Finding His Sun

Chapter One

Starring in the mirror Erin didn’t even recognize her own face. For a year now she hadn’t seen herself, only what she wanted others to see. She grabbed her bag of makeup, and carefully applied and fixed the places she and others wouldn’t approve of, starting at her face and ending with her arms. Staring at the finished product, even though displeased, she was ready to take on the day.

Being twenty-two and on her way to graduating an online teaching course, Erin’s struggles outweighed the normal eye of her put-together perception. Opening the door to her room there was an overwhelming smell of liquor and throw up. Stepping over empty beer bottles and articles of clothing, she made it to the kitchen; which was more of a mess than the other parts of the house. As usual she began to clean up the mess that was her house, but that wasn’t made by her. It was the constant cycle of her life… a never ending struggle of other people’s messes. 

An hour later she was at the grocery store getting this week's groceries. She was deciding how much money she should put aside for herself. Fifty dollars later she decided to save it all for next week’s bills. She was frugal with money, she never knew when it would run out. 

After she got home it was eleven and she knew the same guys responsible for her trashed house would be up and back to drinking. She started on a late breakfast, and one by one they all woke up. Erin shared a house with her older cousin Ryan. Having a different party every night, along with the same set of friends that stayed over, Erin took care of everything. Little did anyone know that she was the one who needed to be taken care of the most.

Ryan walked in the kitchen a little past twelve, “Man Erin. Why didn’t you wake me up?” he said with the same condescending tone he always used. 

Erin replied, “If you wouldn’t have drank so much last night you could have woken yourself up”. 

She knew she would be paying for that comment later, but right now Ryan was too hung over to give a damn. He took his breakfast and went to sit in his same spot in front of the TV. Ryan wasn’t always a jerk, he just had so much anger, Erin was the only one who stayed around to take it. He liked to yell and make her feel small so he could feel a little bit better. Erin hated it, but he was the only family she had left. 

Erin finished her duties for now, headed to work. Working in a nursery, Erin was at peace. Each shift was her time to get away. She knew she was needed and wanted here. Working with kids is all she ever wanted out of life. She loved each one like her own. She loved looking at their eyes and knowing the innocence that wrapped each one of them tightly. She wished she could protect that same innocence that was violently taken away from her. Every hour went by like minutes, and before she knew it, one by one each kid was picked up and taken safely to their home. She locked up and headed out. The happiness of the day had worn down and now she had been snapped back into reality through the cold autumn air.

She drove past her small Wyoming hometown and smiled. This town with mountains and valleys strewn about, with quiet ranch style homes and quaint family shops. The two things that ruled this town were money and land. One always after the other. She loved Bowing and she would love to stay here forever, even though it was plagued with bad memories. Pushing those memories aside, she got to St. Christian’s Manor, the most exclusive neighborhood in Bowing, where her boyfriend lived. She drove to the very back of the neighborhood, to the biggest house, and pulled in the driveway of the Mallard’s. The house was not easily missable. Big white marble columns with golden exterior details, Mrs. Mallard knew how to make it look like royalty lived there. Erin had been here countless times and yet a shiver went up her back as she entered through the big oak doors. She went inside and saw Mason drinking with some guys from his father’s law firm. Erin felt instantly out of place, as she often did at Mason’s house. She didn’t want to interrupt, so she bypassed Mason and made her way to the kitchen where Mrs. Lanie Mallard greeted her. Mason’s mom wasn’t exactly fond of Erin or her background, but she covered up her disdain by telling Erin ways she could improve herself, for Mason. Mrs. Mallard was the picture of grace and elegance, and Erin felt completely inferior. She really wished she would have brought a change of clothes so she had a little more self confidence.

With a glass of wine in hand, “Erin how lovely. I’m assuming you just got off of work?” Lanie said looking her up and down. She was laced with an all white velvet pantsuit, a red satin jacket and beautiful gold jewellery that probably cost more than Erin’s house.

“Yes ma’am. Do you know when Mason will be done? I just wanted to say hey”.

“Well I think he seems pretty busy. Why don’t you just stop by tomorrow?” She said with an almost too eager tone.

Erin knew that wasn’t what Mason had intended but decided to agree politely. As she was walking towards the door, a familiar grab of her wrist stopped her. She turned around just a couple of inches from Mason’s face. His smile and a kiss sent her into another state. He was still grabbing her arm. The twist turned harder and she realized they were upstairs. She was laying down and the door shut.