the captured red hibiscus flower (editing)

A Crush?

        Larry was ready to pounce. “Oh, you think you’re being smart eh? By disobeying me? Well I don’t tolerate disobedience to well.” I smirked “yeah I noticed. You can dish it but can’t take it.” He glared at me, then he slapped me. I muttered under my breath “see” then I prepared myself for a beating. But to my surprise Margret stepped in front of me. “Let it go” Larry stepped back annoyed and shock clear on his face he took a deep breath “FINE” then he stomped up the stairs.

I sighed a breath of relief. Confused I asked “Margret, why did you stop him? You’ve never done that before.” She sighed then turned around to face me “three reasons. Reason one is: you just got out of the hospital, after nearly dying. Second reason is because sometimes Larry needs some time to himself to think, if he doesn’t make time to think he will lose his head. And third reason is because it’s your birthday today, and I know how crappy Larry will be sure to make it. Be thankful that you have this time now to do what you want, but the one rule is: no trying to escape while you have this freedom. Don’t you DARE ABUSE IT!!!!!!!”

I nodded

“thank you Margret” she nodded. I smiled then left to the kitchen to get some water to drink. I was feeling dehydrated, and I drank three glasses of water before I felt replenished. I walked out of the kitchen and into the living room where I sat on the sofa and I let my mind wander. I first began to think of Larry I wondered why he was so obsessed with inflicting pain. I shook my head not wanting to think about Larry. Soon my mind went on to other things and then I started thinking about James, in fact, I was barely able to stop thinking about him all day. I would fantasize about James and I as a couple; and then I began thinking about a lot of different scenarios as to what I wish we could be. but I knew one thing for sure, James couldn’t like an ugly girl like me. no guy for that matter would ever want to look at me.

I sighed stopping myself from my daydreams. Margret sat down beside on the sofa she smiled at me “im proud of you, for  standing up to Larry. thats something I could never do. Don’t tell Larry but when I would go out to get groceries for us, before Larry brought you here. I didn’t want to come back so I took an extra-long time shopping. But I knew i had to come back or he would have beat me, But he loves me more than ever and he would never lay a finger on me. Alexis promise me that you wont repeat what was shared here, with anyone” I nodded and

she smiled "do you have any secrets you want to share? i won't repeat what you tell me.” I shook my head politely and smiled at her “thanks, but I don’t have any secrets to share right now.” She nodded “that’s ok. I owe you then.” I nodded “sure.” She smiled then went to check up on Larry to see if he calmed down at all. I looked at a clock and it read 3:56pm. i shrugged and I went to the fridge to get a glass of milk. after I poured the milk, I put it back in the fridge and closed the door. I jumped when I saw Larry looking at me dead in the eye, it felt as if he was looking into my soul.

I gulped and began preparing myself to ask him a question, I took a deep breath, smiled sweetly “um Larry I don’t know if you’re aware, but since today is my 14th birthday and I was hoping – wondering if maybe you could let me um…” I quieted my voice “if you could let me…” Larry looked at me annoyed "what?! spit it out" I gulped then i quietly and quickly spurted out “ if you would let me have no chores today” Larry looked just baffled, and surprised. I quickly with a little more courage added “please Larry” he face turned into frustrated anger; he slapped me then yelled out “HOW DARE EVEN THINK TO ASK FOR NO CHORES? I DON’T GIVE A CRAP IF IT IS YOUR SPECIAL DAY OR NOT!!! DO NOT ASK ME AGAIN.”

I wanted to crawl into a shell of embarrassment but I couldn’t. I gulped and meekly said “sorry Larry it won’t happen again.” He grunted “it better not. Now go do those chores.” I nodded and sighed, then I quickly ran into the bathroom to clean it. When I first walked in I noticed my reflection in the mirror. Most of my bruises were covered up by Margret’s excellent make up job that she did while we were driving back to my prison. I leaned in closer to the mirror and the closer I got the more I could almost see the black and blue skin hiding under the makeup. She hid all the bruises with makeup except for the ones my neck. She just had me wear a thin scarf at all times. I shook my head as I stepped away from the mirror and mumbled “no one going to think anything’s wrong.”