CH 3

Gia struggled with the lock of her front door as she juggled with her book bag and bags full of groceries. After taking the school bus to the public transpirations bus stop, she had walked down to the local market and bought dinner for her mother, stepfather and her little stepbrother. After dumping her book bag on the floor and carrying the bags of food into the kitchen, Gia walked next door to pick Jacob up from Mrs. O’Neal’s house. “Hi Gia, come on in.” Carol said as she opened the door. “How was he?” Gia asked. “Oh he was a little angel.” She said smiling. Gia glanced inside the living room to find the little blond two year old playing with a set of blocks. She smiled at him, at the same time wondering how someone so precious could have a father like Phil. Jacob smiled back at her and dropped the blocks that were in his hands. “Gia!” He said running up to her and holding his arms open to her. She instantly lifted him into her arms and hugged him. “Carol said that you were a good boy today, is that true?” Gia asked. The little boy nodded his head vigorously. “Good, because I bought some cookies for you at the market, but I was only going to give some to you if you were good.” Gia said smiling at him. She placed him on her hip and bent over and grabbed his diaper bag with her free hand. “Thanks Carol.” She said before heading out.

Jacob was busy playing with some toys while Gia made dinner; she placed the bowel of Spaghetti on the table and went into the living room to get her brother. “Come on Jacob, it’s time for dinner.” She said. “No!” He stated shaking his head at her. Gia sighed as she heard him say one of the only, but favorite words he knew how to say. “It’s your favorite, Spaghetti.” Gia said. Jacob smiled at her. “Geti?” He asked. Gia laughed at him and nodded her head. She took his hand in hers when he ran to her and guided him into the kitchen, picking him up and sitting him in his booster seat.

Gia had already finished her dinner, cleaned Jacob up and put their dishes away by the time her mom came home. “It’s cold.” She said as Florence came into the kitchen. “Nice to see you too Gia.” Her mom said shaking her head. “Momma!” Jacob squealed at Flo as he ran up to her. Florence was the only mom he remembered having, his own mother dieing during labor with him. “Well hello, my little guy.” She said picking him up. Gia felt a twinge of jealousy as she watched her mother with her stepbrother. “Mom I have a party to go to tonight.” Gia said. “I think not, you have things to do Gia.” Flo said shaking her head. “If you’re talking about taking out the trash, Phil already screamed at me to do that this morning.” Gia said. “Well he wouldn’t have had to get mad if you would have done what he told you to Gia. He works hard as a computer programmer, working nights is not easy. Work Gia, something you wouldn’t know anything about.” Flo said. “Mother, I know he works hard but it doesn’t give him the right to yell at me and hit me.” Gia said. “I love him Gia, and I trust him to make his own parenting choices. Anything you choose to do to make him angry is up to you, I know you Gia you must have talked back to him. Gia, will you just stop giving us problems please, because we’re trying to raise a small child in his house, we don’t need to deal with two baby’s.” Flo said placing Jacob down and moving to fix herself a plate. “Mom I’ve gone to school every day this week, like I always do. I’ve cooked for you and I’ve cleaned for you, all I’m asking is to go out tonight.” Gia said. Flo turned around and looked at her sharply. “Fine go, just get out of my face Gia.” She said coldly, turning back around. Gia bent over, with a lump in her throat and tears stinging her eyes and kissed her brother who was staring up at her contently, seeming to be the only one who noticed her pain and then went to go get ready for the party.

Gia looked at her reflection in the mirror, after taking another shower to wash away the tears that fell from the sting of her mother’s words, she had gotten dressed. She had on a small white dress that went to about the middle of her thigh. It was thin and tight, clinging to her body perfectly. She put on a pair of thin sandals and her hair was up, with tiny pearl clips placed all around it. She had on a light amount of makeup and the only jewelry she had on were earrings in her multiply pierced ears. She made a face at herself in the mirror and shrugged, giving up on her efforts, thinking that this was the best she could do. She turned and left her room, heading down the stairs.

She was just about to walk out the front door, where Zander and his friends were supposed to pick her up in front of, when the door opened. “Were are you going?” Phil asked eyeing her, his eyes flicked over her body. “I thought you had to work?” Gia questioned back. “I came home early, now don’t change the subject.” Phil said. “I’m going to a party, my mom gave me permission.” Gia said boldly. “Is that right? Well I’m not going to stop you but you look like a whore, put a jacket on because I don’t want to have to come pick you up during the night because some little punk tried to rape you.” Phil said looking at Gia with disgust. “Yes Sr.” Gia said going to the closet and retrieving a coat and putting it on. She heard the horn honk and moved to go out. “Don’t get into any trouble Gia, because you won’t have a bed to sleep in if I have to come and get you.” Phil said stepping in front of her; Gia closed her eyes as she felt his hand on her butt. “You’re such a whore Gia.” He said moving past her and heading into the kitchen where she heard Jacob squeal with excitement to see him.

“Gia, you look beautiful tonight.” Zander said opening the car door for you. “Shut up Zander.” She said as she got in. She was smashed in a car full of guys, none of which dared to look at her. All of Zander’s friends thought Gia was hot but Zander wouldn’t allow any of them to try anything with her because he was so protective of her. The friend’s were all laughing and having a good time as their friend Steve drove. Steve pulled up to their destination and Gia’s eyes grew wide at what she saw. Everyone started to get out of the car but Gia only made it to the door as she stood there staring up a the huge house. Mansion was more like it, maybe even castle. She looked around to see countless BMW’s and Cadillac’s parked in the huge circular driveway. She looked over at Steve’s Mazda and instantly felt out of place. “I can’t go in here.” She said turning to Zander. “What are you talking about Gia?” He asked. “Zander come on, none of us will fit in here. Let’s just go somewhere else.” Gia said grabbing at his arm. Zander laughed. “Come on Gia, I’ve never seen you like this before, don’t be afraid.” Zander said. “I’m not afraid Zander!” Gia said angrily. “Fine, you’re not afraid I’m sorry but lets just go and see what it’s like and if we’re not having fun then we can leave OK?” Zander said. Gia sighed as she looked back at the house and then back at Zander a few time. “Fine, let’s go.” She said. Zander smiled and took her hand as he guided her into the house.