The Darkness in her Eyes

11

"Annie! Come get your damn dog!"

I flutter my eyes open and hear Mom yelling at the top of her lungs at Heavenly Sue.

Poor girl.

"Annie, get in here and get this dog!"

I head to the living room, to where I've found all of mom's cigarettes on the ground, completely shredded.

I laugh loudly.

"This isn't funny Annie; I'm going to keep her outside if she doesn't straighten up".

"Mom she's just a pup, she'll learn".

"She better".

After cleaning up Heavenly Sue's mess, I go back to my room and look for some clothes to wear to Aunt Terry's nursing home. I would be stuck putting up activity calendars and decorating the boards since she was unable to anymore. After the fight with Bree, I went home. I don't understand how she could hurt me so much with little care of how it would affect me. I never competed with her even as a child, but she always had to be better. Whether it was smarter, prettier, or had the most stuff.

Honk. Honk.

"Annie, Terry is here to pick you up, you better hurry".

I get dressed quickly and run out the door. As I get into the car, Aunt Terry looks me down, like she's dissecting a pig with perfect precision.

"You are going to wear that? Why didn't you put some makeup on? What about the outfit, I just gave you for your birthday?"

"Sorry Aunt Terry".

"Your mom tells me Bree and you got into it yesterday. Want to talk about it?".

"Not really".

She shrugs and turns on her favorite fifties station, because of her I am pretty sure I know every fifties song known to man.

"Maybe after we are done, we'll get some ice cream. If you want, you can come mowe and clean for some extra money too".

"It doesn't matter". I said as I stared straight ahead.

Aunt Terry taps my knees, "Knock it off girl, I'm sure whatever it is, You two will make up for it. Bree has always been jealous of you".

I laugh and roll my eyes. "How can she be jealous of me, she has everything?".

Aunt Terry looks at me and shrugs. "You have had a hard life, no doubt. But you were the favorite of your grandma and you have parents that act like parents. Bree has a drunk for a father that doesn't care and a mom that gave up custody years ago. You may not know this girl, but Bree envies you".

We park in the side entrance of the nursing home. "Remember what I tell you girl, put on a show. Don't let anyone see your insecurities or flaws. Put a big smile on that pretty face of yours and be confident".

We spend the days decorating and putting out activity calendars. Halloween decorations were going up everywhere and the nursing home residents were excited about dressing up and seeing kids trick or treat. I usually come and help Aunt Terry a couple times a month and I've grown close to a few of the residents here. I loved Teresa, she could light up a room with her jokes and George who was a trooper and came to every activity, religiously. When I was younger about seven he started giving me candy and we had been close since then. He doesn't remember me every time but the days he does make them worth it.

We get back at five and Aunt Terry calls my mom to let her know I'd be helping her around the house and mowing the lawn. Uncle Randall walks in and sits on his recliner. My uncle is a quiet man with very little words. I think it's a family trait at this point. I get through most of the chores and I can hear my Aunt Terry laughing on the phone.

"Oh Annie, you didn't tell me about the two boys fighting over you at Joes".

"Bree invited them both over at the same time, I couldn't stop her".

"You should be pleased to have both fighting over you. You know what I'd like to do to Craig".

I gag and roll my eyes.

"Is Andrew just as handsome?" I can hear Aunt Terry saying into the phone.

Aunt Terry belts out laughing.

"Oh honey, you can do better than that. Joe just described him to me. Stay with Craig and his lovely fine ass".

Uncle Randall shakes his head and puts on a TV show. Grandma walks in and has been dusting her room. She puts the dust rag down and motions me over to her.

"Come here, Child. I found something for you." It was a porcelain doll with red hair and blue eyes. It had a pretty pink dress on it.

"It's so pretty grandma, Thank you!"

"I want you to keep this and remember me, when I'm no longer in this world".

"Grandma, you're going to be around forever".

"You know I won't be child".