The Truth Untold

Empty Souls.

Lunch at the house ( which was home to everyone, but Chiara), was always a big fiasco for the family.
Not Chiara, she was not an active participant.
Well..except for the preparation and cleaning after.
Despite her despair, Chiara tried hard to please her mom. She longed to hear "I love you" from her. She never did!

Chiara was never allowed to dine with the family.. She would sit outside until everyone had eaten, patiently awaiting her summons to the kitchen, to clean the dishes.
Of course, she dared not touch the food, until that was done.
" Why do they hate me so much?" Chiara wondered.
Her mom's holler soon drove away the reverie.
Chiara ran to the kitchen trembling like a leaf on a windy afternoon.
"I must get this right. They will like me if I do everything". She muttered to herself.
Chiara's mind knew no peace.
Wondering about her life during the day.
Nightmares at night.

That Sunday, her stepdad delayed at the table.
"That food was delicious." He said to her mom.
Chiara sneeked a peek at her mom.
There she was, smiling and hanging on to his every word. Like a spider on a torn web!!
Chiara helped with the cooking at times, that is when she was not outside attending to other chores.

Mr. Awkward was never keen on Chiara's cooking.
" This food is tasteless and fit for a dog" he would sometimes bark.
Nevertheless, the chicken bone would always disappear between his lips.
His jaws, worked on it.
The hollows in his cheeks, like dancing jowls.
He would then lick his fingers and exclaim:
"That dumb girl cannot cook at all!"

Returning to the present, Chiara worked quickly on the dishes.
She was so hungry.
The idea of having a plate of food spurring her along.

Suddenly, the conversation at the table, penetrated her mind.
"Let her take care of her sister's hair, before she eats!" her stepdad said.
Turning quickly, Chiara saw him looking at her with a smirk on her face.
" Mummy, I am hungry, I will do it after I eat!" Chiara wailed.
Her mom never glanced her way .
"Mummy,  Chiara has not eaten. She is hungry. Please let her eat" pleaded Gary.
"I will help her after, let her eat please" Gary continued.
Well after what happened next, they both understood that there was no hope in depending on their mom.
Mr. Awkward showed them who was in control.
A glass flew past Gary's head and struck the wall. The sound sending the younger children scampering for cover.
Chiara froze as she stared at the shattered pieces on the floor...her heart pounding in her chest.

Gary stood helplessly as Mr. Awkward approached Chiara, whilst their mom sat there and looked on.
"Slap!" Chiara's cheek burned as her neck snapped back.
"Don't ever answer when I speak, no one wants to hear you. You are ugly! Your father does not want you. You do not have anyone!" he chorused.
"If you touch any of that food, I will deal with you."

Chiara watched helplessly and hopelessly as her mom rose and joined Mr. Awkward, when he left the room. She did not look back at her own offsprings,  who stood there.

Chiara wasted no time.
The impact on her cheek had caused a swelling and there was an awful lot of pain.
Ignorant to that, Chiara ran to the cupboard, grabbed one slice of bread and raced through the back door.

Trembling, hungry and hurting, Chiara tore at the slice of bread,  which disappeared in two bites.
Her chest heaved as she panted.
" What will happen if they catch me?"
Thirsty and tired, she ran to the standpipe, gulped water down her parched throat. Her cheeks hurting with every frail effort.
She was happy that she had taken the slice of bread, for she knew not, when she would have that luxury again.