I lay down on my back trying to minimize the noise coming from up the stairs with my fingers. It felt like a bull was running down the stairs and I of course knew who was making that specific sound. That is the sound I heard at 5am every morning. It was Auntie Margaret coming down the stairs to call upon me so we go about house chores. I mostly wondered why she chose that specific time for the chores, it wasn't like I had school later in the day. I was always indoors, wasn't allowed outside, wasn't allowed to have friends and had to stay in a small closet-like dark room down the stairs.
I barely saw Auntie Margaret's husband, Uncle Henry. I knew she had kids, 2 daughter's which I guessed were twins. I've heard them laugh and play around the house but I've never seen them. From the sounds of their laughter, I try to guess their age and features. I've always wanted to have a look at them but they are always accompanied by their father who clearly warned me not to ever think of leaving my room when I hear the twins playing. That was the first time in God knows when I saw Auntie Margaret's husband. I've also seen him a few other times when Auntie Margaret couldn't fetch me for the chores at 5am and had to be him to take me through.
"Ashly! Ashly! It's time to wake up". Auntie Margaret, in her huge green robe stood at the foot of my bed akimbo with a straight face. I recall once when I jokingly told her she should allow me stay in bed till 6am. I received the shock of my life when she grabbed me by my loosely fitting dress and tossed me off the bed. After the incident, I never joked or complained about the time. Once I hear the footsteps, I'm always ready to wake up... even days when Uncle Henry was the one to come get me.
"Ashly, why don't you begin with the floors for today. I need the floors sparklingly clean today cause I have visitors later in the day" Auntie Margaret said in her somewhat piercing high pitch voice that always hurt my ears. I never wanted her to shout at me so I followed all her rules.
For 2 and a half hours, I finished all the chores; from scrubbing the floors to dusting to washing the dishes to doing the laundry. I mostly finished the chores on a regular day under Auntie Margaret's supervision exactly 7am and go straight to my room. I guessed this time because of the visitors we went overboard to have a very clean house. "Go to your room" screamed uncle Henry. I quickly leave the rags on the floor and move into my room.
"What the hell is wrong with you Margaret, are you trying to get us killed? It's 45 minutes past 7 and u kept her in the open space. I told you to let her go to her room at exactly 7. Not 7:01 but 7" Burr Burr But Henry the weather man, Auntie Margaret tried to say something only to be shushed by Uncle Henry"... What is wrong with these people? Why do they keep shouting? I bet everyone in the house can hear them arguing. I lay down on the bed and try to fall asleep since that is what I'm allowed to do in a dark room.