The Weight of Grahams

8 years ago [Ma Cleo's residence]

The sound of the ticking clock and my pulsating heart were the only things keeping my far too weakened body from shutting down as I continued at a hastened pace. I carry on cleaning the surface of the table till it's squeaky clean making sure not to leave a single spot cause ma Cleo hates that. The strike of the hand of the clock at 6 pm was my only indication that I was running out of precious time.

"Oh no! Ma Cleo will soon be back and I haven't done all the laundry". I whispered to myself in a panicked state soon realizing that no matter what I did today I'd still pay dearly.

Increasing my pace till I could not feel my fingers anymore I was finally done and I hurriedly went to the laundry.

"Incompetent fools all around me, always have to clean up their dirty mess" a squeaky grumble I've grown accustomed to sounded from the front door. "Layla get your bony ass here this moment!" Ma Cleo all but screeched aiming it at me and my heart dropped several beats already resigning myself to fate.

 With hurried steps I stood in front of her, my head and gaze already accustomed to the floor, and as my anxious gaze roamed around I noticed an awful trail on the ground that must have resulted when I finished tending to the garden. Tears began gathering in my eyes as I thought of the numerous ways I knew she would punish me.

"You look horrid when you cry, don't u dare taint my floor with those pathetic tears of yours and look me in the eyes when I'm speaking to you child " she berated me in a stern voice.

Almost immediately my head snapped up and my eyes dried up of any last remnant of tears I had left.

"I'm sure you already know why I've called you here you little demon. You were fully aware that I'd be having guests coming over soon yet you decided to make that horrible mess at the entrance of my house. You wanted to make a mockery out of me isn't it?" She snides at me with every bit of venom seeping out of her voice as she holds my chin up in a vicious grip.

"Go get the toothbrush from upstairs now" she spat to me.

Not wasting any more time I ran up the stairs as fast as my tired body could carry me. I quickly grabbed my toothbrush and zoomed down the stairs making sure the sound of my steps wasn't too loud. Ma hates that so I've learned to adjust. When I got down I went to stand before her showing her the toothbrush I had now in my hands.

"Now I want you to start sweeping the floor of the entire entryway with that toothbrush and make sure that everywhere is spotless when I'm back. I give you 30 minutes" she said as she exited the house again almost as soon as she came in not even giving me a chance to react or speak.