Through the Eyes of a Child

Mommy

You are my sunshine...

My only sunshine.

You make me happy

When skies are gray

You'll never know, dear

How much I love you...

Please, don't take my sunshine away...

Her voice echoed off the walls of my room as she carefully rocked me back and forth in her arms. By now, the thoughts of the darkness and monsters had faded, my cheeks finally dry. The cool color blue of my room was calming, my books and toys that lay about reminding me that everything I had just witnessed was a dream, my mothers soothing voice rocking me back into reality.

It was a Tuesday morning, I didn't know the exact date, just that I had woken up screaming, crying, due to a dream not meant to be described. Mommy had been up, getting ready for work, as usual, when she came to my rescue. Her whole existence radiated happiness, a very calming feeling was given when ever she was around. She was my mother, and I adored her.

Noticing I was finally calm, she softly and carefully laid my head back down on my bed, my soft blanket making sleep feel like a much more welcoming feeling. My eyes got droopy as I watched my mom walk off to the door way. She was dressed in blue jeans and a red silk blouse that hung from her loosely. Her hair was pulled back in a pony tail, it almost shinning gold, as she turned to look at me. Her face shinned, so beautifully, as she smiled a smile that could have made anyone's day. It made mine. Then, she turned her blue eyes to my father, a man so happy and calm, who was now standing in the doorway. He smiled, his beard shaved as the two connected eye contact.

Daddy leaned down to kiss her, pulling away with a smile on his face. I smiled to myself, happy with the family, the life I lived, nothing could ruin anything. Mommy turned to walk away, her black flats tapping softly against the hallways carpet as she made her way to the front door to leave for her work as a school teacher.

"Goodbye, Rosetta," my father's voice echoed in my head as I slowly drifted off in to a deep sleep," Have a good day at work, we'll see you at dinner, darling."

I woke up in a cold sweat, behind the door of the closet I was pulled out of before. My body was sore from the beating and my stomach turned from lack of food. I was weak, could hardly move, but I managed. I slowly and carefully lifted my body up in a sitting position, taking everything else from within me to stop the tears from spilling out. That was the day my mother died. She never made it home for dinner that night, she didn't even make it to work in the morning. Instead, a man who was crazy drunk after a fight between him and his wife, hit her with his truck, crushing her. She died, in her car, at 7:23 am on February 9. That was the end of everything bright in my life. Nothing was ever the same.

My head was throbbing, almost banging, when I realized Jack had his music turned up all the way. I knew the neighbors wouldn't be very happy, though they should be used to it by now. Slowly, and steady, I lifted my trembling body up to my feet with the help of the walls of the closet. It was dark, the only light I had much use of was the light that managed to sneak in from the cracks of the door. Standing up, I stumbled, almost falling backwards but quickly grabbed hold of the doors handle. It was cold, my hand shaking as I gripped it, turning it carefully. It was unlocked.

Opening the door slowly, the music bounced into the open space of the closet, becoming louder as it pushed against my ears. Shaking, I ever so slowly took a step into the hallway, that was littered with beer cans and broken glass. If I listened closely, under the music, I could hear the laughter and cheering of men. That only meant one thing.

Jack had his friends over.