The Hazelnut Tree

The Promise

You know how before my mom died I promised her I'd be good and true to the Lord? Well, I strive to keep that promise every day. I can't remember if I told you this or not, but I don't go to school. After Dad married Harriet, they didn't bother to take me anymore. So you know, that opens up a lot of time to live up to my promise. I still try to learn though. I hide homeschooling books in my room under my bed. No one ever comes in my room anyway. But if Harriet found out I did homeschooling, she'd pitch a fit. So every day this is my schedule. I get up very early, before anyone else, and read some in the Bible. Then, I go visit my mom's grave, which is at the church we went to when she was still around. You may think I'm crazy, but I talk to her and she helps guide me. When I'm angry, she'll always tell me how it will be different. If I'm mad at Agnes for teasing me, telling me how worthless I am, Mom says that one day someone will do that to her. No, it's not revenge. It's called a loan. If someone loans kindness to someone, they will get it in return. Does my father know I go and weep at her grave every day? Yes. Does he care? No, not really. It's too much of a burden to him. So then, I go back home, and make breakfast. Ethel and Agnes get ready and go to school, and Dad goes to work. Harriet used to have a part time job, but she lacked in the motive to actually work, so she was fired. Usually, she might dust, maybe wash a load of clothes, but I usually do all of the cleaning. Most of her work is Facebook. So I do a few loads of clothes, maybe dust or mop, and then get on with my lesson. Then I stop close to noon, fix lunch, eat, and then finish my lesson. Afterwards, Harriet says that such and such needs more cleaning so I do that. Then it's time for my sisters and Dad to come home. I fix dinner, we eat, and then Ethel and Agnes hog up the bathroom. I know it's gross, but I rarely get showers. Maybe twice a week. So then, I go to bed.