I thought I would do some of Jordan's point of view. Let me know if you like it or not.
It had been almost three full days since this girl had come into our home and I still couldn't figure her out. I knew that she was a hard worker and I had to admit that I was impressed by the fact that she helped us without complaining. I didn't know much about anything that wasn't hockey or sod but I could tell that there was more to her then she let on. I didn't believe she was as tough and badass as she wanted everyone to believe, but I couldn't get her to open up to me no matter how nice I tried to be. In fact it seemed to piss her off.
" Hey Melanie. Wait up." I yelled at her as she walked out into the front yard
I knew that she had to of heard me. It's not like I was a quiet guy. Thankfully my long legs allowed me to catch up with her
" What do you want?" She said moodily
" Just wanted to see if you want company is all."
" Don't you have to practice your shot or some grass to plant?" she snarled at me
" Nope" I said trying to give her my most charming smile
" I was going to sit under that big tree and try to read for a little while."
I got the distinct feeling that she was trying to get rid of me but if I was anything it was persistent.
" I'll just sit with you than."
" Whatever floats your boat man."
We sat under the large oak tree that sat off the side of our yard. She opened up the book and started to read. It didn't take very long for me to start to get bored and consequently I started to squirm.
" You can leave anytime you know. I don't need to be baby sat" She let out with a sigh as she looked up at me
" I never said you did. What are you reading?" I asked as I grabbed the book out of his hand.
It was Dragonsblood by Anne McCaffery. I flipped over the back of the book so I could read what it was about.
" Are you sure that you can even read hockey boy? You don't have to pretend on my account."
" I have to go to school and I may not be the best student but I have to get decent grades to play."
" Yeah cause the life of a hockey player is so hard. Please spare me. I know how you guys operate. You get treated like a god just because you happen to be good at hitting a disc of rubber with a wooden stick. It's stupid if you ask me."
I was taken back by her attitude towards me. In fact it pissed me off. This girl didn't know me. She didn't know how hard I worked to get where I was or how much my parents sacrificed to give all of us a chance at our dream.
" For your information you don't know anything about me or my family so if you could stop being such a judgemental bitch that would be really nice." I said throwing the book at her and getting up to leave.
She just stared at me with a shocked look on her face. I went to find my brothers in the old barn that my father had let us use to practice in after we got older. I grabbed my stick and shoved Marc out of my way so I could take out my anger on several pucks that were sitting on a chunk of synthetic ice. I lined them up and started to shoot at a pile of junk that we had collected. Slap shot, wrist shot, over and over I shot until I ran out of pucks and my arms were aching.
" Man who pissed in your cheerios this morning." Eric commented leaning on his stick as he watched me
There had been many times over my childhood that I had wished that I was an only child and I was quickly getting the feeling that this was going to be one of them
" It's that girl isn't it? She is pretty cute even if she is kinda crazy."
" I tried to talk to her. Just to be nice and she was a total bitch."
" Are you really surprised? You heard the rumors." Jared chimed in
" Yeah but you can't believe everything you hear and I was trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. Guess that was a waste of time."
" She might come around, just give it time. Eric said as he threw his stick in the corner
" Yeah maybe." I said knowing that I didn't sound convinced
" Let's go get our chores done before Mom and Dad start yelling."
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Sympathy Chapter 4
I followed behind the boys as they piled out the back door. They were carrying on and pushing each other I got the first chance to really look at them without being noticed. You could tell just by glancing at them that they were brothers and that they enjoyed being around each other. I found it slightly amusing that while Jordan and Eric looked just like Henry while Jared and Marc mostly took after Linda.
" Hey are you coming or what?" Jordan called
I realized that I had at some point that I had stopped walking. I hurried up to catch up with them as they walked towards a large barn.
" This is where we store the sod that we dig up to to ship out. That building over there is where we keep all of the equipment." Marc pointed to another big building a little down the way
"Hey you wanna go shoot some pucks before we have to do our chores?" Marc asked the other boys
" Why do you want to? You're just a stupid defenseman?" Eric shot back at him
" Whatever. I'm going to be the next Bobby Orr when I get drafted next year."
" Not with hands like that you aren't" Jordan chimed in
" Then let's get some practice in."
They started to walk away but Jordan stayed back with me.
" You guys go ahead. I'm going to show Melanie around some more. Is that okay with you?"
I shrugged my shoulders in away that I was hoping would come of as not caring. I followed him into the big barn that I had just been told held all of the equipment.
" These are the tractors. That over there is the cutter and that big thing is a seeder."
I watched as he climbed up onto the nearest tractor.
" You can come up here if you want. There should be enough room for you."
I contemplated his offer. The idea of climbing onto the big greasy contraption didn't really appeal to me but when he leaned down and offered me his hand I found myself taking it. He practically hefted me up into the seat next to him. I was sitting uncomfortably close and I started to pick at my nails.
" So now that my mom isn't here to smack me upside the head what is your deal?" he asked shifting around so he could look at me.
" Didn't you hear your brother? I'm a trouble maker." i mumbled angrily
" There has to be more to it than that."
I looked up and saw him examining me with his bright blue eyes. I saw the look of pity in them and it just pissed me off.
" There isn't anymore to it than that. I'm a trouble maker and a fuck up. That's pretty much my whole story. "
" Sometimes talking to someone can help." he offered trying to be nice
" If I wanted to talk to someone I'd see a therapist." I all but spit in his face
I made my way off the tractor and he didn't try to stop me. I didn't really want to be around the other boys so I made my way into the house and closed myself in my bedroom again. I was asked to come down to dinner but I begged off, saying that I wasn't feeling well. I could hear all of the noise as they all made their way to bed. I muffled my crying in my pillow as everyone else went to sleep
" Hey are you coming or what?" Jordan called
I realized that I had at some point that I had stopped walking. I hurried up to catch up with them as they walked towards a large barn.
" This is where we store the sod that we dig up to to ship out. That building over there is where we keep all of the equipment." Marc pointed to another big building a little down the way
"Hey you wanna go shoot some pucks before we have to do our chores?" Marc asked the other boys
" Why do you want to? You're just a stupid defenseman?" Eric shot back at him
" Whatever. I'm going to be the next Bobby Orr when I get drafted next year."
" Not with hands like that you aren't" Jordan chimed in
" Then let's get some practice in."
They started to walk away but Jordan stayed back with me.
" You guys go ahead. I'm going to show Melanie around some more. Is that okay with you?"
I shrugged my shoulders in away that I was hoping would come of as not caring. I followed him into the big barn that I had just been told held all of the equipment.
" These are the tractors. That over there is the cutter and that big thing is a seeder."
I watched as he climbed up onto the nearest tractor.
" You can come up here if you want. There should be enough room for you."
I contemplated his offer. The idea of climbing onto the big greasy contraption didn't really appeal to me but when he leaned down and offered me his hand I found myself taking it. He practically hefted me up into the seat next to him. I was sitting uncomfortably close and I started to pick at my nails.
" So now that my mom isn't here to smack me upside the head what is your deal?" he asked shifting around so he could look at me.
" Didn't you hear your brother? I'm a trouble maker." i mumbled angrily
" There has to be more to it than that."
I looked up and saw him examining me with his bright blue eyes. I saw the look of pity in them and it just pissed me off.
" There isn't anymore to it than that. I'm a trouble maker and a fuck up. That's pretty much my whole story. "
" Sometimes talking to someone can help." he offered trying to be nice
" If I wanted to talk to someone I'd see a therapist." I all but spit in his face
I made my way off the tractor and he didn't try to stop me. I didn't really want to be around the other boys so I made my way into the house and closed myself in my bedroom again. I was asked to come down to dinner but I begged off, saying that I wasn't feeling well. I could hear all of the noise as they all made their way to bed. I muffled my crying in my pillow as everyone else went to sleep
New Surroudings Chaper Three
We pulled up in front of the farm house on the edge of town. All I could see was fields of grass. It seemed so stupid and vain that people would spend tons of money on grass. I guess if you had that kind of money then it wouldn't really matter. I reluctantly got out and followed Jeff across the wide expanse of lawn. I set my bag on the porch as he rang the bell and waited for someone to anwser.
" Hi guys. Come on in. You must be Melanie." she said looking at me with a smile. My guard immediately went up. In my experience it was very rare that people were nice to you without some alternative motive.
" My name is Linda. I was just about to call the boys in for lunch. Why don't I show you where you'll be staying and then you can help me round them up."
" Okay" I mumbled. I looked at Jeff and he gave me a reassuring smile and waved me off. I followed Linda up a staircase to a long hallway.
" That's Jared and Jordan's room, this one belongs to Marc and Eric and this is my husband and I. Your room is the last on the left and the bathroom is directly across from your room. Go ahead and put your bag away and freshen up.
" Yeah I'll be right down." I mumbled
I went into the room that she had pointed out and opened the door. It was a typical guest room and you could tell that it had been decorated by a women. The room was decorated in flowers and it looked like someone had vomited pepto bismol everywhere it was so pink. I groaned and set my bag on the bed. I thought about washing my face but I didn't really care what kind of impression that I made. I trudged my way down the stairs and I made my way towards what sounded like a herd of elephants. I walked into what apparently was the kitchen and I was met by several pairs of male eyes starring at me. I couldn't help but blush as I was appraised like a heifer at a four-h fair. I steeled myself and returned each gaze without looking away. Finally an older man stood up from the large table and came over to where I was still standing.
" I'm Henry and these people who are rudely starring at you are my son's Marc, Jordan, Jared and Eric."
I said hello and stood there since I wasn't sure where I was suppose to go.
" There is an extra chair between Eric and Jordan." Henry pointed out. I made my way over to the chair and found that it was wedged so tightly between the two boys that I had to wait until Eric got up before I could slip between the two of them. They were both so big that I barely had any room to move. Everyone seemed to ignore me at first. I sat and nibbled at a sandwich as I listened to the conversations going on around me. You could tell that the boys were very competitive with each other and the talk centered mostly around hockey even though it was the beginning of july. They were loud and boisterous and frankly it was a little disconcerting for someone who didn't grow up with any siblings. I glanced out of the corner of my eye and took in the boy who was sitting to my right, the one who was introduced as Jordan. I took in his profile and had to admit that he was nice to look at, at least from the side. He was blond and had a strong jaw line. Before I could examine him any further I was brought out of my thoughts by a voice.
" Um I'm sorry I didn't hear what you said?" I said trying to sound nonchalant
" I asked you what is your deal? Aren't you the girl who is always getting into trouble?"
Before I had a chance to say anything Linda reached around and slapped Marc in the back of the head.
" You'll have to excuse them. They sometimes forget their manners." Linda said
Marc muttered an apology while he rubbed the back of his head. His brothers started laughing and I couldn't help but let out a little smile which I tried to immediately hide. I was getting overwhelmed and I really just wanted to get out and go to my room. I managed to wiggle out of the chair and I made my way up to my room. I flopped on the bed and grabbed a book out of my bag. A little while later I heard footsteps coming down the hallway and a light knock on my door.
" Come in." I yelled through the door.
A blond head popped through the door. It was Jordan.
" Mom and Dad asked me to come get you. They want to talk to you quick."
" Fine. I'll be right down." I said with a sigh. I knew that it would be to much to ask that I be left alone for even a little while. I made my way down the stairs. They were all sitting in the living room waiting for me.
" We just wanted to go over the rules real quick before we have the boys show you the farm."
I sat in the open spot, where again I was squished between two solid big bodies. I was told that curfew was at ten, that there was to be no drinking or drugs and that they expected me to help out on the farm just like the boys do. Jordan or Eric would drive me to the youth center when I needed to go and also pick me up. I hated rules but I did promise Jeff that I would try to straighten up and stay out of trouble.
" Hi guys. Come on in. You must be Melanie." she said looking at me with a smile. My guard immediately went up. In my experience it was very rare that people were nice to you without some alternative motive.
" My name is Linda. I was just about to call the boys in for lunch. Why don't I show you where you'll be staying and then you can help me round them up."
" Okay" I mumbled. I looked at Jeff and he gave me a reassuring smile and waved me off. I followed Linda up a staircase to a long hallway.
" That's Jared and Jordan's room, this one belongs to Marc and Eric and this is my husband and I. Your room is the last on the left and the bathroom is directly across from your room. Go ahead and put your bag away and freshen up.
" Yeah I'll be right down." I mumbled
I went into the room that she had pointed out and opened the door. It was a typical guest room and you could tell that it had been decorated by a women. The room was decorated in flowers and it looked like someone had vomited pepto bismol everywhere it was so pink. I groaned and set my bag on the bed. I thought about washing my face but I didn't really care what kind of impression that I made. I trudged my way down the stairs and I made my way towards what sounded like a herd of elephants. I walked into what apparently was the kitchen and I was met by several pairs of male eyes starring at me. I couldn't help but blush as I was appraised like a heifer at a four-h fair. I steeled myself and returned each gaze without looking away. Finally an older man stood up from the large table and came over to where I was still standing.
" I'm Henry and these people who are rudely starring at you are my son's Marc, Jordan, Jared and Eric."
I said hello and stood there since I wasn't sure where I was suppose to go.
" There is an extra chair between Eric and Jordan." Henry pointed out. I made my way over to the chair and found that it was wedged so tightly between the two boys that I had to wait until Eric got up before I could slip between the two of them. They were both so big that I barely had any room to move. Everyone seemed to ignore me at first. I sat and nibbled at a sandwich as I listened to the conversations going on around me. You could tell that the boys were very competitive with each other and the talk centered mostly around hockey even though it was the beginning of july. They were loud and boisterous and frankly it was a little disconcerting for someone who didn't grow up with any siblings. I glanced out of the corner of my eye and took in the boy who was sitting to my right, the one who was introduced as Jordan. I took in his profile and had to admit that he was nice to look at, at least from the side. He was blond and had a strong jaw line. Before I could examine him any further I was brought out of my thoughts by a voice.
" Um I'm sorry I didn't hear what you said?" I said trying to sound nonchalant
" I asked you what is your deal? Aren't you the girl who is always getting into trouble?"
Before I had a chance to say anything Linda reached around and slapped Marc in the back of the head.
" You'll have to excuse them. They sometimes forget their manners." Linda said
Marc muttered an apology while he rubbed the back of his head. His brothers started laughing and I couldn't help but let out a little smile which I tried to immediately hide. I was getting overwhelmed and I really just wanted to get out and go to my room. I managed to wiggle out of the chair and I made my way up to my room. I flopped on the bed and grabbed a book out of my bag. A little while later I heard footsteps coming down the hallway and a light knock on my door.
" Come in." I yelled through the door.
A blond head popped through the door. It was Jordan.
" Mom and Dad asked me to come get you. They want to talk to you quick."
" Fine. I'll be right down." I said with a sigh. I knew that it would be to much to ask that I be left alone for even a little while. I made my way down the stairs. They were all sitting in the living room waiting for me.
" We just wanted to go over the rules real quick before we have the boys show you the farm."
I sat in the open spot, where again I was squished between two solid big bodies. I was told that curfew was at ten, that there was to be no drinking or drugs and that they expected me to help out on the farm just like the boys do. Jordan or Eric would drive me to the youth center when I needed to go and also pick me up. I hated rules but I did promise Jeff that I would try to straighten up and stay out of trouble.
On The Farm Chapter Two
I was brought out of sleep very abruptly by the ringing of my cell phone. I groaned into my pillow and thought about not anwsering it but I knew that it had to be Jeff, since he was the one who had given it to me in the first place.
" Hello" I anwsered trying to sound more awake then I really was, considering the clock by my bedside was saying that it was already two in the afternoon.
" Hello sunshine. I made those calls and I have some good news for you." Jeff said in a chipper tone that made my already bad mood even worse.
" Let me guess. I'm really a princess that was kidnapped at birth and my real parents have decided to wisk me away to a life of money and glamour." I replied not even trying to keep the sarcasm out of my voice
" No unfortuantly not, but I have a plan that the judge approves of. It will be up to you to decide if you want to do it or not."
" I'm listening." I said as I heard him pause on the other end of the line
" I know that you are aware of the youth center that is on the other end of town. I have it set up that you can volunteer there three days a week, working with the kids and whatever else that they may need you to do. And there is something else." I didn't like the tone of voice he had. He sounded like that whenever he was going to say something that I didn't like.
" I have friends who own a farm, a sod farm and they are willing to let you stay with them through the summer and possibly longer. All that they ask is that you be on your best behavior and that you help out when needed."
" Are you fucking kidding me? I am not living on a fucking farm." I screamed into the phone
" This isn't really something that you have any say in. I already talked to your dad and he has agreed that he isn't capable of taking care of you and that this is better than you getting put into foster care or a detention center."
" Fuck him and fuck you too. I don't need this shit. I can take care of myself." I now had tears streaming down my face and I hated him even more for making me cry. I threw the phone on the floor and grabbed a duffel bag out of my closet. I started to throw whatever clothes I could get my hands on into it and in my haste I didn't hear or see the squad car pull up. The cop, officer O'callahan had dealt with me numerous times in the past and all it took was a call from Jeff telling him that I was planning on running. I fought like a banshee but in the end he was too strong to get away from. He cuffed me and put me in the back of his car and took me to the station where Jeff was waiting for me.
" Dammit Melanie, how many times do I have to tell you this may be your last shot at a decent life?" he bellowed at me
I was taken a back by his anger. I was usually the one causing a scene and even though he had been angry with me many times in the past, this was the first time that he had ever raised his voice at me.
" You know what? I've had it with you. If you want to screw up your life that is fine by me. I'll just call the judge and tell him that you need to be locked up till your eighteen."
I swallowed hard as I watched him dial a number on his phone and bring it up to his ear. I could feel the utter panic tightening my chest until I could barely breath.
" Stop I'll do it. Just don't call the judge." He eyed me and kept the phone to his ear. I started to get frantic.
" Please I mean it. I'll do whatever you want. Just don''t send me to jail." I was pleading and I knew that I sounded pathetic but I didn't care
He flipped his phone shut and looked at me triumphantly
" The Staal's are expecting you tonight. I'll take you back to your house so you can pack up anything that you think that you'll need."
All I could do was nod my head. I followed him out to the car and we went to my house. My father was no where to be found, which was typical when he had to face anything that was remotely hard to deal with. He was probably at the local bar getting plastered as we spoke. Jeff watched me as I silently packed a bag. When we left I tried not to look back. It was too painful. Everyone that was suppose to matter to me was gone or might as well be.
" Hello" I anwsered trying to sound more awake then I really was, considering the clock by my bedside was saying that it was already two in the afternoon.
" Hello sunshine. I made those calls and I have some good news for you." Jeff said in a chipper tone that made my already bad mood even worse.
" Let me guess. I'm really a princess that was kidnapped at birth and my real parents have decided to wisk me away to a life of money and glamour." I replied not even trying to keep the sarcasm out of my voice
" No unfortuantly not, but I have a plan that the judge approves of. It will be up to you to decide if you want to do it or not."
" I'm listening." I said as I heard him pause on the other end of the line
" I know that you are aware of the youth center that is on the other end of town. I have it set up that you can volunteer there three days a week, working with the kids and whatever else that they may need you to do. And there is something else." I didn't like the tone of voice he had. He sounded like that whenever he was going to say something that I didn't like.
" I have friends who own a farm, a sod farm and they are willing to let you stay with them through the summer and possibly longer. All that they ask is that you be on your best behavior and that you help out when needed."
" Are you fucking kidding me? I am not living on a fucking farm." I screamed into the phone
" This isn't really something that you have any say in. I already talked to your dad and he has agreed that he isn't capable of taking care of you and that this is better than you getting put into foster care or a detention center."
" Fuck him and fuck you too. I don't need this shit. I can take care of myself." I now had tears streaming down my face and I hated him even more for making me cry. I threw the phone on the floor and grabbed a duffel bag out of my closet. I started to throw whatever clothes I could get my hands on into it and in my haste I didn't hear or see the squad car pull up. The cop, officer O'callahan had dealt with me numerous times in the past and all it took was a call from Jeff telling him that I was planning on running. I fought like a banshee but in the end he was too strong to get away from. He cuffed me and put me in the back of his car and took me to the station where Jeff was waiting for me.
" Dammit Melanie, how many times do I have to tell you this may be your last shot at a decent life?" he bellowed at me
I was taken a back by his anger. I was usually the one causing a scene and even though he had been angry with me many times in the past, this was the first time that he had ever raised his voice at me.
" You know what? I've had it with you. If you want to screw up your life that is fine by me. I'll just call the judge and tell him that you need to be locked up till your eighteen."
I swallowed hard as I watched him dial a number on his phone and bring it up to his ear. I could feel the utter panic tightening my chest until I could barely breath.
" Stop I'll do it. Just don't call the judge." He eyed me and kept the phone to his ear. I started to get frantic.
" Please I mean it. I'll do whatever you want. Just don''t send me to jail." I was pleading and I knew that I sounded pathetic but I didn't care
He flipped his phone shut and looked at me triumphantly
" The Staal's are expecting you tonight. I'll take you back to your house so you can pack up anything that you think that you'll need."
All I could do was nod my head. I followed him out to the car and we went to my house. My father was no where to be found, which was typical when he had to face anything that was remotely hard to deal with. He was probably at the local bar getting plastered as we spoke. Jeff watched me as I silently packed a bag. When we left I tried not to look back. It was too painful. Everyone that was suppose to matter to me was gone or might as well be.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Trouble Maker chapter one
"You've got to be kidding me." I yelled as I stood up and pounded my fist on the table that sat in front of me.
" Counslor I suggest that you get your client calmed down before I hold her in contempt." The judge warned as he looked a down at me from his chair
" Sit down and shut up." my lawyer warned as he pulled on the sleeve of the ruffly white shirt that I was made to wear to look more " respectable" as I was told
I wanted to keep on screaming but I managed to bite my tongue and sit as the judge continued to hand down his judgment
" A thousand hours of community service will be served by the defendant, the hours which will start to be served by the beginning of next week. If the defendant does not comply with the court order she will be remanded to the authoritys where she will serve out the rest of the time in a juvenile detention faculity until the age of eighteen."
I wanted to cry, but I wasn't about to give these assholes the satisfaction of seeing me break down. I crossed my arms over my chest and clenched my jaw as I stared at the table. I really didn't get it. My parents didn't care what I did, hadn't in years so I didn't see why these people did. It's all because they didn't have anything better to do in this crappy ass town then to worry about what everybody else was doing. Sure I had gotten in trouble before but I was always able to talk my way out of any serious consequences until now. That's why the judge was probably such an ass. Since the age of thirteen I had got a reputation around Thunder Bay. I was the girl that parents warned their boys about and that parents called a bad influence. It wasn't my fault that none of these small town hicks knew the the definition of fun.
" Ms Myers did you hear what I said?"
I drew my eyes up from the table. I looked the judge straight in the eyes and held his gaze as I nodded my head
" Good. Everyone is free to go."
I stood up and walked out without a backwards glance. I heard my lawyer scramble after me as he shoved everything back into his briefcase.
" Hey wait up." he yelled at my back
I didn't turn around but I stopped where I was, giving him a chance to catch up. Jeff Dean had been my lawyer for over three years and had always stuck up for me even when he probably shouldn't have. He had known both of my parents in high school and had basically took over the role of adult in my life when my mom left and my dad became the town drunk. I figured that I owed him at least a little respect and that was saying a lot because I didn't respect anybody.
" Look, it could be worse. Do you really want to spend the next year and a half in a detention facility somewhere?"
I shook my head. I knew that as much as I didn't want to do this community any kind of service, the thought of being locked up was enough to make me have a panic attack."
" Look Melanie, this is your last chance. If you screw this up I can't help you anymore." he said with a look of sympathy on his face
" I have an idea of where you can do your community service but I need to make a phone call first and then talk to the judge. Mya should have supper on. Would you like to come home with me?"
" No, that's okay" Seeing his perfect little family always reminded me of how my family use to be and it hurt more than I was willing to admit.
" Are you sure? It's no big deal. Mya and the kids love you."
" No you don't need a big screw up like me around your kids." I muttered hoping that he would just give up.
" You're not a screw up. You're just confused."
" Whatever. Can you just take me home. Please." I added trying to butter him up.
He pursed his lips as he looked at me. It was something that I noticed he did whenever he was weighing options. He finally nodded his head and I followed him to his fancy car. He dropped me off in front of a ramshackle house on the edge of town.
" If you need anything, just let me know okay." he told me with a worried look on his face.
" I'll be fine. I always am." I said plastering a fake smile on my face to try to reassure him.
I walked into the rundown house that I had called home for the last sixteen years. I went to see if my dad was home and wasn't surprised to find him passed out on the couch with an almost empty bottle of Jim Beam sitting next to him. I went to his room and grabbed a blanket off of the bed and went back and covered him with it. Before I left I grabbed the bottle and swallowed what was left of it before throwing it in the trash and going to my room. I knew deep down inside that all of the alcohol in the world wouldn't completely drown the pain that I felt on a daily basis but I was willing to try.
" Counslor I suggest that you get your client calmed down before I hold her in contempt." The judge warned as he looked a down at me from his chair
" Sit down and shut up." my lawyer warned as he pulled on the sleeve of the ruffly white shirt that I was made to wear to look more " respectable" as I was told
I wanted to keep on screaming but I managed to bite my tongue and sit as the judge continued to hand down his judgment
" A thousand hours of community service will be served by the defendant, the hours which will start to be served by the beginning of next week. If the defendant does not comply with the court order she will be remanded to the authoritys where she will serve out the rest of the time in a juvenile detention faculity until the age of eighteen."
I wanted to cry, but I wasn't about to give these assholes the satisfaction of seeing me break down. I crossed my arms over my chest and clenched my jaw as I stared at the table. I really didn't get it. My parents didn't care what I did, hadn't in years so I didn't see why these people did. It's all because they didn't have anything better to do in this crappy ass town then to worry about what everybody else was doing. Sure I had gotten in trouble before but I was always able to talk my way out of any serious consequences until now. That's why the judge was probably such an ass. Since the age of thirteen I had got a reputation around Thunder Bay. I was the girl that parents warned their boys about and that parents called a bad influence. It wasn't my fault that none of these small town hicks knew the the definition of fun.
" Ms Myers did you hear what I said?"
I drew my eyes up from the table. I looked the judge straight in the eyes and held his gaze as I nodded my head
" Good. Everyone is free to go."
I stood up and walked out without a backwards glance. I heard my lawyer scramble after me as he shoved everything back into his briefcase.
" Hey wait up." he yelled at my back
I didn't turn around but I stopped where I was, giving him a chance to catch up. Jeff Dean had been my lawyer for over three years and had always stuck up for me even when he probably shouldn't have. He had known both of my parents in high school and had basically took over the role of adult in my life when my mom left and my dad became the town drunk. I figured that I owed him at least a little respect and that was saying a lot because I didn't respect anybody.
" Look, it could be worse. Do you really want to spend the next year and a half in a detention facility somewhere?"
I shook my head. I knew that as much as I didn't want to do this community any kind of service, the thought of being locked up was enough to make me have a panic attack."
" Look Melanie, this is your last chance. If you screw this up I can't help you anymore." he said with a look of sympathy on his face
" I have an idea of where you can do your community service but I need to make a phone call first and then talk to the judge. Mya should have supper on. Would you like to come home with me?"
" No, that's okay" Seeing his perfect little family always reminded me of how my family use to be and it hurt more than I was willing to admit.
" Are you sure? It's no big deal. Mya and the kids love you."
" No you don't need a big screw up like me around your kids." I muttered hoping that he would just give up.
" You're not a screw up. You're just confused."
" Whatever. Can you just take me home. Please." I added trying to butter him up.
He pursed his lips as he looked at me. It was something that I noticed he did whenever he was weighing options. He finally nodded his head and I followed him to his fancy car. He dropped me off in front of a ramshackle house on the edge of town.
" If you need anything, just let me know okay." he told me with a worried look on his face.
" I'll be fine. I always am." I said plastering a fake smile on my face to try to reassure him.
I walked into the rundown house that I had called home for the last sixteen years. I went to see if my dad was home and wasn't surprised to find him passed out on the couch with an almost empty bottle of Jim Beam sitting next to him. I went to his room and grabbed a blanket off of the bed and went back and covered him with it. Before I left I grabbed the bottle and swallowed what was left of it before throwing it in the trash and going to my room. I knew deep down inside that all of the alcohol in the world wouldn't completely drown the pain that I felt on a daily basis but I was willing to try.
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