chapter 3
894 Words
I partically ran to hug Aunt stella.She smiled widely as soon as she saw me.By then, tears were already flowing down my cheeks . She noticed and gently wiped them away.
"How have you been,my darling?" Aunt asked, smiling .
"I'm good... and obviously very happy to see you.It feels like we haven't met in centuries," i said.
"Awwww , Bubble . I'm more than happy to see you," she smiled again.
But her smile quickly faded when she noticed my bruised cheek.The marks weren't as clear as in the morning, but they are still visible.
"Hope who did this...?" she asked in a angry tone.
I flinched.you never mess with an angry aunt stella.
"It's nothing. I'm okay," I said quickly, trying to comfort her and change the topic.
"Did james do this?" she asked worriedly .God, she was stubborn.
I stayed silent.
She stepped closer and gently lifted my chin.Her eyes softened.
"Tell me, Bubble . Trust me .I will never let anyone hurt you emotionally or physically" she reassured me.
I gave her sad smile and nodded ."Yes ....it was father," I whispered.
She heard me clearly.
"Why" she asked patiently.
I sighed. "I overslept and got late making his coffee.... so he slapped me.Hard".
She let out a deep breath.
This isn't okay.I will talk to him . But first,i have a good news.
I looked at her.
"You're coming with me to Chicago. I'm planning to enroll you in a high school there- it's much better. And I will be able to take proper care of you.we will leave in few days. don't worry about your father i will take care of him.
My mood instantly brightened . I gave her a goofy smile.
I loved Chicago .I used to spend my summers there . Leaving aunt stella's house always made me cry.I had so many precious memories.
Ah..... Good days are coming.
I smiled to myself.
Aunt stella snapped me out of my thoughts .
"What do you want for dinner"?
"Your favourite chicken pasta",I said , giving her puppy eyes.
She laughed lightly ."ofcourse , Bubble ."
I went into the living room and turned on the T.V .My favourite movie, frozen, was playing.
"Dinner is ready, Hope," Aunt stella called from the kitchen after some time.
"Coming right away,"I said, sprinting in.The mouth-watering smell of pasta filled my nostrils , making my stomach growl.I was starving.
We ate together, chanting about school and random things . Later, we sat on the couch,sipping water.
Then the main door opened .
My drunk father walked in.
I glanced at the clock .
When did it get so late?
The movement he saw aunt stella, he froze.His eyes widened . Aunt stella's expression shifted from calm to furious in seconds.
"We need to talk,Mr James," she said flatly.
"When did you fly from Chicago to Texas".
Dad asked,still shocked.
"My arival isn't important right now, " she said .She pulled me closer and gently turned my face so my bruised cheek faced him.
"Care to explain this?" she asked angrily, pointing at the finger mark on my skin.
Dad stayed silent, staring at the burises .
I was on the verge of crying . My own father hurt me physically and mentally .He treated me like garbage, like his maid .He locked me in my room for days without food and water.He blamed me for my mom's death.If not for aunt stella and Lynn my life would have been hell.
"She delayed my coffee,"He snapped ."She can't even do one simple task without getting on my nerves.
"James Jones, she is your daughter,not your f*****g maid," Aunt stella said sharply."Cassandra's death affected all of us, but the way you are treating your own child is cruelty."
"She took my wife from me, he shouted.
"She should be grateful I shelter her fat a*s"
That broke me .
I brust into tears .
How am I responsible for mom's death?
I loved her with all my heart . She was my world.
"Enough! Aunt stella yelled ."She was a toddler! What does she have to do with my sister's death?"
Her words faded as my mom's smiling face filled my mind . The women who was my light-gone forever.
"Cassandra worried about Hope even when she was dying," Dad said, sobbing . "She skipped her medicine just to see her . Her last words were 'I love my hope.''''
It was the first time i had ever seen him cry.
Aunt Stella's expression softened.
"What happened back then was never Hope's fault . Losing her mother was the most worst thing for her . But the way you're treating her is pushing her into hell."
She looked at me with glossy eyes.I smiled weakly.
"I'm taking her to Chicago,"she said firmly ,"She will live with me ."
Dad snapped,"you're not taking her .I need her."
"She's not your maid ,James ,"Aunt stella
said coldly .
Then she turned to me ."Bubble, You will come with me."
I looked at her ....then at my father.
"Yes," I whispered.
"Good we will leave in six days."
I went to my room and took a hot shower, their voices echoing faintly outside.
As i lay on my bed, one thought hit me hard.
I need to tell Lynn.
She's going to be stunned.
- Writer
