Cheers to New Beginnings

Chapter 10: Not starting over... Moving on.

Lilibeth:

            My first day on the job was a lot more difficult than I was expecting. Turned out, the people inside the holding cells liked to shout cat calls at custodian workers. Carol spoke some, but she had other stuff to do, so I was left in the hands of a very old, very cranky woman who had apparently cleaned up the drunk tank after I had been held in it a few years before. Go figure. The chemical fumes made me sick, and the “dinner” they served us was pathetic. I wanted to go home and eat cereal and go to bed. I was tired of surprises and shit today.

            Tammy obviously thought I hadn’t had enough of it. She was sitting stiffly across from Tonya when I opened the front door around nine o’clock. A guy I assumed was her new boyfriend sat beside her on the couch. I gulped as I looked over my sister’s face. She was furious.

            “Haven’t been here a week, and you’re already coming in late from partying?” she snapped at me. Judgmental piece of shit, I wanted to yell, but I didn’t. I had never given her any reason to believe I’d be doing something productive.

            “If you consider hanging out with inmates partying, then by all means,” I replied sarcastically. I didn’t notice it at the time, but I wanted to be stronger against her.

            “You got arrested?” she shouted. Her boyfriend cringed. “That’s it! You are coming home!” Her cheeks were red, and her breathing was harsh.

            “I got a job,” I snapped. “I’m cleaning the police station! I told you that yesterday on the phone!” Her eyes twitched in confusion before she remembered what I had told her.

            “Oh,” she whispered. “I thought you were lying.” Ouch… I shook my head at her and went to poor a drink, lemonade not alcohol!

            “Maybe I should let you two talk,” Tonya said attempting to stand from the chair. I noticed how weak she was today and quickly disputed her assumption. Tammy had a hard time looking at her.

            “No stay. It’s important and involves me living in your house,” I said stubbornly. In truth I was scared to be alone with my sister.

            “Don’t stay here out of guilt,” Tonya warned surprising me. “I was making it just fine. You two don’t owe me anything! Hell, I owe you for so much. Do not let me come in between the two of you.” Tammy looked relieved.

            “See, you can come home,” she said desperately. I frowned trying to hold back another round of tears.

            “No, I can’t. I’ve already told you why.” I turned my attention to Howard who sat tensely on the couch. “Don’t hurt her, because if you do, I will show back up in Sherridan.” He nodded, and I knew I could trust him with my sister. I smiled genuinely at him.

            “No!” Tam shouted grabbing my wrist in an unexpected rage. “You are my family, and you aren’t leaving me!” She repeatedly jerked on my bruised wrist trying to pull me toward the door, and I winced. Howard and my aunt noticed, but my sister didn’t, and she didn’t let go until Howard pulled her away.

            “I’m not leaving you! I love you,” I said as calmly as I could. I could feel my pulse radiating in my bruised wrist. “When mom was alive, the two of you had plans. You were going to college at the place with the best education there was. You were moving away after graduation to get out on your own and be independent. That doesn’t include me in the package. You threw that away to raise me, and I love you for it. But now it’s time for you to do your own thing. You’ve given me a chance at the world, and it’s your turn to take yours.” Her face turned to stone. She hadn’t listened to anything I said.