka lingered from her finger tips over one of the guys shoulders.

Sam can we go please

I was tired and sore I didn't want to go any where the day had been so bad from the start. Thanks to Mom I got no sleep last night yet another one of her wild parties which lasted til 2am before her and some guy fell into bed making all kinds of noises and yelping. I only closed my eyes at 5 am to have Mel wake me up the first time which I hit her and rolled over ...falling asleep till 7:30 when Mel shock me again.

By the time I got up I would of had to run to school expect I don't run so I walked the 20 blocks since I missed the buss.

Mrs. Ramirez tore me apart in front of everyone which only made it worse the kids snickered laughing and pointing. I heard the whispers as soon as I entered the sneers from the girls who wrinkled their nose as if to say I smelled which maybe I did Mom hadn't paid the water bill for over a month so I couldn't shower or wash up. I had been wearing the same clothes for three days straight my hair was uncombed and clumped together it was too painful to even comb. My teeth felt paste like I hadn't been able to brush them in over a week.

Sit down Puckett your already late ..Detention

No Recess Puckett !

Stupid jerk I muttered as I headed to my seat

Oh Mrs. Ramirez she called you a stupid jerk

Tommy grinned I felt my face flush growing hot my blood boiled as kids snickered oohing and ahing.

Needles to say I ended up in the principal's office where he yelled at me non-stop Mr. Cirranello would do anything to make my life miserable.

Then I failed three tests which Tommy got a hold of reading out loud. The whole class made comments and snickered laughing. Diann shoved me so hard I fell into Mark Mattock who made a kissing noise then slapped his butt which produced the most horrendous and nasty smelling noise just as I fell against it.

I heard the whispers and the laughter..as I felt sick.

She's so dumb

She's gross

Ew she reminds me of that stunk that lays in the garbage can in my backyard pee-you

Don't insult that cute innocent animal it can't help how it was born she can she's human all she needs

To do is take a bar of soap and scrub..

I saw the flicker of disgust in their eyes, I fought back tears my chest felt tight it wasn't my fault mom didn't buy soap or pay the water bill.

She's nasty you can't fix nasty

Shut-up Tommy!

Puckett stop talking!

But I ..

I said shut your mouth after school detention now the next two days you won't show me disrespect young lady. I will teach you who's boss now sit down and shut your mouth.

But I didn't do anything...

I whispered as I crossed my arms heading to my seat fighting off the tears which were threatening harder and harder each second.

I didn't look up as I heard the snickers afraid I would cry and I would die if I cried in front of these jerks.

Focus Sam just focus school would be over soon and you could escape...positive thoughts ..after school I could...I could...what go home? Suddenly the air rushed forward fast I hit the floor hard as everyone laughed my face flushed my head rushed my stomach leaped...my anger turned to full blown rage as I saw Tommy sitting there grinning his foot stuck out.

Puckett when I said sit down I didn't mean the floor you stupid twit stop trying to ..

He tripped me I swear!

No I didn't Mrs. Ramirez I swear she tripped she wasn't paying attention

He rushed over to me his back to her as he stuck out his tongue making a cut my throat motion if I told.

I shoved him off ..

Liar he's lying Mrs. Ramirez

No I'm not!

Puckett shut your lying mouth we all know what a fifthly dirty liar you are Tommy is a straight A student he is always respectful and helpful he's class president and student of the month.

More like leach of the month

Tommy take your seat the ungrateful brat can help herself up as everyone turns to page 32 in their

Reading book Sam will read the first page whenever she gets herself off the floor.

She can't read though Ma'am is that really fair? I mean she's just not that bright ..

Girls screamed as I lunged at him swinging at him and connecting with his jaw knocking him out of his desk the whole desk fell with us.

He jumped back and swung at me shocked I ducked and sent him flying into Gloria Hench's desk she screamed as her friend Alicia Davis pulled her back.

Before I could flinch Mr. Cirranello was trying to pull us apart but I kicked Tommy in the stomach he grunted as he fell. I dove after him his elbow smacked me in my eye as I picked his head up from behind and slammed it into a desk he kicked me below connecting as he turned to punch me in my face girls were crying and screaming as boys chanted and cheered. I grabbed his hand as he swung a second time and twisted it he yelped as he fell to his knees and I held strong hearing his bone crack.

Mr. C grabbed Tommy as Mr. Pickles grabbed me holding me high above his waist I kicked and screamed, He pulled me back .

Take this one away Darren she's a monster she attacked poor Tommy for no reason..all he did was try to be nice and help her up and she tries to kill him she's a animal.

He called me stupid!

He did not stop lying Samantha I was here we all were no one heard him say a word.

Her eyes challenged me there was no way I would win this fight and I knew it. She was a highly respected teacher I was a student who spent more time in detention then in class.

Mr. Pickles real name was Darren J Peckish he is the school guidance counselor.

Everyone loves him he's 42 but acts 22 he's always full of smiles and advice but he keeps it real as well he knows not all of us have happy go lucky lives.

He's one of the few grownups I like he always has food for me his favorite food is pickles he keeps a fresh jar in his desk everyday and hands them out cause he says they are a perfect mixture of sweet and sour just like kids we all have a little of each in us some just let one side show more then the other.

Sam I know Tommy gets to you but that doesn't give you the right to put your hands on him.

She didn't even ask my side!

She hates me it's not fair

Life's not fair Sam if it was I would be a baseball star rich and famous living in La...with all the ladies on my arm...

I giggled thinking of dorky Mr. Pickles with his coke bottle glasses playing baseball.

Aw I made you laugh Sam I know it's hard some kids have it rougher then others but take head young Jedi life won't always be this nasty your just a rose bud waiting for your seeds to bloom you have a lot to offer this world hold on you are so young and you have a great heart your strong you just got handed a raw deal.

Promise me Sam you will remember that and you won't fight with your fists but with what you have up here..

He pointed to his head and his heart but I was still so angry even biting the heads off the 23rd pickle did little to help sooth my rage.

I never make a promise I can't keep Sir that's called lying and I don't lie..

Sam!

I'll deal Mr. P

Sam you know there are places you can go if...

He eyed me I knew what he meant shelters and chiz, I couldn't do that they would split Mel and I up and she wasn't strong like I was.

I'll be fine I always am...

Back in class though I wasn't so sure ..

Your mean Sam Tommy is so cute how could you be such a monster?

Cause she's not normal Angie

She's a freak a disgusting dirty freak

Shut-up Joyce

No you shut-up stinky go brush your teeth with acid your so gross you belong in the ground with the worms why don't you just kill yourself and do us all the favor ..

Enough girls I don't need another lecture from Darren cause this cry baby runs to him ..

Mrs. Ramirezstopped in front of my desk staring me in my eyes..

Open your mouth again Puck face and it'll be the last thing you ever say..understand?

I stared at her in disbelief she was a teacher she was suppose to protect me I felt alone and so scared I felt like crying or throwing up. What was the point in coming here everyday if this was what it was

Going to be like?

Turn to page 32 read from sections A-through sections G on page 35 and do the questions for homework thank Puckett..

Thanks Loser

You suck ..why don't you suck this..

I sank down arms crossed ..

Poor Tommy he's such a sweat-heart and he's soo cute. I wish he was my girlfriend maybe I will visit him and bring him a comic tell him I feel so bad cause that thing hurt him..

Tommy's a bird brain he would love your ugly butt both ends ..

Your a dog Sam

Coming from you that's a compliment so thanks Pedigree

It's Pediment not Pedigree!

Whatever Bit...

Mrs. Ramirez she called me a...

She faked crying as I walked out kicking my desk in the process.

By the time I got home my stomach hurt from all the pickles I had eaten . Mom was drunk and Mel wasn't home yet I ran up to my room as she yelled at me to stop being so rude and making so much noise.

I grabbed the dresser which was old and had more draws missing then were there and shoved against the door so she couldn't get in. My bed was a makeshift of covers I had pulled out of the garbage cans on the blocks and a wet old smelly mattress. I dragged from the dump- yard it was lumpy and nasty but it beat the cold hard floor.

I sank into it fighting off the tears which eventually won out till I was crying full bloom tears my body shaking as I hit my face why was I so ugly? Why was I cursed with this life? What did I do to earn this life? Why was I so stupid? Why did all the kids hate me why didn't Mrs. Ramirezstick up for me? I must be worthless then she was a grownup and they were always right / right?

I drifted off to sleep as I cried and cried when I woke up I heard Mel's voice home from her fancy private school. Slowly creeping downstairs I saw mom was playing with her hair singing to her as Mel ate a snack of apples and peanut butter. Tears pooled my eyes again mom would never give me that she would never play with me or sing to me like she did with Mel what was wrong with me?

Tears escaped again as I sank back against the wall burying my head in my face..

Are you crying Puckett?

There's no crying in this house!

Before I could even look up she had back slapped me so hard I fell back against the wall she threw something heavy it hit me in my face, I tasted blood as she snapped and started hitting me kicking me as she screamed at me I was a loser a disgrace . I cried harder and she got madder kicking me in my stomach and back.

Once she was done with me she threw me down the steps grabbing a bottle of southern comfort as she went to Mel who was crying she held her talking to her softly telling her she was a good child so she never had to worry she would never have to teach her a lesson. She kissed Mel's face as she told her she was sorry I had made her cry. That she was just cursed with a rotten sister.

Her friends started to arrive around 4 just as I finished throwing up.

Mel was getting more and more antsy as more people got drunker and stoned they started coming on to Mel trying to touch her make kissing noises to her, Talking dirty to her. I had to defend her sometimes physically.

The guys all laughed as they shoved me..

Aw the wittle doggie wants to defend it's master woof woof want to fight with the big dawgs then get on your hands and knees doggie...you have a long time before you can handle us ..you been spending too much time in the dirt we like swans not little piggies like you..

I don't know she has a nice...a...she could be a good ride..maybe we should test it out before we knock it down..

Sam please can we go …

The dude's started coming over to us I grabbed her fearful of what he would do we sprinted up the steps shoving people out of our way inside my room I shoved the dresser back in front of the door grabbing a sweatshirt for her opening the window .

We crouched below the kitchen window waiting for it to be clear I could hear Mom's voice in the kitchen with our Aunt Carrie's voice and some dude.

That Mel sure is a sweet thing Pam

Well of course she is hun she's my daughter and I only produce the best Mel takes after me

So is Sam and she's well..

Go on say it she's ugly she's a disgrace that's cuz she ain't mine she's all Peter's they always say every family has a ugly duckling...quack quack

I swear she acts like a dyke all tough and un-groomed

Shut your mouth no daughter of mine will be a sick perverted monster!

I'm not saying she is gay I was just..

Shutting up before I punch you Carrie

Now Mel go...

We ran and ran till our legs burned and we were sweating glancing around to see there was no cops around we ran into the park.

I fell onto the grass as she jumped onto the swings my heart was pounding my head was hurting all I wanted was to lay down..who said being young was so dang awesome?