A Friend in the World

A Friend in the World ~ Chapter 3

He smiled and nodded as he silently entered the staircase. I closed the entrance behind him, and then decided in a hurry that it was wise to start my chores, or they would never be finished before I had to leave.

Chapter 3

The next morning, Tyler came back at 4. Once, we almost got too loud, and my dad swore he thought he heard someone talking besides me. I told him that I was just talking to myself. He beat me later anyway.

Tyler asked what would happen if my father came in. It was a topic I didn't like to talk about, but I told him anyway. Sometimes my father yelled at me, but usually he would physically abuse me. I think I scared him.

Everyday he came over, and when he left, he would always say, "Soon, Laura, I promise." I really hoped that it was true, but I didn't get my hopes up.

 On the day of my 15th birthday, Tyler came in with a huge grin on his face.

"Happy birthday, Laura!" he almost shouted.

"SHHHH! Do you want my dad to come in here?!" I asked in a frantic whisper, "But thank you!"

"Guess where I'm going to take you for your birthday?" he asked anxiously.

"Nowhere. I would get in so much trouble!" I responded.

"Nonsense! I'm taking you to my house for breakfast!" he exclaimed, sounding really excited.

"To.... your house?" I asked. I had always wanted to go, but I was only allowed to leave the house for school, and to do the groceries. It was my parent's biggest rule. I couldn't imagine what they would do if they found out I had broken it.

"Oh Tyler, you're so sweet. I would love to but-"

He cut me off saying, "But nothing. It's your birthday, and we're going to celebrate it whether your parents like it or not. It's a Saturday, Laura, we don't have school. You have all day to do your chores, you can spare an hour."

"Well ... I don't know ... isn't it kind of early to be eating breakfast? It's only 4:30."

"That's why I'll come get you later. You said the rest of your family goes out for breakfast about 8. I'll come and get you once I see that they leave, ok?"

"Tyler... if my parents found out.." I didn't need to fake the concern in my voice. I didn't want another welt from my father's belt.

"How are they going to find out? Don't worry, Laura. It will all work out. I'll see you at 8." And with that, he climbed into the secret staircase and went come. I closed the door behind him and sighed.

"I hope you're right, Tyler," I whispered to myself as I went downstairs to start my chores.

I had just started the laundry when Nichole came in to tell me that our father was waiting to talk to me in his office.

"Why? What does he want with me?" Dad never wanted to talk to me, unless it was to give me an order. I didn't think I even existed in his eyes.

"I don't know," she said with a smug smile on her face, "but it can't be good for you!"

I turned and walked to my Dad's office. He was a very successful lawyer. The only person he wasn't ever too busy for was Nichole. Even Mom got pushed aside sometimes.

I knocked on the door to his office and said, "Daddy? It's me, Laura. Nichole said that you wanted to talk to me."

"Get in here," he said in a gruff voice. I silently walked into the room and stood in front of his desk. ONce when I was little I had sat down in one of the chairs, and he had yelled at me. I learned my lesson real fast. I don't even dare touch the chairs now.

"If you can't do simple chores correctly, then I don't see the point of us housing and feeding you anymore!" he said abruptly. 

"I ... I don't understand," I whispered. But I didn't doubt that even my own parents would put me out on the streets.

"Yesterday you were told to make the lunches."

"I did make the-."

"Silence!" he yelled, "I know that you made the lunches. I'm not as stupid as your are. The problem is that you put peanut butter on my sandwich. I'm allergic to peanut butter!!"

"I ... you... never told me that," I stammered, as he stared at me with his cold, beady eyes.

"I shouldn't have to tell you things like that. Your are responsible for figuring it out on your own. Now,if anything like this ever happens again, there will be serious consequences. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sir," I mumbled quietly. He was being unreasonable. And I had no idea he was allergic to peanut butter!

"Now get out of my sight. I can't stand to look at you," he said with a harsh voice. 

I walked out of the office quietly. I saw Nichole peeking her head out of her room. She had a big grin on her face. I assumed she had been eavesdropping on the lecture I had just been given. I glanced at the big clock in the hallway. It was 6:10. It would be another 2 hours before Tyler got here. I couldn't wait. It seemed like it would never come, but it finally did.

Nichole, Mom, and Dad all left the house for breakfast at 8 sharp. As always, they told me that they would be back at 10, and that if they found anything damaged or missing when they got home I would be severely punished. As soon as they were out of the driveway, I ran up to my room to brush my hair and wait for Tyler.