Life As We Know It

Seven Years

4 years old.

The first day of school.

Kindergarten.

This is so new. What do I do? Who are these people?

"This is Toni, and Charlie."

Toni. And Charlie. My bestfriends. My only friends.

5 years old.

The bus.

Star is still putting on her makeup. Why do other girls love makeup? It makes no sense to me.

6 years old.

My brother and sister teamed up on me again. Bruises are starting to appear on my upper arms. But I don't have time to mind them. I have to feed the chickens.

7 years old.

Home.

My stepdad hit me again. This time with the aluminum bat. What did I do?

Mom is not too far, but cannot see it.

9 years old.

Stomach cramps after losing a tooth a week prior. What do I do? Mom said I'm just growing.

10 years old.

Another physical fight between my mom and step dad.

I walk upstairs, afraid of what I will see.

Mom is laying on the ground crying.

11 years old.

Mom has decided to move to another town, 2 miles away. No necessary school change.

My mom will divorce my step dad.

He is still coming around. Harassing us, and making a public scene.

I hide in my room again. The worst 7 years of my life must be behind me now.