Bloom

chapter 1

"You don't ever listen! It's always about what you want, what about me, huh?!" I heard my mother scream, her voice echoing from down the hall. Not long after I heard my father's booming voice following hers.

"What do you mean?! You're always out shopping. Buying those damn expensive brands instead of doing some chores here and there!"

"Don't you give me that! You're not even ever home! You do know we have children, right? Why not pay some attention to them instead of my credit card!"

"Why don't you put down the credit card and be their mother?!"

I covered my ears but I could still hear them going at it, back and forth-back and forth! It seemed endless. My sister tugged at my sleeves to grab my attention, worry written across her face. I uncovered my ears and gave her as much of a smile as I could for her.
"You know, why down we just go upstairs and find that board game you like so much? We can play it while I talk care of Ollie." I gestured to the small baby who sat in his high chair as we hid in the kitchen. Avoiding the daggers that were being thrown in the living room.
"Does that sound like a plan?"

Samantha shook her head and I went to go get Ollie out of his seat. He had baby food all over his face and I wiped it off. After doing so we made our way the door that was the barrier keeping us from the war. I took Samantha's hand and held my little brother close as we quickly and cautiously tried to make our way up stairs. But as soon as my foot hit the first step, I was interrupted by my mother grabbing my shoulder.

"Quincy-" I could smell the vodka and smoke coming from her breath. "Tell your father I do help out! A lot!"

"Don't drag that boy into this!" My father hissed his blue eyes sending a chilling glare at me. I hadn't even done anything.

"He's not 'that boy' he's your son!"

The baby started crying, his tiny fists hitting my chest.

"Oh please! You probably had an affair with the milk man! That lil shit doesn't look anything like me!"

I quickly made my escape upstairs when they weren't looking. I quickly took the kids into Ollie's nursery and locked the door behind me. I leaned against the door, letting a sigh escape my lips. Ollie continued to sob I laid him in his crib and fixed him a bottle, he settled down shortly after. Unfortunately, it was not the same down stairs.

Dad wasn't wrong though, I looked nothing like him. Not even mom. Although his hair line was now residing, dad used to have a full head of blond hair and his eyes were navy blue. Mom had light brown hair with blond highlights and olive colored skin, her eyes also being blue. Me, on the other hand, I hand thick black hair. My eyes were a mucky brown and my skin was tan. Followed by that my body was completely covered in freckles. I probably am the milk man's kid, to be fair my mom was never known as the loyal type. I'm not even sure if Ollie is dad's kid.

Samantha tugged on me once again. "Can I run to my room to grab my game?"

"Yes, but make it quick! Don't be too loud?" She quietly exited the room, I heard the little pit pat of her little feet run down the hall. She game back quickly with"The Game Of Life", a smile spread across her face as she started to put the game together.

I sat down and we started to play.

"I'm gonna chose a career!" She cheered as she drew a card. "Ewww, a model? That's so boring!"

I too picked the career and drew a card.

"What'd you get?"

I showed her the card. "Police officer."

"Cool!! Can we switch? I wanna fight off bad guys!" I chuckled and willingly gave her the card.

Samantha was about 10. She had curly blonde hair that she always put in braids. And she would always wear overalls instead of dresses like most girls her age. She was a great kid, a heart of gold. She always helped me out around the house and with the baby and she always knew how to put a smile on my face. As did Ollie, although he was only a small infant who didn't really know much. But I loved taking care of him, both of them.

---

It was about midnight, the neighbors had finally called the police due to my parent's dispute that had gone on since noon.

Shortly after dad got in his car and drove off, probably went to stay the night at the motel again. Then not that much later mom had one of her special friends come over.

Around 2 am the house was completely silent. I quietly opened the door holding Samantha in my hands and I exited the room we had been sitting in. I took her to her room and sat her in the bed. She was sleeping peacefully, I kissed her forehead before turning on her butterfly night light and heading to my room. I laid down in my bed, although I had been up for hours I was anything but tired. Insomnia is a pain in the ass.

I felt my smart phone vibrate. I pulled it out to see it was a message from Daisy. I felt a soft smile make its way to my lips as I opened the message.

Daisy: Hey, couldn't sleep so I thought I'd text you cause your usually up haha

Quincy: Yeah, you know me haha. What even is sleep?

Daisy: Lmao. So what're you up to?

Quincy: Nothing really, how bout you?

Daisy: I was just gonna sneak out with some friends, wanna join?

Daisy wants to hangout with me? It wasn't that unusual but it made me happy that she thought about me.

Quincy: I really don't think I should.

Daisy:  Oh come onnn

Without giving me a chance to respond she sent another text.

Daisy:  I'm already on my way. See you in 5

  For real? Thanks for the short notice. I didn't feel like fighting with her.  I got up and brushed my teeth real quick. Sure enough 5 minutes later I heard a tap on my window. I peaked through the blinds to see Daisy hanging from the tree right outside my window. Her chocolate brown hair was  shining in the moonlight, I couldn't but admire as it blew gracefully in the gentle breeze. I opened my window and crawled into the tree.

Even though it was dark I could see a wide grin spread across her face before whispering, "You ready for a wild time?"