Chapter Two

Joshua kicked a coke can as he trudged down the street. What right did she have. He rounded the corner.
"Three." he thought. Three more turns until he came back to the dump he called home(And dump is not even an exzageration. They lived across the street from a dump. It was the cheapest house they couls afford).
He kicked the can again. Since his Dad's drinking problem had gotten worse he had started the counting.
He blew a strand of sandy blond hair out of his face. Two more turns.
Josh wondered if his dad was in a good mood or if is system was overloaded with alcohol like last night. He rubbed a fresh wound hidden under his too short sleave.
Josh crossed the street and made another turn, more slowly to savor his freedom.
One more turn.
He rounded the last corner, almost reluctantly then sighed and reluctantly crossed the property line.
No sirens, that was a good sign. He got closer, No screaming either.
He dug around in his pocket for the key them opened the door.
The living room was dark and dank and smelt like liquor. His dad was slumped on the one chair in the house sleeping with a can of beer on his stomach.
Josh trippeed over a pile of unused books and hit the ground. He lay on the floor for a bit, exprcting a beating but his father just moved his head and kept snoring.
Josh's Mom, Caroline, rushed out silently and shushed him."
"He's been sleeping all day but no need to wake him up now"
Joshua nodded, knowing he was alot less trouble when he was sleeping. He tiptoed over to his room and his Mom folowed.
She sat cross-legged on his bed. "So ow was your day."
She asked him this every day. No matter how buzy or tired she was."
Josh thought abou his day. "I don't want to talk about it" he replied.
Caroline nodded. She had days like that too.
She got up to leave then remembered something.
"Oh, wait. I almost forgot." She walked out then back in after a few seconds, now holding a giftwraped package.
"Wow, wrapping!" Josh thought. They did'nt use wrapping unless it was absolutly nessesary or special.
"Well what are you waiting for? Open it up!"
He tore at the wrapping untill he saw the present underneath and gasped.
It was, simply put a sleeping bag but not like the one he used to sleep outside when his Dad was on a rampage. It was an expensive one. The type you would find in an outdoors stoor. With down lining to keep it extra warm.
"Mom, this must have cost a fortune!" wondering where she got the money from. His Dad had deluded himself into thinking that any money made went to his drinking fund.
"Don't worry, I've been saving a few pennies here and there."
She smilled. Caroline liked seeing her son happy.
"O.k., bed tomorow is Saturday. Then Sunday is the big trip. You need to get your rest!"
She started to tuck him in(something she insisted she did every night untill he moved out.) when he stopped her.
"Mom, can I sleep in my sleeping bag tonight? Please?"
She shrugged, "Whatever you want."
She kissed him goodnight and walked out softly. So for the first in many nights Josh went to bed happy.

-End Of Chapter Two-