•Edited
The grandmother finally walked in the house after having a long talk with the officers. Only to find Janisha huddled up in corner, sleeping.
Her heart aches at the sight of her dear granddaughter in pain. She stands from a safe distance and stares in sorrow.
What can I do?, she thought.
"Janisha, child", she said softly not to scare the girl.
Janisha shifted her body, unawakened. The grandmother sighed, fearing that this might not be a good place for her. Yet, the lady was determined to make Janisha feel warmth and love from this home, her home.
She bent down moving the hair out of Janisha's face, hoping not to wake her. The lady grimaced at the ugly state of her granddaughter's bruised face. Dried blood flaked on the girl's skin.
"We have to get you cleaned up, baby", the lady muttered.
***
Janisha's eyes fluttered open as she lifted her body, standing up. Her head looks to the right, seeing the nicely stacked clothes accompanied with a towel. She takes them, holding the items to her chest.
Out of the room, she sees her grandmother sipping coffee, silently, "Grandma?"
It felt odd using that word. She never thought she'll have to say it.
Instantly, the grandmother snaps her head in Janisha's direction, startled, "Oh, there you are! The bathroom is on your right, baby."
"Thank you," the girl said, leaving the grandmother in relief.
Finding the bathroom, she opens the door, closing it. And at once, she gazes at the jarring reflection staring right back at her. A long vacant stare. The walking carcass, traces her finger on every bruise, scraping off the dried blood, picking off the darkened and hardened scabs, staring intently at the blood trickling down her body.
She ran the water, steam floated up in the air, fogging up the mirror. The water coated her, running down her back, landing right in the drain. Slumped, the hot water rushed on her neck, drenching her whole head. Her wet dampened hair weighed on her shoulders.
Suds flowed with the water off her body.
At a sudden stop, she turned the knob left, halting the water. She got out the shower, dried herself off, feeling the soft towel soak the droplets of water.
She still somehow didn't feel clean. She could still feel the grime stuck onto her skin. Her hand wiped the mirror. And in her reflection she saw nothing but dirt.
YOU ARE READING
Fuck Ghetto Love
Teen FictionShe left Hell only to get burned by the flames again. Janisha Smith escaped her Mother's wrath and ends up living with her grandmother in the Hood who she never met and only heard of once. Being new to thugs dealing at street corners, she doesn't...
