Thinking...

I've been doing lots of thinking lately. Is that weird? I don't think it's weird. The first thing I've been thinking about lately is wether or not to post another part of "Kaleigh's Story" for you to read. What do you think? Another piece of the short story. Here you go. Just a snippet.


"Kaleigh's Story"
by Avalon Swiftwind


        Arabella touched Kaleigh's elbow and she jumped back. "We'll talk more later, child. Somewhere safe." Arabella smiled at her. "Come. I'll take you home." Kaleigh followed Arabella out to a waiting  car and they drove out of the city to a small farm house on top of a hill. A low stone wall surrounded the hill. 
       "This house looks cozy," Kaleigh thought. "Not like where I came from." She remembered the cold, grey walls of the apartment building she had called home most of her 16 years. Arabella noticed the confused look on Kaleigh's face.
       "Kaleigh, are you ok?" she asked.
       "Your house looks very inviting. Not at all like where I come from." Arabella showed Kaleigh around the house and showed her where she would be staying.
      "Do you like your room, Kaleigh?" Arabella asked while they were eating dinner. She nodded.
      "I've never had a room like that." Another memory flashed through Kaleigh's mind. She saw the mattress on the floor. She saw the cracked window that let in cold air and rain, the threadbare sheets, and the flat pillow. She shook her head to clear the memory. She caught Arabella's eye for a moment but looked away. Arabella was starting to figure out why Kaleigh had come to Ireland. They went to bed soon after dinner. Kaleigh's mind was reeling from all that had happened since she got on the plane. She slept fitfully and dreamed. She was awakened by  a touch on her shoulder that made her sit up with a start. Arabella sat next to her, a worried look on her face. 
      "What were you dreaming about? You were crying in your sleep." Kaleigh tucked her knees under her chin and wrapped her arms around her shins.
      "I had a nightmare about... my father." She wiped her face with her hand. She paused for a moment to collect her thoughts. "I guess I should tell you my story. It will explain a lot." She paused again.
      "Take your time, child. I will wait," Arabella said.
      "My mother died when I was 2. My father didn't take it well and started drinking. One night, when I was seven, my father came home quite drunk and woke me up." Kaleigh swallowed hard. "He beat me severely and actually broke my arm. He took me to the hospital and told them I'd fallen out of bed."
      "I'm sorry, Kaleigh. A father should never hit his child," Arabella said.
      "It gets worse," Kaleigh said, crossing her legs in front of her. "When I was nine, my father was drunk again and had brought home a friend." Kaleigh stopped again. Arabella noticed that Kaleigh's hands were shaking. She reached out and took one of Kaleigh's hands. Kaleigh breathed in a long breath and sighed. "They came into my room and first my father's friend and then my father soon after, both raped me." Kaleigh's voice cracked and she began to weep. Arabella pulled Kaleigh into her arms and held her close until her tears subsided. "After that night, my father or one of his friends raped me almost every night. If I wasn't raped I was beaten. Some nights my father would do both. So I worked odd jobs and babysat and saved until I had enough for a plane ticket and when my father went out, I gathered what I could and ran away. I have no other family and no real friends so it wasn't hard to leave. I don't think my father will miss me or even look for me."


To be continued...
What do you think? Still as engaging as the last bit? I might post some more later. For now...


Feel loved and safe.
A Thiarna, dean trocaire.