My tears were already falling. I was a failure. I failed, again.
"Come on, were leaving!" My mom shouted. Anger in her face. "Please! Leave me alone!" I tried to put grip between my shoes and the floor, but my shoes just kept slipping. I instantly thought of The Flower. I knew she was going to save me, somehow. I was so eager for wanting to be saved.
"You worthless child, how dare you just run away! Didn't you learn your lesson?"
"Momma I'm sorry momma, I'm sorry!"
"You think I need your sorry? Just wait till your dad sees you. You are so dead!"
As momma opened the backseat of the car, I saw Tommy. He was crying, his face hot. Momma looked around the parking lot, worried. She let go of my arm when she saw her worst hear. I looked to see what she was staring at.
A police officer. I smiled, feeling safe for some reason.
He was at the ATM and he scurried toward us at the sound of Tommy screaming. He looked worried, "Ma'am is that your child?"
Her eyebrows raised, "Uh yes this is my daughter, she -"
"Ma'am are you insane? You are endangering this child? I saw you walk into the store alone, you left his boy alone in a hot car?"
I could see Momma's pumping through her tank top. Oh momma, you're caught. "I mean I was just going for a quick wiz officer, no biggie."
My mom turned around, as if he was just going to leave. He looked down at me. I mouthed the words, 'help'.
He looked angry. "Ma'am please put your hands behind your back for me."
She gasped, "No officer, please this is a whole big mix -"
"Calling all units, I need backup in Harveston's Lane gas station," he looked at Tommy and I, "and possibly an ambulance."
Momma cried. A lot. I felt sorry for her. Why?
All of a sudden I started to think of all the things that have happened to me in the past. Such bad memories. The abuse. My mom hitting me. My dad punching me. I wanted it all to be over.
I was scared for you momma.
"I'll be back Tommy baby!" She cried out as she was walked to the cop car.
"Love you too momma." I whispered.
YOU ARE READING
The Flower Girl
Short StoryA child abuse story. Katherine Brooks. Eleven years old. Her parents don't like her, she gets abused a lot by them. But she doesn't know how to stop it. She wants to be happy. But how?
