My eyes fluttered open, disoriented, as mom's rough hands shook my frame. "Wake up you lazy child! It's Saturday and you've got chores to do!" Her voice was sharp with a hint of irritation.
I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the sleep. I felt a surge of anxiety, unsure of what I did wrong. I glanced at my bedside clock.
07:48
Crap. "I… I'm sorry mom. I'll get up now". She gripped my shoulder tightly causing me to wince in pain. "You'd better. You've got a lot to do today. Now get out of bed and get moving!" Her voice was firm, but I detected a hint of anger simmering underneath the surface. I quickly scrambled out of the bed, my heart racing. I knew better than to disobey Staysie- mom when she was in this mood.
As I hurriedly got dressed and ready for the day, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd be walking on eggshells today, because I'll never know when mom's mood will shift.
****
"Is there anything else I can help you with mom?" I asked meekly. Mom was making lunch though I knew it was way past lunch time. Better late than never,eh?
She regarded me for a moment. "You're done folding the laundry?" "Yeah". "Loading the dishwasher?" "Yeah". "Cleaning your room?" " Yes, yes and yes". She hummed and drummed her fingers on her chin. " D'you really need to do anything else?"
I was shocked. Mom had been hollering at me since morning and now she said I didn't need to do anything more? " Well, I just need something to do to pass time until lunch's ready". She made a kissy face and nodded. " What about your homework?" " I did that yesterday".
She had a thoughtful look on her face for a few seconds and then her face darkened in anger. "Did you vacuum the living room like I asked you to?" I gulped and shook my head. She kissed her teeth and shook her head. "You've got twenty minutes".
I rushed out of the kitchen and ran to grab the vacuum cleaner.
****
I stared at my work. The living room sparkled in the rays of the late afternoon sunshine that seeped in from the windows. I smiled proudly and made to turn around and leave the living room, but the vacuum cleaner knocked down mom's potted plant that was by the door.
I hissed in fear, and ran to get a dustpan and a broom to pack up the dirt. I did that as quickly and efficiently as I could, fearing what mom would do if she found out I knocked down her favorite potted plant.
"Kyra? What're you…", mom said as she walked into the living room. She gasped and I gulped. "What did you do?" , she cried. "I'm sorry. I was just…just". "Shut up! I don't wanna hear it. I asked you to vacuum, not wreck my house!" "It was an accident. I was just admiring my work".
Her brows knitted together and she stared around the house. "What work? Huh? Tell me, what work? You call this nonsense you did around here work?" I swallowed thickly as tears pricked my eyes. "I was just…" " Would you shut your trap and go up to your room?"
I stood there, undecided if I should go with the dustpan and broom. " Are you still here?". She yanked me by my arm, pushing me up the stairs. She gripped my arm tightly as she opened the door and flung me on my bed. "I don't wanna see you for the rest of the day".
I tried to swallow back my tears but it just burst out. I hugged my pillow tightly to my chest and sobbed, my body trembling.
****
I heard a knock on my bedroom door but I made no attempt to open it. Dad opened the door and strolled in with a plate of food.
"I'm sorry bunny", he said and sat beside me, "Mom's in a real bad mood today". "I was just tryna help", I said and tears started cascading down my face again. "Nuh uh. No more tears. Your eyes are bloodshot and puffy already".I sniffled. " How long have you been crying?"
I shrugged. Dad sighed. "Here, eat something. It'll help get your strength back". I shook my head. Dad glared at me. " I don't wanna repeat myself". I accepted the plate with trembling hands. I ate a morsel and then my tummy rumbled.
I glanced at my dad, embarrassed. He shook his head with a smile on his face. "I was thinking about taking my girls out tomorrow for a Sunday afternoon outing. You in?" I smiled widely and nodded. "Alright, I need you to be ready by fifteen hundred hours". I gave him a blank look. " I meant by three". I smiled and he ruffled my hair and left the room.
****
"Kyra! What's the hold up?", dad groaned from downstairs."I'm coming", I called back and ran downstairs. "Ready", I breathed out.
"Alright, finally. Let's go". "What about mom? Isn't she coming?" I gestured to my mom sitting the couch filing her nails. " I'm not", she said, glancing at me. " But dad said he's taking his girls out". She shrugged. " I'm tired okay? I need you both outta the house so I can rest".
I wasn't convinced and I hoped my hurt and surprised expression showed that. "Come on bunny. We're gonna have a dad and daughter day out". He went up to mom and tried to kiss her but she pushed him away. He licked his lips and patted her cheeks.
Was she still mad at me? I felt dad's arms wrap around my body to lift me off the ground. I stared at my mother in astonishment and wondered what her deal was.