That June

Chapter 1

4 years later

        Waking up drenched in sweat was not exactly how I imagined my first night home, but by that point I should have learned that we don't always get what we want. I slide out of my bed- quite literally- my feet padding against the wooden floor, the hot air causing a slight suction sound with every step I took. When I finally reach the thermostat in the hall, my jaw just about hits the floor.

92°!

        Was this woman trying to kill us? Death by heat stroke must have been on her list.  I put my hand to the nearest air vent trying to catch even a little cool air only to find that it was turned off. Thinking a little tinkering with the thermostat will do the trick, flicked on the light switch to get a better look. Nothing. Great. The power was out and with that went any hopes of cooling down. I walked towards the kitchen to get a probably lukewarm glass of water and that is where I found her.

Unconscious, in a drunken state with vomit and liquor leaking over the edge of the table, the putrid smell wafted through the air. I sighed. First night home and my welcome party couldn’t have been more welcoming.

Oh, mom.

My "leaving" really must have taken its toll on her. I could tell just by looking at her. Thinking back on earlier years, my mother was a beautiful woman, but no one would know by looking at her now. Her chocolate skin was tinged in wrinkles and bruises and  her black hair was sticking out in all directions. As I looked at my mother, I could not help but feel a little guilty, but that  was quickly replaced by anger. She should not need me in order to keep her life together. She lost one child, but she was still a mother.

I plopped myself in a nearby chair, sending up a tiny thanks to the heavens that the moonlight streaming through the window is enough to illuminate the area. Just as I was about to take a swing from the tipped over Jack Daniel’s bottle, I caught the familiar flashing of red a blue lights.

You have got to be fucking kidding me.

Panic surged through me and I ran into my room to sneak out the back window, but before could I get it open, a thought came to me. I have barely been home a day. It’s not like I have violated my parole in that time. Well, I almost did with the Jack, but that was besides the point. They could not possibly want me. I was pulled away from my thoughts by the sound of the forceful banging on the front door. Fucking cops. I checked the mirror to make sure I was decent, then heading to the front of the house to open the door.

       “What?" I demanded. The two officers before me seemed slightly taken aback by my rudeness.

       “Are you Miss Molita Labelle?" one asked.

       “No.”

“Well, is she here?”

“Maybe.”

“Excuse me?” He asked, confusion clearly written on his face.

“Ma’am, do you realize that you are interfering with police business and could be taken to the station if you refuse to cooperate? And by the looks of it, you don't need that to happen, now do you?” the second officer asked, gesturing to the most recent addition to my wardrobe: my house arrest ankle monitor.

Well, that sure shut me up. Seeing no other option, I sighed and asked for them to allow me a moment with my mother before they took her. When I reentered the kitchen, my mother had yet to move from her position on the table. I gently shook her shoulder in an attempt to rouse her. The only thing that got me was an unattractive groan on her part.

“Mom. C’mon, you have to get up. If you’re getting arrested, you might as well do it with a little dignity, and vomit in your hair does not scream dignity.”

“Five more minutes.” She mumbled while huddling closer to her up chucked dinner.

I grabbed a nearby towel and did my best to clean her up a little, but there was only so much I could to with an unresponsive drunk.

“Ok, guys. She’s as ready as ever.” I yelled out to the officers. Soon enough they were standing beside me, taking in the sight of my sad and pathetic mother. It must have been the sound of the cuffs closing around her wrist, because as soon as she heard that definite ‘click’, her eyes were wide open and she was on high alert.

“What is happening? Who are you people?” Her words were slurred and she was struggling to get out of the hold the officers had on her.

“Ma’am, you are under arrest for armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon.” I couldn’t help but be surprised. My mother was ever the type of person to do any of those things. I mean, yeah, she had changed over time, but I never would have thought she would sink that low.

“It wasn’t me!” She argued. “I’ve been set up! I was here all night with my kid. She just got home and I wanted to spend some time with her.” Wow, that was some bull shit. This woman didn’t even remember I was coming home until I showed up at the door. On top of that, she promptly left right after. But I still had to defend her.

“Wait a second. Are you sure it was her? I mean, shes been here all night.” Lying probably was not my best idea, but this is the address I gave my probation worker, and it would be a pain to get it changed now.

“Miss, we have it all on camera. It was definitely her.”

Dammit, mother. “Well, I'm sorry mom, but I can't help you there."

       “You little bitch! I let you come home when no one wanted you and this is
how you repay me?"

One… “You good for nothing whore…” My throat was swelling.

Two… “You’re going to get what’s coming to you…” my eyes were burning.

Three… “Where are you going to go?” My hands were twitching.

Four… “They don’t want you…” I wanted to hit her. I wanted to hit her until I couldn’t physically hit her anymore. I was seeing red and wanted nothing more than to let all my anger out on her face. But I couldn’t. Not if I wanted to remain a free warden of the state. So I counted. I counted just the way I had learned to in fucking group therapy while they dragged her to the police car.. When I was calm enough, I gave her the finger, slammed the door, and sent my fist flying into the drywall. Twice. I had to get out of there, so I grabbed a duffle bag and began to pack what little possessions I had. There was only one place left that I could go.

So I'm having a little trouble nameing some of the chapters and I was wondering if you guys would like to help me. You can inbox them to me or just leave some suggestions in the comments. In return for you help, I'll dedicate the chapter to whoever named it. Thanks!