It was seven in the morning on a Monday morning when Paula strolled into the house after being gone all night. Her uncle, Jeremy, was up sitting in the chair by the fireplace. He was looking madder than hell as usual. She had gotten to where she just shut out everything he said.

Everything that comes out of his mouth was an insult or to scream at her. He was never nice to her. It was as though he didn’t even want her around but only dealt with her because she was his wife’s niece.

She ignored him and walked into her room to get some clothes.

“Where the hell have you been?” Jeremy’s voice boomed through the house.

Paula ignored him as she gathered up her clothes and shoes. She pushed passed him and down the hall to the bathroom.

“Don’t walk away from me when I am talking to you!” Jeremy followed her down the hall.

“I was somewhere away from you.” Paula scoffed as she shut the bathroom door behind her.

Jeremy walked back down the hallway not knowing what to do about her.

“What are you screaming about in here?” Millie walked out of her and Jeremy’s bedroom still half asleep.

“That damn niece of yours just walked in the house.” Jeremy sternly spated out with a glare.

“If you would stop yelling at her every time you open your mouth she wouldn’t have to run away so much.” Millie groggily said as she went into the kitchen to get a cup of coffee.

“I don’t yell at her. Why does everyone say I yell at her all the time?” Jeremy screamed throwing his arms up in the air.

“Because you do. You’re yelling now. That’s all you do is yell every time your mouth opens.” Millie sat at the kitchen table.

“This is fucking bullshit. I want her out now.” Jeremy glared and went outside to the garage.

A few minutes later Paula came down the hall and into the kitchen for breakfast.

“I don’t care if you are gone all day but please just be home by eight so I don’t have to hear him bitch all night?” Millie asked Paula.

“Yeah, I am usually just up by the school; by the river where the dirt hill piles are.” Paula explained where she has been spending time. “There is a little wooden building there. My friends and I just play cards or ride bikes there.”