Welcome to the Family!

“Joey you’re a bigger idiot then I thought if you try this.” I shouted up at my best friend, who decided it would be awesome to do an air walk grab down two fights of stairs. “Don’t hate that I’m awesome and wish you could do this!” he shouted back at me with a huge smile on his face. I turned to Ash one of my other friends to see him with a big smile on his face too. “You better record this.” I told him knowing my best friend was about to blow his face off and I wanted him to see how stupid he is.
“You know it.” He pulled out his cell phone then shouted up to Joey “hey man wave to the camera!” I laughed as he flipped it off instead. We watched as Joey walked back a few feet then started skating to gain speed, once he went pass the first step he was in the air, his board hit the seventh step but he kept flying. You could hear the smack as he hit the pavement hard, then you can hear him cursing every bad word in the dictionary and some that weren’t. “Hey you alright dude?” I gave Ash a ‘you’re a dumb ass’ look.
“Fuck!” I watched as Joey slowly got off the ground holding his face. I tried not to laugh at his anger, but was hard when he grabbed his board and slammed it on the ground, and it came back up and hit him where the sun don’t shine. That time when he hit the ground he didn’t get up as quick as the first time. “I told you couldn’t do it.” I said helping him off the ground and onto a bench nearby. Joey looks like your typical skater boy with black skinny jeans, band tee shirt, and black converses.
His black and red hair that always covering his brown eyes that are currently squeezed tight in pain. “Fuck you Faye.” I couldn’t hold my laughter back anymore so I let out, only to have Ash hit me on the back of the head. “That not nice.” He told me trying to hold his own laughter back. “Who said I was nice?” I asked with an eyebrow raised. Ash is the more laid back one of the three of us. He has the same style as Joey but he has snakebites, his hair is naturally black and he has icy blue eyes.
“Point taken, so what are we going to do now?” I thought about it for a second wondering what the hell we could do at ten at night. However before I could reply I got a text on my phone tell me to get my ass home and pick up some beer. How the hell I’m going to do that at fifteen? “I don’t know about you guys but I got to go.” I gave them both a hug before skating to the corner store close to my house, out side the store was the thugs and crack heads just hanging out. “Hey Faye how life going babe?” I jumped off my board to give Jamie my brother from another mother a hug.
“Nothing much just headed home but can you get me the normal?” I asked handing him the money he needed before stealing his hat and putting it on side ways like him. “Sure thing I’ll be right back.” I said what’s up to the other guys while he was gone. Jamie is the boss man of the dark streets of Brooklyn, New York. As to how we met is kind of crazy. I was about ten when we moved in, that was when my mom became an addict of many things I don’t want to dwell on, being new I didn’t know there was rules to fallow.
One day I stumbled on to a dug deal and being the stupid ten year old I walk up to the man and asked questions that was none of my business. The guy was pissed because his customer took off when I showed up, so he was going to beat the shit out of me until Jamie came and saved the day. He was only eighteen but had a lot of power over others, when he found out I was new he took me under his wings to teach me the ways of Brooklyn. He taught me to fight, about the many different types of weapons, and other things I need to know to survive.
The two biggest things he taught me was to fight for what mine no matter what the coast, and that family is the most important thing god gave to you even if they are fucked up. Ever since he saved me he always been the one I go to, weather it after a fight and I need patched up or just a shoulder to cry on, he was always there. “Here you go shorty.” Jamie handed me my change and the beer.
His dark chocolate brown eyes only a few tones darker then his skin was staring at me hard. “What?” I ask wondering if I had something on my face. “You all right Faye?” he asked in his don’t bull shit me tone. “Yeah I’m good.” I said giving him his hat back and a smile to reassure him that I really am fine. “Okay just remember if you need anything come holla at me.” I laughed while nodding before giving him a hug then ridding home. It took me about ten minutes to get to our rundown apartment.
Jumping off my skateboard, I ran up the creaking stairs, the stench of urine and drugs was over whelming. I ran pass the kids playing, dope dealers, and passed out junkies to apartment 306 to find the door locked, thank god. Last time my mother left the door open we lost a lot of stuff. I unlock the door to find the place looking like a hurricane happened in there. Knowing my mother it nothing new no matter how much I clean it her and her ‘friends’ seem to trash it. I carefully stepped over the broken glass that littered the floor and head to my mom room. What I saw broke my heart and my mind cloud with fear.
I ran and sank on my knees next to her knocked out body I checked for a pulse it was faint but it was there. I sigh in relief, just because we have very bad relationship, doesn’t mean I want her dead. She the only family I have she was young when she had me and my father was never around. I struggled to put her on the bed but once I did I sat her beer next her then headed to clean the place up. I grabbed my Ipod putting it on shuffle the first song to come on was ‘crossroads’ by avenged sevenfold.
I sung along and cleaned the apartment, my Ipod was the first thing I ever brought with my own money and I damn proud of it. I took less then two hours to clean the place to perfection, I went to cheek on my mother again then went to sleep on the couch. I woke to a pounding on the door, groaning I rolled over hopping who ever it was would go the hell away. “Faye get the door!” my mother shouted form her room sounding pissed. Sighing I got up dragging my feet to the door, slowly unlocking it to come face to face with our landlord.
“Rent is due.” Was all he said. “Well hello Mr.Gibbson.” I greeted the fat, bald man in front of me. I swear he must buy clothes to small because his beer gut was sticking out he also smells really bad. “I’m not in the mood for chit chat just get me the rent money.” I headed back into the house to get it from my mother purse only when I searched for it the money wasn’t there. “Where the rent money?” I asked her she didn’t reply at first but then her head popped up out of the covers.
“Hehe… that a funny story see mommy needed to get her medicine, so I used the rent money for it.” She giggled like it was funny that we could get evicted. I sighed deeply through my nose while pinching the bridged of it so I wont attack her. What am I going to do, my little job at the music store doesn’t pay enough for rent, it was barely enough to get food. “Well Mr.Gibbson here and is demanding the rent, what do I tell him?” I asked not knowing what to do as soon as he was gone she was getting a mouthful.
“Tell him to give me a couple of hours to get it.” She mumbled half asleep. I headed back to the door and repeated what she said. “Four hours is all you get don’t blow it you guys are already behind.” I watch him storm off, I slammed the door hopping it made her pounding head pound more. “Shut up in there I’m trying to sleep.” I didn’t care that she might have a hang over or be to high to hear what I have to say but I’m going to say it anyways. “What were you thinking? Is your addiction more important then us having a place to sleep?” I shouted as soon I made it in her room.
“I don’t know what your talking about I don’t have an addiction and get out of my face I’ll get the rent so don’t worry about it.” I barely heard her as she mumbled in her pillow. Knowing that I don’t have time to sit here and fight with her, seeing as I have work in an hour. I just let it go and headed to get into the shower. I jumped in and did my thing when I got out I dressed in ripped faded skinny jeans, guns and roses band tee, and my black converses. As I brushed my teeth I look at my reflection. I had a scene style, my hair was dyed blonde and light pink it real color is dark brown, I have snakebites, and really cute dimples.
My mom tells me I look like my dad and that I have his beautiful hazel eyes. Not that I care I mean what kind of guy gets a girl pregnant then leave her to raise a kid on her own? I rinsed my moth out checking the time to see that I only have a half an hour to get to the shop. Quickly putting eyeliner and mascara I finished my makeup with a little bit of lip-gloss.
Walking to the door grabbing my skateboard I called out “Bye mom I’m headed out I’ll see you later don’t forget the rent! Love ya!” I didn’t hear a reply as the door slammed shut behind me. I made to the shop with a second to spare as Ivy unlocked the store doors. “Cutting it close don’t you think?” she asked in a playful tone.
“Nope not at all.” She shot me a quick smile before heading to the register to get ready. Ivy is a twenty-five year old, has red hair and big brown eyes, she moved here from California when she said she needed a change. “Hey my beautiful ladies!” Joey came busting through the doors with way too much happiness for seven thirty in the morning. “Ugh why are you always so happy in the mornings?” Ivy whined glaring at Joey. “Cause it a beautiful today also I have chocolate muffins and monsters!” at the word chocolate I attacked.
Poor Joey didn’t even have a chance to blink before we were both taking the bags from his hands. My stomach growled at how hungry it was we all froze and stared down at my stomach. “What the hell was that?” Ivy asked backing away slowly. “A very hungry belly.” We all laughed at my stomach growled again. I started nibbling on a muffin as Ivy and Joey had a chugging contest with monsters. Ivy was in the lead with her third one when a guy walked in, he asked where the picks are and an amp was. I helped him find what he needed then ringed him up as he was leaving you can hear Ivy yelling how she was so much better then Joey. “Ivy you are a huge trash talker you know that right?” Joey said bowing his head in defeat. “Yup and I proud of it, oh dude I see how you blew your face off yesterday.” She lightly touched the scratches on his face, they weren’t anything to big but they aren’t pretty ether.
“I know you should see the video Ash shot.” He bragged like it cool to hit the ground and blow your face off. I rolled my eyes at his stupidity and headed to the guitars, I ran my hand over them lightly, I been saving to get one. I can play guitars, drums, sing, and play the piano even thought I’m not very good at the last one. I was always around interments before we moved here so my mom taught me the drums and piano. I taught my self to play the guitar when I got a job here and Ivy said I could practice, as for singing it came naturally. I picked up a light gray Gibson electric I plugged it into an amp.
I stroked the strings a few times before I stared playing metallica ‘one’. I was so into the song that by time it was over I didn’t know that I had an audience. A few customers clapped as Joey rolled his eyes “you a show off.” I just stuck my tongue out at him. I rang up a few people stuff, and then when noon came we hit rush hour people buying a few cds and other little odds and ends. By the time I took my lunch brake Ash decide to help Joey annoy me. “Ugh will you guys shut up?” I asked almost begging for them to shut it, they were horribly singing welcome to the jungle by guns and roses.
They were going to argue until a police officer walked through the store doors, everyone got quite wondering what a cop would want in a music store while on duty. “Uhh… is there a Faye Wolfe here?” his deep voiced asked. “Right here is there anything I can help you with?” I asked trying to think back to the last bad thing I did but I haven’t done anything since I got off probation four months ago. I watched as he took his hat off then stared at the floor. “I-I’m sorry but your mother was found dead in her home two hours ago.” I at first I didn’t process what he had said then it hit me and it hit me hard.
“What are you sure?” I asked not wanting to believe it I couldn’t believe it. The only person I had left, the only person that loved me even though she was on drugs is gone. As in gone forever I felt Joey arms hold me tight. “Take me to her.” I demanded grabbing my stuff then standing by the cop I wont believe it until I see it. As we headed to the door Jamie busted through it out of breath he didn’t even glance at the cop he has a strong hatred for them. He took one look at the tears falling down my face and grabbed me into a hug. “I heard what happen and rushed right here.” There wasn’t any pity in his eyes just concern about me.
“Will you come with me?” I asked barely above a whisper. He just asked the cop where my mother was, the cop debated weather to let me leave with Jamie but in the end he told us she was being held at New York Methodist hospital. I numbly claimed into the passenger side of his black camaro, he started the car and R&B played softly in the background. It felt like the ride took forever but in reality it only took fifteen minutes I climbed out as slowly as I climbed in. Jamie didn’t say anything just lead me to the entice he started talking to a nurse who lead us to an office with an old lady sitting behind the desk. Her hair was in a tight bun almost as tight as the frown on her face and she wearing a white doctor lab coat.
So I’m going to take a wild guess and say she the doctor that received my mother body. “Take a seat please.” She pointed to seat next to a woman that I didn’t see before. She is dressed in a gray skirt suit, her black hair pulled into a high and tight bun, and her blue eyes had pity. I took a seat while Jamie just stood behind me with his hands resting on my shoulders acting kind of like a restraint. “Ms.Wolfe I’m sorry to say that your mother was found at two thirty today facedown in the kitchen. She was rushed here and we tried to bring her back but it was to late. We tried our best but she died of an overdose on heroin at two thirty three.” The doctor told me in a monotone voice like this was no big deal that a young girl lost her only family.
I couldn’t stop the tears even if I wanted to I hated crying it showing weakness but my mother dead so dose it matter anymore weather we are weak or strong. One side of me wanted to curl up and cry myself to sleep but the other side wanted to fight and argue until I couldn’t feel this pain anymore. I felt big soft hands squeeze my shoulders in a comforting way, just to let me know that he still here. “W-what going to happen now?” I asked out loud hopping some one knew what to do. “Hi I’m Kelly and I’m your social worker. First we will have to find your father unless you have another blood relative you can live with.” The lady next to me spoke up for the first time.
“No mom only had her mother who passed when I was nine and just so you know I never met my ‘father’.” I put air quoits around the word father. She nodded and wrote down that little bit of information, what the hell is she a therapist or something? “That okay we will just need to do a blood test, then while we are trying to find him you will stay in foster care.” She told me, oh goodie that hellhole again. I been a time or few, when my mother got to caught up in her happy time and the state decided it was unsafe for a child. Yeah like that place much better. But I didn’t feel like fight in a hospital where I would most likely be arrested so I just nodded.
“Okay so we are going to the blood work here, then head to your apartment where you will pack everything you would need. Afterwards we will go to the care home.” Kelly said then stood up and walked out the room not even checking to see if I’m fallowing her. I just stood grabbing Jamie hand then we went to get this over with. True to his word he didn’t leave me until we were out side my apartment door when he got a text. “I’m so sorry babe but I have to go.” I just nodded as he kissed my forehead then took off.
“Is he your boyfriend?” Kelly asked noticing Jamie for the first time since the two hours we have been stuck together. “Not that it any of your business but no he my brother.” I watch as she rolled her eyes not likening my attitude. “You have one hour to get your stuff I will be back with food then we will head to the care home.” I gave a short nod and watched as she left. I’m glad she did for two reason one being I wanted to do this alone cause I know I’m going to cry and two because I don’t like her. I slowly unlocked the door and walked in to find a few things broken but other then that it looks the same.
I walked to my mother room where all our stuff is. I felt the tears start to fall all over again when I see one of the few pictures hanging up from before she fell to the darkness of drugs. This one was taken when I was about two my mom was hugging me from behind and we both had huge smiles on our faces. I picked up gently as if it would crumble if I were to rough. I sat on the bed just looking at it for at least fifteen minutes it would have been longer if I didn’t get a text from Ivy asking if I was okay. I sent a quick yeah hiding my face in my hands trying to stop the water works but my heart hurts too much.
I grabbed the duffel bags under the bed I stuffed all my closes and shoes in them quickly. I went into the living room grabbing my schoolbag dumping it out on the floor not caring papers flew everywhere. I headed backing the room putting our old photo album, mom old drumsticks, and a few other important things in it. I put the picture I was looking at earlier in the front pocket with my Ipod, I grabbed the locket she gave me years ago the one her own mother gave her. By the time Kelly showed up with burger king an hour later I was finished packing and I was sick form crying so hard. I wanted to pack all my mom stuff but I knew I couldn’t so I just grabbed everything important that she didn’t sell for her ‘needs’.
“Are you done?” she asked eying my two duffle bags and backpack. “Yeah.” I whisper my voice hoarse from my grief. She gave me a ‘I’m sorry for your lost but I’m glad it not me.’ look before putting the food on the kitchen table and started eating. When I didn’t make a move to come and eat she rolled her eyes. “What the problem now?” she snapped. “I not hungry.” The thought of eating made me want to throw up and it didn’t help that she is eating at the place my mother was found. “And the fact that my mother was found dead at that table makes me want to burn it.” I watched as her eyes go huge as she remembered.
She jumped up quickly and threw her food up in the sink after washing her mouth out, she threw her food away but handed me mine like I was going to eat it. “I’m not hungry either. So let get going.” She grabbed one of my bags and I grabbed the other one while swinging my backpack on my shoulder. I turned to look at my home one last time knowing I will never see it again.