I Hate California

nineteen

I woke up to darkness, Mommy usually leaves my door open just a tiny bit; she didn't tonight. I don't know why my bed felt uncomfortable, it usually feels like a cloud. I wanted to go to Mommy, but I didn't want to sleep with Travis too.

I decided to get myself a cup of water, so I carefully climbed out of my bed. I was trying to find my way through the darkness to turn on the lights, but hit the side of my bed and let out a cry. It really hurt. I covered my mouth despite my quiet sobs and finally got to the light switch.

When I opened my door, I peeked out into the dark hallway and there were weird noises coming from Mommy's room. Why was she yelling, but not so loud? Was he hurting her?

My heart started to beat faster, this was scary, did I need to be the hero today and save the day? That was Mommy's job, she said so!

"M-Mommy?" I knock on her door, it's locked. She told me we weren't allowed to lock doors. Why does she keep breaking the rules.

"Mommy? What is wrong?" I say louder as I pound my small fists on the door. I heard rustling from the inside and saw the lights turn on from under the door.

I whimper and start to head down the stairs, I still wanted my water. I usually have my water bottle beside my bed, but Mommy forgot it tonight.

I turned on the kitchen lights and opened the fridge, I grabbed my water bottle from the door of the fridge and shut it the door with my back. I heard footsteps coming down the stairs and Mommy appeared in a robe, her hair was really messy.

"What's wrong baby?" She asks me kneeling in front of me.

"I was thirsty and you forgot my water bottle" I tell her holding it up and she sighs.

"I'm sorry baby, you go back to sleep okay?" She tells me leading me back up the stairs.

I stop in my tracks, "Why are you making noises in your room this late at night Mommy? I can't sleep".

She freezes and looks away from me, "Don't worry about that, I'm sorry babe, I'll be quiet".

She tucks me back into my bed and gives me a long kiss on the forehead, she was sweaty.

"Mommy, why are you sweating? It's cold!" I tell her shocked to see sweat beads on her forehead. She quickly wiped her forehead.

"I'm not sure babe" She tells me and places my water bottle onto my night stand after I took a sip.

I watch her as she leaves the room, closing the door behind her again. Well this was a tricky situation. Daddy says it's bad to have the door closed if I'm the only one in the room, I felt unsafe.

I reached for my iPad on the night stand and looked at the time, 12:30 AM. I searched for Daddy in FaceTime and hit call, it only took a few rings before he answered.

"Sage? It's late, why are you awake?" He asks through the screen.

I rub my eyes, I was very tired, "I was thirsty and there are noises coming from Mommy's room".

I see him take a deep breath and rub his face, "Okay, you try to go to sleep and I'll call your Mommy, okay?".

I give him a nod and we end the call. I set my iPad back down and bring the covers over my head.

-

"Taylor, I would appreciate it if you didn't have sex while Sage is clearly trying to sleep" Joe tells me through the phone. I sigh, clearly embarrassed.

I look at Travis who is also ashamed and signal for him to put his clothes back on, I unlocked the door in case Sage wanted to come in.

"Hey, for your information I was being as quiet as I could and Sage only heard us because she was thirsty" I tell him, it was true.