Jen sat up in her bed. She left her room in a hurry and entered the living room. A woman, no, mama was there. Mama was over the stove.
"Look at my lil' Jenny." Mama exclaimed happily. Her brown eyes and freckled face beamed onto Jen. Mama squeezed Jen's cheeks and kissed her forehead.
"What's for breakfast Mama? I'm real hungry." Jen asked. Her body swayed back and forth as she spoke. Jen was full of juvenile energy with a positive outlook on the day. A positive outlook on life. Her voice was finally clear, a young girl's voice and unmistakably so.
"I got some eggs goin' right now. Go wash up, papa's gonna be home soon." Mama pointed young Jen to the bathroom. Jen entered and began cleaning her face.
The wooden door squeaked open as Mama can be heard greeting someone. A gruff voice spoke to Mama. Papa, Jen thought. Jen exited the bathroom and saw Papa. Papa was a large, bearded man. His deep, raspy voice was a beacon of comfort for Jen. Papa picked Jen up from under her arms and held her close. He smelled of smoke and sweat. Papa's clothes were black with coal and covered in dirt. Jen didn't care. No matter how dirty Papa was, Jen always wanted a hug.
"Stop it you two! She just washed!" Mama giggled. Papa chuckled and let down his daughter. "Go get cleaned up hun."
The three sat at the table. Jen savored every bite as the two talked about adult-stuff. Jen was content to be present. The milk was sweet, every sip a gift from the heavens. Jen looked up at her parents and tried to speak. The young girl's voice became one of an old man. Mama and Papa opened their mouths to speak, but nothing came out. Jen called out to them. "Mama, Papa, can you—" Jen choked. She could not speak. Her voice raspy and deep. Her parents faded away as the dinner table turned to the floor of the carriage.
Jen woke.
YOU ARE READING
Jen In Four Words
General Fiction*Mature audience warning, mentions of SA, Violence, severe injury, and Death* -Cover by @final_girl13- A wild western tale following the anti-hero Jen, an outlaw who has concealed her identity to escape the consequences of her first murder. Like man...
