Uncovered

Chase

Chase's POV

I never had the best life, especially growing up. I didn't have my mom around because she left my father when I was young due to his drinking problem. It never really bothered me much until I got older and started to "get in the way". I didn't know what that meant until now, but I wasn't the one who asked to be born into this world, I was brought into it by a selfish man. I don't blame my mom for doing what she had to do, I just wish she would've brought me with her wherever she went. Every now and again she'll try to send me a postcard, but I never get them and I'm assuming I don't have to explain why, but if you're sitting there wondering its because my father would always get to the mail before I did and tear up the envelopes and I only found out that she was sending them because one day I was dismissed early from school and got to the mail before my father had the chance to do so. I remember walking into my house.

"Dad! I'm home early 'cause they dismissed us for a conference or something, but I got the mail so you didn't have to!"

He stood up from his reclining chair and stared me down enough to strike fear into my heart as he snatched the mail from my hand.

"Give me those."

His responses were cold and dull, almost like there wasn't a soul in his body anymore.  

"I....I thought."

I stuttered trying to find words without upsetting him.

"Well? Spit it out if you've got something to say boy."

He never addressed me by name unless there was a punishment brewing.

"I.. I thought I saw something in there that was addressed to me. Is it from mom..?" 

Just bringing her up brought him into a rage. His eyes widened and I could almost see a fire light in both of his pupils as he smacked me across the face hard enough to leave a red mark and enough for tears to start welling up in my eyes.

"Don't you EVER look through MY mail again, you hear me? You ain't got nothing from that no good whore of a mother of yours and you better bet your ass that she wants nothing to do with you, you got that? I suggest next time you keep your mouth shut and keep your dirty fingers off of my mail. Go to your room, I don't want to hear a peep out of you for the rest of the night you understand?"

His voice boomed with anger as tears rolled down my face while I tried to not make a peep. I hurried up the staircase to my bedroom that was located on the second floor of my house. I shut my bedroom door behind me, jumped onto my bed, and started crying into my pillow. There were more days that I spent cooped up crying in my room than I did outside with my friends having fun. It was no life for a child, but I had to keep pushing on until I got where I needed to be. I hadn't spent much time in my room when I heard my dad's voice from downstairs talking on his cellphone.

"What?.... He has an appointment today? Aren't you 'suppose to call a day before hand and remind me or send a letter or something?.... It was in the mail? Well I didn't receive no god damn appointment letter or nothin' from you. What time is this kids appointment.... are you kidding me?!? That's in 15 minutes, it's going to take me at least 20 to get there.... yeah yeah I'll see you then."

There was never a time he could just be nice to anyone, not even for a second.

"Boy! Get down here now, we gotta go to your appointment so hurry it up!"

I didn't waste anytime, I hopped off of my bed and ran down the staircase so fast I nearly tripped and bashed my face. It wasn't long after that that we arrived at my doctors office. When we went inside and sat in the waiting room he wrapped his arm around me and leaned in close enough to where I could smell the alcohol on his breath. 

"Now listen boy, today you have a decision to make. You become a man today and I don't care what you decide to do, but do the right thing for once in your life and don't take that dumb ass purple crap pill they try to give you. I've heard enough of the stories where people go mad and they have to be taken away. If you don't want to end up like those bums then I suggest taking the second route, but if that's how you want to live the rest of your life then so be it. Either way like I said, I don't give a shit, but make the right decision."

It took every ounce of my being to not make a stupid remark that would anger him. I could already see the scenarios playing out in my head and none of the things I said to myself looked like it would end well for me so I just nodded. My father was a ruthless and careless man, it didn't matter if there was a room full of people or a squad of cop cars, if he wanted to give me an ass whooping then he would do just that. It was hard to believe that I was 'turning into a man' considering the fact I was only 12 and last time I checked, you weren't qualified to be a man until you were at least 16, if not then 18 years old. I sat in my seat contemplating my options even though it seemed like there was only one good decision to make in my fathers eyes. I didn't care what he had to say or think, it all boiled down to what I actually wanted to do because he had no say in what pill I was taking and I only knew that because the last appointment I had at my doctors he told my father flat out that he couldn't push me to go one way or the other, I had to be the one to make the decision. I had been thinking about it since then and all my friends were already talking about it at school. None of us were actually allowed to announce which pill we took. It had to remain a secret until we got old enough to completely understand. While I was deep in thought, I heard a voice calling for me back in reality.

"Chase? The doctor is ready for you now."

It was my nurse calling me into the room to meet with my doctor. It didn't take too long for her to take my vitals, weigh me, and take my height. Not long after that my doctor strolled into my room.

"Well hello again Chase! How are you today? Are you ready to make your big decision?"

His smile was genuine and kind and I felt comfort just being around him. He seemed like the only person who had my best interest at heart.

"I'm okay Dr. Kissler, and I think I'm ready to make my decision."

I looked over at my father as he gave me an approving nod to tell him I was ready. I could tell he didn't want to be there any longer than he had to be since he resented my doctor. As I looked back over to my doctor he looked quizzical at me almost hoping that my father wasn't pushing me to make a choice that wasn't mine, but he didn't mention anything so I glanced at the ground instead to avoid any awkward eye contact. The air was already filled with an uneasy feeling that made me nauseous.

"Alrighty, what are you thinking Chase?"

I knew that I only had one shot at this, there was no where to run and nowhere to hide. This was it.