Parker

Chapter 3

Christine was weeping during her drive home. Not for herself of course. She did not care what her parents did to her. But she wept for Parker as she imagined what he was going through at that moment.

He does not deserve to beaten she thought. Yes we did something wrong and we deserve to be punished but he does not deserve to paddled like her father.

Why does his dad have to be like this she wandered. Why is he compelled to beat him when he messes up.

She thought of several people far more deserving. Two of which were her stupid older brothers.  She would not mind seeing them get their butts busted.

Probably would do them so good.

But not Parker. Parker did not deserve to be treated like that.

I wish his father could see that.

The sixteen year old pulled into the driveway and put the car into park.  She tried to get herself under control before going in. The last thing she needed was for her father to see her crying.

That would not go over too well.

She tried to stop herself from crying but each time she managed to calm down she imagined Parker being paddled and the tears began again.

She wiped her eyes as she hoped that he was not too hard on him. That his father showed him a little of mercy.

But she doubted it.

Christine pulled out her phone and sent him a text asking him to text her to let her know he was okay.  She just stared at the phone for a solid moment and to her frustration there was no reply.

His dad probably confiscated his phone Christine realized. She let out a breathe and thought that she will have to ask her parents to ask how he is doing.

The front door opened and a man in his late forties with thining black hair and a large pot belly waved her in.

Great she thought. Why couldn't it be my mom.

Christine looked at her eyes which were red and puffy. Her mascara was running as well.

I look horrible she thought.

"Christine." Her dad called out.

"Coming." She yelled back.  She quickly sent a text to her mom asking her to meet her downstairs. She did not want to face her father alone.

"Christine." He shouted impatiently. "Come on already."

"I said I'm coming." She then sighed. I can find my own way into the house she thought I don't need an escort.

Let's get this over with Christine thought as she got out of the car. She started to walk to the driveway when she received a notification on his phone. She looked at to see if it was from Parker. It was her mom telling her that she would be right down.

"Now Christine."  He said in a stern tone.  She picked up her pace and walked up to the porch. Her father was about to scold her for taking too long but the anger quickly dissipated when he saw her face. "You've been crying."  He said as anger ignited inside of him. He did not who made his daughter cry but they were going to pay. "What's wrong?" He asked.

"I want to talk to my mom first." She said as she walked into the house. To her disappointment her mother was not there yet.  "Where is she?"

"She is upstairs with Brian." Brian was her three year old brother.

"I'll go to talk to her."

"You are not going anywhere until you tell me what is going on." Calvin West angrily said.  He then grabbed her arm.