He Always Called Her Sunshine

Pg. 2

I woke up early the next morning because daddy was making a whole lot of racket in the kitchen. So I left my room and stalked him from the corner, he was trying to carry mama to the room.
"Daddy, you let her sleep in the kitchen all night?"
He gasped, and looked at me.
"She didn't wanna move, honey."
"Well did ya even try?"
"Did I even try? Go back to bed, it's not nearly 6 yet."
I yawned and contemplated it, but decided, not until I saw mama get to lay down in her bed. So I ran to her room to make sure the blanket was pulled back for her, and I saw Betty getting fixed up!
I froze and shushed up, and wondered why she would be getting fixed up in mama and daddy's room? She got her own room.
If I said anything daddy would get mad, so I gave up and went back to bed.

I woke up again around 9 am. Betty wouldn't be here today so I hoped mama was awake.
Before I left my room, I changed into a dress and combed my hair.
Walking into the living room, I expected to realize I was home alone, but mama was sitting on the couch going through mail.
I ran and sat beside her.
"Mama! Did you sleep okay?"
"I slept fine. Is it Monday, sweetie?"
"I think so, mama. Betty ain't here."
"It's a relief that bitch ain't here."
"You mad at her, mama?"
"She thinks she's better than me. She's our maid for crying out loud!" She chuckled a little and wiped crust off the side of her lip.
"I think Betty tries to be nice."

She looked at me with a smug face and said "What, she your new mama now?"
"No, mama! I just don't think she's mean like you think."
"You don't get it because you're just a child."
Mama was probably right. I stared at her hair frizzing up in her face, her blue eyes glossing.
"You look pretty."
"Thank you, sweetie. Run along."
"But mama- you were asleep for so-"
"Run along! Mama is reading."
"Yes ma'am."

I showed myself to the front porch where I admired mama's flowers.
"Peggy!"
"Shirley!"
I jumped up in excitement as I saw my best friend approach me. She was 9, and we were friends since 1st grade.
"Your mama and daddy not home?"
"Mama is, but she wants to be left alone."
"Well, my mama wants to know if you're hungry."
"She always wants to know if I'm hungry."
Shirley blushed like she knew something I didn't.
"Well, are you?"
"Yeah, mama wouldn't let me go though."
"Well, she wants to be left alone, so she wouldn't even notice if you came and had breakfast right?"
"I guess so."

We had eggs and bacon, and I got questioned by Shirley's older brother, Frank, when my sister Carol would be back from her summer camp.
I got real fired up and said "None of your business! You just wanna smooch her more!"
They all chuckled, and I calmed myself down seeing as I was in someone else's home.
"Sorry, Frank."
"You're okay." He said, chuckling.
Carol was 16, she had dyed red hair and daddy's green eyes. She was so pretty, I felt the need to ward off all the boys for her.

Later on that day, I had to hope daddy would make something good. Mama wouldn't cook.
"Daddy, what's for supper?"
"Leftovers. I'm stressed out, can't cook a whole meal."

I picked through supper and stared at daddy every once in a while. He would just stare at the table or the ceiling and chew his food.
Were we a sad family? We had plenty of money and friends, but we hardly ever laughed.
I couldn't finish my food, I got myself ready for bed and pretended it was night time. Just like mama.