Free Sublime Wreckage by Charlene Zapata

with a new number.
    Please text me or I will worry all night.Vince.
    He seems like a really genuine person. I hope I'm not wrong about him. He just gives me such a tranquil feeling. As soon as I step on my porch I send him a quick text and turn my phone to silent. The last thing I need is my mother hearing someone texting me after 10:00 pm. Rules are rules.

Chapter Six
    As soon as I walk in the door I immediately wish I was anywhere but here. There are clothes thrown all over the entryway leaving a trail into the living room. The television is blaring in the background. My stomach begins to fill with absolute dread as I scan the house for her. Fear is a very tangible entity in my world. It is palpable, physical, substantial, and very, very real. My head starts pounding as my heart rate picks up speed. My mouth becomes so dry I can't even swallow. I start to lose focus, my vision beginning to blur in and out. My whole body turns to stone so afraid to move even the tiniest muscle. It feels as though my stomach just fell out of my body completely. Before I can comprehend what's happening, I'm lying on the floor on top of a pile of clothes. The wind was knocked out of me with so much force it takes me a minute to realize what my body just experienced. That's when I hear the screaming. I must have tuned it out after being thrown to the floor by a punch so hard my ribs are already throbbing. I can't even make sense of what she is saying because I instantly curl up into a ball while she continues kicking me anywhere and everywhere. Each and every blow to my body is like a dagger to my heart. Burning a hole right through me like the blade is on fire. How can she hurt me like this? I'm her daughter. The emotional turmoil far exceeds the physical pain. After a few deep breaths I start to understand the words coming out of her mouth.
    "You worthless piece of shit. Can't you do anything right? I told you to do the damn laundry because I needed ALL of my clothes washed! Now I can't find the one thing I wanted to wear! And where were you? Out prancing all over town having a good time? Probably spreading your legs to the first guy to show you any attention. You've probably slept with half the town already! You stupid whore. I don't even know why I had you. You think you are so damn perfect. No wonder Amanda is your only friend. No one else can stand you! Where the hell where you? Huh? Answer me!"
    I pull my hands away from my head just enough to answer her question. I try so hard to keep her from hitting me in the face. I can cover bruises on my body easily but my face is another story. "I was at work. I'm sorry I didn't get the laundry done. I will do it all now. I will find what you were looking for. I'm so sorry I wasn't here to help. It won't happen again." Tears are running down my face from the pain shooting through my body as I plead with my mother, my flesh and blood, to stop. "Please, please. I'm so sorry." I will do anything to get her to calm down. I tilt my head just enough to get a view of her eyes. Whoever said eyes are the window to the soul didn't know just how true that statement was. Her eyes are wild, darting back and forth from me to the mess on the floor. She is panting from the excursion of kicking me repeatedly while spewing her hatred for me in the form of words. She is deciding whether I've had enough or if she should keep going. This is the time to stay as quiet as possible. Anything could set her off again. So I lay on the floor, curled in my protective ball, praying she is done. The only thought going through my mind in this moment is please, please be done.
    "You better get this place cleaned up! NOW!!! And find my damn purple dress with the black belt. If you can't find it there will be hell to pay!"
    I quickly get up from the floor taking shallow breaths in an attempt to alleviate some of the pain. "Yes Ma'am." I keep my head down as I begin picking up all the clothes. I will have to rewash everything tonight.