Going Home

Written for https://fivedotoh.com/2022/12/19/fandangos-flash-fiction-challenge-198/

Mary sat on the floor, in the library, waiting for the madness to be over.

Everyone, in their Christmas hats, and jumpers. Singing festive songs on the Karaoke machine. She didn’t want to be there, reminded of those, whose Christmas would be full of presents and peace.

There was no peace at home.

If she were lucky, she would eat a delicious meal, reading later in her room.

They used to hold parties, back when drink wasn’t a problem for her father, but since he lost his job, there was something different. If she were honest, that wasn’t true. When he was at work, it was just happened less.

Watching him drink the contents of a whole bottle of scotch, wasn’t great to see. However, just like her mum, they smiled, even told jokes from the Christmas cracker.

No, she wasn’t looking forward to Christmas, without her mates support. She wasn’t even allowed a mobile phone at home. Her friend, sat down next to her.

‘I got you a gift, it isn’t much,’ she said.

Opening the small package, she stared at the small mobile.

‘Just in case,’ her friend said.