Blink Back to Let me Know

Suitcases and Plates (Abuse TW)

"Fucker, I don't care if you graduated today. I told you to do the god damn dishes!!" I could tell he was drunk and it was only two in the afternoon.  "I'm sorry, Dad, I'll do them right now, Ok?" Before I could duck he takes one of the ceramic plates and smashes it against the table to give it a sharp edge and then into my face. It was swift motions for a guy who probably had a BAC of .16, at least. 

I run into the bathroom and attempt to bandage my face, it doesn't work so I hop in the neon and drive the god-for-saken ride to the ER to get stitches. Another lie to another doctor. After my face is stitched up, I go back home where he is passed out. That's when I count the cash in the shoebox buried under socks in the attic above my room. 5,308 dollars.  That's what I earned cleaning those god damn rooms at the bed and breakfast. Fuck Ephram, Wisconsin. Fuck everyone here. I am getting out.

I finished packing everything up around 3 am. The monster (aka my dad) had gone out to the other county to drink more, or get more vodka. I had about an hour to get the stuff into the neon and back out of the driveway and I was gone. I had left a note in the liquor cabinet, where he would find it. 

The old suitcases were stuffing the neon, which was about to fall apart itself. I had spent 900 dollars, on a '97 Dodge Neon. The black paint was peeling in most of the places, and there were parts that were rusted out but, it was mine. I payed the insurance, and the title was in my name. After it was stuffed with suitcases, I waved goodbye to the house. I wouldn't miss it. Why would I miss the house, the town and the man who destroyed my dreams. 

"We are so gonna make it." Daniel said, at rehearsal. Standing in the garage of his house, he took a drag on a cigarette.  "We will make it- fuck college." I said. Then Terrance chimed in "our parents are making us go to college. I'm sorry Pierce." That's when I knew my hope was over. I asked them where they were going. All in Wisconsin except Terrance. He was going to Northwestern in Chicago. Maybe we could get together. I could make it to Chicago. I knew it was over. I had lost the one god damn thing that meant something to me, my band. Sure we would stay in touch but it wouldn't be the same. I sang Panic! at the Disco's "Far too Young to Die" on the way home that day. I just wanted to die. That was 3 weeks ago. We did graduate together. 

I drove without the headlights while I was still in town, I couldn't risk getting noticed. I passed my Dad (the monster,) but he was very clearly intoxicated. Right now I was listening to and singing "We Are the Kids" by WALK THE MOON.  I was trying to stay awake. I had to drive at least 3 or 4 house until I was out of all possible finding range. I promised Terrance I would call when I left. I owed it to him to call, especially if we were going to meet up in Chicago at some point. I picked up my iPhone.

"Terrance, it's Pierce." I said, surprised he answered.

"What do you want its 4:23 in the morning." His voice was groggy and maybe even hung over from his graduation party.

"I left. I'm an hour and half outside of town. I packed the neon and left. I had to get stitches from a plate my dad smashed and hit me with. I'm gone. You know nothing, actually it doesn't matter I left my Dad a note. And I'm never going back, or looking back." I said, realizing I was driving away from my entire life and everything I ever both loved and hated. Including my mother, at one point.

"I'm so glad you got away from that piece of shit. We still meeting up when I get to college?" Terrance was still somewhat sleepy.

"Of course Terrance, of course."  I said, and then we hung up. The sun was starting to rise and I decided to stop at a rest stop outside of Milwaukee.