Motherless

Rainy Revelations

As we left the ADA office, the rain had started to pour down, adding a soothing rhythm to our drive. Inside the grocery store, the aisles were bustling with people, and the air was filled with the scent of fresh produce and baked goods.

Melody pushed the cart, and I trailed behind her, feeling a bit uneasy about letting her buy me food without earning it. But I didn't want to worry her, so I kept quiet about it.

"So, what would you like to eat tonight?" Melody asked, flashing me a warm smile.

I hesitated, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the question. "Um, I'm not sure," I replied, trying to think of something I hadn't had in a while.

Melody's smile didn't falter, and she reached out to squeeze my hand. "Well, let's start with some of your favorite foods," she said brightly. "Then we can think about trying something new."

We wandered through the aisles, Melody grabbing items off the shelves and tossing them into the cart with enthusiasm. "How about some Pop-Tarts?" she suggested, holding up a box with a grin. "Have you ever tried these?"

I shook my head, feeling a spark of excitement. "No, but they look good," I said.

Melody tossed the box into the cart and moved on, her eyes scanning the shelves. "What about Lucky Charms?" she asked, holding up another box. "Or maybe some macaroni and cheese?"

I nodded eagerly, feeling like a kid in a candy store. "Sure, let's get them all," I said, grinning from ear to ear.

We quickly made our way to the checkout line, the cart piled high with treats and goodies. Melody unloaded the items onto the conveyor belt, and I helped bag them as quickly as I could. We ran out of the store laughing, trying to avoid getting soaked by the rain.

As we loaded the groceries into the car, I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth and happiness wash over me. Even though the rain was still pouring down.

Flashback

It was almost a year since Daddy promised to come back. Rain pitter-pattered against the window like tiny drums. I was only six, sitting at the kitchen table with my crayons, drawing colorful pictures. Mom was cooking in the kitchen, and the smell of her food made me feel warm and happy.

But then Mommy got angry. She yelled at me for spilling my juice on the floor. I didn't mean to make a mess, but she didn't listen. I tried to say sorry, but it didn't help, but nothing I did was ever good enough.

"M-Mommy, I'm sorry," I whimpered, my eyes wide with tears as I looked up at her, clutching the dishcloth in my tiny hands. "I didn't mean to make a mess."

But she wasn't listening. Her face was twisted with anger, her voice booming through the room like thunder. "You're always making a mess, Talia!" she shouted, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "You're so clumsy, just like your father!"

I flinched at the mention of Dad, the memory of his absence still fresh in my mind. "I-I'll clean it up, Mommy, I promise," I said, my lower lip trembling as I tried to appease her, desperate to make things right.

But it was no use. Before I could even react, her hand came crashing down on my cheek, the force of the blow sending me stumbling backward.

The pain was sharp, searing through me like a bolt of lightning. Tears streamed down my face as I hugged my knees to my chest, feeling small and helpless.

As I sat there, the room spinning around me, I couldn't help but wonder what I had done to deserve this. Why was Mommy always so angry? Why couldn't things just be normal, like they were when Daddy was still here?