The next few days were cold.
Little Audrey begged to stay home and look after his sister but, said Sister was having non of it.
"I'll be fine I promise, I don't want you missing school, even worse, not getting to hang out with your new friends!"she said trying to hide her cringe a headache was causing. "You're lying"he stated and folded him arms. "Please, once you're safely in the bus, I'll just take my drugs and go to bed I absolutely promise"She said and held her head. "You had better go to bed! I'd lock you in and bar the windows if I didn't know you'd suffocate without the fresh air"he grumbled and stomped to his room to change to his uniform.
This had been the routine for a week now. However unlike most days when she merely got her rest and slept all day, Today was just a bit different.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Bye Sweetpea!"I said and waved him off, "You had better get back to bed lady!"he said and pointed at me. Charlie chuckled as he watched us, "Same old same old, don't worry Mr. Price, I'll make sure to inform you if she tries anything absurd"he said to Audrey, I rolled my eyes at them. "If she tries anything funny, you have my permission to knock her out cold, whatever means necessary got it?!", "Yes Mr. Price", "Good....see you soon doughnut"he said and rushed into my arms and hugged me. I patted his hair then, then handed him his lunch pack. He smiled up at me, then turned to leave, the moment he'd gone past the threshold, out of my line of sight, I fell, completely unable to hold myself up anymore.
"Madonna!"
Charlie rushed to my side, I could barely make out what he was saying to me. I felt really warm.. and a bit shaky, it suddenly seemed like the room was spinning in...circles?.... No triangles?, No, it hurts to think about this now...but it's spinny, so spinny...
"Charlie"I moaned, "Yes Miss Price? Forgive me for putting you in this position, it's only so I can get you to your-", "shhhhh, only answer my questions okay"I whispered, "Yes ma'am he whispered back.... "Charlie, are you my daddy?"I asked, "like my real daddy hiding with those names again?. "No Miss Price I'm not your father, I almost wish I were, your enthusiasm is something I look forward to daily... except when you do stunts like walking in a storm? There were shops along the way you know". I smiled and looked up at him, his face was a yellow blur, but his outline seemed the same. I shook my head and held on to his body, to my suprise, it was solid, not smoke like I thought it might be.
"Charlie, don't wish to be my dad, because...", "Yes dear?",
"Because when I see him again, I'll make sure I slit his throat, break his skull and shake his brain out. Or just shoot it out Yunno, less messy...ish"I told him.
"Uhm, err, surely you don't actually mean that right? It's the fever talking, right Miss Price?"Charlie asked hopefully.
I giggled and he sighed, he seemed to relax a bit so I did the same, my body wasn't interested in moving so going up that hill where the stairs used to be would take a while...
"Charlie did I ever tell you about my parents?"I asked, "No, you haven't". "I'll make it short and simple I promise", "uhmm alright then".
"My Mom was a beautiful black woman. Everyone loved her, our neighbors, my school, the stores, they couldn't have enough of her sweetness. And she took me everywhere. Every time I'd come top of the class just to make her proud of me. She was everything, the love of my life. She worked hard to provide everything for the two of us.
Then there's my dad, I used to think of him as an imagination. He was never really with us, from the day I was born, my dad never went by one name. He'd ignore me like I didn't exist, and when he did acknowledge me, I was merely an errand girl. He went by many names after every two years when he comes visiting, he stays two months and then leaves. It was easier to say he wasn't real because, there was nothing wrong with me. Why wouldn't he see me as his kid? Every other person even wished I was theirs, but not the one I actually belonged to.
One time he stayed for a whole year, after that, Audrey was born. I loved my baby brother, he slightly looked like the man that gave me nightmares aka dad, but I just knew he wasn't. He trouble but sweet. Dad always held him, ignoring everyone else, sometimes even mom. I only got to make silly faces at him and change his diapers then, I didn't hate him though. I never could.
One day I got back from school, threw my stuff everywhere and ran to where my baby brother might be. Instead, I saw my mom in a pool of her own blood, just gushing from her side, it killed me. She barely had the breathe to say much...but she said...
Find that bastard and get your brother away from him. Kill the bastard, if you're my baby girl, send him to hell.
She gave me a gun, right before she died. So yeah, I tried to kill him with all I had. I doubt I did, but I ran away with Audrey, I wouldn't even let the police find us. They said he was dead but,I know my dad's alive, he's hard to put down but I will this time.
So Charlie, don't wish to be my dad...cause all I want is to put a bullet through his head, maybe that might finally make me truly happy"
I looked back at Charlie, his face was a clearer now, he looked conflicted and smiled. I nearly tripped, apparently I hadn't noticed we'd reached to top of the stairs.
"I would have never guessed you weren't happy, you both seem perfect as you are here, just the two of you"he told me as he opened the door to my apartment. "Yeah, the little tyrant makes me really happy, that's why I hardly remember we had parents, he's literally....all...I think about..."
My head hurt so much, my body felt so weak. I began breathing slowly then soon enough, I felt myself drifting off to sleep.
****†****†****†****
A loud buzzing noise drifted into my ears and my eyes fluttered open. I was soaked in sweat but I felt okay. Sitting upright on my bed, I looked around for where the noise was coming from...my desk, on top of my drawing book.
I slid out of my bed and sauntered towards it. I didn't even look at the name before I picked up."Hello?"I said,
"Hey Chocolate, you sound tired, did I wake you?". I froze.
He actually called me!, I bit my lip to stop myself from freaking out. "Uhm, no, well yes, but it doesn't matter", "I see, I was wondering if you'd be able to meet up today? I know I should have asked earlier but work kept me busy, this is my free time and I really want to spend it with you, if that's alright?"he asked. I felt fluffy inside, I couldn't tell if it was because of the sickness or something else, but, I'd rather not pass out on him. "I...I can't. It's not that I don't want to see you, I do but, I'm sorta under the weather, the day we met, I got stuck in the storm but still walked back to my apartment. I've been having this fever since then. I don't want to screw up, like pass out on you or cause a scene. I'm sorry Nate"I said apologetically,. "So you're sick, I'm assuming you're alone right now, is it okay if come over to look after you? Even if it's just today? Atleast till your brother gets back, please?"he offered. "Hmmm, I dunno, promise you won't try something funny Nate, Yunno you're still a stranger to me"I said sweetly, curling my hair around my finger I smiled. I heard him chuckle, "I promise Chocolate, I'll be a true gentleman, so... will you send me the address?"he asked...
Let's see, I actually want him to come but what if he's actually a bad guy that wants to have his way with me?...guess I'll just shoot his ball then. But then in this state that might be a hassle, I'll just shoot him anywhere then. One moment of pain should allow more openings hopefully.
I really don't want to have to kill him.
"Yes, I'll send it" the words tumbled out of my mouth before I fully registered what I said, "Great, I'll be there in an hour, also, how old is your brother?I was hoping I'd get him something incase we run into each other"he asked,
how sweet.
"He's nine, but you should know he isn't exactly cute and cuddly. Trust me, it's best you find out yourself"I told him. "Very well then, please take care of yourself, I'll be there soon okay", " okay Bye Nate"I said and hung up the line.
I felt kinda excited, a little burst of energy flowed through me and I headed out to secure my gun compartment. I hung out portrait over it.
The picture showed us at the Park, he was 5, I was pouting and be was pulling my ear with an evil grin. Kim took the picture, Audrey had found me carrying a little guy that tripped and he got pissed, once I put the little guy down, he scolded me, saying "never touch any other kid that isn't me got it! It's very simple, next time you do it I'll tell uncle Alex to turn you into a doughnut and I'll eat you myself!"
He climbed me and pulled my ear till I gave up trying to tell him I'm the one that make the rules. Little guy's always been the boss ...I wonder what he'll say about our guest when he gets back...
I grinned, this is going to be fun.