Missed Meals

He placed the tray to the side, as he stood from his chair. Rick wasn’t a tall man, nor was he a big man. But he was bigger and taller than me. He used his stature to back me into a corner.

I knew this wasn’t about the chicken. I made him fried chicken plenty of times before and he only complained once.

No. Tonight was about something different. I never knew what would set him off. But it seemed like more and more he would try and find something new to become angry about.

“I’m not Darcy, Rick.” I pleaded in hopes to stop him from coming near me.

His eyes grew a little as realization hit him. Rick wrapped his hand around my arm and shook me. “Yeah, you may not be her, but you look like her. And you still act like her. Always doing something stupid.”

He shook me a little harder. Both his hands now digging into my arms.

“Rick. You are hurting me!” I shouted trying to break through to him.

Rick stepped back for a moment. “Get out of my face.” He said under his breath.

I ran up the stairs into my room. I held back my rage as I closed the door, making sure I didn’t slam it shut. I didn’t want to make him angrier than he already was. I just wanted the night to be over.

I buried my head in my pillow to muffle my cries. It took all over one hour to finally bring myself to leave that spot.  I wanted to fall asleep and wake up to a new day but my stomach attacked as the night continued on.

My door creaked as I opened it enough to listen to the house to see if it was safe to sneak out to the kitchen. Only silence filled the air. I knew he retired to his room when the tv was off.

Sneaking around the house like a thief was my specialty. A skill I could never use in the real world.

Or maybe I could. May I could become a thief. Creeping around someone else’s house looking for valuables. At least then I could make some money.

My stomach sunk lower when I saw the entire meal was destroyed. During his angry spell, Rick threw the food on the floor. The chicken was covered in dirt. As if he took his precious time stepping on each piece. The rice was scattered around.

I sighed. It was the only thing I could do. Refusing to shed one more tear tonight.

Gathering my strength, I reached for the broom and commenced cleaning the mess.

By the time it was midnight I was back in my room with a growling tummy. I lay there revisiting the idea of breaking a few laws to put some money in my pockets. It was on nights like this that I felt the need for cash more than any.

I just turned eighteen a few weeks ago. Though no one noticed. My dad didn’t bother getting a cake with my name plastered on it. I didn’t really talk to anyone at school anymore. Not wanting to give anyone a chance to find out how messed up my dad was, I distanced myself.

I had one goal now. And it wasn’t to make friends. Finding a job was my only concern. It was the only way to change things around for me. If I had money, I wouldn’t have to worry about where my next meal would come from. I wouldn’t have to fear now having what I need to survive. But most of all, I wouldn’t have to be here.

As soon as I found a job and made some money, I was out of here. Out of this house. Away from Rick.

My stomach rumbled again from the emptiness. I closed my eyes tight and willed my mind to quiet. It was the only way I could welcome sleep tonight.