Protecting Melanie.

Mom slams the door behind her, the whole apartment vibrating. She throws the keys on the counter, then swings open the refrigerator door, grabbing out the whiskey bottle. 1

"Momma, do you have any idea what time it is?" I ask her. My voice isn't as convincing as I wish it would be, not as firm. But I'm not her parent. She's mine. 2

She doesn't even turn to look at me, just pulls the cap off of the bottle and takes a swig. "Nighttime." She says, annoyed at me. I didn't care anymore. I snatched the bottle out of her hands, taking her by surprise. Her eyes turned cold as she looked at me. 3

I walked towards the kitchen, and poured the bottle out, then slammed it hard into the sink, glass scattering everywhere in the sink. 4

"CORY!" She screamed, and held me by the wrist, hard. "What the hell do you think you are doing?" She asks me, shaking me. 5

I was thirteen years old. I jerked my hand out of hers, stronger. "Momma, did you know that Melanie had a Christmas Party today at school, and they sang Deck The Halls?" My eyes, I'm sure, were just as cold and heartless as her's were.6

"What's that got to do with pouring my whiskey down the drain?!" She screams.7

"Did you know that she was counting on you going, because you had promised her you woud? Did you know that she was looking forward to you going, but instead of looking out into the crowd of parents, all she saw was her older brother? How do you think you made her feel, Momma?" I yelled. It was the only way she would listen. I was on the verge of tears.8

She stood, shocked for a moment. I continued. "You know, Mom, I had nothing. No one. When I would look up into the audience, I always hoped you would be there. I always counted on you. And every time you didn't show. I was hoping that when you had Melanie, you would be there for her, instead of letting her down like you did to me. She loves you Mom. You still have a chance to make her love you, and cherish you like she would a real Mother. But for me, Momma. You've had your three strikes."  9

I walk out of the kitchen, and slam the door to mine and Melanie's bedroom behind me. I slid into the bed, my eyes hot and wet. There were so many things lingering in my head and ears. I stared at the ceiling for what seemed like hours. 10


The next morning, Mom wasn't home. I made Melanie some of the cereal I had picked up on my way home on Friday, although I didn't have enough money for milk. I had asked Mom earlier last night to bring some home from the restraunt, but chances are, she forgot. So I gave Mel a banana, and I drank some of the coffee Mom had made last night. 11


After she was done, I dressed her, and brushed her hair and teeth. I made sure she had done all her homework, then got my self ready. We left earlier than usual, so that I could drop by the restraunt and get some lunch for Mel, since I didn't have any money to give her to buy any. 12

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