Short Stories

Easter

I heard my baby brother crying, so I went over and picked him up. Trying to calm him down as my mother and her boyfriend continued to argue.

"It's okay, everything is okay." I whispered softly, trying not to flinch from the loud bangs of furniture being thrown around.

It was always like this, always. 

My mother and I was alone for years, until she met her boyfriend. Then she conceived 2 children for him, even though we didn't have the support or stable life for another 2 lives to be brought into this world.

But I never spoke my thoughts out loud, because my siblings are already born and I would never wish for them to leave nor disappear. 

I just wish things could be different in a way we are able to have what we need, instead of struggling with money and food. But my mother thinks I'm oblivious to it, while her boyfriend couldn't care less about us kids.

I then heard the front door slam loudly, I knew then my mother's boyfriend left to get drunk like he usually did.

My mother then walked into the small room, taking my baby brother out of my arms with no words, nor expression on her face. The only thing evident was the stain tears and red puffy eyes, without that no one would of guessed she was in an argument a few seconds ago.

She then placed my baby brother and sister in the other room, putting them to sleep before walking over to me.

"Let's go for a walk, just us 2." I only nodded, looking over at my small siblings with concern.

"We can't leave them here alone, what if they wake up?" I asked, looking over at my mother. Who only wore a dead expression.

"They'll be fine, lets go." She replied with a dead tone.

That's when I noticed the small plastic bag she was holding with her, but she never explained what it was, so I never asked.

My mother and I walked for a while, until the cold chill of the wind poked my skin.

That's when my mother's feet stopped, I looked over at her confused. But she only looked at me then down at the plastic bag.

"Happy Easter." She smiled a sad smile, one that didn't reach her dead eyes.

I took the bag, looking inside and saw 1 small Easter egg.

"Thanks mama." I smiled happily, feeling appreciative that my mother got me chocolate, even if it wasn't a lot to fill you up. I still felt special, because I knew we couldn't afford it.

My mother then crouched down to my height level, kissing my cheek and giving me a tight hug. I didn't understand why, but I didn't complain because right now everything felt nice.

The chocolate, the affection. I even made my mama smile, even if it was a sad one, I still got her to smile. Something she hasn't done for years.

"Goodbye Antonia." I felt my stomach sink from from her words, my eyes stinging with tears that were begging to escape.

"Mama?" She didn't say anything but turned around and walked away.

I stood there confused and scared, watching as my mother's figure became smaller and smaller in the distant, until it was too small to see anymore.

I clenched the plastic bag in my hand and proceeded to hold the tears back. Until I could at least find a home to stay in tonight.

*********

"This is where you'll be staying from now on." A lady from the child system explained as we stood inside a large foster home filled with other children.

I only smiled, nodding my head.

"Hello, dear. My name is Cara, and I'll be helping to take care of you from now on." She smiled a happy smile, which I return.

It's been a while since I saw someone smile happily, it felt...nice.

"What is your name sweetheart?" I only came back from my thoughts as I looked over at Cara, my new foster parent.

"Tonia." I replied with a small smile.

I rather not let anyone know my full name, that name is a name from the past. everyone will call me Tonia from now on.

**********

30 years later...

"Come on Tonia, they can't be that bad." My good friend Esther said with amusement.

"They're not bad, they just won't eat. No food I make will get them to eat, it's frustrating." I confessed with a laugh.

After being taken care of in the foster home, I had children of my own. And now they all have children of their own. But I didn't want to retire and sit around like an old woman, so took a job as a foster parent, but not full time. 

Half of my time is for me, the other half is being here. Trying to raise teenagers.

"Well, I better get going. Before my kids start wondering what the heck I'm doing." Esther laughed, I only nodded and walked her to the front door.

Esther was a foster parent too, but she ended up retiring and took another job. Giving her more time with her children at home.

We both said our goodbyes, waving from the front door as she beeped her horn with a smile and wave.

I then turned and started walking towards the kitchen of the foster home. Getting ready to prepare another meal these kids won't eat.

"Good morning." One of the kids greeted as they sat on the bench.

"It's 5pm, did you only just wake up?" I asked, but not fully surprised.

Most of the kids here have sleeping problems and eating problems, all from past situations that they aren't ready to share yet.

"Yup." She replied with a smile.

"Wanna play cards? My brother doesn't want to and the other girl is gone." This teenage girl used to be in another foster home, but when she heard her younger brother got put into this foster home, she moved here straight away.

"Sure, I'll just get the kettle boiled." She always liked my sweet tea when we played cards. The only thing I seemed to make that she would actually consume.

....

We were just about to finish playing, after playing for nearly an hour.

I walked towards the kitchen as I saw her making her way towards her bedroom, in the hallway.

"Goodnight." I shouted, knowing she's not going to sleep, but she won't be coming out of her room for the rest of the night. Unless her and her younger brother start playing cards and chess in the middle of the night, like they usually do when we're all asleep.

Sometimes they wake me up from their laughing, usually I'd get frustrated. But knowing it's rare to here this kids laugh, I let it go with a smile.

"Goodnight Antonia." I then froze from her words, the only thing I could hear was her bedroom door open and shut.