A Field of Flowers

Introduction (unedited)

  I scramble throughout my room trying to pack as much as I need in such little time.  I can't be here a minute longer.  I never used to cry, but now I seem to fall asleep with tears running down my neck.  The past three years have been unbearable.  I shove my favorite baggy sweater in my suitcase when tears start to run.  My vision is blurry and I'm still running around my room to pack.  I run into the foot of my bed, and it digs into my side, scraping some skin.  More tears build up along with frustration.  I sit on my bed for a moment to rub my eyes and gain my balance back.  Rick (my dad), never used to yell like this.  He actually never used to yell much at all, I used to love him.

  Now he's just a drunken psychopath. 

*******

Just ten minutes ago, Rick started to yell again. He'd never yelled like that before though. As I have already stated. 

I was sitting eating lunch with my little brother Sam like we do every Saturday afternoon. 

"Thanks for the lunch, Ivy." 

"Of course, I can't miss our Saturday lunch date. Especially since I feel as though I haven't seen you all week."

We try to keep our conversation quiet, so our voices hide beneath the sound of the television. 

"I guess we get busy between school and you always working," Sammy says softly in between bites of his sandwich. 

"Yeah, sorry I leave you to sit in the house with this bum of a dad. I never feel comfortable doing it but I have to pick up the cash." 

"I get it, you're the wrong one to apologize." He looks up at me as he says this, so his eyes meet mine for reassurance, but I still feel like a shit sister to him. 

I don't know what I was thinking, saying that type of thing with Rick in the other room.  All of a sudden he started screaming from the other room. I looked over at Sammy a look of warning to run upstairs. I don't even get the words out but he knows exactly what I try to say.

"No, I'll be okay."  He replies quietly.  

He's 14 now, and I keep forgetting he can take care of himself.  I guess I just wish he didn't have to yet.  He's as tall as me now, brown scruffy hair, and deep brown eyes. I know he already has all the ladies, probably the guys too.

All of a sudden Rick storms in, and continues to yell, only now close to my face.  He starts spitting words at me, and It all seems to be a blur.  For the first time in years, he looks me straight in the eye.  Soon I realize my vision is blurry due to tears because he starts ranting about mom. 

"You never acted like this when she was here! You disrespect me just like she always did! You can't talk about me like that!" 

Blah. Blah blah. 

He's more of a pain in the neck than even a vampire would be. 

What is going on?   I think.  

I try to focus back in, all I know is Rick is yelling as he now clings onto my wrists, and Sam is yelling at Rick for him to let go.  Sam is yelling too and is slamming his fists at Rick. I give him the same look as I did before. 

Go upstairs. Now. 

"Get the hell out of my house!" Is the only thing I hear between other rambling words.