"If"

"If you were a better child, I wouldn't have to treat you this way!" Amber's mom yelled as she sent Amber up to her room.  As she marched up the stairs, the only thing in her mind was, "What now?" Amber sat on her bed and stared at her snow globe on her dresser across the room. It was something her dad had given her, something to remind her of him as he went and risked his life for his country.  Well, of course he had to die on the battlefield 2 months ago. Ever since his death Mom had become more and more unstable, drinking and making the house air unbearable with cigarette smoke. Amber always kept her window open for two reasons. One was because of the smoke, but the second was because she had her tree house attached to the little balcony her father had built for his little princess. Amber could climb out the window, over a bridge, and into the tree house when she wanted time away from her psyco mom. Amber's dad had gone to garage sales and picked up so many cozy things for her she could hardly fit all of them.

"Amber! I'm going out. Your aunt will be here soon!" Amber's mom called out into the growing dusk of the night. Amber sighed at her mother but was excited to see her aunt. She lived very close but almost never visited. Aunt Rosey always brought some story to tell her about her life, and she remembered Amber's favorite candy every time.

About an hour later, Aunt Rosey walked through the door. "Aunt Rosey!" Amber cried as she ran up and hugged her. "Where's your mom?"Rosey asked. Amber replied, "She left an hour ago. She is getting worse, Rosey," Rosey nodded, then said cheerfully, "Well, what should we play first?" Amber led her to her toys, and they started playing.