Flower Boy

Chapter Four

            After Donavan left, I walked home, a growing excitement in my chest. Maybe this time, daddy would let me go to school. I just had to be really good, and then he would see that it would be good for me to go to school, just like Donavan. I took a deep breath. As long as I was exceptionally good, daddy would consider it. And if mommy was there, she would back me up. I walked up to the front door and let out my breath. I pushed open the door, listening for yelling before I announced myself

"Mommy, Daddy, I'm home!" I called, looking down the hallway for either one.

"Dinner's in 30 minutes!" I hear daddy call back and I sigh. I walk up to my room and set a timer for dinner. I don't want to be late. I paced my room, grabbed a book, and sat on my bed. I read a chapter and looked back at the clock. Only ten minutes. I sighed again. This was going to be a long wait. When I was done with four chapters and my timer went off, I raced downstairs and stood by my chair. I saw my mother getting the bowls and I hurried over to help her.

"Here, Mommy, let me get it." I said, taking the bowls from her hands. Her eyes widened.

"Thank you, Rosalena. I didn't hear you when you came home." She said, surprised. My heart fell for a second, but then I shook my head.

"It's fine. I know you were busy." I said, smiling. Give off a good impression, and have an easier time getting to school. I took the bowls over to the table and began setting them out when daddy came downstairs.

"Good evening, Daddy –" I started when he interrupted me.

"Really, Laila, tomato soup again?" He said, annoyed. Mommy put her hands on her hips.

"Well, Malcolm, I'm sorry if someone bought too many cans of tomato soup. They're about to expire anyways. Just bear with it." She said, raising an eyebrow at him. He glared at her for a while, finally sitting down with a huff. I looked between the two, wondering if now was a good time to mention school. Mommy sat down across from him and I sat down in between them. I took a deep breath and cleared my throat. They both turned to me, their gazes burning holes into my head. I breathed out and coughed.

"Do you have something to say, or can we eat?" Daddy asked, still annoyed. I nodded.

"I have something to say." I said quietly. There was another moment of silence as I gathered my courage. He slammed his hand on the table and I jumped.

"Well say it already, God d-" He stopped short when Mommy glared at him.

"W-well, I was just w-wondering... I-if I could p-possibly go to s-school next year?" I stuttered, bracing myself for an explosion. I looked down, and I heard mommy turn towards daddy. I dared not look up.

"Why not, Malcolm? Let her go to sch-"

"Absolutely not." My heart fell.

"Why not?" Mommy got up, hands on her hips again.

"My daughter doesn't need to go to school, she has a perfectly fine education and I don't need to be taking money out of my pocket for her to learn things we can teach her for free. Can we eat now?" He said glaring at her. I squeezed my hands tight, fighting not to respond that I wasn't getting a perfectly fine education and that school would be a better environment.

"She's asking to go to school, and it doesn't cost much more to send her. She wants t-"

"My daughter is not stupid enough to have to learn in a big, sweaty group, she's fine how she is. She is not going to school and that's final." He said and I fought the urge to get up and leave.

"It doesn't mean she's stupid if she wants to go t-"

"I SAID THAT'S FINAL!" He roared at her and she blinked in surprise.

"Now sit down and eat!" He commanded and went back to his food. I couldn't believe he didn't even stop to think about it, he just dismissed my request.

"I can't believe how stubborn you are! Don't you understand how much she wants thi-"

"SIT DO-" He started

"LET ME FINISH MY SENTENCE, YOU JERK!" She shouted back at him.

"She wants this more than anything, she had the courage to ask for it!"

"She's being damn selfish if you ask me. I'm not spending any more money on her than I have to." He said, rolling his eyes.

"You selfish jerk! And how many times have I told you not to curse in front of our daughter?!" She yelled and he stood up

"I'll do as I like, it's my mouth, it's my money!"

They began fighting again, screaming and shouting at each other and threatening each other. I sighed and began to get out of my chair. I tried to escape to my room when daddy grabbed me.

"You! Don't you ever ask to go to school again, you hear me?" I nodded meekly. He slapped me.

"I need words, girl! You hear me?!" He spit and I replied softly

"Yes, daddy."

"Good, now go to your room! No dinner for you!" He shoved me towards the stairs.

"What in the world was that, Malcolm? She's your own flesh and blood!" Mommy yelled.

"It's discipline!" He yelled back and they picked up their fight. I raced up to my room, my check stinging, and tears' pricking my eyes, not just from the slap but also from the thought that dinner was more important than my schooling. Most of all, I was crying because I wouldn't get to see Donavan and escape from this house.