All Alone

8

The hospital discharges me a few days later.

Dad didn't show once and I'm actually grateful.

Rob gives me a ride home. I love this guy.

"Thanks Mr Matthews," I say climbing out his car. "Anytime. Be careful, " he says worriedly.

I nod reassuringly and enter the apartment. Dad's inside pacing back and forth.

"Oh God where we're you?!" He exclaims gripping my shoulders. "Well I-" I begin. "You know what just shut up and start packing," he says letting go of me. "Why?!" I exclaim. He lowers his voice. "I've killed someone."

"What?!" I exclaim. "Shut it you twit!" dad says. "Drunk or sober?" I say. "I think I was drunk. I remember blood on my hands and the sound of sirens. Then I stumbled into a dark alley and slept there the night," dad says. "Dad you need to stop drinking," I say. "Cram it and start packing," He says.

"No I'm not going to be a fugitive with you running from justice!" I say stomping my foot. He grabs my shirt and shouts in my face, "I SAID PACK YOU RUDE DISOBEDIENCE LITTLE INSECT!"

He releases me and I scamper upstairs and begin to pack my schoolbag and a Duffel bag.

"Come on or we'll miss the train Kimberly!" dad shouts. It's been so long since I've heard him call my name.

I run downstairs tripping over my feet a few times. "Good let's go," he says.

We leave the apartment and catch the train. It's a long journey and I start to wonder where we're going.

"Come on," he says getting up. We catch a bus then the subway. It's a long ride and I feel bad about not telling Taylor about my sudden move but dad said to tell no one.

Before I know it we're walking down a desolate alley and my back and feet are killing me.

Dad bangs on a narrow metal door in the alley.

"what?!" A deep gruff voice booms. "Charlie it's me, Joe," dad says.

A tall, broad, dirty figure opens the door. "What happened Joe?" the man says in a gruff tone again.

Dad lowers his eyes and looks left to right. "Can we talk.. inside," he says. The Charlie man nods. "Who's this toothpick?" Charlie says pointing at me. "My daughter, Kimberly," dad says laughing.

"Mmmm," Charlie says. "Alright come in," he says letting us in.

I decide Charlie isn't very nice and to steer clear from him.

There's only a two seated sofa which Charlie and dad have occupied.

I find a wooden stool and sit on it. The room in filthy and the horrid smell abused my nose.

"So......explain," Charlie says. "I killed an innocent man while drunk and the police is after me," dad says. "Holy cow Joe!" Charlie exclaims. "I know, it's bad," dad says.

"When you get caught. No other end result but that don't mention me ya hear?" Charlie says. "I hear," dad says.

To two start to drink two cases of beers. I sigh and watch tears starting to sting my eyes.

"What's wrong kid? Want a beer?" Charlie says. I shake my head quickly wiping away my tears.

We don't unpack and I'm afraid to take a shower so I sleep on the couch with dad.

It turns out dad's quite greedy and occupies almost the entire couch stretching his legs and letting his broad upper torso engulf half the couch.

I decide to just sleep on the floor and hope for the best.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Fugitives. Will Kimberly be arrested along with her father? This is trouble.

Read on