Pov : innocent young girl (10-15)
Fiction
Flow : Day/week/month
TW : Neglect


I don't think Mommy was ever mean to me. She never hit or yelled. Come to think of it, mommy never even touched me! She never held me, even when I was younger. Papa did that. But Papa is gone now, I only have Mommy. Mommy says Papa left the country to find the greatest things for me and her so we can live better! Oh how I miss him. 

Mommy said she was going out with some friends, work has been stressing her out lately. Someday I wish to start work so maybe Mommy won't be in so much pain! Maybe then she'll hold me. 

Mommy has been gone with her friends awhile, I have enough food and water to last me awhile though. It's fun being alone but the sounds under the house scare me. It's scarrier at night so I leave the TV on all my favorite cartoons! I don't sleep at night, only during the day is when I take naps. At that time I turn on grown up shows on the TV so it doesn't seem like I'm alone. The grown up shows bother me though. I can't ever tell what's going on but there's lots of yelling and bad words. Hopefully it tricks someone though. 

I've gotten a few calls on the home phone recently, I always tell the person on the other end Mommy is asleep or in the shower. Mommy told me never tell anyone when you're alone! Hopefully I sound convincing enough, I don't want me or Mommy to get into trouble. 
I've gotten some calls from Mommy too to remind me to do my chores so the house is clean when she gets back. I'm glad she's alright! 

It's been real quiet recently. Mommy hasn't called, I'm worried for her. I hope she comes home soon. Maybe Papa will come home with her, then I'll have them both back!

I tried calling Mommy because I burned myself by accident. She didn't answer so I searched the closets for something to cure me. I found a burn gel so hopefully it works. 



I don't think Mommy is coming back. I haven't heard from her and food is run dry. I wonder where she is, I'm super worried! 

The phone hasn't rang in forever! It's like people don't know this house exists. I've stopped turning the TV on because there aren't any sounds anymore so the house isn't as scary. I looked at the calendar and my birthday is soon, maybe Mommy will come back then. Mommy has never missed my birthday, even a minute of it! 



Mommy still isn't back, my birthday is tomorrow. I'm going to look for a cake recipe and try to bake even though Mommy told me not to touch the oven, I've seen her use it a lot before. 

Mommy wasn't there when I woke up so I made myself a cake and heated up some food and had my birthday alone. I sang myself happy birthday and turned on my favorite cartoons. 



Mommy hasn't been back at all. It's been a few months, I'm losing hope. I don't think she's ever going to come back. I went outside for the first time since she left. I went to the store with some money I found under Mommy's bed and got myself some already packed foods that I don't have to cook. Somehow, everything still works even though Mommy told me that if she was gone a long time everything would shut off so she must still be alive. 

Someone knocked on the door asking if anyone was home. I told them me and Mommy were, they asked for her and I said she was feeling sick. I'm scared they may come back later so I looked for the grown up shows just in case because as long as those are turned on nobody wants to bother me. 





It's been about a year and a half. Mommy didn't even come home during holidays. I'm already planning my next birthday. I've been working at neighbor's houses with the excuse that Mommy hasn't been feeling well enough to work so I wanted to help out. I got extra money that way. Just enough to get different lunches. 
I'm going to try using the stove for real tomorrow. Mommy told me it was a bad idea for me to use it and told me I wasn't allowed to until I was 13. I'm almost a year away. 

A strange man followed me around the store today. I found a kind lady that stayed with me, I used the same excuse I've been using this past while. Somehow, people still believe me. They even ask about her. Some bring fresh food and leave it at the door. I think I'm learning how to survive like an adult now. I'm still scared though. 



The police came to the house today looking for Mommy. I asked why they were looking for her and they said I should've been in school months ago. I told them Mommy must have forgotten to sign me into homeschool and that's what we've been doing. They believed me. 





The neighbors keep me busy these days, a few brought me food for my birthday, I sat outside and ate with them saying Mommy had a terrible headache and would be upset if we woke her. They sang happy birthday, gave me food and presents, then they left after telling me some schedules I could work by. For the gifts was stuff like schoolbooks and clothes and collectable toys. Mommy I wish you could have seen it. 

I got to pet-sit for one of my neighbors today, they had me look after their goldfish, Kenny. I had to set an alarm to feed him right and change out his water. When they neighbor came to pick him up they noticed he seemed happier than ever and gave me extra money because of it. Not long after, another neighbor called and asked if I would like to look after her cat, she offered a lot of money for it so I said yes. She's dropping the cat off next week. 



The cat's name is Worthie. I found it an odd name but he came to me when I called it anyway. Again, I set alarms to feed and play with him. Again, the neighbor said he seemed happier after being in my house.  



I bought some cameras and alarms for the house just in case so that way I can sleep easier at night. I'm still worried about if they will work or not but it's worth a shot. I got a few calls today as well but none from Mommy. For the first time I had someone in the house, I told them Mommy had gone to a doctor for her sickness to see if it was anything to worry about. They helped me to set up the cameras and alarms and a system so that I could watch them easier. They gave me some money to buy a tablet so I could watch them. Hopefully they don't figure anything out, I don't want me or Mommy to be in trouble. 

So far so good I think! I'm getting better at being alone. I stopped crossing off the dates from the calendar, the dates I've been alone. 
I still don't believe that Mommy left me. I still have dreams of her coming back. But the neighbors are very kind to me and very gullible, they are all so willing to give me work and money if needed. They treat me as their own child. It's like I have an all new family. It's actually fun, sometimes, if I need them to, they'll hold onto me. They're gentle with me. I like this. 



I'm 13 today! I made myself a full meal on the stove for breakfast, got a couple neighbors to take me to the amusement park, and went to my favorite restaurant with a couple who had their anniversary the same day as my birthday. I've started using my tablet not just for the cameras but for learning as well. I've found new excuses for why Mommy isn't with me and ways to sign myself to homeschooling as well. I've also gotten some school books so I can start learning to write better and read big kid books because now I'm a full teenager! 



I got a call today, it was from Papa. At least, that's who he claimed to be. He asked for Mommy and I told him she had a headache and has been sick awhile and so couldn't talk to him. He insisted and it scared me so I called him a liar and hung up. I hope he doesn't try to find me. 

Mommy has been gone almost three years. I'm 13, have had jobs around the neighborhood, and keeping up the lie that Mommy is just sick a lot. At some point her job called and I told them she's been sick recently but it's nothing deadly yet. They suggested Mommy check for cancer so I said I would suggest it to her. We wished each other well and hung up. I hope they don't come over, it's been harder and harder to keep up the lie. I wish I could tell someone without consequences. 



I did it. I told someone. They swore to not say a word about it because they knew I would be scared if I was taken from home and my neighborhood family. They stayed with me overnight and helped me come up with new ways to drag the lie out. I like them, they're nice. 
Mr. Neons, the neighbor I told about Mommy leaving me, brought over a cookbook. He said he would teach me to cook three meals a day. I'm very excited because now I have a parent figure to help me. 



Throughout the year, I've had my neighborhood family helping me in small ways. Teaching me when Mommy couldn't, spending time with me during holidays, bad days, good days. Even once a neighbor was very open to me when I ran to their house because I got scared. Mr. Neons still comes over to teach me cooking and we stick to it until I understand it. 
A couple neighbors came over for schooling lessons. I've learned a lot. They told me when I was 15 I could start real work but I don't want to do that. I want to keep working for them. Learning from them. I like it this way. 

More neighbors started bringing their pets to me to care for for the day. I get more money from this. I also get great reviews, they say their pets are always very happy and more upbeat, as if I was a therapist for them, I don't know what I'm doing right but I'm not complaining! 

I've had so much money recently, I'm putting it all away in a box I hid in the wall. I'm hoping I can save enough to get myself a working phone. My neighbors have all offered to do that for me, mainly Mr. Neons, but I think it's more satisfying doing it myself. I'm so close now to living like an adult! I'm 14 soon, I don't feel too sad about Mommy not being there for my birthday this year. I've had more people around me than when she was here. I think sometimes it's good that she's gone. Sometimes I miss her still, but I also don't want to see her again. She left me to myself and I had to find my own way and that should not have happened. 



I had a neighbor drop by today asking if I could help their cat and new puppy get along. They said they would pay me extra and offered sessions to be sure they stayed getting along. I said yes and let them bring the cat and puppy over the day they got the puppy. Mr. Neons agreed to cover for me and why Mommy wasn't home, saying she was at his house. 
The day the cat and puppy came over was rough, it was difficult to get them to get along. The cat just wanted to rest and the puppy wanted to play. Once I found a toy the cat liked though I tried to teach the puppy how to play with the cat in that way so maybe they could play together. When both animals were worn out, I called the neighbor and told them they can come over to see how it's all going. They brought over the exact amount the swore to pay me and was very pleased in my findings. I showed them the commands to get the puppy to play with the cat correctly, it was easier since they were both tired. The neighbor said they would bring the two over again in a month. I'm excited to see them again. 

It's my birthday today, I'm 14 now. Mr. Neons came over with some friends and we all met up at his house and had a small party for me. More neighbors dropped by here and there. It was super fun, they even rented a bouncy house and some neighborhood kids that are around my age came by as well. Amongst my gifts, I got new books, clothes, toys, cooking stuff, and a few gift cards. One gift had an Xbox with some games and a couple gifts cards for it. Mr. Neons' brother promised to drop in later and help me set it up.

I talked to Mr. Neons almost all day on the phone, I was concerned about that the neighborhood was picking up the fact that Mommy was gone. I overheard some people whispering, they were talking about how they never saw Mommy go in or out of the house anymore. It worried me that they may be catching on. A neighbor or two even came up to me at my birthday party and said that if Mommy was gone I could tell them and they wouldn't tell anybody else. Of course I denied the fact, I didn't want to risk any more than I had. Mr. Neon said that if need be, he would try to become my legal guardian so that I didn't have to leave my house behind. I'm grateful for him. 



The man who called himself Papa before knocked on the door today, Mr. Neons was the one who answered it. I wish I could've seen "Papa's" face when a man opened the door instead of his wife or daughter. Mr. Neons said it was absolutely hilarious. I think Mr. Neons is more of a father than Papa ever was. Even though Papa was the one to hold me, he was the first to leave me. He didn't even try to take me with him and he never called. If he had done that, I don't think I'd be as dismissive. 



The training with the cat and puppy has gone really well these past few months, neighbors are starting to leave their pets with me overnight even and I get more money that way. Summer is rolling around so that means I'm going to be getting neighbors asking me to drop in and mow their lawn or tend to their gardens. And less neighbors wanting to come over and teach me different school things. But this also means I might have time to hang out with the neighborhood kids as well! I haven't spoken to them the past few years because I was too busy trying to get myself a life and now that I have a decent amount of money and a decent amount of jobs then I think maybe I can hang out with them and play games with them this year. 



The man that calls himself Papa keeps coming over, I don't know why. I'm scared to answer the phone these days, I'm afraid it may be him. But Mr. Neons assures me that I can just pretend to be a house keeper or something because of how grown up I sound. It scares me, if it really is Papa what if he takes me away? I don't wanna leave. Mommy. . why have you gone and left me with this stranger to deal with? 

I think I want to get a cat or a dog. I want to get a guard animal, with this man coming around often, it scares me more and more. So far he hasn't tried to break in but I see him at the windows so I'm also going to try to get a tint or something for them so that he can't see as well. Mr. Neons is going to go with me and stay over more so I can be safe. I've been looking at animals online and I think I've found the perfect one to help me out. Her name is Gracey and she's and ex-police dog that got retired after losing a leg. She's been doing different exercises to get better and so far it looks like she is getting a lot better. Even though she may no longer be a police dog she can still be protecting which apparently, she loves to do. I called the place and they said she was in her session today but that I could drop by to meet her tomorrow. Mr. Neons said that he would go with me in case anything happens. 

Gracey loves me!! She was so excited to see me and jumped on me and licked me and played with me! They couldn't get her off and even us going to the counter to say we'd love to have her annoyed her because she wasn't with me. Mr. Neons insisted on paying the fee even though I had the money, he told me I should save it for buying food for Gracey. I'm going to consider Gracey a late Birthday present! 
 She was so excited when she entered my home and even the neighborhood chipped in what they could to take care of her. I noticed they stopped asking about Mommy, as if I'm the only one who remembers her. Which is actually good, I think I can move on. It's important I move on now, I have a new family member, we have to look after each other.



Gracey has made herself at home the past few months, Mr. Neons drops in every now and then to make sure we're doing okay and to take Gracey to her sessions, she only has two more now! Such a good girl, I don't know who misses who more when she's at them. 
The neighborhood kids like coming over to play with me and Gracey, Gracey has become more of the neighborhood dog than my dog but she knows still that my home is her home. 

Mr. Neons says he has a surprise for me today! I'm super excited, I don't know what more he could give me. I don't know what more any of the neighbors could give me. They've all done so much for me, especially since Mommy left. 
I saw Mr. Neons coming up the driveway today, he had a few boxes, some big and a couple small. He waved to me and told me to go outside so everyone could see what was going on. When I opened the first and biggest box it was a sign. It said I was an animal caregiver that would watch over animals on short notice for one day and one night during weekdays. It had Mr. Neons' number on it, he said he would give them my number from there so that I had more organized calling. 
The next box I opened was another sign, it said I would tend to gardens and lawns on weekends, again, on short notice. And once again it had Mr. Neons' number so that I had more organized calling. 
The third, smaller box, had a computer in it for gaming. Almost a full set up! The next boxes I opened had the rest of the setup, my favorite was the mouse. The package said it would glow in any pattern I set it. Mr. Neons said he would help me set it all up. 
The next, smaller box I opened had a laptop in it. It was for schooling and helping to keep track of my money and customers. 
The smallest box, which was more of an envelope, had a card in it. It had Mr. Neons name on it. He said he opened a new bank account I could use at any time that wasn't linked to mine. He added instructions on how to change the pin number on the account as well. Mr. Neons surprise was basically just a way for me to start working without having to apply on any jobs! I'm so excited to set everything up! 



I've been busier than ever these past few months! Between Gracey, customers, summer lessons, and making friends, I've been on my feet all summer. I like it this way actually! Every day is both planned and unpredictable at the same time and I'm never bored. Today was the first day in some time I thought about Mommy and Papa hasn't returned since everything got busier. I'm thinking about selling the TV in Mommy's room. Everything has been busier and I'm starting to take more than one customer at a time, I need the room and I never use it anyways so why still have it? Clearly Mommy isn't coming back so I'm sure she wouldn't mind! It hasn't been turned on in forever anyway and I need to save where I can in case Mommy stops paying for the house to stay on which I feel like may happen soon. 



The weeks are going by faster than jets; I turn around and it's already winter! It snowed yesterday even and Gracey was so excited to go out and play with the neighborhood kids who all got a snow day from school. I joined them all outside and we had the biggest and best snowball fight! Then Mr. Neons brought out sleds and we all went sledding and then came back up and I made everybody hot chocolate and we all just had a good day and hung out outside kicking up snow and building snowmen until sundown. It was the best day ever. 
When I went inside for the night, I played video games all night with some online friends, we all joked around and laughed all night. By the next day I was exhausted so I called Mr. Neons and asked him to tell customers I was sick because of the day before and only call me for emergencies.
Thankfully, by the end of the day, nobody had called Mr. Neons so I didn't have to worry about letting anybody down. 



The holidays went the same as last year had. With a few extra people at least. I've become a big sister, niece, aunt, cousin, and daughter to a lot of neighbors around. They're all very happy with me and protect me as their own. Nobody really wants me gone and nobody really asks about Mommy. 
Mommy, why have you gone and left me to myself like this though? Mommy, sometimes I don't want you back. Sometimes, I hope you are dead. 



The days are leaning into my 15th birthday. I missed Mommy so much my last birthdays, but now I hope she doesn't show up ever. Especially during my birthdays because I know the neighbors will be delighted to celebrate with me because I'm always overjoyed with anything they get me as if they just handed me the world on a pure golden platter; even though most the gifts are something simple like clothes and books. I think I'm just happy I'm even getting them. This year, I want to get an ice cream cake with my favorite video game or movie characters on it. 

It's my birthday today! My first birthday with Gracey too! Gracey is so happy right now, everyone is coming over one by one to wish me a happy birthday and celebrate. Nobody has mentioned Mommy being gone at all, if they do though I'm telling them she's visiting family. Hopefully they buy it, though I'm considering just spilling the truth that she's been gone all this time. I think that's for the future to decide though. 
I did actually get an ice cream cake for my birthday! I didn't get to put any characters on it though so I just went with an over decorated Happy Birthday image. It's still super good though so I'm happy with it anyway. My gifts this year were similar to what I got last year, though this year I got a skateboard, roller skates, and a basketball! The neighborhood kids like playing with me, so they decided to get me these so it would be easier for us to play together! I can't wait for this summer to come around! 
  As everyone was leaving and Mr. Neons was the only one left, someone called. I answered it and when I heard the voice on the other end, I put the phone on speaker immediately. It was Mommy. . She said she was going to come home soon. It was the worst news I ever heard. I started crying and Mr. Neons took control of the conversation and told me to take Gracey and go to my room. Mr. Neons and Mommy yelled back and forth over the phone for a while, an hour maybe? In the end, Mommy decided not to come home. Mr. Neons said that she would most likely stop keeping the house on unless she was allowed home. With the income I was getting from my neighbors, and even a few who weren't in the neighborhood, I trusted that I would be able to keep everything going. 

Mommy, please don't ever come back.

© ms160