Rise Up

Anne

I started walking down the street. I usually liked to stay out of the house as long as possible, but the streets were dangerous at night. As the stars began to shine, I ran home, frightened of what would happen if someone met me on the street.

As usual, the smell of liquor made me recoil. My nose scrunched up at both the smell and the music booming from the living room. I ran to the kitchen to make a sandwich, hoping my father wouldn't catch me before I got to the relative safety of my room. I was just slinking up the stairs when my father looked up from the television and the booze. When he spoke, his words were jumbled and slurred.

" Whadya think ya doing 'ere?" He stalked up the stairs to me, putting his face up to mine. I could smell the stink of alcohol on his breath. I didn't say anything, knowing that it would be the wrong thing.

"Ya 'lil hussy. Ya think ya so smart bringin' in them books Ya think ya'll get somewhere,"I still didn't say anything. When he was on a roll, it was best no to interrupt.

"Ya wanna call 'dem fuzz and bring 'em 'ere, ya do dat. Ya'll regret it,"He came closer to me, and I took a step backward. Wrong move. He slapped me across the face. Hard. My face felt as through it was burning. The sting of the hit brought tears to my eyes.

My father's voice took on a mocking tone. "Yeah, ya cry 'lil baby girl, cry. Ya'll never get nowhere!" I turned and ran upstairs, shutting myself in my room, and locking the door. The moonlight sneaked through a crack in the window. When I saw the light, all I could do was cry.