The Evolution of a Drowning Butterfly

Chapter Four

By the time we got home, it was 5:00. 2 hours.

I pulled a portable heater out from our utilities closet, and told the twins to sit in front of it while they were playing, so they could warm up.

Gathering my school things, I went to my room to start on the homework I had already mostly finished. When you have no one to talk to all day, especially during lunch, you have plenty of time to get work done.

I cleaned, made dinner, and checked the clock once more. 6:30.

"Jordan, Claire," I said, stepping over scattered toys in the space they had deemed their play area, "I'm gonna go to the park, but don't tell Mom. Keep the door locked, and don't let anyone in. Mom has a key."

I knew it was probably irresponsible to leave my five year old brother and sister alone, but they had common sense. And I had to get out of there before my worthless mother came home.

I walked the couple blocks to the park, and sat on the bench, pulling out my cell to scroll through photos of Dad and me. I was so engrossed in what I was doing that I didn't notice a boy creeping up behind me.

"Hey, are you okay?" a moderately deep voice echoed.

Until then I hadn't realized I was crying. I nodded my head up and down slightly in response to the boy's question.

"Not a talker, huh? That's cool. I'm Jay." He reached his hand forward to greet me.

I waited a moment to see if he would just go away.

He didn't.

"Rose," I said, ignoring his extended hand.

He shoved it back in his pocket and walked around the bench to plop down next to me.

"So, she does speak. Well, Rose, it's nice to meet you. Usually, I'm the only one in the park this late. So, why are you here? Running away from home? Orphan? Homeless? You seem kind of young to be homeless, though," he said, laughing at his own joke.

I had a feeling he wasn't going to shut up until I answered. "It's none of your business," I snapped.

"Ah. That most likely means something along the lines of boyfriend trouble," he said, swinging his arm across the back of the red bench.

I looked up at him sharply.

"I don't have a boyfriend. And I would appreciate it if you stopped making assumptions based on what you see. I'm not a picture book."

"Okay, sorry," he said, hands raised, but not looking very apologetic. "I'll see you at school," he said, getting up from the bench.

"How do you know I go to your school?" I questioned, eyebrows furrowed.

"I've seen you in the hallways holding your books and looking down at your feet," he said, his smile revealing a hidden dimple on the left side of his face, "Oh, and we also have first period together. It's nice to finally meet you, Rose."

When I finally looked up at him, I noticed his golden hair and a great smile, but nothing I couldn't see past. He was probably just some prep who wanted to make fun of me for my lack of friends or social life. But something about the ease of his humility and tug of his smile made me think otherwise.

I resumed my silent sitting and scrolling, tears welling up in my eyes.

My phone rang, breaking the sweet silence.

It was my mom. I answered, afraid what Stephen might do if I didn't. He was known to have anger issues. Mom had offhandedly mentioned the fact before the wedding. I was careful to walk a steady line when it came to Stephen.

Rose. We were so worried. Where did you go? Why? You left your brother and sister home alone? Haven't you already been through leaving them somewhere today? Their teacher called and said it took you an hour and a half to get there!

"Mom," I interrupted, but she continued to rattle.

"Mom!"

She finally let me speak.

"First of all. I'm not telling you where I went because then you'll come get me. Second, I left because I didn't want to see you. Third, I knew you would be home soon. And finally, you didn't use your fucking brain! I get out of school an hour after them!"

Don't you dare say "effing" to me young lady. That is extremely disrespectful! And, I do realize that I wasn't thinking about the later time, but it really took you thirty minutes to get there?

"My phone was on silent. I didn't hear it ring! It took me twenty minutes to notice that you had called! I left as soon as I saw the message!"

Whatever. Get home right now before I call the cops or something.

I hung up on her and made my way home. I knew my punishment would be more severe if I didn't come home immediately. The walk home was miserable. Cold air. Brisk wind. An upset stomach. And the constant ache in my heart.