I woke up to creaking floorboards, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee.  I sat up from the sofa just in time to see my mother opening the front door with my little brother.
“Where are y’all going?” I sheepishly ask.
Their heads turn and look shocked when they spot me.
“We’re gonna go to the store.” My mother announces nervously.
“Yeah! Buzz off and hit the hay, loser!” My brother teases while sticking out his tongue.
I give him a look of disgust as I roll my eyes.
“Oooh, did I anger the beast?” He giggles.
The blankets covering my legs fall to the floor as I stand up and straighten out my pyjamas.
“Momma, I reckon ya’ll don’t want me to tag along?”
My mother anxiously looks around mumbles, “It’s only for a while, dear.”

A sigh escapes my lips as I take in her words.  He was always the favorite.  I stare at my bare feet as the door slams, and the echo rings like the sound of my sinking heart.  Ever since he was adopted all the attention went to him.  He entered our lives when I was I was in second grade, and it seems my mother has forgotten me ever since.  My vision blurs when the tears form in my eyes, and I bite down on my lip.  If she cares about me she will come back now.  She will open the door and come back to me.  She will open the door and welcome me into her arms.  If she loves me she will open it now.

It didn’t open.