After Tonight

Christmas lights on distant backroad drives were up at this time. A blast of music was heard nearby. There was absolute silence in the streets, aside from the occasional sound of a car passing.

During this time, shouting could be heard from inside a dark house.

Inside, spilled coffee and the chattered remains of a mug lay forgotten on the linoleum floor. A pack of cigarettes at hand. And a guitar slung over her shoulder.

A small smile played at her lips.

And a fuming middle-aged woman stood behind, trying to refrain from slapping her own daughter.

"Where do you think you're going!?"

She was crazy. Her own mother thought she was being crazy.
But it was her dream, right?
It was her life. Not her mother's.
All she needed was a pack of cigarettes and her guitar.

"I'm leaving you, mom."

And Arriane Phoenix stepped outside of the door, never looking back.
Her mother, holding in unshed tears.