| School bell rings and it's time to head home , the other 7th graders rush for the doors , excited to get homework done and "hang out" with friends not you . You falter ,there is no spring in your step or smile on your face . The thought of home trns a pit in your stomach , you feel sick and weak and you pray that a teacher will notice and say something. But you drag your feet the 2 miles home wishing your mother was sober enough to pick you up. An hour or so later you open the door to a livingroom where the shades are drawn . The Stench of pabst blue ribbon beer slaps you as you enter and then you know that there will be trouble. You do everything right ,shoes off at the door, straight to your bedroom ,homework put on your desk ,and you sit ,and try to focus on your english studies. It's predictable of course . The footsteps in the hall they are not the steady even steps of a mother coming to say hello ,they are the heavy ,swaying steps of confusion & doubt and issues covered by alchohol . You cringe as every step draws closer to your room . you know what will follow. "you're late it shouldn't take you that long to walk home " she snorts. Sorry mom I tried...... Your voice trails off as the slap slams across your cheek . "tried my A** she screams . "your a piece of sh** and you remember it !" Another blow across the back of your head and then a punch to your chest , you have learned not to cry for the fear it will get worse. you can't breath and then the final blow to the stomach and you wretch. She stands over you maybe analyzing the damage maybe admiring her work, orjust hoping that when you go to school tommorow noone will notice. "do your homework you piece of SH** " . and it is done for now , but not for good. I was lucky I guess , 2 years after this day I ranaway ,though I was treated as a run away and not an abused child .... I am Alive, and though I have not completly healed I am here With the will to make sure that if I ever see the need I WILL HELP.... Some are not so lucky . PLEASE don't make that nieghbor friend or relative bear the abuse of a parent. If you know someone ( i'm sure you do) make it your problem and visit the rescource page for a place to start. |
