For @her_story 's 15 sentences or less challenge! Spread the word! This is mine.
I could hear the rain falling, tap tap tap, steady on the roof like ocean waves. I could see the foaming waves from my window, washing their love towards me, telling me to come home. Home, across the ocean, away from Father, away from the tyrant in my life. But I couldn't, I wouldn't. I wouldn't go back across, even if I could. I couldn't go back to the now empty driftwood house, back to tears and grief and Mama's grave. I had to stay. Father appeared in the doorway, belt in hand, screaming at me, once again, to do my chores like a good girl. I began to cry. I couldn't live like this, working hard everyday and getting beaten for it. I ran downstairs and flung open the door, running into the pounding rain. I don't remember making any decision. I just ran down onto the sand, down to the waves, and leaped into the water. The cold water hit me like needles, but then became warm, warm as Mama's embrace. "I'm coming," I whispered into the waves, "I'm coming, Mama."
