TWO YEARS LATER
It had been two years, I was ten years old, I still haven't heard from or seen Daddy and Momma is
still delusional and hasn't said a word. Claire is seven years old and working with me at Mrs. Eden's
corner store. It is not a lot of money, but it is enough money to keep food in the pantry and to feed
three mouths with a little bit of money left over.
Every morning and night I go into the bedroom and bring my mother food. She had not said
anything in two years and now, tonight she decided to speak.
"Annie?" A scratchy sound came from Momma's bed.
I was caught off guard by her voice; I thought I was hearing things.
"I haven't been a good mother. There is no excuse for my behavior. I was supposed to provide for
you and your sister. Instead of completely shut down and left you and Claire on your own. You have
proved that you are stronger than me, I need you to tell me that everything is going to be okay."
Some of her words were lost in her sobs. I had not yet decided whether I felt bad for her or not,
after all she was the one that carried the baby and Daddy left her too. I grabbed a hold of her and held
her for a long time.
"Momma, it's all going to be okay." I said.
The next day, Claire and I walked to work. Claire looked at me and said "Today feels weird Annie,
almost like its not even a day, just a space in time." It was hot outside and I started to sweat, the
corner store was in view now.
After greeting Mrs. Eden, Claire and I went to work putting fruits and vegetables in their place. A
couple of hours into our day I heard the bell on the door ring, so Claire went up to the front to greet
the customer. I kept sorting the fruits and vegetables.
"Annie, this man wants to know if we have the latest newspaper." Claire said walking up to me
with the man not too far behind her.
Not thinking about it, I kept working, not looking at the man.
"We have a shelf with a stack of them in the third isle, towards the back." I said.
"Thanks Bunny." He said with a low voice.
Instantly I knew who this man was. This man was my father.
YOU ARE READING
Fade Into The End
Historical FictionWhen a curious eight-year-old little girl finds herself in the midst of The Great Depression, Annie Sloan has some decisions to make about growing up when her mother completely checks out and leaves Annie and her little sister after a tragedy.
