Calum.

11

The week passed on, so it was now Thursday.  Me and Hazel made our way to the bakery together.  "Is this whole bakery thing something you'd like to do like your parents, after we graduate?"  I asked her.

She shook her head no "Fuck no.  I hate this type of stuff.  I'm just trying to be supportive of their decision.  And it sucks because I have to be here extra late tonight and tomorrow to close." She kicked a pebble on the sidewalk into the street.

We settled into the kitchen area where we were every day of the week, and did the same stuff. 

As I made my way home, I saw my stepdads car in the driveway.  I rolled my eyes as I went forward towards the driveway.  I heard screaming and yelling from the front porch and braced myself for when I went inside. 

"GET ON THE FUCKING FLOOR YOU UGLY BITCH!" He screamed at her "PLEEEASE STOP! I NEVER MEANT TO CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN!"  She pleaded.  I ignored the whole thing and went into my room.  If she didn't want my help then, she didn't want it now.

I went into my room and closed the door locking it.  Loud booming footsteps made way up the stairs to my door. My step father pounded on my door, and kicked it causing it to fly open.  He charged at me throwing blows to my face and chest. 

I struggled to free myself from his grip.  I got one arm free and punched him in the face.  "Get the hell out of my room!" I shouted at him.  My mother stood frightened in the doorway.

"Get the hell out of my house!" He shouted back at me.  My mother shook in the doorway.  I could tell she didn't want to, but she nodded.  I pushed him off of me.  I grabbed my school bag and another bag and packed up my shit.

I walked out of my house with clenched jaws and a bloody fist.  I had nowhere to go.  I walked to the bakery to see Hazel inside closing up shop. 

I knocked on the glass window.  She turned her head to look at me, her face dropped. She ran to open the door and welcomed me inside.  "Calum, w-what happened?"  She asked sitting me down. 

"I had to leave." I said with my head spinning.  She grabbed the first aid kid behind the front counter where the register was. She grabbed some stuff in a bottle and applied it to my hand.

She then grabbed this medical tissue stuff and wrapped up my hand.  "Calum do you have anywhere to stay?" She asked with concern. I shook my head no and put my head down.  I didn't want her to see that I was crying.

We were walking to her house, "My parents are out for a few days, so you can stay here with me if you'd like."  I set my bag down and wiped my eyes dry. "Calum come with me." She led me into the kitchen while she filled up a plastic ziplock bag with ice and wrapped it up into a towel.

"Towels prevent burns through direct contact. Even though its ice, you could get frostbite, because your blood vessels become thinner and more narrow.  That could eventually lead up to gangrene if not treated...but I'll take good care of you..." I wasn't sure if she was talking to herself or me.

"So you really are a doctor I guess..." since everything was so awkwardly quiet, I tried to start a conversation.  "I wish.  That would have me financially set for life..." she said while sitting on a bar stool directly across from me. 

I looked at the clock and it was 9:30pm.  "Can I have a glass of water?"  I asked nervously running my hand through my hair.  She got up to get me a glass of water.  Then raced upstairs, coming down shortly after.  ???

"Calum you can sleep in my room if you'd like, I'll take the couch..." she said with her voice rattling as if it could've given out any second.  "I can take the couch,  it's your house so..." I offered.

She led me up to her room anyways and made me take her bed, while she took the couch downstairs.