If I Fell In Love With You

Chapter Five

Hazel's Nightmare/Flashback:

"Hazel, dear, please go to your room. It's time for bed." my mother stuttered.

I put my paint brush down and turned towards her. She stood there shame-faced and was too shy to look at me.

"Yes, momma, I will. Let me finish this painting first, please." I begged.

"No, Hazel! Now, please!" she demanded. We stared at each other not knowing what to say.

"Yes, momma, I will go to bed."

"Your father is coming home and I..."

"I know, momma."

She picked me up and started caressing my hair.

"My little girl is already five years old! " she smiled. She tried to change the subject but it wasn't going to work with me. The monster was coming.

We heard a car engine stop followed by a door slam. My mothers eyes slowly widened and she stood there petrified. She held me tight and ran to my room. She laid me down on the bed and tucked me in as quickly as she could. She kissed me on the forehead.

"Hazel, promise me one thing. You do not leave this room. I want you to be safe and I don't know how much your father drank tonight. Got it?" she briskly said. Each sentence she turned to my door. Her hands couldn't stop shaking and her body was getting warmer. I could tell from her sweaty palm that's against my cheek.

As for I, well, this was expected from my father. This wasn't anything new. I have gotten hit, but my mother has gotten worse. You could tell from her burns and bruises. She's too much of a coward to turn him in and she hides her scars. I am summoned to stay quiet.

"I know, momma." I whispered. I gave her a half smile to ensure her that I was fine.

She half smiled back, then suddenly her smile became a frown. We heard the front door lock being jammed with a key. My mother ran out of my room. I was most scared for her, she doesn't deserve this. I quietly left my bed and stood at my doorway. I had broken her promise. I peeked my head out. I wrapped my tiny self with my blanket and watched my father burst out the door.

My mom sat on the chair and pretended it was just a casual evening. He looked at her. He staggered to the kitchen and had an unsteady balance. He was heavily sweating and his eyes appeared glossy.

"Where are the painkillers? My head is excruciating with pain." he complained. He slurred his sentences and searched the cabinets. My mother stood up and took a deep breath.

"Allen, you can't take painkillers when you've just drank alcohol. Both substances together will slow down your nervous and respiratory system." she warned him. He slammed the cabinet door and covered his face. He started breathing heavily.

"Rose, you don't fucking tell me what to fucking do. If I say I want the painkillers now, then I want painkillers now!" he forcefully said. He took his two hands and slammed them against the counter. He approached my mother. My mom steadily backed away.

"Where are the painkillers, Rose?"

"I don't know." she cried. He put his hands on her shoulders and violently shook her. She and I knew exactly where the painkillers were. We hid them in one of the bathroom cabinets.

"Tell me where they are!"

"Please, Allen, stop!" she implored. He shook her more and more.

"Dammit, Rose! You're so stubborn! Tell me!"

She gave in.

"The bathroom, the bathroom! They are in the bathroom!" she pleaded. He let go of her and she dropped down to the floor. She started hysterically crying.