Chapter 8: All that matters

**Michele**

“Wake up, b*tch!" I was woken up this morning by banging on my door then the thin clothing I use to cover up my body from the harsh cold in the house yanked off me suddenly.

I had to get up from the bed with so much force that it felt like my neck was going to be torn off my neck.

It was my mother and she looked so pissed, not like there's anytime when she isn't pissed anyways.

“Why is there no money in the drawer?” She asked, still screaming.

I'm even still kind of surprised that she's here doing this, it's just mostly my father who confronts me, she'd always just stand by the side and watch.

“I told you and father that I haven't been getting any money from work, the little ones I get are what we've been using on feeding.” I repeated that same line for the umpteenth time for days now.

“How's that any of our concern? Just because you're so useless and can't provide any money for the house, now your father isn't feeling well!”

He's not feeling well from not drinking anything alcoholic?

"There's nothing I can do currently, I'm sorry. We owe so much people and organizations already that no one is willing to borrow me money." I said.

“Then work ten times harder if you have to. And I don't care how you do it but you must find your father sonthing to drink this morning!” She ordered.

"I just said we don't have any money left, how do you expect me to get what you're requesting?” I asked, almost matching her own tone too.

She ground her teeth together in anger, “Get out of this house this instant and do not come back empty handed." She ordered.

Before i could say ‘jack', she had pushed me out of the store I converted to s bedroom and i was in the living room.

My father was curled up in a ball and was shaking as though he was sick. That's how he gets when he doesn't get alcohol in his system within the poerid of two days.

“You can't just send me out of the….” And I was out. Just great.

I sat down on the patio, thinking of what to do next. My mother mightn't even be in her right senses at the moment so arguing with her is pointless.

Thank God I was able to grab my phone immediately I got up, it's the only thing I have on me right now.

The cloud was still somewhat dark, it's not even morning fully yet. And to top it all, I have to be at work in hours, yet I'm dressed this way.

I unlocked my phone, just scrolling through the contact list, trying to see if there's anyone that can come to my rescue right now because I'm really stranded right now.

It started getting really cold outside in no time as New York is extra ordinarily cold at this time. I wrapped my arms around myself to get the cold from getting to my skin.

I started walking down the street, checking to see if I could see anything that'd come in handy right now. The fact that I mustn't be late to work is my major concern right now.

On getting to the end of the street, I saw someone familiar. I'm not that familiar with him but he's just someone I greet whenever i come across him.

He was seated right outside the bar, people were coming in and going out of the bar, most people were going out as some were just going home from last night.

“Hey young lady.” He was the one who greeted me first when I got to him.

"Old man, good morning.” That's how we greet one another.

"What are you doing out here at this time of the morning?" He asked.

“I needed to get something. But do you have an idea of how much a bottle of beer costs?” I asked him back.

He told me the price and i was pretty shocked. Little wonder they've always been able to afford it, it's way cheaper than I thought it would be.

“Is that what you're out here to get?" He asked.
"Uh, not really. Thank you.” I turned around to leave.

The only thing now is that the only cash with me is exactly what I need to use for transportation to work. If I used it now, I'd have to trek.

“Wait.” The man called behind me.
"You look like you need it, is there anyway I can help you?” He asked.

"I'm okay, thank you.”
What am I meant to say, “Yes, I need anything with alcohol in it.”

"Wait here, I'll help you get one inside, I know the owner." He stood up and entered the bar.

I took out the cash I had with me from the pouch on my phone; where i keep money now.

He came back with something wrapped in a black paper bag and handed it over to me.

“Here you go."
I took it from him, opening it up to see a bottle in there.

“Thank you. Here is the money." I said, handing over the money to him.

"Take that as a gift from me to you. Don't worry about the money.” He said, smiling gently.

“I'll feel really bad if you get me something and i don't get you one, it's not even my birthday.” I insisted.

"I insist. Okay then, you can get me something when you have the ability to." He said.

“It's settled then, thank you so much for this though, it came in handy." I smiled, my dampened mood getting better already.

I was out of his sight in no time and on my way home. Even if I have to find a solution to their addiction, it has to be later.

All I need right now is to get to work, that's all that matters, I can't face my supervisor’s wrath again.