Forgotten.
Florida.
As I open my eyes, I realise its morning.
I look over, and Lux is looking right back.
Feet in hands, she smiles a two tooth grin.
I smile back at her little face.
She opens and closes her mouth.
Hungry.
I stretch. “Is it breakfast time Luxy?”
She lets go of her feet. Claps her hands.
I get out of bed, then lean down and pick up my baby sister.
“Let’s get some food!” I smile.
She giggles.
I walk into the kitchen, placing Lux in her little pink highchair next to the bench.
She likes to sit there, watching me. Learning.
I walk to the fridge. Pull out her baby food purée. Peal the lid off.
I get her rubber spoon, coloured purple.
After pulling a chair over to face her, I dunk the spoon in the puree.
After a few mouthfuls, my mother bursts in.
As always, she’s on her phone.
She walks over to where Lux and I sit, and pulls Lux out of her highchair. Lux’s legs dangle in the air as my mother kisses her on the cheek and puts her back into the chair.
She leans down and kisses me on the cheek. Picks her phone back up. Walks away.
I sit there, emotionless. Watch Lux’s eyes crave her mother’s attention.
“Luxy, more num nums?”
She open and closes her mouth.
I shovel in a few more spoonfuls.
I wipe Lux’s face with a tissue I pull out of the side of my bra.
He fists come up. Open and close.
Drink.
I get up and fill Lux’s bottle with cold milk. Stick it in the microwave for 2 minutes.
I stare at my mother while I wait for the microwave to stop.
She’s chucking her clothes out of the wardrobe, and they’re landing in her suitcase, a mess.
“What’re you doing?” I ask her.
“We leave today. Heading to Florida.”
I sigh.
“What?” My mother actually stops and looks at me.
“We’re going again?” I question her.
“We have to! This is my job Shelby.”
“Have you ever stopped to think about Lux? About me? Alone in strange apartments all the time? I don’t have friends. Lux barely sees her mother. Dad doesn’t even care. And I’m pretty sure you’re dating that Paul guy. The security dude or whatever.” I babble.
My mother stops. Sighs. Rubs her temples.
“Shelb, I’m sorry. But this puts food on the table right? And what is this nonsense about Lux? I spend time with her!” She argues her side.
“When was the last time you spend time with us?” I ask, sighing.
“Shelb I know. Promise soon we’ll hang out. But right now, feed Lux and get ready. We’re going to Florida.”
I look over, and Lux is looking right back.
Feet in hands, she smiles a two tooth grin.
I smile back at her little face.
She opens and closes her mouth.
Hungry.
I stretch. “Is it breakfast time Luxy?”
She lets go of her feet. Claps her hands.
I get out of bed, then lean down and pick up my baby sister.
“Let’s get some food!” I smile.
She giggles.
I walk into the kitchen, placing Lux in her little pink highchair next to the bench.
She likes to sit there, watching me. Learning.
I walk to the fridge. Pull out her baby food purée. Peal the lid off.
I get her rubber spoon, coloured purple.
After pulling a chair over to face her, I dunk the spoon in the puree.
After a few mouthfuls, my mother bursts in.
As always, she’s on her phone.
She walks over to where Lux and I sit, and pulls Lux out of her highchair. Lux’s legs dangle in the air as my mother kisses her on the cheek and puts her back into the chair.
She leans down and kisses me on the cheek. Picks her phone back up. Walks away.
I sit there, emotionless. Watch Lux’s eyes crave her mother’s attention.
“Luxy, more num nums?”
She open and closes her mouth.
I shovel in a few more spoonfuls.
I wipe Lux’s face with a tissue I pull out of the side of my bra.
He fists come up. Open and close.
Drink.
I get up and fill Lux’s bottle with cold milk. Stick it in the microwave for 2 minutes.
I stare at my mother while I wait for the microwave to stop.
She’s chucking her clothes out of the wardrobe, and they’re landing in her suitcase, a mess.
“What’re you doing?” I ask her.
“We leave today. Heading to Florida.”
I sigh.
“What?” My mother actually stops and looks at me.
“We’re going again?” I question her.
“We have to! This is my job Shelby.”
“Have you ever stopped to think about Lux? About me? Alone in strange apartments all the time? I don’t have friends. Lux barely sees her mother. Dad doesn’t even care. And I’m pretty sure you’re dating that Paul guy. The security dude or whatever.” I babble.
My mother stops. Sighs. Rubs her temples.
“Shelb, I’m sorry. But this puts food on the table right? And what is this nonsense about Lux? I spend time with her!” She argues her side.
“When was the last time you spend time with us?” I ask, sighing.
“Shelb I know. Promise soon we’ll hang out. But right now, feed Lux and get ready. We’re going to Florida.”
Notes
I need;one new read
one new vote
one new subscriber
one new read
and one new comment
for Chapter Three :) x
@Music13
thanks love x
12/27/13