Chapter 2

I was busy in our little old kitchen searching the old almost broken cupboards for what to prepare for dinner. Nothing at all which means we were probably going to starve again tonight. I signed in defeat and figured I had to use the little money I had earned today at the market. I thought I was going to use that to get myself a new dress since the ones I have are already torn and have been also patched in too many places so I had to scrap out whatever I could to buy myself a new one. Even if it's fairly used.

Unfortunately that dream is gone because I now have to use that money to get is what to eat and I have to do it fast before my step father comes back orelse I am in a big pot of soup. My step father hates coming to an empty home of no food even though he drops no money,he expects to still find something. He never wants an excuse of no money. I remember a time he pushed me because of that saying even if I had to go steal,he doesn't care. I should just make dinner for the family and ensure I don't get caught.

     Ever Since I lost my dad when I was little,my mum had no choice but to marry again so I wouldn't miss having a father around but she made a mistake and married a drunkard who drove her to death with endless debts for her to pay leaving me behind now to be the one fending for all that.

" Too sad" I muttered as I picked my torn but still okay to use a shawl from the already weak door I hanged it on before wrapping it around myself. I was about to step out of the house when the door opened itself and emerged as my stepfather. Immediately fear filled my heart. Why was he back so early and not drunk but even smiling? I wondered in surprise.

 " Where are you off to?" He asked me with a smile and I froze. I couldn't remember the last time my step father smiled at me. All he ever did was sneer.

" Should I force the answer out of you?" He asked with a growl but the smile was still plastered on his face and I immediately returned to my senses.

    " Ac c t y all y I was going..." 

       " Talk like a human being and stop stuttering like a wet puppy" he said with a laugh and I gave him a " I am not too sure look" but he just signed before replying.

     " I won't hit you. Just talk" He insisted asif reading my mind and I took a deep breath calming myself down before talking.

       " I was going to get us something to eat" I replied in a rush and looked away to the ground instantly and he just bursted into laughter surprising me and making me wonder what was funny.

" Is that what you were fidgeting for?" He asked and I nodded timidly. My eyes are still on the ground.

" Well that isn't needed" He said, making me raise my head confusingly wondering what he meant and I think he saw my confused expression for he immediately brought a large bag which I didn't know he was holding behind his back and handed it to me.

I was too shocked to collect it and I think he noticed because he took out both my hands and placed the bag in it. The heavy weight made me return to my senses as I looked at what I was holding.

   " What is this?" I asked still not getting myself I think and he gave me an amused look before replying.

    " Why don't you check inside and satisfy your curiosity?" He suggested and I immediately did so, opening the bag but first placing it on the floor because of the weight. I was surprised by what I found in the bag.

  Different foodstuffs and their ingredients. I was thrilled and at the same time scared. Where did he get the money from? I hope he didn't take up the advice he gave me and go to steal? I think my suspicion showed on my face because he sneered at me. Now that's the face I knew, not the weird smile.

   " If you are thinking I stole all these" he began gesturing to the items in the bag. " I didn't" He said but his last statement almost took me into a comatose state.

   " I bought them" He added and I reared back in shock. He bought them? I wondered. Where did he get the money from, I mean how could a man in countless debts afford to buy all these? 

I had so many questions I wanted to ask but kept my mouth shut. I didn't want to get hit or receive the beating of my life for not minding my business.

   " Now get to work and make us something to eat,I am famished" He said moving towards his room and I nodded before carrying the heavy bag towards the kitchen in excitement. Not only was I going to have enough to eat tonight but I was also going to have the dress I wanted tomorrow morning. No more using my savings to get us dinner.

   I hastily prepared a dinner consisting of roasted chicken and baked potatoes. The best I have had in years. I savored my dinner with much ecstasy. My step father too seemed to enjoy it as he kept moaning on every bite. Finally we were done with dinner and I was so full. That was shocking ofcourse. I had never been full.

   There was enough to go around for the both of us and even more. I began packing the dishes to wash when my stepfather stopped me.

   " Dahlia" He called and I raised my eyebrows at him. " Sit" He ordered a gesture to my chair and I did as he said in confusion. He took a deep breath before starting.

  " We are going to Marigolds tomorrow morning" He said and I widened my eyes in disbelief and shock.

" What?" I yelled.