Visiting Home

I breathe in staring at the place I used to call home. The usual warm blue color peeled beyond recognition. Boards covered the windows and our old willow tree reduced a stump. A small tear trickled down my face as I walked up the steps. I unlocked the door like I used to do a million times.

The door creaks open, I step inside getting hit with the musky air. I stand at the entrance and take everything in. Our old couch is strewn about through the room, old beer cans littered the floor as well as discarded cigarette buds. I sigh i've heard kids were coming here to see who could spend the longest night in the famous "Murder house"

I rub my face and walk upstairs heading to my old room.The steps groan not used to the pressure.I make it to the top and freeze. The room where it all went down, my parents room stares back at me. I let out a cough , trying to clear out the lump in my throat. 

I feel my feet move to my little sisters room. As soon as I walk in I'm hit with nausea. I haven't been here since the night she died.Her room was bare, none of her cute little paintings hung on the wall. Her pink curtains on the floor in a heap. Her favorite toys, in pieces everywhere. I move over and catch a glimpse of what looked like an old photo frame in the corner. 

I head over to it picking it up gently. Shards of broken glass fall onto the floor. I gently shake the rest off brushing the dust on the floor. Three smiling faces stare back at me. My mom's long dark hair pulled back into a braid that she let me do. She was sitting on the couch brushing my hair. Maya's in my lap putting some makeup on me. I let a small tear roll down my face. Two years ago i watched my own father brutally murder my mother and sister. I was the "Lucky" one and got away, but not before he beat me half to death. I had slash marks and broken bones everywhere. He's been in jail ever since.

I run to my room not caring about he mess. I head to the bathroom and splash my face with water. I pat my skin dry and look at my reflection. My dark black hair hung at my face, my smooth tan skin covered in freckles, mixing perfectly with my mother's green eyes. I run my hands through my hair taking in a deep breath. I pull out my phone and call my aunt. 

She answers on the first ring as if she were waiting for it, which she probably was. "Hey Fiya, hows the house?" Her saying the nickname my mother gave me never hurt until now. I clear my throat. "very difficult, when is the guy coming?" I ask 

"He said he would be there about five o'clock" I look at my watch, four thirty. I should probably leave before he gets here. I'm going to go visit Mom and Maya then i'll head home." I say. "Safiya i want you to know I'm proud of you, I know this is not easy, to be back there but it's good to say goodbye" I swallow hard "I'll see you in a bit" I hang up and take one more look inside the house, taking the picture I found in my hands. 

I step outside, seeing the "For Sale" sign in the grass. I walk over to it gently pulling it out of the ground. I lay it on the porch and rest my hand on the wall. "I hope he takes good care of you" I whisper. I let a tear slip out as i pull away. I climb into my car, giving one last look i drive away.

The End