A Call for Help

Chapter Four: Memories

Johnathan still didn't show the next day. It reminded Samantha of something that had happened long ago. It was the start of her depression.
Samantha had been sitting in the yard with her first friend, Brianna. They were both eight years old. Brianna had blue eyes and blonde hair that fell to her shoulders. She loved to read books.
Suddenly they heard arguing in Samantha's house. When they looked, Samantha's parents were arguing, but they weren't. Her father had been drinking and getting angry for no reason. Her mother spoke in a slow soothing voice, but he didn't listen.
Then, he yelled loud enough for Samantha and Brianna to hear from the long distance between them.
"I'm done!" He stormed out of the house taking nothing but his keys and his car. He drove away, skidding as he turned in the gravel, out of the driveway. Samantha's mother stepped out of the house and walked to them.
"Samantha come on," she said in a gentle sad voice. Samantha didn't know then but the house was in her father's name. "Come pack your things."
In less than half an hour, they had everything of theirs packed in her mother's old, beat up car. They also had a week or so of food. Samantha looked back at Brianna. She walked over quickly.
"Goodbye Bre," Samantha said.
"G'bye Sam," Brianna replied.
"Maybe I'll see you tomorrow."
"Maybe." They never did see each other again. Samantha's mother hadn't been able to get a job soon enough to support them. For a short time, Samantha had been in foster care.
Nobody liked her in foster care. They didn't pick on her, but they wouldn't let her sit with them, or they'd avoid her like she was cursed. She felt so alone, because normally she had a friend to talk to.
Noone celebrated her ninth birthday, let alone spoke to her. It was the first time she cried. After another five months, her mother had finally came back. She looked different.
She used to seem to glow from happiness and health. Her dark hair shined like it has just been washed. Her hazel eyes always full of joy. All of it, gone.
Now she looked like she'd aged. Her hair was messy beginning to gray. Her skin was pale. Her beautiful eyes, now empty of the joy they'd once show. She was very thin and she had bags under the eyes.
They'd been in the same house, same school district, same bad living conditions for seven years now...