Strawberry Lemonade

4

My mother screamed like I'd never heard her scream before, like someone had died or like someone had shot her.
"YOU FUCKING BASTARD" she shouted "I HATE YOU. I HATE YOU. I HATE YOU".
I got up out of my bed and walk to my door, slowly I turn the cold brass doorknob until it gives a soft click, then I pull the door open just wide enough to fit through and sneak out onto the landing.
"HOW COULD YOU, JACK" my mother shouts, it echoes off the walls. I get to the top of the stairs and sit down, its dark but i can see their shadows on the floor downstairs as the only light on is in the livingroom.

"Calm down, Carla" my father tries to reason with her "it's really not as bad as you think".

"NOT AS BAD AS I THINK?" She shouts "WE HAVE THREE TEENAGERS, WE HAVE BEEN MARRIED FOR TWENTY GODDAMN YEARS. WHAT HAS SHE GOT? YOUTH? MONEY?".

"It was a stupid mistake woman, let it rest" he replies "its not my fault the bitch got knocked up is it?".

"It takes two to tango you pig" she replies in a loud but more calm tone "I want you out of my house and away from my children, I'll rot in hell before you see them again".

"Oh carla come on" he says "be reasonable".

They carried on arguing but I was distracted by a hand on my shoulder. I looked round to see andy, his finger pressed to his lips, to tell me to be quiet. He beckons me to follow him and I get up. We walk over to his room and inside. Martha is sitting on the bed crying. She's just turned Eleven, usually a very happy child. We sit either side of her and just hug awkwardly. Neither of us girls had ever been close to Andy. "Do you" she takes a breath between sobs to get her words out "think daddy is going forever?".

"No darling" I try and reassure her but like any 14 year old i was stumped for ideas on how to. Andy was 17, Though he looked to be in his early 20's.
"I dont think he's going to be living with us for a while but we'll see him again".

"Cheer up, Martha" andy adds "how about tomorrow the three of us go into town and get a fry up from that nice café, my treat". Andy worked at the local supermarket in an attempt to prove to our father that he was independant.

"The one that lets dogs in?" She asks, now smiling, although it was dark her face was lit up by the moonlight through the window.

"Thats the one" he smiles "what do you say kiddo".

"Yeah ok" she wipes her eyes "its a deal".

Andy and I both looked at eachother, we understood what was happening and we both knew what was coming next. we silenty comunicated the same thought 'what the fuck do we do now'.
----------

I sat on the balcony in my room, it was the morning of the wedding, something I wasnt particularly looking forward to. I had lit a cigarette and began smoking it but then realised that I didnt fancy it and threw it off. I hadnt even bothered to put the awful excuse poppy called a bridesmaids dress on. I just wanted to get into bed and go back to sleep or die I dunno whichever was best.
I was dreading the moment someone came to find me and drag me down to the wedding.
I wish I could just sit here on this sunlounger, in my white hotel issued dressing gown and sunglasses all day.
"Wow, yer look in a good mood" a voice comes from my left, i knew who it was before i even looked.

"What do you want Liam?" I ask bitterly, not even turning to face him.

"Fuckin' hell, dont bite me will yer? For fuck's sakes" he whines "I only wanted to know if your could spare a fuckin' cig".