Everyday Life

Prologue

Malissa was sitting in her room. She was reading, trying to drown out the sound of her parents. They were yelling at Johnny but he didn't say anything back. He never did.

"Stupid. Mistake. We don't love you. We wish you were never born. You're not grateful."

She has heard that all her life. It was never said to her, though. Only her brother.

Her parents loved her. At least that's what she likes to think. When they are drunk she tries to stay away from them, though. They always yell at Johnny, beat him, throw things at him. But not to her. Malissa is 17 and a half. Her parents always wanted a child, but they really wanted a girl. They were so excited, but a little over a year, her mother became pregnant again. They didn't want anymore children.

Ever since she was 7 she had been taking care of Johnny. Their parents never wanted him but they still took care of him. But when they started drinking more often that all changed. Ever since he was six they called him all those horrible things. Malissa always assured him that they didn't mean it. That they were just words. But words soon became abuse and neglect.

They would yell at him. They would kick him, smack him, push him. Then they would send him to his room and he wasn't allowed to come out until he was told. Malissa and her parents would eat while Johnny was in his room. Malissa would always go back for seconds because Johnny needed to eat. If she didn't her parents would eat it. She would take little bites of each thing until her parents left and she was able to take the food to Johnny.

The first few nights that started happening, Johnny didn't get any food. He would always tell Malissa he was hungry. "When Mom and Dad are in bed go get something out of the fridge." Johnny did as his big sister told him. He learned not to get a lot of food. If he got too much his parents found out and it didn't end well.

Now Johnny knows when to leave and when to stay. As for Malissa, she didn't really know. She knew not to come when her parents where drunk or fighting. But when they were sober she knew it was safe. Just to be safe she sometimes spent the night at the Curtis house. She knew it was bad to stay at her parents place, but the were sort of nice to her. They never beat her or do anything to her that they do to Johnny (Although they sometimes yell at her). They just treat her differently. She doesn't know if it's because she's the firstborn or if it's because she's a girl.

The one thing she does know is that once she is 18 she will leave here and not come back. And Johnny's coming with her.