What Makes a Family

5-Unforeseen Occurences

IF YOU WOULD PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO LEAVE AN ASTERIX* ON ANY OF MY GRAMMAR/SPELLING MISTAKES

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Waking up this morning I'm painfully reminded about what went down yesterday afternoon with Aldric. I'm anxious, nervous, and don't know what the fuck to do with myself. I can't go to work at the cafe; I can't work as Tatiana. Last night I assessed it would probably be around two weeks before I could properly hide the remainders of my bruising on the face. It wouldn't be that hard to cover by then, and my uniform requires jeans, so even though the ones on my legs will still be visible, no one will ever have to see them. My job as Tatiana, however, is a different story.

In order for me to keep up this ruse I have going on with Aldric living under the same room as I am I need to figure out a way to trick him into talking with me other than video chat. I know the asshole will be persistent once I give him my best excuse as to why I can't, so the next best thing to sway his annoying bitchiness would be to text. That would be the only income I would have for at least two weeks, so it's a good thing I thought of a rainy day fund. This is the last reason I would have guessed I would need it, but what can I say? Life's a bitch.

Stretching was a hassle as I fought down a rather large yawn, the gash on my stomach from my mother's ring doing the most painful work. Glancing at the clock on my night stand I nearly yelled out my frustrations. I'd went to bed early last night just because I hurt and couldn't do anything else, meaning I woke up early this morning. A big seven fifteen glowed bright red, seeming as though it wanted to sneer its ugly head at me.

I'm not sure what I did in a past life to deserve this, but the waiting game for me is going to be the hardest part of it all. I got over the abuse a lot quicker than any one ever should have to, so it doesn't bother me that much; what does bother me is the hiding in my bedroom I have to do in order to keep the questions at bay. It's easier for me to fake ill when no one can see the black eye or busted lip I'm sporting through a phone call. What I can't stand is the looks I would get if I went to work with even a tiny scratch visible. Everyone turned a blind eye, and it was sad to say I was grateful. I didn't need the drama of someone trying to step up and play the hero act. Like I told Aldric last night, that ship sunk way before it even set sail the first time I tried to reach out for help.

Who's going to believe a manipulative, ungrateful child over a widowed single mother? The answer is no one. It's easier for them to turn a blind eye and ignore the physical evidence staring them in the face. They blamed it on my rowdiness, claiming I was too rough when I played outside and fell a lot. If only the bastards knew me as well as they thought they did they'd know I didn't play outside. My room was my safe haven, until I was old enough to work.

The day of my fifteenth birthday I went to the school offices and demanded they sign a work permit, allowing me to at least start earning a little cash from the small paper route in town. After I found out I could distract myself with work, and earn money safely away from home without the worry of saying or doing something to set my mother off, I had everything I needed to make me want to do nothing more than work.

My life up until then had been mostly slow playing finishing homework at the library so I could stay gone from home just a few extra hours, but then it turned into slow playing until it was time to go to work. By the time I got off from closing she'd be in bed and I'd never have to face her wrath.

Work was my savior, and now that I couldn't do either of my jobs while I waited for the evidence to slowly diminish, I was starting to feel like ripping my hair out, and it was only the first day. Darius was at work by five so I didn't need to worry about him seeing me, and seeing as the only other two people in the house either caused it or knew about it already it wouldn't hurt to go to the kitchen and get me something to eat for breakfast.

It did seem to surprise my mother, however, when I walked into the kitchen with my head held high and slid right across from her. Munching on a piece of toast she merely glared at me. "What the hell do you think you are doing? If you're trying to play the victim again hoping Darius or Aldric will see" I simply cut her short with a sneer.

"I'm not trying to play shit. Aldric saw yesterday when you left me on the kitchen floor after he came home, and I already know your precious little husband is at work so back off and let me enjoy my toast." I grumbled out, taking my time to enjoy not lying in bed. She didn't seem to like me back talking every much, because the next thing I know she's grabbed my cheeks in between her vice like grip, forcing me to meet her angry stare.

"I don't know what you think you're doing, but you better stay out of my marriage, Lana." She all but spit at my name. It was sad, really, how much she truly hated her own blood. "You need to figure something out because if Aldric decides to tell his father-"

"Who's to say I haven't already?" Right then and there my heart nearly stopped beating. Because my new big bro had just sauntered into the kitchen and took a seat right beside me, glaring at the woman who birthed me until she let my cheeks go. I flinched involuntarily when he reached up to turn my face and examine the bruising that had finally taken form last night he hadn't seen good enough.

His touch was light, gentle, and did things to my heart rate. I was holding my breath, just reveling in the tingles left behind from his soft fingers. "I spoke with my father this morning about an urgent topic he needed to hear, but I didn't tell him anything yet. Now, what I want from you is to keep your hands off your daughter and learn to be a fucking mother." He wasn't raising his voice, but the authority and determination I heard made me actually believe he cared for my wellbeing.

My mother didn't take so kindly to being talked down to by someone she saw as a kid. "And just what are you going to do about it? She's my daughter, I'll do with her as I please. The little bitch needs to learn now before she goes out into the big bad world that not everything is all peaches and sunshine." Her answer was short and clipped, making me question how she ever came to be this bad. I still wasn't sure what it was I did that set her off.

Aldric gently turned my head to meet his warm smile. "I'm moving you into my room until further notice. I'm not taking my eyes off of you for a second." To say I was speechless would be an understatement. How the hell did he expect that to work!? When he noticed I was grasping for the right words to say he went on further. "When I go to work you will be joining me. Hell, maybe you'll find a passion for business. I could get you to make copies for me if you aren't opposed to helping out a bit."

My mother stayed quiet through this whole exchange until his remark about business. She gave a clipped laugh, sounding anything but caring. "Please, this girl couldn't work a microwave, let alone a copier. And what are you going to tell all those people about her bruises, huh? No one will ever believe someone like me did it." Aldric frown at her audacity.

"From now on what happens to Lana is no concern of yours." And with that he stood, tugging on my arm to follow after him to presumably move me in.

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Q&A

LET'S GET TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER! Here is where I will list a few questions to ask you guys so I can get to know each and every one of you.

0. Comment here with any questions you have for me.

1. Talk about a bitch. Any ideas as to how Lana is going to balance Tatiana when she now shares a room with Aldric?

2. Do you have any ideas as to why the mother is so bitter? Other than what I've already stated.

3. Where do you think this story is going?

4. Favorite books to read on wattpad? I always need something new (and finished).

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PLEASE VOTE

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