Legally Mine [READ THIS VERSION!]

* Chapter 3 - Batter *

I wake up at 6:45am to the aroma of cooking pancake batter. Pancakes for breakfast before school. Yum.

Before I head downstairs, I take my school clothes and toiletries into the bathroom, to shower.

Once I'm showered and dressed I find my way into the kitchen, where dad's making pancakes and Abbey's testing Derek on what seems to be Health.

"Describe the second stage in the menstrual cycle," Abbey shouts, enthusiastically.

"Come on. Really? Even guys have to learn about periods?" I ask, pulling myself a chair at the kitchen table with my siblings.

"Yes, because girls have to learn about wet dreams."

My body begins to shiver in disgust. "Ew."

Abbey and Derek continue on with their Q and A.

"Good morning, Maice," Dad calls as he turns around from the pan on the kitchen to face me.

"Hey, dad. How long will the pancakes be?"

"Not too long now. Give me two minutes?"

"Sure."

I notice that mum isn't around. I don't think she's working this morning. Usually she's up and about and ready to see us off to school.

"Dad?"

"Yes, honey?"

"Where's mum?"

"Oh, she's still in bed."

"Really? Is she sick?" I ask, frowning.

"Yeah, I think so. A headache, I believe."

"I'll have to see her before I go then," I announce.

"I-I don't think she's up to-to seeing anyone," dad stammers, as he piles half a dozen pancakes on a plate and serves them on the centre of the table.

Abbey and Derek quickly lay their paws on two pancakes each, and then I reach for mine.

"I'm just going to say goodbye," I explain, squeezing the last of the maple syrup over my pancakes. "I don't think she'll mind."

After breakfast, I brush my teeth, wash my face again, brush my hair and quickly tie it in two plaits, grab my school bag that I packed last night from my bedroom, and find my way to mum and dad's bedroom.

I slowly open the door, and peer into the dark bedroom.

Mum's lying in bed, with her back faced to the door.

I tiptoe in to check if she's awake. She may be ill, but if she's awake, I'm sure she'd appreciate my coming in to say goodbye before I catch the bus, despite what dad said.

Suddenly, mum rolls over, and her face is in clear view. Her eyes appear to be viciously red again, and a large purple bruise is positioned on the side of her forehead.

What the hell happened to her?

"Good morning, mum," I greet my mother, slowly.

Suddenly, my mother begins crying. In response, I quickly drop my school bag and sit myself on the edge of the bed, and face her.

"What's wrong?" I ask, alarmed.

"Oh, nothing, sweetie," my mother smiles faintly, through tears. "Don't you worry about me. You'll miss your bus."

"I'm not leaving until you tell me what's wrong," I demand softly, moving to lie on dad's side of the bed, right next to mum.

"Is it dad?" I whisper.