Coffee Shop

Chapter 9

"Wait, he showed up at your house that early?" Caterina screamed through the phone. Amelia silently laughed. 

"Yeah. He was at my house at six this morning. Drove me insane. We talked on the phone first and then he said something to piss me off. I hung up on him then I couldn't sleep because it was true."

"So.. what does that mean? Are you two friends now?"

"Um.. you see Greyson told him almost everything. The only thing he doesn't know about is my father. Which need I remind you he gets out in about a month in a half. I have yet told my mother how I feel about it."

"You need to tell her ", Amelia heard a pause on Caterina's side, " I think Benjamin is good for you. No I don't mean that romantically either."

Amelia rolls her eyes at Caterina and chuckles. Cat knew exactly what she was thinking and responded to it before Amelia even had a chance to make her retort.

"Yeah but he doesn't need to know about my father. I swear if you tell hi-" Amelia gets cut off when she hears her Mom yell for her. "I got to go. Sorry." Amelia hung up and rushes downstairs.

"Amelia. You're father is coming home today. I'm about to leave to go get him. This house needs to be clean when I get home. Also, get some chicken out to de-thaw.  You're father may want a homecooked meal tonight."

"Ok." Amelia's whole body went cold. She was supposed to have another six weeks. Six weeks to get a grasp of what was about to happen. Even now that has been taken from her. Amelia gets to cleaning and within an hour the house is cleaned. She grabs the chicken out of the freezer and sits it in cold water in the sink. 

Amelia checks the time and walk out the house. She has to pick her brother up. He at least needs to be warned. A million thoughts race through her mind on the walk to get Greyson. How was she gonna tell him? Would he cry? Would he call Child Protective Services? She doesn't have a clue what she's supposed to do.

Greyson comes running out the school doors and stops. Amelia grabs his hand and starts walking back home. She was more pulling him than walking with him. Amelia was grateful Greyson was silent. She has no idea how well she would be able to keep up idle talk. 

Amelia gestures for Greyson to go to his room. Amelia locks the door behind her and follows Greyson.

"Hey buddy", Amelia sits down pulling Greyson into her side, " Dad is coming home today instead of six weeks."

"What?" Greyson looks scared out of his mind. Amelia realizes he definitely remembers the thuds and fights and screams. He was almost four.

"Yeah. Mom told me earlier. I just wanted to warn you before you were surprised. How was the game day in the gym?" Amelia was trying to divert the subject.

"Why is he coming back? Mom went to the hospital a bunch."

Amelia and Greyson heard the front door open and shut. 

"Hey stay in your room. Keep the door shut." Amelia kisses Greyson on the head. she closes the door and walks to the kitchen. Grabbing a water bottle and a juice box for Greyson she starts to head back to his room.

"Amelia, I just wanted to say I forgive you for putting me in jail. You were young and misread the situation. It's fine." Amelia's father stands in her way. She tenses up as she watches him like a hawk. She looks in his eyes and sees pure evil. It could just be her imagination.

"Ok. "

Her fathers eyes drop to the drinks in her hand. "Where you going with those?"

"Greysons room. I'm helping him with homework. I told him to try to complete a problem while I went to grab drinks." Amelia said. Which is true. She did tell him to stay in his room but not to do homework. Amelia heard her mother humming in the kitchen. She was cooking dinner which saddens Amelia. Her mother can cook dinner for her abusive husband but not for her kids. That is ridiculous.

"Okay. Well, I'll come get you two when dinner is ready."

"Okay." Amelia turns around and heads to Greysons room.

"Ok buddy. Do you have any Math homework?"

"No. Not tonight. I have a book report though."

"What book did you pick?"

"Huckleberry Finn."

"That's what I did my book report on. Awesome."

"Can I use yours? I don't like reading."

"No. Read the book. We'll go through every five chapters and do some writing. That's not that bad."

"Okay." Amelia and Greyson worked on his book report for the next hour when a knock disrupts their thoughts.

"Dinner is ready." Their father opens the door.

"Okay. We'll be right down." Amelia smiles at him. He shuts the door and she listens as his footsteps fade away.

"Hey for dinner keep your mouth shut. Don't anger him. It's not a good idea." Greyson shakes his head in understanding. They get up and go to dinner.