Rags to Riches. Really? (1st book of Really? Series)

Chapter 9

"Why did you have them leave?" my grandmother asked. She scowled, and I was sure that she disapproved of me sending them away.

"Because if you had to say anything bad about our mother or father, then I didn't want them to hear it," I replied coldly. "It is bad enough that they have to hear bad stuff about our mother."

My grandmother frowned but didn't ask me to elaborate. She cleared her throat and placed her hands on her lap. Her eyes asked me to continue, and I licked my lips and cleared my throat.

"It's... no secret that Mom is an alcoholic. She... isn't physically abusive, but..." I licked my lips and cleared my throat, looking away. "Did he ever get married to his betrothal?" I asked, looking at her.

My grandmother shook her head, finally understanding why I had sent the children away. "He was too much in love with your mother. He broke off the engagement because both he and his betrothal were in love with different people."

My body relaxed slightly, and I leaned back, putting my hands on the ground behind me. "So, he never married her?"

She shook her head. "Your father couldn't do that to her. Both he and his betrothal never showed up for the wedding. It caused a lot of tension and rumors, but your father had calmed down them down.

I bit back a smirk and frowned. I wished that I could have met my father. I was sure that he would have helped us, save us from the drunken monster that my mother became.

My grandmother watched as I turned away from them and placed more wood into the fireplace. She stayed silent, and I couldn't help but wonder what she was thinking.

The fire was the only sound in the room, crackling and crackling and popping as the fire caught ablaze. The fire danced around the room, fighting back the darkness that had fallen.

"I am sorry," my grandmother said, and I turned my head to the side.

I stayed looking at the flames and watched as they danced. Half of my face was warm with the fiery light while the other was cold and dark. My hands shook, and I stuck them more into the jacket that I still had on.

"I know that I should have let him come back. But your mothe-"

"But, my mother is a lying bitch. I know," I said, my voice hard. I turned towards her fully, letting the fire warm my back. I folded my arms across my chest and tucked my chin to my chest. I regarded her with a cold expression on my face, and I could tell that I was making her uncomfortable. "She lied about me not having any other family members besides her. I found out that I had an uncle about a year ago, but he didn't want to be associated with me or my siblings."

"Why?"

I grimaced and narrowed my eyes. "He didn't want to be associated with filthy scum." I spat that sentence out like it was filth, and it was. I hated how people degraded me because of what my mother did. I worked and worked hard, being the only one that was willing and able to work.

My grandmother pursed her lips in disgust. She narrowed her eyes, and I could tell that she didn't like my uncle. "It seems to me that they are the ones that are the scum."

I bit back a snort and shrugged. "They are money grabbers," I replied, coldly. "That whole family is."

"And you aren't?"

I smirked and stood. "I work for my money," I said. "Whatever I can get goes to my siblings. I do not want others money. That is why I get mad when Tony and his family gives me money, food, and clothing."

"Why?"

"Because it makes me feel like a failure because I can't provide everything for them. Because it makes me look like that I am as bad as them, taking handouts from people."

My grandmother frowned and didn't say a word. She regarded me with a thoughtful expression, and I shifted on my feet, nervous and anxious.

"Um..." I wiped my hands on my jeans and noticed that they were still wet. "I am going to get changed into something else. I think I have something that you two can wear. I don't see you leaving anytime soon. It's dangerous to be on the roads after dark with all of this snow."

"Well, I don't want to be a bother," she said, and I shook my head, no.

"It's no bother," I replied. I was about to walk to my room when I heard her call my name. I paused and looked to see her already staring at me. "Yes?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

She offered me a small smile, the wrinkles around her eyes becoming more apparent. "I would like it if you and your siblings come live with me. You won't have to go hungry any longer."

I paused and stared at her. My throat with dry, and I couldn't help but wonder if there was some sort of catch. "I'll think about it," I said, my voice cracking. I cleared my throat. "I'll think about it," I said again, this time firmer. "Excuse me." And with that, I left.