Silence

Chapter four: Suprises

"Never be bullied into silence, never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life. Define yourself.

-Harvey fierstein

The house is empty when I get home.

No surprise there.

I step over a pile of clothes and make my way to get kitchen, absolutely ravenous. To my dismay the fridge is more empty than the house save for some limp lettuce and moldy cheese.

I stand hesitant to what I should do. I know I should call my mother but the idea doesn't sound appealing, my mother isn't exactly what you'd call welcoming either but I know I have no choice it either that of starve till she comes back from work which isn't anytime soon.

I dial her number nervously and
to my surprise she picks up but then again it is her work number.

Oh shit...

"Hello this is Lawrence law and firm, how can I help you? " her polished, professional voice comes on the line.

"Um... mum it's me,"

"Seola?" Her voice immediately changes and not to a motherly hen tone.

"I'm busy, what are you thinking, calling me at work? how many times have-"

"There's no food in the house," I hiss through gritted teeth cutting her off angrily.

I expected to hear her sigh, "We're coming soon, hold on and tidy up the house while you at it,"

"Wait, What do you mean we-" but she's already hanged up.

Angrily, I throw my phone down on the couch and aim a kick at the chair. Who she bringing this time?

A collage?

An old schoolmate?

So she can show off our happy family and I wonder why she never asks why I don't bring around friends.

I began to clean, picking up batches of clothes, wiping down the table tops, washing the dishes, vacuuming, making the beds.

When I finally finished I take a shower and try to make myself look presentable. I tie my long dark hair into a ponytail and change in some jeans and a oversized sweater.

I switch on the TV to pass time aimlessly flicking through channels. I paused on a random film and begin to watch.

An hour passed, then another, then another and I began to grow impatient.

Just when start to mentally argue whether I should call her or not I hear the front door open. I jump up at the idea of food, practically drooling.

I skip into the hallway, hunger powering my steps but then I stop.

I see them standing beside each other, laughing. He helps her take her coat off, whispering something in her ear. She giggles and pushes him away playfully.
Just like she used to do with dad.

They see me at the same time, her smile disappears, replaced with a expressions I can't make out.

"You must of had a nice night, with him I assume,"
My face feels like stone, empty of any emotions.

"Seola.." my mother begins but I don't want to hear it.

"I can't belive you. How long have you've been doing this mom? bringing a random guy over, having fun, forgetting you have a daughter who needs you. " .

"Seola stop this nonsense, I've know Justin for so long-"

"Longer than you knew dad?" I whisper this with so much pain it hurts.