All About Timing

Chapter Twenty

'My eyes burned as I struggled to breathe. My head was dunked in the water again, my latest abuser holding me down as I learned to stop struggling against him.

"Dammit bitch! I want to hear you scream," he screams at me as I don't do a thing. I feel a sharp pain in my ribs before I yelp, my face being shoved into the water again.

I begin to struggle from inhaling some water, trying my hardest to cough.

"That's more like it," he whispers in my ear. Goosebumps erupting on my skin as I close my eyes.

I begin to count with my eyes close, allowing my body to become numb as slowly but surely, I detach myself from what is happening. Eventually, going into the closet in my mind to hide because I knew what was coming next and that is one thing I hate to remember or experience.

But then the scenery changes and I find myself being flung into the wall but the person who pushed me was not who was I expected.

"Dammit Aryn! I'm tired of this shit," Mom yells at me, throwing something that barely misses my head.

"Mom, I thought- I thought-" I tried to plead but she charged towards me. Flinging her foot into my ribs.
I cry out as I hear Mom's laugh, my eyes watering at this sight.

"I wouldn't of ever adopted you if I knew you were going to be this complicated!" Mom yelled, the words breaking my heart.

"Mom no! No!" I scream as I see her fist coming towards me.'

"No!" I shoot up from my bed, looking towards my night light, reminding myself of where I am.

Running my hands through my blanket, I feel the softness of the texture as my mind begins to run through many things.

One thing on my mind though.

Drugs.

The itch is bad and I'm unsure how to handle it, I don't know how. My hands are shaking but I know I'll get through it.

I sit up from my bed and get up, pacing back and forward before looking at my bathroom. Walking straight in, I turn on the cold shower, instantly numbing my body as I'm finally able to catch my breath. The coldness calming me down instantly as I stand there for a while.

I know that Mom would never do that too me, this is the first time I had a dream where it was Mom attacking me that way.

"It's just a dream, Aryn," I repeat to myself, trying to convince myself.

I eventually get out, drying myself off before putting on some shorts and one of Mom's shirts.

I walk quietly into the living room, sitting at my piano debating whether I should play or not.

My hands lightly hit the keys, my eyes sliding shut as I begin to play my song. I feel the tears begin to fall, the lump in my throat fading. For once, letting my emotions out.

The song slowly comes to an end, I feel a hand lightly touch my shoulder causing me to jump a little.

"You okay baby?" Momma questions, rubbing my shoulder lightly.

"Bad dream momma," I whisper, my voice cracking. Trying to hold in my tears but they begin to fall.

"Oh baby," Momma lets out, pulling me into her arms. I begin to sob into her shirt, holding onto her for dear life.

"You're okay Aryn, you're safe," she whispers soothingly. I feel myself being lifted and I end up being carried by Momma.

She lays me on the bed before crawling into bed with me.