Page 6 of Holley Jolly Biker

Turning in my seat, I looked at Soraya and said, “Life is what we make it. Right?”

I knew she didn’t comprehend what I was saying, but bless my little girl’s heart.

She nodded, then said, “Long as I have you, Monnie.”

I grinned, then turned back in my seat, took in a big breath, and then I climbed out of the car.

After I got Soraya out and our three bags that the rat bastard allowed us to take, we headed up the cracked driveway and to the rickety front porch steps.

The landlord said that the key would be underneath a flowerpot.

Seeing it, I sat one of the bags down and lifted it.

Grabbing the silver key, I moved to unlock the door.

Once I had it open, I took in a breath, then looked down at Soraya and asked, “Are you ready?”

She nodded.

I pushed open the door and knew, just knew by the sight of cobwebs and dust, this was going to be a lot of work.

And I really couldn’t blame the man.

He had told me that the house had been sitting empty for the longest time.

That was why the rent was cheap.

But I had to make what I had last until I could find a job and get Soraya enrolled in first grade.

Taking another breath, I sat our things down, locked the door back up, loaded up in the car, and found a store that sold cleaning supplies.

Hours later.

Back hurting.

Arms yelling at me.

The main bedroom, the living room, the kitchen, and the living room were clean.

And thanks to a lovely older woman who happened to be our new neighbor, she just so happened to have some old furniture in her barn.

Her husband helped me bring in a couch and two twin bed frames.

I would be heading into town tomorrow to get mattresses and cleaning the rest of the house.

But for now, a pile of blankets and two pillows worked just fine as my daughter’s head was lying in the crook of my arm.

Her little snores filled the room, a little drool trailing down my arm.

With my daughter sleeping peacefully at my side, I allowed myself to follow her into dreamland.

Why. Why in the world did my mother leave? And why in the world did she leave me here with him?

“Bitch, clean this shit up. Why the fuck do you make me do things like this. Why?”

I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t.

Instead, I slowly dropped to my knees and started cleaning up.

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