My Sisters' Keeper by Sherron Elise

Author:Sherron Elise
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sherron Elise
Published: 2022-04-27T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

I looked away as my mom tore into a slice of pepperoni pizza. It was gone in a matter of seconds, and she grabbed another. I felt tears stinging at my eyes because she was acting as if she hadn’t had a meal in days. I realized that was probably the truth.

“Mom, why do you live this way? Why won’t you let me and Daddy help you get clean?”

My mom was shaking her head before I could even finish the sentence. “One thing I’ve come to understand about life, Cierra, is that someone can offer you all the help in the world, but you’ve got to want it.”

“So, you want to be on drugs?”

“It’s not that simple. Addiction is hard to explain. Once you’ve been doing something for so long, it’s the only thing you know how to do. It may sound crazy to you, but I can’t imagine my life any other way right now. Drugs...they help me to cope.”

“Cope with what?”

My mom stopped chewing and gazed out the window.

“Cope with the reality I failed at life. I failed you as a mother. Honestly, Cierra, I never should’ve had you.”

My eyes widened, and I flinched. She reached across the table for my hand, and I jerked away. And not just because her fingers felt so rough and prickly. Her words stung. How could she sit across from me and tell me I was a mistake?

“I’m sorry, baby. That came out all wrong. What I mean is that me and your daddy wasn’t ready to be parents.”

“That’s no excuse! Daddy has turned his life around, and you can too—if you wanted to.”

Mom dropped her head. “Your father was never into drugs. The most he did was petty robberies.”

“You’re still making excuses, Mom.”

She chuckled. “You’re so wise for your age. How old are you now?”

“I turned twelve this past August. Do you even remember my birthday?”

Mom shut her eyes, and a tear rolled down her cheek. “God allows everything to happen for a reason. For however much time I have left on this earth, I can rest well in knowing you’re going to be alright. I couldn’t have made that guarantee if I continued to raise you.”

“Yes, I’m alright, and it’s all because of Daddy. If he hadn’t gotten me away from foster care, I don’t know what my life would be like right now. None of those foster parents cared about me.”

“Cierra, all I can say is I’m sorry.” Mom picked up her root beer soda and sipped, making a loud sucking sound with her straw.

“I don’t need your apologies. I need you to get clean and become a real mother to me.”

“I’m not gonna sit here tonight and make any empty promises, Cierra.”

“How long do you think you can continue living like this, Mom? Please let us help you.”

She patted my hand. “Don’t you worry about me. I’m grown, and I’ll be just fine.”

I could tell she was tired of talking about everything. I realized I had no choice but to let it go and accept things for how they were.

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