Chapter 13 So Tired
Beth's face goes pale, before once again she smacks my face. The sting still radiates, but not as much as the rest of her punching and kicking. I wonder if her hand is stinging? I hope so! I hope it hurts like hell! Well, I got something else that is gonna make her sting.
"One day, Beth, Karma is gonna kick you in the ass. And Mom will come back and haunt you for every single bruise and tear that fell from me and my sisters," I growl out. My voice is deep and raw. "You know," I chuckle, "I turned 21 yesterday. I could've left you to care for my sisters," I look right at Liv, who is suddenly looking anywhere but me. "But why didn't I leave when I could keep my own money and live quite happily on my own? Tell me why I came back to endure this torment you throw at me every damn day of my life, Beth! Tell me why the hell I'm here!" I snarl, finally pushing her up against the damn wall. "TELL ME WHY I LET YOU BEAT THE HELL OUTTA ME EVERY DAMN DAY AND NOT CALL THE COP!"
And suddenly Beth is trembling, knowing she's hit my limit. I can see the fear and the recognition of danger... I guess she isn't as stupid as she acts. It still won't save her.
"I'll tell you, Beth. Because I love my sisters more than I love myself. Even if one of them is the bitch that tries to get me in trouble for something I've never done! If she loves you so much, I'll let her stay here with you, and I'll just take Charlie," I whisper. "Is that what you want? Another mouth to feed and none of my funds to fill it?"
"YOU BITCH! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" Beth cries, trying to spin this on me. I think I take back the thought she might have any brains in her head at all, because nothing she said makes sense unless you are completely crazy.
"NO! IT'S NOT! IT IS YOUR FAULT FOR BEING AN ABUSIVE BITCH! All Mom wanted was you to watch us, not to steal all our our money. Not to abuse us. Not to manipulate us. You just had to watch us! That was it! And you couldn't even do that right!" I growl and shove away from my aunt.
I march right up to my little sister. "I expect you in my room in 5 minutes. Don't make me look for you!" I demand. "You've already pissed me off Olivia. Don't make it worse!"
I can see tears flooding Liv's eyes, and I don't really care. I leave all of them and slump up to the room I was assigned. I lean against the door and breathe, but not deeply. My lungs hurt. The stinging in my eyes gets worse and I let the tears fall.
This is not my home. It never was. The place that was my home was sold instead of kept for us. I don't know why. Dad bought the whole thing. It was completely paid off! We could've had a proper home. One I could raise my sisters up in love with no fear of pain or verbal abuse.
I'm so damn tired! Everything is weighing down on me. Beth and her idiot husband. Ava and Olivia. Poor Charlie just trying to keep her head down so she doesn't get hurt. The stranger at the shop. James and is pushing for sex... I just want to get away and keep my sisters safe... even if they don't want to leave.
I limp to my little vanity, sit in the little wooden chair and look in the mirror. I can see the bruises start to form and the blood trickling down my mouth. My hair is a mess, but I don't even care. My eyes are red-rimmed and wet. I look like hell.