Happy

Chapter 1: Surprise Surprise

Danielle's P.O.V.

Coming home from school was maddening. If my dad was drunk or stoned he would yell and scream and push me against the walls.
I stepped into the dark house and my dad was sleeping on the couch with a  bottle in hand. Surprise, surprise he'd been out drinking. I started cooking something to eat for the both of us and he woke up. I could tell he didn't sleep long he was still tipsy.
"Home already Danielle?" His voice cracked.
"I just got here. I'm making food for you." I said with a slight attitude. I was furious. He was supposed to be a good dad. That what he had promised when I was little. When I lived with my brother and my mom. When they split up, because of my dad's drinking and drugs, my mom moved to Tulsa with my brother. I haven't seen them in years.

"There's that damn attitude again. What did I do to deserve this now?"
"Oh my god. I get home every day to see you high or half past wasted! Why are you like this? Every time I try and do something nice it backfires because you always get mad!"
I hissed.
"Well I'll have you know that I try to care but I'm obviously not good at it! So therefore I gave up! That's why your brother chose your mother over me. Because I guess I wasn't good enough."

I felt like I was in a movie. When the characters finally find out what each other's problems are and work it out together.
"Why did you give up then?" I spoke in a much softer tone this time.
"Because my friends were more important..."
I thought he was going to say something nice and thoughtful. But that didn't happen. Movie scene lost.
"Your friends? You mean the ones you get all your grass from? Those aren't friends."
"Well they're better company then whinny kids! I never wanted you! As a matter of fact I never loved you, or your brother, or your mom!" He yelled that right in my face.

That was it. For the first time in years tears ran down my face. I looked at my feet. I thought deep down he loved me at least a little. But I guess I've been wrong.
"Great now she's crying. Come on cry some more see if I care!"

Frig off dad I'm not in the mood.

"You worthless piece of crap."

"What the hell is the matter with you? You self centred jerk! Go drink some more! I don't care anymore! After all I've done for you, you treat me like-"
I was cut off my something hard and boney hitting the side of my face. It wasn't until my eyes adjusted again and I felt my face throbbing. I was shocked. He had pushed my and threw things at me but never hit. I looked at him and he was still furious.

I hated him. I ran outside and down the road. I was done.

I ran out of breath so I stood there dumbfounded in the middle of the road. I heard a car coming up behind me and I turned around. It was my dad. But he just drove past me. Not even looking at me. Almost hitting me. He would be out all night. It's okay to go home then. The bastard won't be there. I started walking home.

I was woken up early that morning by someone pounding on the front door.
"Police open up!"
But I didn't do nothing. I opened the door and sure enough there was a cop.
"Uh... I've come with some bad news..." he stammered.
"I didn't do anything sir."
"I know it's not you... its your dad."
What did he do now.
"He was driving while intoxicated and he got in a terrible accident... and uhm... died at the scene." He mumbled.

What? Died? No. No he's not dead. He might be a jerk but I need him. I don't have anyone else.

I got a huge pain in my gut. The cop must have noticed because he put his hand on my shoulder.
"Are you alright?"
Well obviously not my dad just died. But I just stood there.
"Do you have another family member around? A sibling? A friend? Guardian?"
"No I'm alone now! I have no one! I'm alone..."
***********************************************
Within the next few days I'm going to see the court to discuss who will take custody of me. Apparently I have an aunt that lives around here. I've never met her.

I've already been to my dads funeral. I was all alone there. There were only a few people that showed up but it wasn't big. None of his druggy friends came. Expected. A few people talked to me, but I was mostly alone.

The only happy news is that I would be moving in with someone. So I wouldn't be alone. But I would be moving far away. Out of my school. But I would be moving in with my brother. I haven't seen him in forever and I was excited to see him. His name was Keith. The court notified him and I would be moving in in two days. I keep getting pains in my gut. Just I didn't want to keep living they way I did with my dad. But I didn't want to move. Even if it was with my brother and mom. I did want to see them. I just have mixed feelings about this. I don't know what I want.

The court told me I'd be taking a train and that everything will be payed for. They'd also give me some money to start out with, because my dad left none of it for me. I'd have an escort to my mom and brother's house waiting for me when I got there and everything will be okay. But what if it isn't. I hope Keith is still hilarious like he was. He was always happy. And my mom had a beautiful smile. Ugh there's that pain again. I'm really happy to go, and leave this behind me.

My dad never loved me so I don't have to remember him. I've packed some of my things, and then I was off to catch the train at 9:00 am.