An Unlikely Beginning
I can’t remember the last time I went outside. The room is dark, the blankets wrap around my legs begging me to stay where I am. I scan the room looking for changes but of course there are none. No one would dare enter my room without my permission. I wonder what has woken me up. Then I remember the dream I had and how vivid it was. I was being chased and was about to fall victim to a serial murderer who was yelling at me to get out of bed when I snapped out of it.
“IF YOU DON’T COME DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW, YOU WILL LEAVE ME NO CHOICE BUT TO MARCH UP THERE AND DRAG YOU OUT!”
That would be mother.
I slide out of bed and lay on the floor for a bit letting sleep reclaim me. As I am drifting back to sleep I miss the sound of feet marching up the stairs and the door opening. I also don’t see mom standing by my feet. I feel her strong hand grab my ankle and suddenly I am being dragged across the carpet onto the hardwood. It would have been fun if she hadn’t unceremoniously dropped my feet on the floor causing me to howl in pain.
“Ow! What was that for? I was going to come out in a bit, I just needed five more minutes” I complain. My heel is smarting, and I can feel where it slammed on the ground.
“Don’t be such a baby, it’s almost 10, you need to get up so we can get the day started. You’ve locked yourself in your room for three days and I haven’t seen you come out even for the bathroom. I get that you’re upset about Mia, but life goes on,” Mother reasons, “When is the last time you went out with your friends? Here’s what we’ll do, you go take a shower, get dressed, brush your teeth, all that good stuff and I will make you something to eat”.
I lift myself off the floor and run a hand through my hair. I hadn’t realized it had gotten so unruly.
“Deal,” I say, “But only if I get to stay in tomorrow and mope,”
Mother just smiles and walks back downstairs. That is as close as I am going to get to a yes so I take it.
