BirthdayBruises

Abused. chapter 1

"WAKE UP AND GET OUT THE DOOR!" screamed papa with disdain.

I opened my eyes, looked around at the blurring room, and got my work clothes on.

My own papa didn't even acknowledge today was my sixteenth birthday. Which I didn't find too surprising.. he's never remembered my birthday before.

I faltered to the kitchen which was filled with dirty dishes. I took the empty flour sacks and filled them with plates, bowls, forks, spoons... you name it, they were all papas.

My boots were covered with muck, but I shoved my feet in them.

I trudged the sacks out the door. First I would do the three plates, I decided. I covered them with snow and wiped them clean with my bare hands. This procedure was followed for each dish that papa dirtied.

With all of the clean dishes, I walked inside. Following the same order as I did every morning. Almost like today wasn't a special day, I thought to myself.

I mustered up an egg and made my papa an omelet. It was hard work considering we only had one egg left for the week.

"WHY WOULD YOU EVER IN A MILLION YEARS THINK I WOULD WANT THE SAME MEAL TWICE IN TWO DAYS?" papa yelled. He didn't even look me in the eyes. He just stared at the television.

"WELL WHAT ARE YOU DOING JUST STANDING THERE? GO MAKE ME SOMETHING DIFFERENT!" he yelled and this time, his voice cracked... he was angry.

He smacked the plate out of my hand. It landed with the sound of broken glass on the other side of the room.

Papa looked down at his hand. It had been cut by the plate.

This time he looked me in the eyes. I tried not to look him back, but I couldn't help it, he punched me in the nose.

Neither of us said anything.

Although I was used to it, today my eyes welled up with tears as I got up.

Maybe it was because today I turned sixteen. Sixteen years with this man. I should be proud of myself, but instead, I was mad at myself.

I limped back to the stove to remember that we're all out of eggs. I started to panic.

I was breathing too fast and I know I needed to slow myself down. In and out I told myself, in and out.

The hyperventilating stopped and I started to go through my options.

I couldn't just go outside to the chicken coop... there were no eggs out there this time.

I couldn't ride my bike to the grocery, there's too much snow.

Then, with that, I decided I'd walk.

I grabbed my money that was strictly only allowed on groceries, and ran outside, "I'll be back! Going to get you an egg papa!"

He didn't respond, I didn't know it but it was because he didn't hear me.

I ran down the street for what seemed like forever. I stopped at the corner of 2 streets. That's when the cold hit me. I was only wearing a t-shirt..

I saw Mrs. Jones' house and I remembered where I was.

I was to turn left.... or was it right?

I looked both ways and then ran around the left side of the house.

Yes. This looked familiar. I turned left and walked down the road.

When I thought I was getting close, the road just kept going. It seemed to never end, and I was starting to freeze.

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Authors note:

This is my first story. If you read it please comment, share, and vote! It would mean the world to me!

I will update as soon as possible!

~ClaireGraceLawrence