The Broken Girl

Sounds of furniture and glasses breaking were heard. Screams and sobs always followed. My parents were fighting again. They were always like this. I always came to the stairs to watch them.

"I should never have married you!" he threw a bottle of liquor at her. It hit her right on the forehead and she fell to the ground. Dead.

He must have heard me gasp. He walked towards me. I tried to move but my feet were stuck to the ground. I couldn't scream either. He tottered as he came closer. As he was about to hit the bottle on my head, I screamed, waking up to find myself on my bed.

"Anna! What happened?" my boyfriend, Luke Flynn, came into the room with a confused look on his face. He knew about my constant nightmares, so he stayed over for the night.

"Another nightmare?" I nodded. I had nightmares all the time since she passed. But this one was different. He was closer to me and it felt so real.

He sat on the edge of my bed and placed my head on his lap and he rubbed my back with his palm. He was the only one who knew how to relax me. I wondered what I would do without him. I didn't even know when I fell asleep.

******

I woke up to the sound of my ringtone playing on my phone. It was Dope by a song group called BTS. I had always been a big fan of their music and Dope was one of their greatest hits. I picked it up to see who was calling. Luke's name flashed on the screen and I quickly answered the call.

"Come outside." the line went dead after he said that. I wonder what we were going to do today.

Although I was confused, I quickly freshened up and obeyed his command.

As I went outside, I saw him leaning against his motorcycle. "Quick. Get on." He wore his helmet and gave me the spare.

"Where are we going?" I asked curiously.

"You'll soon know." he started his motorcycle and we rode off to the unknown destination.

After minutes of riding, I found myself at a place I had never dared to walk into. My mother's grave. I had always tried to come here, but fear and guilt always got the best of me. I felt like I was going to be rejected and I wasn't ready to feel that way. I turned around to leave but Luke grabbed my arm. He pulled me towards him and looked into my eyes. I did same to his. He was the only one who had that effect on me.

"It wasn't your fault Anna."

"Help! Help me!" she screamed.

"It was. She was practically screaming for help but I couldn't do anything. All I just did was to watch her as she bled to death. I'm sorry but I can't do this Luke." I removed my arm from his but he held mine again.

"Please. At least do it for me." he pleaded. I had no other option in the world than to cry. I fell on my knees, right in front of her grave and cried my heart out. Luke handed me a red rose, which she always loved. This hurt him as much as it hurt me. He always supported us and watching her pass on was one of the most painful things to do. I took the rose and placed it in front of her grave, hoping that she would just reach out and accept it from my hands.

I would never be able to forgive myself, but I hoped that she would at least forgive me.

"Goodbye mother." Those were the last words I said to her. We sat there for a while in tears before we walked back to the motorcycle. When I got on, curiosity got the best of me and I looked back at that grave for the last time. I swear I could see her still smiling and waving at me. "Goodbye Anna." she said as she disappeared.

"Don't want to be late for thanksgiving. I heard your aunt saying we're going to eat a stuffed chicken. You know how I love that stuff. I can't wait." Luke said, struggling to start his motorcycle. Luke had sort of an addiction for stuffed chicken which was why he always looked forward to thanksgiving because it was our family tradition to serve stuffed chicken as a dish. Poor chicken. I almost feel sorry for it. I said almost.

"Yeah. I know. Let's go." I said giggling. He finally started it and we began our journey back home.

"Thanks Luke." I said.

"Your welcome."

As the wind touched my face, I couldn't help but think, as though my life was as rough as nails, I was still able to find peace.

There would always be a space in my heart that will be reserved for my mother and her precious love. I love you mother and I hope that wherever you are, you can hear me and come back to me.

As for my father, he was in jail. It was easy to forgive but very hard to forget. I forgive him but I still fell vindictive towards him and I pray that it wears off soon. He was serving a jail term of life imprisonment.

The cross I was carrying was lifted off my shoulders. My heart felt light. I felt forgiven. Thanks again Luke. I will forever be grateful.

Its time for me to reach out for what life has in store for me. Its time for me to live in my present and not my past. And finally, it's time for me to be free.

End.