The Museum

By Danielle Miller

The Museum follows 26 year old Talia Bennet who was brutally raped at 16. Her memories continue to taunt her through her adult life. Seeking help from her therapist, she is encouraged to turn her fears and hurt into survival ways to help other women. Running into an old friend "RED". She learns there are

• Language: English
• Publisher: Danielle Miller
• Release date: Feb 23, 2021
• ISBN: 9781734951172

Danielle Miller

Danielle Miller is a native of Pittsburgh Pa, born and raised in a community called The Hill District. She started writing short stories and poetry around 8 years old. Writing has always been her calm to many storms. Growing up she was a loner so writing helped her cope with issues she acquired during her journey. It wasn't until her parents passed away that she decided to let the world in her universe. She has always been motivated by freedom. The freedom to live, think and act in a manner of self happiness. Believing everyone possesses the power to manifest true happiness. Freedom is a choice when people stop wanting validation from everyone else, minds are set free and people establish their own value.

Book preview

The Museum

By

DN Miller

Copyright © 2021 by DN Miller

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author. Resemblance to actual persons, things, locations, or events is coincidental.

ISBN: 978-1-7349511-6-5

Table of Contents

Chapter: One

Chapter: Two

Chapter: Three

Chapter: Four

Chapter: Five

Chapter: Six

Chapter: Seven

Chapter: Eight

Chapter: Nine

Chapter: Ten

Chapter

One

The Beginning

Every young girl daydreams of losing her virginity to someone she loves in a romantic place. Taking a nice stroll on the beach, listening to him tell you how beautiful you are and how you're the only one for him. Watching the sunset and hearing the seagulls squawk while they fly over you. Hearing the sound of the ocean as the cold salt water washes seaweed on shore and sweeps your feet with the muddy sand in between your toes. Laughing and chasing each other. Him picking you up and carrying you to a secluded area where he has a picnic set up and I love you carved out in the sand. Pink roses placed in a heart shape, music playing from his phone, and strawberries. Well, once upon a time that was my dream.

I’ll never forget the day I lost mine. A bad memory that haunts me every day. The summer of ‘95, I was staying with my cousins in Pittsburgh, something I did every year. My mom thought it was a great way for me and my brother to get away from all the drama in our home town, Virginia. I loved going over there to see my friends, especially this year. I was turning 16 and couldn’t wait to see my girls again and my cousins. My home girl, Marsha, who we called Red was turning 16 too. We had the same birthday. We called her Red because she thought she was gang bangin’ and always wore red: red hair, red polish, red shoes, red everything. But she was cool though. My friends were everything I wasn’t. They weren't afraid to do anything and that’s one of the reasons I loved them. I was the smart one out of the group. My momma always said I was good at solving problems and one day I would be a businesswoman. I was a bit more laid back, scared to talk to boys and never really had a boyfriend.

Then there were the T and T sisters. Tracy and Taylor. They were what the old heads called hot in the ass. They always had a new boo. They knew how to get guys to buy them stuff. Every other week, their hair was done, always rockin’ the new kicks with the flyest gear. My momma didn’t like me hanging around them though because she thought they both were going to get pregnant before 18.

My younger brother, Sam, really didn’t have any friends except my cousins, Jason and Lee. The kids back home teased him a lot, calling him all types of faggots and gay names. Word got around school that he kissed a boy at a sleepover last year. My brother said he was dared to do it but all the kids started calling him gay afterwards. I never really knew what went down that night.

Oh my god!!! AAAAHHHHH!!! We all started screaming and ran to each other. We missed you.

I missed y’all too. We gave each other a big hug while my mom and brother went into my aunt's house. They all seemed grown up. Something was different about them. They had this grownup glow but I couldn’t pinpoint it.

So, guess what girl?

What? I wasn’t sure what they were about to say, but I knew it was going to be crazy.

Swear you better not tell nobody.

Who am I going to tell?

They all looked at each other with this big ass grin on their faces. We lost our virginity.

Before I could say anything, Red put her hand over my mouth. Do not be loud about it, she whispered in my ear.

I was excited as hell. I knew something was different about them. We sat outside on my aunt's steps while I listened to them tell me how it happened. Every time someone came out the door, we stopped talking, not wanting anyone to hear. Ok, so my mom is going over her boyfriend’s house for the weekend and I’m throwing a basement party. It’s going to be lit, everyone is coming.

Red, I don’t know.

Why not? It’s your birthday tomorrow too, so we can celebrate together. Besides, you don’t want to be stuck here with your lame ass cousins eating that dry ass cake your mom makes every year anyway.

My mom might not let me.

Girlllll! You only turn 16 once, let loose a little, pleaseeeeee!

They all started begging, giving me these puppy eyes.

Ok, ok, but what do I tell my mom?

We will tell her we are going skating.

I didn’t like lying to my mom, we told each other everything. Ok, let me go ask her. They all tried to get up but I stopped them, saying, No, let me ask by myself, she already thinks you guys are fast. I walked up the steps and into my aunt's kitchen.

Heyyyy! There's my strawberry! She walked over and gave me a hug. I’m so happy you're here. Me and your mom were thinking this year for your birthday we would take you out to dinner, where would you like to go?

Umh, about that. I was thinking I could go skating this year.

My mom and aunt looked at each other. Skating is fine, we haven’t been skating in awhile anyway.

No, I mean I want to go skating with my friends.

Let me think about it hunny and I will get back to you.

Mom, please, it’s just skating and I’m turning 16, I begged, hoping she would cave in.

Ok, ok stop with the begging. What time?

From 9 to 2 am, I said with a doubtful look.

That's kind of late to be going skating, don’t you think?

It’s an overnight skate, Mom.

Ok, on one condition.

What’s that?

You take your brother and cousins.

But, Mom! I wasn’t even close to my cousins and barely even spoke to them.

Mom nothing! You take them or you don’t go Strawberry! She was dead as serious. What if they don’t want to go?

We will ask them. My mom was definitely being a fun killer. Boys, get in here!

Yes, they answered in unison and ran in the kitchen.

Do you guys want to go skating tonight with Strawberry and her friends?

Well, me and Lee have a madden tournament, so no.

Sam, what about you?

Sure, he said drily and walked back into the living room. I rolled my eyes and went back outside to tell the girls her answer.

What she say? Red asked, all happy.

She said yes, but I got to bring my brother.

Do you think he will say anything?

I don’t know and who all is going to be there anyway?

The girls started giggling. Come on. T and T grabbed my hands and pulled me off the steps.

Where we going?

Girl, you need a makeover.

We walked down to T and T’s house, talking about who was going to be at the party.

We got to their house and ran to their room. So, why do I need this makeover again. I was hesitant and wasn’t sure if I wanted them to put anything on my face. The last time they so-called made me over, I looked like a drag queen.

They flopped over their bed. Ok, so do you remember Sadeke?

Yessss, fine ass Sadeke on y’all’s football team.

Yeah, well he likes you.

Na auhh, how do you know? I had this big ass smile on my face.

He asked about you.

Ok, and! That doesn't mean he likes me!

He keeps asking about you. Plus Tracy’s boyfriend is friends with him and your name came up. They were talking about who they would smash and he said, ‘you.’

So, he just want to fuck?

Yes and no. Girl, you ain’t got to give it up, just flirt with him and see where it goes. I’m not going to give it up, I’m waiting for true love.

They all started laughing. True love where? Girl, we are 16. We supposed to be having fun, not worried about no damn true love.

You be reading too many of them love books, anyway! Come on so we can make you pretty.

I went over and sat in Tracy’s chair facing the mirror. I always wore my shoulder length 4c hair in a bun. My hair has always been natural. My momma would never let me get a relaxer; she said we should always embrace the true beauty God has given us.

Taylor pulled out her flat irons and plugged them in. We gonna make you look like Aaliyah, Taylor said while standing behind me. She started parting my hair straight down the middle. Girl, your ends need a cut. She waited for the flat iron to get hot before she started to part the back of my hair in sections. We gotta get these kitchens back here: they nappy.

I could smell the iron the more it got hotter and it smelled like burnt hair. I could feel the heat on my neck each time she straightened it. She grabbed a small comb and combed through my hair, making sure it would be extra straight.

What about this dress? Red said, pulling this little red dress out of T and T’s closet.

Girl, you the only one who wears red like that, I said, trying to be still so Taylor