Becoming Riley

Chapter 2-Time and Time Again

After losing her mother to prison and her father slowly slipping away to drugs and alcohol, Riley grew up with a sense of vagueness of what life was like. Within elementary school she would notice the things all the other children had versus all the things she lacked. This didn't stop her from being as happy as she could be though. A year passes living with her grandmother that the courts did not deem her fit to watch Riley and Liam anymore. They were then sent back to Mr. Vern who appeared to have some things back in order. Mr. Vern, or James, met a woman by the name of Michelle who was not only ten years younger than him but a drug addict as well. They fell in love supposedly and got married. It was then that James felt he was on the right track in his life after his divorce with Whitney, Mrs. Vern, and he wanted to prove it.

When arriving at the house the stench of cigarette smoke and uncleanliness reeked from the yellow stained walls. It enriched the nostrils of both the children as they walked into the tiny living room. "Welcome home kiddos," James said with a smile while standing next to Michelle. "You've met Michelle before so don't act like she's a stranger okay?" The two kids nodded obediently and followed their father to their old bedroom. Almost half the size of the living room a bedroom that was as bare as a baby's bottom sat in front of them. All but a wooden bunk bed sat in the corner of the room for them. Liam sat his bags down and grabbed Riley's from her and sat them next to his. Both silent and dazed from the car ride they yawned in unison only to cause James to be irritated. "Now I know this isn't going to be as exciting as living with Grandma but give me a chance. Let me help you unpack," James said as he bent down to let go of the rest of the luggage. As he bent down to Riley she could smell the grape schnapps on his breath. She winced at the odor and James stared her down. He could only hold his emotions in so much when he was intoxicated, even just a few shots and he'd go haywire on the simplest of things. Riley, being almost 6, acknowledged his irritation and smiled. James smiled back.

James unpacked for twenty minutes while Michelle sat on the couch and watched the television. She did not seem amused by the fact that her days were now to be spent taking care of someone else's children. Michelle was one who needed not only a heart transplant but also a soul transformation. She often caused trouble within James's family and made them tear at each other's throats like wild animals fighting for territory or dinner. Michelle tried, it was noticed, to be a decent step mother but not to the expectations of a good one. Often she would distract James from spending time with his children that it made Riley and Liam feel isolated within their own home. After all they were there first and it was their father. But none of that mattered to Michelle except for sex, money, alcohol, and the occasional use of meth. To her, she was in Heaven. Add two kids to her scenario and she feels like her previous life has been tossed out the ship's window. This caused her to be evil and greedy towards them. Not all step mothers are evil like in the movies but this one? This one could make a blockbuster come to life.

Years pass as Riley grows older and Liam grows wiser. Riley was 6 years old the first time her father threw something at her. At her elementary school, every Friday, a popcorn vender would sell popcorn bags to students for 25 cents. Riley found a quarter outside while walking to the bus stop and decided to treat herself to a pop corn bag. Instead of eating it she wanted to show her appreciation to her father and give him the bag. After the long bus ride home and the walk with 8 year old Liam, Riley busted through the front door and ran up to James with a big grin, thinking her Daddy would be happy to not only see her but see how much she cared about him. When handing him the popcorn bag James got furious. Asking where she got the money to buy it and asking if she stole it from him. Michelle sat on the couch next to him as he scolded Riley for no reason at all, just smoking her cigarette and smiling. Riley tried to explain to her father, "I found the quarter outside this morning Daddy I swear!" But he didn't care, James was low on alcohol and was dealing with withdrawals. He grabbed the ashtray off the table immediately and threw it at the wall Riley was standing next to. Startled and quite confused Riley started stepping slowly away from her absent minded father as tears began to form in her eyes. James proceeded to get angry after seeing he scared his only daughter and smashed his only ashtray. He stood up to go outside to cool off, but little Riley thought he was coming for her. Fight or flight kicked in her mind so she made a mad dash to her bedroom. Riley then hid under the covers as she cried her body into a drought. Riley learned that day not to go near Daddy when he was low on his "goodies" as James called them. Riley could feel Liam next to her looking at her with those deep brown eyes knowing he knew how she felt. Riley would never forget this moment as long as she lived. After all this wouldn't be the first time it would ever happen to her, after that moment it occurred time and time again.