Matthew and Sophie didn't have the best childhood. Growing up in a house with two alcoholics that blood called you "related" wasn't exactly the best life. But Mat would take care of Sophie when nobody else would.
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🥀 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓽𝓮𝓭 🥀
𝐏...
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Late fall, leaves turning a shade of brown, wind slow. Crunching noises could be heard from a certain black haired girl. As her older brother sat on a park bench. Sophie, had been running around, pouncing on any crunchy leaves she could find. The occasional "do you think this one'll be crunchy?."
Matthews answer always came with a: "Yeah." Mat had finished work early and decided to treat his sister to ice cream and a trip to the park. Sophie loved ice cream. Even if it was cold out. Which Mat, knowing his sister for 7 years, never thought that'd be something she liked.
"Maybe 30 minutes before home okay?" Matthew shouted to his sister. "Okay!" She yelled back.
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Matthew, certain more than 30 minutes had passed, checked his phone for any notifications. He didn't know why he was checking. He'd never gotten any. He'd sit silently hoping maybe one of his parents would text "where are you?" or "why aren't you home yet?" but they never did. He didn't care if it was getting yelled at. Just one word, one call, he thought maybe one day they'd unusually "switch up" start caring again. Just maybe.
"Sophie, time to go" Matthew turned of his phone, sliding it into his coat pocket. A groan came from the younger girl. "Don't get mad, you have school tomorrow, you need to focus" He sat up grabbing a small blanket Sophie had insisted on bringing with.
After negotiation, Sophie did a last run around the playground, and slid down the slide.
"Can you carry me? My legs are sore" Sophie asked still sitting on the bottom of the slide. Matthew, in slight annoyance as 7 minutes had already passed, picked her up. They started their way home.
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Matthew, who had finally set down Sophie, fiddled through his pockets for the key to their house.
Unlocking the door, an overwhelming smell of alcohol entered their noses. "I hate this smell..." Sophie, as innocent as she was knew the smell of alcohol. She'd known it for 5 years and counting.
"You can go upstairs, change into your pjs. Try and brush your teeth without me okay?" Matthew set his keys on the hook and started to take his shoes off. A nod came from the small girl and she headed upstairs.
Matthew made his way to the living room, where the foul oder got stronger. His mother sat on the couch. Who knew where his father was. Their mother, still had a can of beer in her hand. Snoring soundly. Evidence of crying.
As much as he felt bad. He was angry too. Spending money on stupid stuff. Just to forget you were stupid. He grabbed the can and went to throw it away. In the kitchen, there were even more cans. Some toppled over, fell on the floor. He knew he would have to clean this up, and again tomorrow.
But that was just how it was. He had no choice but to accept it. Of course he tried to negotiate. But it usually ended up in a crying Sophie. So he wouldn't do it again.
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Finally, his home looked like well, home again. Maybe the faint scent of what could've been a Highschool party.
Making his way upstairs into Sophie's room, he made sure to ask if she had really brushed her teeth. Sulking, Sophie made her way to the bathroom. Matthew really thought she did this so he would brush with her though.
