The Flower Girl

TWO

The Flower. Oh She was so beautiful, more beautiful than me, more beautiful than momma. Yes, my momma was beautiful with her hazel eyes, even with those dark bags under her eyes, she looked timeless.  

I picked her up outside once when I had tried to run away from my home. I was so stupid for that, it made my parent's anger get worse. My parents caught me, not sure how, but I remember I was reaching the corner of our street when papa's blue sedan pulled up next to me, the window rolled down with papa grabbing the cigarette off his mouth, "Oh you're gon' get it tonight" 

And I did 'get it'. I think I got punched 5 times...maybe more, not sure. After I was done being papa's boxing puppet, I went to my room and felt around my pocket. I let out a breath of relief knowing She was with me. Beautiful purple petals, I had never seen anything like Her. 2 years and She still looks the same.

I was in my room, my safe place, when momma barged in, startling me, "Here, take your damn food!" She threw a sandwich on the floor, completely falling apart. The ham touched the floor. When she left, I grabbed the sandwich pieces off the floor, my stomach rumbled of hunger, the corner of my mouth lifted.

 I ate up. 

It was night time already. My favorite time of day, everyone in town is asleep and the sounds of crickets signing brings me peace. I never got a goodnight kiss, but I made sure I kissed one of Her petals and laid on my bed. My stomach sounded like a whale, a whale crying, except I was just hungry. I had to go eat something, what's the worst that could happen? I grabbed my Flower, and tiptoed to the kitchen.

I opened the fridge quietly. Fresh fruit, aluminum foil covered plates, some food I didn't even recognize. Everything looked delicious. I grabbed an apple since I had read in my health book they keep a stomach full, I headed for my room...but it was too late. My parent's bedroom door opened. My heart started beating. If they found me in the kitchen, they were going to hit me, badly. I tiptoed to the nearest window behind the sofa and hid behind the curtains. 

I took a peek. It was papa. I don't wanna be a punching bag today papa.

He seemed to be searching for something, but he just got a glass of water, and went back to his room. 

Thank you Flower.