Twenty Four Seven || Adam Park

five

Monday morning, my grandmother woke up in a bad mood. I stayed clear of her as best as I could while I was getting ready for school. I dressed in a pair of jeans and a silver reflective sweatshirt I had because it was the middle of October and windy out. I brushed through my hair an clipped a few strands back so they wouldn't be falling in my face throughout the day.

When I went down for breakfast, I wished I had skipped that meal of the day. My grandmother was in the kitchen, mumbling something to herself as she moved around making her coffee. I didn't say anything to her as I grabbed a bowl from the cupboard and a box of cereal from the pantry. I took a seat at the table after grabbing the milk and a spoon. My grandmother turned around and glared at me as she set her coffee at the table and then went over to the sink. I quietly ate my breakfast and then put everything away. Apparently I did something my grandmother didn't like because as I was pulling my arm back out from the pantry door, she slammed it shut as hard as she could... with my hand still in the way.

Pain instantly moved all around my hand as I jerked it back. I stared at her while holding my hand close to my chest. Why would she do that? Tears welted in my eyes as I stepped back from her.

"What was that for?" I screamed just a little bit louder than I meant too.

"You better watch your tone with me right now, little brat." She sneered.

"You slammed my hand in the door!" I yelled again.

"What did I just say?" her hand struck the side of my face as she smacked me for talking back.

I literally didn't do anything to her this morning. I was just putting my things away so that I could leave for school. I didn't think anything was broken as I attempted to stretch my fingers out, but it did hurt a lot and I wanted to grab an ice pack. But then I glanced at the time and I knew Aisha would be outside waiting for me. My grandmother had talked to her parents last night about letting us walk together.

I didn't say anything back to my grandmother as I waited for her to dismiss me. She only glared at me with the most disapproving look that I had ever seen in my life. Then the next words she muttered might as well have shot me right in the heart like a bullet.

"I can't even stand to look at you knowing you kill my son. Get out of my sight." She gritted through her teeth.

I turned on my heels, fighting the tears as I walked towards the front door. I wiped them away before going outside to meet Aisha. I didn't want her questioning why I looked upset. I tucked my hand in my sweatshirt as I swung the door open and closed it quietly. Aisha was waiting on the porch when I stepped outside and she was dressed fairly similar to me but instead she was wearing a yellow sweatshirt that complimented her chocolate brown skin.

"Good morning!" she smiled widely as we walked off the porch.

"Good morning." I smiled back. Forcing myself to smile right now hurt a lot when all I wanted to do was cry. My grandmother was right, I had killed my father...

"I hope you don't mind me asking, but why is your face so red?" Aisha asked.

"I have sensitive skin and I put lotion on this morning. It will go away in just a few minutes." I lied.

"Oh, okay. It looks like someone has slapped you though." She pointed out.

"Nope." I shook my head as we walked along the sidewalk.

We chatted all the way until we reached the school. When we went inside, we went our separate ways but promised to eat lunch together. I headed for my locker, ignoring the stares of the students who were also noticing my red face. I felt how warm my cheeks were when I tried my locker combination, failing to get it open on my own again. I tried Adam's trick, still nothing. I sighed as I looked to see if he was at his locker, which he thankfully was. He was chatting with another student.