The Mafia's Stolen Daughter

23

Aubrey Valentina

"Momma, momma, look at what I drew!" I say to my mommy.

"Who's those people Aubrey?" She asks.

"Those two are my fwiends. Their names are Enzo and Ina!"

"What kind of names are that? Stop playing pretend. This is the real world," she states sternly.

"But Lorenzo and Marina are my fwiends! See they angwy at you now, Momma," I cry.

My momma looks slightly pale but then her face quickly changes to normal.

"Let's take your nap now Va- Aubrey."

I rub my eyes and waddle up the stairs, holding her hand.

Tomorrow I was turning four.

-/-

After riding the bus home I went to do my chores. Kelsey invited me to her eighth birthday party and if I wanted to go I had to clean my room and put the dishes away.

Once I finished I went to see Mommy and Daddy on the couch drinking their big people juice.

"Can I go to Kelsey's birthday party tomorrow and get her a present?"

"Ya that's fine," mommy says handing me some money.

I walk away and make her a card. She was my first friend in this new town and I wanted to keep this friend. She doesn't care about my weird clothes or my parent's rules.

She was actually kind.

When I finished making the card, I stuck the money inside and put it on my night stand for tomorrow.

Daddy has work and mommy probably wouldn't drive me so I'd have to walk.

I'll make sure to wear my heavy sweater.

-/-

It was the first day of middle school. I finished wrapping up my cut from the glass that was imbedded into my arm.

Anderson was starting to become meaner and meaner each day and it gets scarier each time.

"Aubrey! If you don't do these dishes then you won't be going to school all of this week!" Yells Barbara from the kitchen.

We just moved to our new house in Jacksonville, Florida. It's hot here so I don't have to worry about being cold anymore. I finished cleaning the cut and put on my clothes for the day. Some pink shorts and my black hoodie to cover my scars. I ran downstairs with my backpack over my shoulders and did the dishes quickly before walking 10 minutes to school.

-/-

Yesterday, I turned fourteen.

I bet Barbara and Anderson didn't even know it was my birthday. Something is off with them and I can't tell.

I didn't get any presents, just the normal slap to the face. I don't have any friends and I start my freshman year in two weeks.