I Hate You More

Slumber Party

Harlen

"Thanks," I smiled climbing out of the passenger side of the black vehicle, "later loser."

I threw up a deuces before grabbing my guitar out of his backseat, and making my way into the lobby of my apartment building.

"Hey Dorris," I waved at the middle-aged woman behind the desk, "what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," She smiled, "you just seem like you're in a...good mood. What's their name?"

Oh no. No, no, no, no, no.

"Absolutely not Dorris," I chuckled, "absolutely not."

"Aw," She clicked her tongue, "that's how I acted when I met my husband."

I threw up in my mouth just a little bit, "Which one?"

"The fourth one," She said pulling a laugh from my lips, "the one I'm with now."

The smile on her face, was undeniably happy, "Ok. This one forever, or?"

"I think so," She chuckled, "I mean, we've been married for 4 years. Usually they've annoyed the shit out of me by now but, not Mikey."

Dorris was my kind of woman. She took no shit from nobody. As soon as the man in her life made one wrong move, under appreciated her one time, he was out on his ass. I hoped that I would be that way when I entered a relationship. That's exactly why I knew, that I wouldn't be caught dead, with Remington as anyone to me. I wouldn't even consider us friends. So what I was grinning a little bit? That meant nothing.

"Oh hey," Dorris' grinned but, this time it was more sympathetic, "your dad came in about twenty minutes ago."

If anyone was even close to knowing what my dad was really like, it would be her. Don't get me wrong, I never said a word but, I'm more than sure she knew where the bruises came from. After all, she's seen me everyday for the past five years.

"Thanks," I smiled uneasily, "have a good night Dorris."

"You too hun," She nodded, "and let me know if you need anything."

I silently nodded before making my way to my floor, and apartment number. The only thing running through my head, was my gratefulness for Gianna staying at her friend Rina's house tonight. My key was slid into my lock, and I twisted it with the intent of staying as quiet as possible. Dad works crazy hours so, if I was lucky he'd be passed out in his room, or if I was slightly less lucky, he'd be passed out on the sofa. Sleep is all he really ever came home for. That, and the occasional meal, and shower. I'm sure he spent most of his free time with random women. I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding in at the sight of my father asleep on the couch. Cool, I was in the clear. The thought brought relief through my veins but, unfortunately life -especially mine- was not that easy.

"Where the hell have you been," He growled suddenly, "you're never fucking here. What's so special in your life that you're not here, keeping up with this place, putting food in the fridge?"

"I don't- just work really." I shrugged, focusing on the wood beneath us.

"Really," I nodded, "is that why we have an eviction notice on the counter?"

I had no time to answer before being thrown into the wall, knocking a hanging picture of Gianna, my mother, and I to the ground, "Pay the fucking rent, you dumb bitch."

He's a lawyer. Why the hell couldn't he pay the rent, just one time? I don't know what possessed me. On any other day I would keep my mouth shut. Take the beating in stride. I guess I had grown a pair of balls. Take them back please.