Depression Hit Me Hard

11: Stronger

"I'm so excited! It's 8.00PM already. Are there any presents for me?" I asked excitedly, and a little bit rudely I guess.

"Of course there is!" Aunt Belle glanced below the mini christmas tree at the living room before smiling warmly at me.

If you haven't figured out yet, it's Christmas! So far it has been fun living here, except occasionally at nights the nightmares about suicide never left me. Mom stayed at home and do chores and stuff as both Aunt Belle and Uncle Spencer are working. Mom figured out she could help out since both of them didn't want to take her money. Well my mom, she does not take things for granted. That's what I like about her. She's always giving and taking equally. I, on the other hand, would skype with Brienna using my Macbook Pro whenever I got the chance too. I also walk around the town, what can I say, I'm the adventurous kind of girl.

These past few days mom had been trying to give a sum of money to Aunt Belle as a 'thank you' for letting us stay here but neither Aunt Belle or Uncle Spencer would accept the money. I would chuckle at the sight of mom trying hard but to no avail. It's pretty funny, well at least to me.

At times I still think of my dad, the real one. Especially during this time of the year. Back when my dad was still alive, he always showered me with toys, candies and books, even if it is not Christmas. I miss those times but, oh well. What about my stepdad? I just can't be bothered with him anymore, or should I call David. I never ever mentioned about fathers ever since mom divorced with David. It's pretty hard living without any father around but hey, on the bright side, I'm still alive. And blessed for my current life.

Mom, Aunt Belle, Uncle Spencer and me gathered around the christmas tree. There were about 10 presents there, not a lot for there were just the 4 of us here but nevertheless, I'm still thankful.

"All the presents are for you, Ally. Aunt Belle, your mom and me are too old for these presents, don't you think? And I don't think Santa would give any presents to us, anyway," Uncle Spencer laughed, gesturing towards the presents.

"All 10 of them?! You gotta be kidding me!" I said shockingly.

"I'm sorry if it is not much," Aunt Belle sighed.

"This is more than I expected! Thanks lots Aunt Belle, Uncle Spencer and mom!" I said, lifting the presents one by one reading the tags.

To: Ally, From: Mom.... To: Ally, From: Aunt Belle and Uncle Spencer....

"I raise my child pretty well. At 16 and still have manners," Mom grinned.

I rolled my eyes.

"Maybe I'm the one teaching myself? You know what many people say in school? I'm too matured for my age," I replied and stuck my tongue out at her.

Mom? No way can she ever teach me manners! She always have time for David and not me. I guess from all of these happening I thought myself how to stay strong and don't give too much shit.

"Matured? Still stucking out your tongue at this age isn't mature, is it?" Mom said as everyone laughed.

"Well what are you waiting for? Open them!" Aunt Belle winked.

I reached for the first one. It was square-ish, wrapped with Christmas - related wrapping paper. Slowly, I opened it.

"Holy crap! A camcorder? Thanks so freaking much, mom!" I gave her a hug. She didn't seem too happy and I realized why.

"Ooppsss, sorry about the language," I giggled.

I've always wanted a camcorder ever since Dad passed away. I want to record videos, about what I'm doing, and all my adventures. Then I planned to watch them back when I'm older - about 70? - and realize how fun my life had been. But ever since David came into our life, mom completely forgot about it and only remembered after he left us.