BROKEN By: RONNEA STILES

Queen

Queen 9

I sat there on my bed feeling real dumb. I just couldn't believe James had left me there without wanting to touch me. I didn't know what his problem was but I didn't like it. I walked back into the bathroom and started to run my fingers along the roots of my hair. I had dark hair with loose z like curls. I needed to find a job today and I also wanted to stop by home to pick up some clothes. So I started to get dress and put on the clothes James sister let me have.
~
I wandered around the streets as people looked at me. I kept walking down the dusty dirt road until I approached my beat down one story house. It had holes on the outside of the house and the grass was a yellowish green. There were no leaves on any of the four old trees outside my house. I was hesitant to walk in. I didn't want to encounter another beating from my father but I had to get some clothes. Before I walked in I took a long deep breath and put the two hundred dollars in my bra. I then start to walk slowly to the front door. As I walked, I wondered did my old man miss me or even think to himself that I maybe hurt? I sighed and opened the screen door the front door was unlocked. As I walked in the wooden floor made a screeching sound.
"Dad it's me, Queen".
But I didn't get a response. So I started for my room. I walked into my small green room which was my favorite place to be. After all those beatings I'd go right into my room and sit on my small twin sized bed and think what I did to make him so angry at me. I didn't have time for that now though. I had to hurry and get my bag and clothes before my father came. I opened up my drawers and stuffed as many clothes and shoes in my blue duffle bag as possible, I hurried and ransacked everything until I found everything I needed. That's when all of a sudden I heard his voice. My heart start to race to the sound of his voice sounding like horses on a track it was beating so loud I thought it would beat out of my chest. I had to think and act fast so I grabbed my pocket knife that was hidden under my pillow I kept with me ever since my mama died. I started to slowly proceed toward the hall with the knife in my right hand behind my back.
"Queen?"
My dad had found me. He was 6'9 and weighed almost three hundred pounds. He wasn't fat though my dad was very muscular. He was dark chocolate with rough curly hair.
"Daddy".
"Where you been? I been looking all over for you".
"I found a new place to stay".
I lied but I knew I couldn't stay here. I could tell my dad was sober because he wasn't angry, in fact he looked very sad at me. He usually beats me only when he's been drinking.
"Where at?"
"A better place . . . I just can't live here no more daddy".
"Why baby girl?"
I didn't know what to say. He walked over to me and pulled me into his embrace. I slowly put the knife into my duffel bag. He kissed me on my forehead and held me tight. I remember when there use to be times I loved my dad's big bear hugs but now I hate them.
"I don't want you to leave baby girl."
"I know daddy but I got to go".
He let me go and solemnly looked at me.
"Did I hurt you again?"
I hate that my dad could just forget what he's done to me so fast. His beatings were like scars they were on my body and in my head I couldn't forget a thing.
"No daddy,I just have to go".
My dad shook his head like he understood. He walked over to me once again and gently kissed me on my lips. I moved my face away in shame then walked out the house.