♰ᕈᒪᗩﬡTᓰﬡᘐ ᔕᙓᙓᖙᔕ

2

This is the daily routine I face every day.
Waking up a little after midnight to the lovely sounds of angry shouts echoed into my ears. It happens I'd say every other night. Usually Hayes would come on in my room and I'd tell him to stay with me. Sometimes we will talk a little and eventually he'll drift off to sleep. Other times I have to find something to put him to sleep because he is so tense.
That church song really gets to me. It radiates peacefulness and positivity. Something we don't get much of around this household...
You may be wondering the meaning of all this. To be honest, I'm not exactly sure why myself. I try to pry the logic out of them. To simply tell me what the main issue is. I can never talk to them normally. I'm always afraid they will blow up at the sound of my voice. They would say stuff like, "You won't understand!" or, "Go away Adrian. We are trying to talk alone!".
Yeah right...really sounds like you're just talking. It's like they forgot that they still have children around. Though, I'm not a child anymore. I am almost 18 and I want to help with whatever the issue is. Whenever I listen to the shouts at night it all sounds like a bunch of nonsense. There is no subject, just cursing back and forth.
It eventually simmered down, the arguing. At least I got two more hours of sleep. Hayes was out of it which is perfect. It was almost seven o clock so I decided to start getting ready for the day on my own.
I stood up to stretch out my arms and back. Then I looked around the room. Where was my phone? I swear I had it sitting on that coffee table next to my bed. It will show up soon, I didn't feel like searching. I walked over sleepily to my window and looked out.
It was still so dark outside, you couldn't even tell it was morning yet. It was a full moon outside and it's light shone brightly across the yard. I pulled up a chair and took a moment to sit and stare at the view. To count my blessings and hopes for today. I usually don't do this but I thought that I needed a moment to appreciate the things I have. I have Hayes, freedom, education, good health, and God...I hope he doesn't dislike mother and father for all that they are doing.
My eyes glided down at the small brick red crystal that fades into a deep purple that was placed on the window sill. I picked it up and rolled it around in my palm. One of my older cousins gave it to me when things in the house started going south. She had told me as long as it was with me, it could bring good fortune. I sure don't believe that for a bit but I do appreciate the way it feels. It calms me and helps me focus.
I crept downstairs to the bathroom to wash my face clean. After that, I applied a simple amount of makeup upon my cheeks and eyes. I decided to go with a gold eye shadow and light pink blush. I groomed my long loose curls and pinned up an ornamental looking claw clip. I gazed at my reflection. Brother and I have lots of common features. I even have a birthmark too instead mine is etched on my chest. We also resemble our mother in so many ways...people always say I look just like her.
     I went to go back up the stairs when I accidentally ran into my father coming down, looking dreadful.
     "Whoop! Sorry dad, I wasn't paying attention. Good morning," I smiled up at him. He looked at me a little startled and flashed me a quick smile back. However, it wasn't a very meaningful one.
     "I'm sorry for startling you. I'm uh...off to work. I probably won't be back until really late tonight. I wish I could talk a little longer but I just really need to get out...I take it you heard the entire fight this morning?"
     This was super awkward and I didn't want to look at him when I nodded my head. He sighed and tried to explain, "Adrian I-I'm sorry."
Another awkward pause as I waited for some more explaining.
     I looked at him without emotion. "Okay. That's all?"
     He looked at me hesitantly. I could tell he wanted to say more, but he didn't. "Have a good day at school." He flashed a second smile and rushed out the door downstairs. Our conversations are weird but never that weird. It's not like it's anything new that he's coming home late. I have a feeling he's not at work when he's gone late either...
     It's like I don't know him anymore. We used to be so close and actually laughed together when things weren't weird between us because they shouldn't be. I don't remember the last time I came to him for help or advice because I'm so intimidated to.
     I stood at my closet and grabbed at a burgundy skirt and warm sweatshirt. I glanced at the clock behind me. It was now seven. I walked over to Hayes and shook him softly. His eyes halfway opened and blinked a couple times. He groaned and tried sitting up.
     "Rise and shine little one. You've got a day to take on." He groaned once more before standing up. I rubbed his back and said, "Let's get you dressed! I'll help you choose an outfit."
     I directed him to the door, about to go to his bedroom, but mother had gotten there first...she stood there with a puzzled look on her face.
     "Was he sleeping with you?" she asked groggily, arms crossed.
     I breathed in confidence. "Yes. He was afraid so he came to my room so that I could-."
     I hesitated on telling her that I sang him a christian lullaby.
     She glared at me with tired looking eyes. "So you could what?" she asked.
     I breathed out the confidence. "Help put him to sleep. I need to get Hayes ready for school so that I can drop him off and still make it to my class on time."
    I took his hand and tried to walk past her when she suddenly grabbed a hold of my wrist. Her hand was aggressively gripped and all in one motion I could smell her. It stank.
     "HE'S MY SON! I THINK I'M CAPABLE OF TAKING CARE OF MY OWN SON."
     I turned back at him and he was quivering behind my legs looking frightened. She pushed me aside and forced him to his room. I noticed that the smell, it was of alcohol. She has been drinking. Again.
     I was feeling kind of hungry so I went down to the kitchen and grabbed myself a banana off the counter and quickly ate it. I reached for the fridge and poured myself a glass of water and chugged it down. Mother never gets up this early to get him ready for school. I am a little worried for Hayes for some reason. I definitely do not want to mess with mother at the moment so I will wait.
     I went out to the door and waited at the landing of the steps for Hayes to come down. What was taking him so long? I tapped my foot impatiently. I looked down at my feet and noticed that I forgot to put my shoes on.
     Goodness gracious me! I leaped back inside and pulled on a pair of converse. Then I sat at a nearby bench at the bottom of the stairs. I checked my watch it was already 7:15. I needed to be on my way now. After about five more minutes, I heard his door creak open. I stood up and looked up towards the balcony atop. I smiled at him as he walked slowly down the wooden steps.
     "Took ya long enough!" I said giggly.
     He looked up at me. Almost guiltily. My smile drifted away as I noticed a bright red mark planted on his left cheek...
There is no such thing as "good fortune" in this house.