DADDY ISSUES

Two

My eyes open from the bright sunlight that creeps into my room. I stand up and walk lazily to the kitchen. I very thirsty and I feel exhausted.

"Melanie"

Mom comes running down the stairs with her heels clicking in every step making an annoying sound that penetrates my head causing me pain. I don't respond to her. I stopped paying attention to her a few days now. I am done trying. I will play her game, ignoring her existence.

"Melanie, I am talking to you can't you hear me?"

I place my cup in the sink and try to walk up the stairs back to my room but she got in my way.

"Do you think it's funny? It's been days since you spoke to me, you such a child. "

My tired eyes meet hers, for the first time in days. I stare at her with no emotion, she takes a step back confused and scared, I find it as an opportunity and walk up the stairs. It doesn't feel good, mom, does it? I struggle to stop my smile. I feel like I won like I am doing the right thing. Time for my final decision to take place.

Mom storms into my room without knocking, seeing me zipping up a travel bag. This weekend I am going to my dad's place, something I should have done days ago. Enough time I missed with him, trying to help her. She doesn't care, I don't either.

"What do you think you are doing? "

She screams as she grabs my arm and pulls me back to face her.

"I will go to Dad's for the weekend or as long as I feel like."

I respond to her calmly, trying to not make things even worst.

"No, absolutely not. I forbid you to."

"You can't do that. It is the weekend and I want to see my dad. I want to leave for a while. "

Tears almost spill from my eyes as I speak. Mom raises her hand and slaps me making my head move to the side. It's not a surprise, it's not the first time she has slapped me but it's been a while.

"Empty the bag, you won't go anywhere."

My breathing quickens, no I won't let her do that to me. I will leave this house no matter what even for a few days. I want to get out, I want to be away. Instead of following her order I grab my bag and walked out of my room and run down the stairs, she is following me, I can hear her heels. I made it to the door before she could get her hands on me.

"Melanie, if you step out this door don't even think of coming back. "

What makes you think I want to come back? I open the door and I run out, I run as fast and as far as I can. I fear that if I stay near the house, she would find me. Why she even cares if I leave for a few days? She will have the whole house to herself, I don't get it. She just likes to see me miserable but she is my mom. As I make it to the park I slow down, I am far enough. I sit on a bench to catch my breath.

The rule. I totally forgot about it. I manically start searching for my phone in my bag and on myself but it was nowhere to be found. No, it can't be. Please, tell me I didn't forget it. Tears emerge in my eyes as I cannot find my cellphone. It's home on my desk, the way I left and with everything that happens, I didn't get it. What now? How am I going to call dad? Everything is too shit. I can't go back home that is for sure, I look around me trying to find a solution, till I notice across me a payphone outside a convenience store. Okay, I think I have a few coins in my pockets, and let's hope it still works. I repeat in my mind over and over does number as I grab my bag and cross the busy road.