My British Bear

Chapter 2

I gripped the list in my hand, trying to walk fast enough to warm myself up. It was freezing. I hated it. I'm gonna stop at the coffee shop for some warm stuff before I have to go shopping.

I was going grocery shopping for my uncle and me, the temperature was near zero. My face was frozen and my ears hurt. I didn't own a hat or gloves, so my fingers were stiff with the cold and the snow was caught up all in my hair and lashes.

Breathing with relief as the shop finally came into view, I quickened my pace and pushed into the warm store. I quickly ordered and then rubbed my hands together, waiting and admiring the twinkling Christmas lights strung on the large windows.

If only we celebrated Christmas... I shook away the thoughts and turned back toward the counter. It is what it is. The sooner I accepted that the easier my life would be.

"Your coffee, ma'am." I handed her the money and picked up the coffee. As I turned she called, "Don't forget your cookie!"

I turned around. "But I didn't--" But she was already walking away. A little cookie sat in a green foil slip. I picked it up and examined it as I walked out the door. A little note was taped to the back. "Sorry I made you upset." I read aloud, turning the corner and heading toward the store.

"Forgiven," I whispered to the snowflakes, smiling faintly.

I made my way through the back door and into the kitchen, arms bogged down by bags of groceries. I dropped them unceremoniously onto the table and started to put them away. When they were tucked away safely, I put on some water to boil for spaghetti.

I slowly tugged the cookie out of my purse and I pulled it out of the slip. It was a sugar cookie with pretty, little yellow stars on it. My mouth watered and I nibbled a little bit off the edge. My mouth exploded with the taste of sugar and cinnamon and just deliciousness.

I tried to save it, but like a starving man at the sight of food, I gobbled it down. I was saddened by the fact that it was gone so soon, but I licked the inside of the foil to get the last little bits of cinnamon sugar.

I tended to dinner and it was soon finished. "Uncle! Dinner's ready!" I called meekly, setting two plates on the table.

My uncle hobbled into the room. He was tall and bulky with muscles. His reddish-brown beard and hair were ruffled and unkempt, and his eyes were red rimmed. He smelled like bourbon and wood shavings.

"What crap did you make this time?" he grumbled.

"S-spaghetti." I gestured to the food. I sat across from him at the small table, seat pushed out so I could bolt at a moment's notice. He ate his food slowly, the whole time glaring at me as if I'd messed up. Again. I ate my own food silently, lost in deep thought.

I made little figures out of my spaghetti, thinking about all the pretty Christmas lights all over town.

"Get me a drink," he growled.

"No," I muttered, without even thinking.

"What was that?"

I looked up, trembling. I could simply back out and apologize, but something sparked in me. "I-I said n-no. Y-you can get it y-yourself."

He towered over me, his eyes filled with anger. "You brat!"

I heard flesh hitting flesh, but I didn't register the pain until my vision cleared. I clutched my cheek, scuttling back across the tile floor. He grabbed my shoulder with a large hand and jerked me to my feet. Hot tears began to slip down my cheeks unwillingly and I gritted my teeth, preparing myself for the next hit.

"Get in your room."

I wrenched from his grasp and sped out of the room and up the stairs as fast as possible. I slid into my room and slammed the door shut. The spark was burning in my stomach, making me feel like I was going to vomit. "I HATE YOU!" I screamed, frustration letting loose the words that were never supposed to come out. What did I just say?! What is he going to do?!

I froze, my breath stuck in my throat. Everything seemed to slow down as I gripped the doorknob, dread pouring into every part of my body.

I heard something slam below me. "DON'T COME OUT OF YOUR ROOM FOR THE REST OF THE NIGHT!" he bellowed.

Oh, thank you Lord. I collapsed onto my bed and put a hand to my throbbing cheek. I began to cry softly. I tried to search for some hope to hold on to, but I couldn't find a thing.

In that moment, I wanted to give up.