Emancipation vs. Jennie

I've been trying so hard to get out of here. Living in this hellhole of a house is just bad for my health. I'm sick of the meds that I don't need, my mom's utter insanity, my brother's death threats, everything. It's very obvious that I can handle being out on my own because I've always had take care of myself (for the most part) for as long as I can remember. Anything I do or don't do gets me yelled at. And so I decided that I want to get emancipated.

But then there's Jennie. I can't leave her here alone. She only 10 and my mom and Jim will surely be getting married soon. Even if Jennie and I aren't related by blood or marriage yet, she's my little sister. I care about her far too much to let Jim abuse her again. I didn't know her when he did this, but I heard from her step-sister and her that it happened, and I'm highly inclined to believe her.

I absolutely hate it here, but I can't leave Jennie alone here. She doesn't trust easily. In the van the other day she had her hands in her lap and her head in her lap, as well. I notice even the most miniscule details and watched her to make sure she was okay. I wouldn't believe she was even if she told me because she doesn't tell the truth about that sort of thing, not that she means to lie. I put my arm around her shoulder and stroked her hair, then just rested my hand on her shoulder. Later I saw that she wasn't crying, but I know something was wrong. Though I don't know what....

Still, I know it's going to be rough here. It always has been. And things may get better, and they may get worse. I can only try to be optimistic. But I need to be here to protect my little sister, even if it means sacrificing my sanity.