Cherry

Welcome to Cherryhood

My name is Cherry. Yes, Cherry. My mother chose it because she always loved cherries. My father, well he didn't give a shit about me. I was only a pay check to him, a way to buy drugs or alcohol. My life was never perfect. Shabby neighborhood, murders almost every night. I was so ready to turn eighteen. Then I can just leave, follow my dreams, live the high life, but for now, I wait my turn. 

The sun wouldn't leave me alone it seemed. I hate mornings. I stretched across the lumpy mattress, listening to my joints pop. A soft body slid itself under my arm, "good morning, Timothy." He was adorable, his eyes shining green, body lean, and his fur soft as feathers. He was my boy. Timothy mewed at me, his hungry eyes glistening in the dim light, "sorry boy, but I don't have any more cat food. What if father saw you? Hm? Come on, outside." I shuffled him out onto the fire escape, following him close behind. 

My clothes seem to be shrinking day by day, even getting dirtier. I sighed and wiped at old crumbs, my feet traveling a familiar trail. My pockets only gave me a few coins, enough for a bagel and small coffee. The cream cheese today seemed to be on a five finger discount. 

I ate on a bench just outside a high school. Police would only think I'm having breakfast, not some roamer. I stuffed what was left in my coat pockets, hopefully Timothy would eat it. 

My morning was going well so far, but now.. I had to go home. The front door was slightly ajar, I knocked before entering and heard my father shuffling in the back. Then I heard a crash. I jumped into the air, spinning around to face my angry father.

"Where THE FUCK WERE YOU!!? I was calling your name for an HOUR?!" his hand seemed to whip out of nowhere, knocking me to the floor. I pushed myself back, away from him, but he kept yelling and grabbing at me. "DAD NO!!! STOP!" he grabbed at my ankle and pulled me towards him. I put my hands over my face, helpless from him. I hear him cussing, I really did, but I went numb after the first few punches. My hearing was gone, blood was rising in my throat as he kicked at my ribs. Crack. Crack. I went black.

I woke in agony, my ribs were sore. I kept my mouth shut and muffled my moans. My father sat on his chair, watching the late news. I crawled into the next room and used the nearest chair to boost myself up. The door was open again, I didn't look back this time. 

My feet shuffled across the ground. I kept my hand on my ribs, my breathing was horrible now, I can barely even see. I'm tired. I have to rest, there is no way I can keep moving..

So, the jello they give me tastes like cherries, makes me remember my mom. I didn't tell them who beat me, nor did I tell them my name, but they somehow figured it out. Not a day goes by without the police finding something out. I sighed as I finished my tenth cup of jello, a lady with a clipboard staring at me, "more?"

"Oh, um, sure," she hurries out of the room and brings back two more cups, "thank you." As much as I hate using manners, I'll use them for Jello. She smiles towards me and scribbles a few things onto her board before sitting in the small recliner next to me. 

"Do you want me to tell you now?" I watch as she fiddles with her pen, waiting for me to answer her, but I don't. I like my jello. Well.. I do want to know what happened, I nod slowly.

"You're father.. he um. He's going to be going to prison for a.. um forever darling. He had a meth lab you see.. and he does beat you. So, Child Services will be comeing soon to take you to your new family."

I choked on my jello. Chocked.. on .. my jello. You can't choke on Jello. "Excuse me?"

"You're not eighteen yet."

"Yes, I know, but can't I get emancipated or some shit?"

"Yes, but. The state believes you should go to a foster family, so you won't have to be put on poral."

I glare at her. Foster family, bullshit. I open my last jello and dip the spoon in slowly, thinking. I can always run away. Or live with them and find myself all over again. Timothy though.

"I want my Timothy."

"What? Who's Timothy?"

"My cat, find him and I'll do the family thing." I describe him to her and even show her a pic. I'm not really up for this, but it's way better than living how I used to.

After a few weeks I felt brand spanking new. I had somewhat serious injuries, meaning less time to get better. I smiled at the lady as she gave my Timothy to me. I was surprised she actually got him.. though he loves people. 

She wouldn't stop talking about who I was going to meet, my new father was a banker. Yay. My new mother was a florist and my new sister.. was a cheerleader. Perfect family equals snobs galore. 

I have to admit, the house was pretty nice. It was a meet the Johnsons neighborhoods, rich green grass, flower beds everywhere, and a nice white picket fence. The three family members stood on the porch, waiting for me to come closer. I was actually pretty scared of their smiles that were plastered on tight. Talk about Barbies.

"Misses and Mister Cohersons. I would like you to meet Cherry." Their faces sort of dropped then as they saw their new daughter. 

Priceless.