Maloney 1
Victoria Maloney
Professor Smith
WRIT201
13 March 2023
Dark Closet
Nothing made sense to me. I was so young, but the trauma seemed to last longer in my
mind than I’d been alive breathing. Mother was awake, but you never know which mood she
would be in. It’s a darn shame the fear I had for this woman. The woman I call mom had become
the nightmare in my dreams. I sat there in the closet, soaked in pee, starved as I shook on the
floor. Just another day and I continued to waste tears like I wasn’t already dehydrated. This
wasn’t the first time and sadly wasn’t the last. My mother lacked the skills to prioritize her
responsibilities and instant desires. The door opens and I sit there wide-eyed.
“Get up,” said Kiota. “Someone is here for you.”
I got up without question. Being at my mom’s house made me feel like an all-girls camp
for the “misbehaved”. The apartment was dirtier than I remembered. I could smell the liquor on
her breath, but she goes in for a hug anyways. Her boyfriend is sprawled out on the couch
surrounded by cigarette buts and liquor bottles. A good time was had that night for the two of
them, and money was well spent. I looked up at her as she rushed to fix her hair.
“Get yourself changed,” said Kiota. “Tim and Gail are coming soon, and you can't go
looking like this.”
“I thought they were coming Friday?” I asked.
“It is Friday, Darriona,” said Kiota as she brushed her hair out.
Maloney 2
I stood there stunned. How long was I in that closet? I guess you lose track of time when
you are no longer a part of society and are forced to hibernate. My body felt weak, and the smell of
stale smoke filled my lungs with ache. Everything looked out of place as if a frat party raided and
crashed there for the night.
“When is she leaving?” asked the boyfriend as she itched his nose and sat up from the
couch.
“Soon honey,” said Kiota as she smiled and sat on his lap. “Now get going they are
minutes away.”
I walked down the apartment hallway and looked into the room. My brother was holding
my younger brother while my sister is huddled next to them. The scream for help within their eyes
without a breath or a word spoke louder than it should. My sister had tears running down her face
as she watched me pack to leave this place as she had to stay. I got ready and took my time. This
day felt different like it was a moment and a life I would never see again. Bittersweet if you will,
the feeling of going to a place that is calm after being force-fed a life of destruction. I grab my
backpack with all smiles and guilt. I pass the room one more time and wave to my siblings.
“We are here!” said Tim and Gail as they stood at the door with open arms.
Their smile light up the room with love. A love that radiated into my heart before they
even adopted me. But little did I know that the last wave was my final goodbye. A moment I will
remember. A moment when I left the place of trauma and began to live free.
