Papa came home drunk again. Mama got mad at him because he gambled away all our money. They were yelling back and forth, and one time I saw mama point at me and say, “What are we going to do about Ayla? We’re almost out of food, and she needs to eat!” Papa said he would make more money and then said he is going out for a while. That meant he was going to be out all night bumming drinks off other people. Before he left he looked over my way and saw me looking at him before I could look away. He walked up to me and said, “Do you want an ass whoopin’?” I shook my head no. I tried not to make a face at the smell of his breath. I couldn’t help it and scrunched up my face. He slapped me hard and walked out of the door.
When he was gone I fell to the floor and started crying. Mama came out of her and Papa’s room and came to me. She kneeled by my side and put my head in her lap. She let me cry while she rocked me back and forth humming under her breath and occasionally said, “It’s okay honey, don’t cry. I won’t let him hurt you anymore. I won’t okay?” I nodded my head. And looked up at her. I loved my mama. She was sweet to me and never got cross at me. I loved the way her eyes brightened up when she would see me running up to the house from the schoolhouse. She would meet me when I was in the yard and hug me, and then she would ask how my day was and what I learned. I would tell her about the book we started reading a couple days ago, and tell her about the baby rabbits I saw on the way home.
“Ayla, come into the house. I need to talk to you.” Mama said.
“Coming!” I yelled so she could hear me. I tried to hold back my tears that started coming and stinging my eyelids because Papa gave me 3 whacks with his belt for not coming home on time for school. The teacher wanted to talk to me about the bruise on my face. I told her I just fell down the stairs.
By the time I reached the steps, the tears popped out anyway, even though I tried so hard not to let them escape.
“Mama, what’s going on?” I say as I look around at the few packed boxes and 2 suitcases.
“I told you, I wouldn’t let him hurt you again, but I did, so we are leaving. Grandma is coming in her buggy and taking us to live with her on the lake. Do you remember Grandma and her house on the lake?” Mama said. I was to stunned by what she said about leaving. I didn’t want to leave, not now! I just made some new friends at school, and I’m doing so well!
“Mama, I don’t want to leave! I mean I now how Papa is, but I don’t want to leave just because of him!” I said. A hurt look overtook Mama’s face and I immediately felt bad. “I’m sorry, Mama. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I’ll go.” I said. She brightened up a bit, but I could see some reluctance in her eyes now.
“I think it will only be temporary. Your Father needs time to get control over himself. I don’t want you growing up with this abuse. Okay?” she said, with the hope showing in her voice.
“Okay. I love you.” I said. “When are we leaving?”
“Tonight. I made sure Grandpa will be watching Papa, so all we have to do is wait for Grandma. She’ll be here by nightfall, and your father went to spend his next paycheck. When Grandma gets here, we’ll go far enough to where Papa can’t walk on foot and make camp and in the morning we’ll make the rest of the trip. I already packed your things. Go make sure I didn’t forget anything important to you.” She replied.
“Okay, Mama.” I said. I walked through the old house that was falling to pieces. I went to my room and looked around. Mama knows me so well. She even took off my sheets and my blanket. Nothing was in here that I wanted to take with me, Mama got it already. I walked out of my room and looked at the clock. It was 5:00 p.m. so Grandma will be here shortly. I looked out of the window and saw Mama picking some of the fruits and vegetables. Probably for the trip back.
“Okay, Mama.” I said. I walked through the old house that was falling to pieces. I went to my room and looked around. Mama knows me so well. She even took off my sheets and my blanket. Nothing was in here that I wanted to take with me, Mama got it already. I walked out of my room and looked at the clock. It was 5:00 p.m. so Grandma will be here shortly. I looked out of the window and saw Mama picking some of the fruits and vegetables. Probably for the trip back.
