Broken Home

Chapter 5

I wake in the morning and I see a note left behind "Mom took me to school theres some birthday breakfast in the kitchen see you later<3" 

I get to school and still no sign of Evan. I finally gather the courage to text him "Hey it's Andy. Where are you?" I triple check my grammar and send the message. 

In less then an hour I have checked my phone 50 times at least. I texted him for the first time, wishing for a response. It is my birthday and he wouldn't leave me hanging would he? I think.

The day passes by in a blur, a boring blur because Evan wasn't there to entertain me. I'm ignored by Janine which is no surprise, but a tiny piece of me was hoping she would just say a simple "Happy Birthday." I get in my car and look for a gift from my mom or something but I find nothing.

Amanda's face lights up when she sees my car turn the corner. She jumps up and down holding a folded piece of paper. My mouth twitches, I fight a smile. Amanda opens the car door and squeals "Happy Birthday Andy!"

"Thanks bear! I can't believe you remembered." I tease.

Her giggle softens the nervous mood of dinner tonight. She slides her homemade card into the vanity mirror. "Read it when we get home."

I lift my mouth up to smile "Love you bear."

She smiles slyly "I know, I know."

The dark clouds threaten to pour on the busy streets of Seattle. Amanda and I sing to the radio the whole drive, ignoring every on-looker. I pull into the driveway and race Amanda to the house. For the first time in a while I hear the pots and pans clanging, the sink faucet runs, the aroma of home fills my nose.

Amanda and I enter the kitchen and I see my mom and dad in the same room together. Neither of them arguing or in pain, or at least that's what it looks like from the outside. They both cook silently but not together, maybe this was their gift to me. My mom turns around, her wide smile is contagious. I can't help but to smile back,"Happy eighteenth honey!"

I hug her "Thanks mom!"

My dad smiles "Look at you! You're so grown up now, I remember when I changed your diapers and taught you how to ride a bike, that feels like a lifetime ago. How about you and Manda go watch some cartoons while your mother and I finish your birthday dinner?"

His hand ruffles my hair, an alcoholic smell comes off him. I plaster on a smile it really was a lifetime ago I think to myself. I steer Amanda to the living room and put on some cartoons, I glance into the kitchen a couple times to see if this really is happening. I inhale and smell my favorite homemade meal-lasagna-Amanda glances at the kitchen nervously and I know exactly what she's thinking. Mom calls from the kitchen "Dinner is ready." Amanda runs to the dinner table and prepares the table, I bring glasses of water and sit down. Mom and Dad both sit down, Amanda settles into her chair. No one says a word, the tension fills the room. We all eat in silence, the sound of forks scraping plates and glasses being put down take place instead of conversation.

Once I finish I pick up my plate and take Amanda's, I whisper in her ear "Go get ready for bed bear." She excuses herself and runs up the stairs, I wash dishes quietly not wanting to disturb the strange silence. All of a sudden I hear arguing from the dining table, I turn off the water and walk to the hushed yells.

"Can't you guys stop for one-second? I appreciate what you guys doing this but the night isn't over yet" I whisper.

My dad rolls his eyes his words slur together. "It's always about the women, all the time. Screw that, just because your eighteen doesn't mean you're the queen of the world."

"Dad just leave, your drunk I don't want you bothering Amanda." I spit out the truth.

He chuckles darkly "Oh really? I don't care for you, your just like your mother."

My mom slaps him across the face, the sound echoes throughout the halls "Don't you dare insult your own children."

He smiles coldly "I could care less about-"

I interrupt him "Just go. You're dru-" His hand cracks across my face, my face stings before I could finish my sentence, my own father slapped me, I stagger backward and clutch my face, my eyes water and I see Amanda at the bottom of the stairs with a horrified look.

I hold an ice pack against my face, I peer in the mirror and see the red welt where he slapped me. I pull my knees up to my chest and wrap my arms around my shins, if I could curl up into a ball and not face reality, I would do it in a heart beat. The tears wouldn't stop this time, my heart was broken into a million pieces. I look at my wall and see picture frames of Amanda, Mom, Dad and Janine. The story behind those pictures only reminded me of the beautiful memories that have become painful. The sweet memories are now turned into a knife that kills my already broken heart. I couldn't escape them, or hide from them, I just had to endure the pain, I couldn't scream or fight back because I love all those faces on my wall. I have to get out, this broken home is far beyond repair. Maybe this is my fault, I'm the one to blame. I'm leaving tonight, I decide. I pack all my money, clothes and some snacks for the way to anywhere but here.

I write three letters, one to Amanda, one to Mom and lastly one to Dad. I glance at my room one last time, I see the pictures of the better days, the better memories. I walk soundlessly to Amanda's room and leave the letter on her nightstand, I kiss her forehead and whisper "I'll see you soon Bear. I love you." I close her door, the tears roll down my cheek silently. I leave the two letters addressed to my mom and dad on the kitchen table, I know they don't have any more control over my actions, my mom would understand why I would leave, and my dad would know that I could never forgive him, not after what he put me through. I walk around the house one last time and close the front door soundlessly.