Chapter 4 Smack

They didn't make it? That didn't make any sense. No! Of course they made it! They are just sleeping, I'm sure! They promised to come home early for my party!

Nothing the officers said could be right.

I shook my head. "No! They promised they'd be home for my birthday!" I blubbered, trying to explain to the officers they were obviously wrong! They had to be. There was no other option!

"I'm sorry, dear," the older officer said, taking off his hat and running his fingers through his graying hair. "We are actually here to pick up you and your sisters and bring you to your Aunt's house."

My mind was still in denial, I didn't realize what they were trying to tell me. This had to be some sort of birthday joke, right? They were going to pop out and yell surprise! And then we could have my chocolate cake. This was all some big prank! It had to be!

I was still sure it was a misunderstanding or a joke when the officers had us all grab a bag and fill it with some clothes. Charlie and Olivia were bawling their eyes out... And yet I was still sure this wasn't happening... Maybe we were in a bad dream? There just was no way my parents had died in a car accident! It wasn't even possible!

"Come along, Miss Josie," the older officer said as he opened the door for me to follow him... But I really didn't want to go! I wanted to wait for my parents to come home so we could have my cake! I wanted to open my presents! I couldn't do that at Aunt Beth's house!

"But... I want to stay home!" I sobbed. This was the worst birthday surprise ever!

"I know you do, sweetheart. And I'm sorry. But you can't stay here by yourself," he said kindly.

Because I was not an adult, I was forced to move in with my aunt and uncle... and my bitch of a little cousin. I tried to tell the officers they should take us somewhere else, but they told me this was my mother's wishes. Well, what about my wishes? I didn't get any birthday wishes that day. All my dreams died in one night.

I glare at Ava who is giggling with Liv. They are both the same. They don't care that I'm trying to save money to leave... I think Aunt Beth doesn't want me to have enough to leave, so she can keep taking money from me... Sometimes she'll spend it on Ava and even Liv. But she never uses it on Charlie.

I swear someday we will get the hell out of here. Soon... I have a plan, and I'm praying to God that it works.

"WELL?! WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? GO MAKE DINNER!" Aunt Beth snarls, shoving me toward the kitchen like I'm so weakling. I'm not. The only reason I let her push me around is to save my sister's.

"Why the hell should I make dinner, when you just stole my money... again! You've been here all damn day watch your stupid soaps! YOU make dinner today! It's my BIRTHDAY after all!" I finally snapped and just had it with my bitch of an aunt. I'm so tired of all of this! I'm tired of her harassment and manipulation! I need to leave this place before I seriously think about taking up arson as a legitimate career choice!

There were gasps from everyone in the room. I've never stood up to my aunt before, but damn it felt good!

And then anther smack. Only this one was hard enough to shove me into the door, and I swear my lip is bleeding. I still don't regret my outburst!