The Good Lie

Chapter 1

KATY

I pulled the scarf to the brim of my nose and fasten my pace. There are mainly few people passing by. I waved at Theodora, the elderly woman living across our house. Performing her workout. Her everyday routine. You'll hardly pass by without seeing the woman jogging around. Old outside but young inside. I passed by the few papers stationed on the mailbox, probably notice and all. The door made a small sound as I press in the password. The passcode for safety. Ever since a burglar broke into the house, I didn't waste time in setting a passcode. Thankfully, no one is around when he or they broke in. Since I don't know how many they are.  Entering the living room, I was met with my sister, Amy, splatter on the floor. One hand rested on her chin, and what I immediately recognized as a novel in front of her. A giggle erupts from her lips, which means she's yet to notice my presence. I made myself known by clearing out my voice. She instantly slid the book under the couch and stood up, almost tripping on the way.

"Oh, sister you're back?" her statement came out as a question not to talk of the frightening look on her face which probably didn't go unnoticed by me. She knew me so well.

Dropping the groceries gently on the almost disoriented wooden table positioned at the farther end of the living room, I trekked towards her, my silhouette cover shoe, making some faint sound on the way. Poor shoe. My eyes were on her as I slid down and took out the book "Diary of a psychopath teenage girl" I read it aloud. The name seems interesting. But I don't plan on showing my reaction towards the name. I shut my eyes to calm myself from lashing out at her. I thought I had warned her already.

I could feel her presence in front of me with my eyes still shut. I counted to three before unfolding them. "I'm sorry Katy. It's just that I have nothing to do. Mom hasn't come back yet. You too. I'm bored at home with nothing to do. It's the only thing keeping me company on your absence." She commented her voice dripping with plead. There she goes again with her complaints. The look on my face since the moment I caught her with the book didn't waver a bit rather ignite something in me. Anger. "You have nothing to do huh? What of your books? Aren't you supposed to read your books or do your assignments?" 

"Do you expect me to be reading books everyday? School. School. School. 24hours like a maniac. For goodness sake, I need a break" Her voice was slightly raised followed by a lone tear that visibly swept down her chin. 

For some known reason, I felt guilty. I know I wasn't supposed to snap at her like that. Especially when I knew how sensitive she is. I'm trying everything in my possible best to give her a good future. Good life and good education. Something I couldn't get for myself. Busy taking care of the family. My body went weak hearing the small sobs resonating from her. Reaching for her arm, I pulled her to my body, rubbing my palm on her back. 

"I'm sorry Amy I didn't mean to snap at you. However, you should understand the situation. Understand me. I'm trying to give you the best life and education. I'm not stopping you from reading novels. No. I just don't want you to drift away from your studies" 

"I know you're doing it to keep our family together. But Katy, why will you only suffer? What of mom? She only comes home in the night drunk and leaves early in the morning to God knows where and you take care of her debt. What kind of mothe-" Before she could complete her statement, I pulled away and placed my finger on her lips shushing her. 

"Don't. She might behave indifferently but she's still your mother. Our mother. I know she's not been taking care of us but at least she's here for us" I managed to brush off the tear that threatened to spill out of my eyes. I can't get emotional in that state and that in front of Amy. It will only trigger her more. She stared at my face blankly, as if trying to figure out something but I masked it up by pulling her to me once again.

"I'm sorry okay? You can read your novels during the weekend" I ushered. She pulled away almost immediately. Her face lightening up. "Are you serious sister?" 

"Yes I am" 

"Thank you, Katy. You're the best. I promised to concentrate on my studies more than before." Pecking my chin, she grabbed the book dropped on the floor "I love you" And sauntered to the room. The room we shared. My eyes linger on the closed-door followed by a sigh escaping me. I might not be the strongest person at the moment but I will try my best and be there for her. After all, she's all I have. And maybe Mom. I wonder where she is. I didn't finish closing off my thoughts when I heard some indistinct voices from the outside. I ignored it thinking it was from the neighborhood youth stars, arguing on their daily lives. Football, movies, or about celebrities. Shaking my head at the nonsensical attitude of theirs.

I made my way to our kitchen. Not big and not too small. Enough for us to use. Our house is not that spacious. It consists of only two rooms. The one I and Amy shared and the other which mom uses alone. Then one bathroom. The living room is normal enough. Two couch, LCD TV, decoder, and some few decorations. Enough for us to fit in.

Ignoring their banter, I went ahead to the kitchen taking the white leather with me. I started by arranging the vegetables in the refrigerator. Something catches my ears which halted my actions.

"Shut the f**k man!" A female voice exclaimed. Wait. I know that voice. It can't be...

"No, you shut the hell! If you don't pay me my money right this instant, then you will have to bear the consequences that will follow!" Another voice exclaimed. Loud enough that I can hear it vividly in my ear. At that moment, I knew who it was and what it is about. Drying my wet palms on my jeans, I darted for the door. 

"Who the hell do you think you are to threaten me?" Mom's voice went straight to my ear, as soon as I opened the entrance door. She stood closely in front of the huge man. One look at his face and you will know he isn't someone to mess with. But my mom stood on her ground throwing daggers at him. In a swift motion, he grabbed her arm, her palms landing on his chest due to the harsh grip. His eyes suddenly darken. A familiar look in his eyes. 

"Oh maybe you can pay me by..." he trailed off raking his eyes down her body. My mom with her drunken self didn't seem to know the dirty thoughts in the man's head. I walked up to them before something inappropriate will arise and we'd be the talk of the town. 

"Excuse me, Sir, is there a problem?" I started in my most calm voice. Both their faces snapped towards me. 

"Katy" Mom uttered. "Oh, my sweet daughter is here to my rescue," she said again moving away from him. I steadied her before she could fall on the ground. And her heels are not solving matters. "Is she your mother?" the man chirped. His tone was dripping with sarcasm 

"Yes sir. Is there any problem?" I repeated. Mom leaned her head on my shoulder, a giggle erupts from her mouth. "You see Katy, this man is claiming he's owing me money which I don't have a recollection of" 

"Clai-" he leaped forward but I was quick in blocking his way. "I'm sorry about what she did. Can you tell me the amount and I will pay you back" His tightened muscle relaxes and he shifted back. "The money is not that much. It's just 50$" 

Did I just hear him say fifty dollars! 

My eyes snapped to mom in anger. "Mom!"

"He's lying Katy. I don't remember getting that money from him or whatsoever. And like he said, the money is not that much " To say I was beginning to be fed up with her with be something I don't see coming. She always gets herself and me in trouble one way or the other. And to make things worse, she always denied them.

"Excuse me miss, I'm not here to listen to your boring act and your mother's drunken state. Pay me my money and be freed from what's In store for you". Slipping my hand in my pocket, I counted his money and handed it to him. My last card.  I grabbed mom's hands, ready to take off when his next words stopped me in my tracks.

"You should learn how to control your Mother. One day she might get herself in a very big trouble" What does he want again. I didn't drag the issue because I don't want to cause a ruckus. Yet, he's trying to make things hard than they already are. 

"That's none of your business. I've paid you your money, so back off!" I seethe. The left of his lips curved up. 

"Well, I like that attitude. Does it run in your family? Oh, I almost forgot. It seems your family is cursed. The Father was nowhere to be seen after getting chased by loan sharks. The mother is drinking around with rich men. And the daughter...." His eyes raked through my body. 

"What will we expect from the daughter. Maybe she will follow her parents' footsteps or much more than that" 

If I say his words didn't stung down to my core, then I would be lying. Bile rose in my throat and I did the only thing I think is the best. Walk away. I didn't care about my mom leaning on the mailbox trying to steady herself. I didn't care about the prying eyes of our neighborhood people. I didn't care about the smirk of victory playing on the man's lips. And most of all I didn't care about my heart telling me to turn back and give him a piece of my mind. I didn't care. I walked away.