The Beginning of the End

Chapter 1

The sun had started to shine through my white lace curtains. The springs creaked as I pushed myself from my elbows onto my feet.  The floorboards groaned in protest to the weight of my body against them. I cautiously made my way over to the cracked mirror above my washbowl. Looking into the mirror I saw a girl who was broken, and hopeless, similar to the old mirror. I wipe the sleep from my eyes, and brush my tangled red hair.

I walk downstairs, being careful not to wake my mother. Lately she has been sleeping a lot; we can no longer afford her medicine, since both papa and Audrey have both been drafted into the war. The war seems to be getting closer to home now.  I’m careful to avoid the squeaky floorboards as I make my way to the front door.

The newspaper is lying besides the flowerpot of dead daisies, as usual. The headlining story once again involves the war coming closer to Paxton, where we currently live. This makes me nervous, but I shake it off as I hear a ring coming from inside the house.

“Kameron! Come help me!” I hear her shout from the room behind the stairs.

“Coming Mother!” I say while grabbing herbs. Since we can’t afford Mama’s medicine I have been mixing up herbs to try and hold off from her having a breakdown. Audrey had left instructions on how, and what to mix.

Audrey had gone to school to become a nurse and help people; I don’t think she knew she would get drafted along with papa. Mother has been worrying about the two of them, and I feel as if the stress isn’t good for her health. I continue into her room with the tray of mashed herbs. I can see her brown eyes get darker as I set the tray down.

“I refuse to eat that.” She shakes her head like a child as I pick up the spoon.

“This? Oh, this is just some oatmeal for you mother! It’s your favorite!” Her eyes brighten up a bit as she willingly opens her mouth.

“This is just fabulous!” She must’ve forgotten to chew since the green mash flows out her mouth. I bite my lip as I try to guide the herbs back to her mouth.

“Mother?” She nods as though she feels as I am asking for her permission, once again, like I am four years old. “I am going to head to the market and pick up some more oatmeal.” She keeps nodding with a wicked grin upon her face, so I quickly run out of the room, and hit my shoulder on the staircase. Shoot. I continue through the kitchen to the front door. I lace up my worn brown boots and fling open the door. I jog quickly to the market to buy the essential “oatmeal”. I stand with my back to the herb stand and count the few Euros I have left.

“Well hi there Kameron!” I turn around to see Candice in her frilly pink dress and white parasol. I put on my best girly voice, and turn around.

“Hi Candice! How are you?” She looks shocked at the enthusiasm in my voice as I smile looking straight into her eyes.

“Hmph” She sighs, “I’m just dandy!” I just smile and continue to count the Euros leftover. I decide to run over to Emma’s station.

“Hey Emma!” She turns around quickly, and her blonde hair falls over her shoulders.

“Oh hey Kameron how’s your mom?” She smiles politely.

“Well, she’s enjoying her oatmeal!” I say as I point to the bag of herbs, and we both laugh a bit.

“So I’m planning on leaving …” I bite my lip as Emma slowly looks up and frowns. “I was wondering if you have anything that would look good under this?” I say while pointing at the camo jacket on my shoulders.

“Well, in that case, yes!” She brings over a dark green, long sleeve shirt, and I smile handing her the remainder of my Euros. She frowns again.

“I can’t take this Kameron, be safe.” She gives me a shy smile and turns back to folding clothes. I decide not to give her a hug. I need to stay strong, and confident. I walk down the dirt path back home and keep my head held very high. As I walk into the house I notice my mother’s door is propped open, and the water pump is squeaking from outside the backdoor. I slowly walk to the backdoor and open the door. There my mother stands, wearing nothing but her slip, getting water from the pump.

“Oh Kameron! Come help me, will you dear?” She has a huge grin upon her face.

“Of course mother, I would be happy to.” I plaster a smile upon my face, and help her fill up two buckets. I am soon following her through the door.

“I am going to take a bath so I can go stay with Jenny!” I smile as I remember talking to Jenny about mother last week.

“I’m happy that you get to spend some time with Jenny, mother.” I Fill the bathtub up with the water and help mother into it. During bath time I find myself monitoring mother. You never know what she’ll find as a rather curious idea these days. Last year mother decided to try and be a mermaid, and try breathing under-water. Since then I have been helping her take baths. I then wrap her in a towel and send her into her room, relying on her capability of dressing herself.