The Next Few Weeks
2004-09-17 @ 9:37 a.m.

Her parents never came to see her in the hospital, it was after all her mistake that put her there in the first place. Instead, her best friend, and her boyfriend of just over a year sat with her alternating days and nights according to their schedules. When she finally left room 305, 4 weeks had passed, the only sign of her parents was a note letting her know they had arranged for her to stay with her aunt and uncle for a while, until she could get back on her feet.

She moved into the middle bedroom on Clearwater that night, and her aunt made her favorite meal for dinner. She remembered how the warm chicken and dumplings felt in her stomache after months of barely eating. When the phone rang, she thought nothing of it, until her aunt brought her the phone and she heard her mothers voice on the other end.

They wanted her to go to counseling, to see a "specialist" on her own time, her own money. They let her know that if she chose to not follow their wishes, they would make sure she no longer had the luxery of her aunt and uncles home at her disposal. So, she went to see someone, her mother was forced to go with her, and only looked at her from the corner of her eye, obviously repulsed by the small scars on her daughters face, and the almost completely faded bruising that could barely be seen under the thin layer of foundation.

After several sessions alone, her counseler asked to visit with her, her mother and father, all together. She agreed, but inwarded was disgusted at the idea of being in such close quarters with them both. It was during this session that her father accused her of stealing, and pawing for money, her mothers wedding set. The same one that she had hidden in the top of the hall closet many months ago, and had not yet been found. When she fought for her self, when she cried over the accusastion he called her an actress, said she could cry on que just to get her way.

He died in her life that day. It was the final blow as he left the room without looking back.

She left her aunt and uncles later that month. Her uncle had told her that they needed some time alone. Her cousin had just been married, and it was the first time in over 20 years that they'd been alone, and they wanted that time. She understood, packed her meager belongings and left. She stayed with her friend Lee, and his roommate Brandon that night, and was told she was more than welcome to stay for as long as she wanted. 3 days later Brandon was so angry with her for making two phone calls in a row that he packed her bag for her and left it on the front porch while she was in the restroom. She walked 4 miles to her mom's store that September afternoon. She had no idea where she was going to go.

The only thing she knew was that she'd never go home, that she'd rather live on the streets than do that. And that night, it's exactly what she did....