Chapter 1

I get home and it is almost 4 in the morning. I nearly trip over my dad. He is passed out again on the floor. I help him stagger up and put him on the couch. He looks like a log just sleeping there. I wish there were something I could do to help him. But I remember what happened last time I suggested rehab.

Once I clean up the mess, he made all over our apartment I haul my ass to my room to grab some sleep. When my head reaches the pillow, I feel the weight of what is going to happen tomorrow. The fact I am no longer going to be living here. Well at least not until next summer. The thought of everything that has brought me to this moment, and I start to feel my head reel and I cannot let sleep overcome me.

I have been working on this for as long as I can remember. I graduated high school early with honors and a 4.0 GPA. I just wish my mom could have been there so that she could be here tomorrow to see what I am doing with my life. I know Dad tries to be the best parent he can be, but he has been broken since my mom passed.

I look over at the clock and it says 4:30 am. I am still wide awake. I roll over and close my eyes. My mind drifts to the day my life got weird. The day that has been burnt into my body. The day I became something more than a girl.

It was my 16th birthday. My first one without my mother. My dad was drunk when I got home from school. I had made dinner and baked myself a cake just like my mother did every year before that. It was her recipe. I just wanted some normalcy. I was missing my mother on my birthday and wanted to feel close to her. But dear old Dad would not take it he got angry. He got violent and the result is he hit me.

I mean I get it she was the love of your life you miss her, but I am your child don’t take it out on me, I remember thinking. I miss her too. He is not a violent man but sometimes he does lose his temper. And the result of that conflict was me running out of the house that night.

I stop myself I don’t want to replay that night again. It is what it is I am not just a girl anymore I am something else something I never should have been. I am cursed and now have this affliction I can never share with anyone—a creature in hiding.

I must have drifted off to sleep. Because the loud sound of my alarm clock is beeping telling me it is time to get up. I haul my ass out of bed today is the day. College is my new adventure. I can finally help people and maybe even find a cure for my current affliction. Well, I know that won't be happening for a while but maybe in a couple of years.

I clean up get showered and dressed. I go to the kitchen and start to make breakfast for my dad and myself. I bring the coffee to him. “Dad it is me I have your coffee. I need you to get up. You have work in a few hours, and I have to catch the plane remember I am leaving today.”

He doesn’t really move. “Dad I need you to get up Ian is going to be here any second and you need to go to work today, and I want to give you a hug goodbye. I won’t be seeing you for a while.” He gowns and I hear the front door open. “Ember hey do I smell bacon?” “Oh, hey Ian. I made eggs and bacon you're more than welcome to eat. I can fix you a plate. Can you see if you can get my dad up, he had a late night?”

“doesn't he always.” I hear Ian mumble under his breath. Part of my affliction I can hear everything. Well at least think it is related. I couldn’t hear like this before the night I ran out. It is like I have supersonic hearing and smell. At first, it was hard because I would get headaches all the time. There was definitely an adjustment period.

I do my best to not listen to Ian's comments about my dad. I know he tries to be understanding but he does not get it. It isn't simple for my dad he cannot just stop drinking that is why it is called an addiction after all. But I'm just glad he helped me get my dad a job.

If it weren't for him my dad would have never been able to hold down a job in the first place. So even though a lot of time he talks crap about my dad he at least is helping keep him employed. “Ember he is not getting up I guess he is going to be taking another sick day?”

“I am sorry Ian. I am trying here....my uncle will be moving in this afternoon to help make sure he is doing okay. He even sounded hopeful the last time we talked he said he could get him to an AA meeting which makes me happy.” he comes over and wraps his arms around my waist from behind. “That is a good baby. But since he is not going to wake up maybe we should go back to your room and treat ourselves to some enjoyment you know. I could call in late and spend the morning under the sheets.... mhhh what do you think.”

Oh god. I think to myself. Is he serious? Does he not remember that I have a plane to catch? Ever since I gave him my virginity that seems to be the only thing he wants to do or think about. I mean I get it you have needs, at least that is what he says, but I have shit to do. It is not like I get anything out of it anyway, but what is a few minutes of unpleasantness when he is helpful in other areas?

“Ian I would love to....” I lie through my teeth. “But.... I have my plane to catch and as you know I have to take a bus to get there, so I am on a tight schedule today I am sorry.” He lets out a sigh I know he is mad. “Ember how about this, we can go to your room and fool around and then I will drive you to the airport. This will save you some time and I can come back and clean up the kitchen too. After all, I won't be able to see you for three weeks till I come out to visit.”

I know there is no getting out of this and as much as having sex with my boyfriend should make me happy, it doesn’t. But I don’t want to fight over this and knowing him it won't last long. On the upside, I will not have to ride the grimy city bus to the airport with my luggage. Also, he said he would come back and clean up the kitchen so that is a plus. “Alright fine.