English Story

I could feel his presence, even though my eyes remained shut.  Every night, I would pretend to sleep as my step-dad stood in my bedroom doorway; tapping his sausage like fingers on the wooden door frame.  I would hold my breath, staying as still as possible, afraid my movement would be seen and once again taken advantage of.1

In two days I would be moving to a different state, away from everything.  I couldn’t wait!  In three days, I would be turning fourteen.2

By the way, I’m Katie, and this is my story of the few day leading up to me moving state... And moving life.  3

“How many times have I got to tell you, Meg?!  Pick up your clothes from the bathroom!”  4

“Sorry Mum.  It won’t happen again.  I just have other things to do...” 5

Normal morning; Mum shouting at my little sister for leaving her clothes on the bathroom floor, and me sitting in the dining room, tapping my fingers on the table waiting for 8:00 to come.  8:00 is the time I usually get picked up by my Dad.  You see, my Mum has re-married this man who I’m not sure she really loves.  I hate him, yeah so I know ‘hate’ it a pretty strong word, but I really don’t like him.  He gives me the creeps.6

Time seems to wander slowly past when it gets to around 7:50 on Tuesday and Wednesday Mornings.  But when 8:00 finally comes, there is nowhere I would rather be than racing out the front door into my Dad’s arms.  7

It was my Dad’s idea for the divorce.  No matter how much he regretted leaving his own blood... Me and my little sister, Meg... In the hands of hour Mum, he felt he had to.  I think he was thinking of Mum just as much as himself.  She’s a bit of an alcoholic and never really payed much attention to Dad, or us for that fact.  8

When Dad dropped me home, around 5:00 that night, I didn’t really want to walk in the front door, see Mum laying on the couch with her scotch,  and Meg and Step-dad no where to be seen.  9

“Muuum, I’m home.  How was your day?” I said as I walked through the lounge room into the kitchen.  10

“Eh, today was fine, but I have something to tell you” replied Mum, in her usual not caring voice.11

So, I won’t bother going through the conversation that Mum and I had that night.  I’ll just tell you what the end product was; the conclusion of it all.  Apparently Meg and I are moving in with Dad in two days time; the day before I turn fourteen in fact.  Mum said that Dad and her had, had a little discussion, and Dad wasn’t happy with how Mum and her supposedly “new love” were treating Meg and me.  12

To Be Continued...13