Nothing Left

Chapter Two

December 31, 1971 8:34 p.m.
I cringe at my dad's harsh words. It was the same whenever I tried to talk reason into him. It would start out very cordial and friendly, and end with flaring tempers and yelling. Ever since my parents divorced, I had expected the fighting to stop. But it hadn't. At least, on my dad's part. He would fling all his anger at me whenever I saw him, which was twice a year. He would yell at me, sometimes getting abusive. The last time I left, I had a black eye. My mom would then see my injury, and call my dad and scold him. This would result in my mother breaking down and losing herself in a world of nothing. I didn't want that to happen this time.

"You worthless lump of rocks! You shouldn't have been born! I sometimes wonder if I should have never married your mother!" he picked up a plate and chucked it towards me. I ducked and heard it smash on the wall behind me. I backed towards the door.

"Then why didn't you? Why don't you just leave forever? Then you wouldn't have to deal with us! Why don't you just listen instead of acting like a two-year-old?" I opened the door and backed onto the porch. My dad stood bewildered, then shook himself.

"Just go! I never want to see your face again!" he started throwing everything in reach. I slammed the door and heard glass hit the other side. I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Please help me, Lord. I love him, but he's so difficult." I prayed as I walked home. I made my way quickly through the pouring rain and made it to my house just as the lighting and thunder started. I frowned when I saw the dim outline of a car in front of my house.

I ran up to the porch and recognized it as a police car. Oh no, please let her be alright, Lord! I opened the door and tore of my dripping coat.

"Raymond! Thank heaven you're safe! I was so worried!" Mom hugged me tightly. Happy tears ran down her cheeks. Someone cleared their throat and I glanced up. A police officer stood, his hat twirling in his hands. My mom let go of me and faced him.

"Ma'am, is this your son?" he looked like he knew what he was doing, but there was an air about him which I didn't like. I wasn't to comfortable around police men anyway, or strangers in general. My mom nodded.

"Yes, it is."

"I would like to question him if I may." he tucked his hat under his arm and pulled out a notebook. My mom looked from me to the officer, her eyes large with fear.

"I suppose so." she sat down hurriedly on a chair and I crossed my arms over my chest. The officer focused his hard, ruthless eyes on me.

"What is your full name?"

"Raymond Mark Daikon." I said as calmly as I could. He nodded and scribbled in his notebook.

"How old are you, Raymond?" his eyes went up and down my body, staring at my wet sneakers a minute before flicking back to my face.

"Eighteen." I said, wondering why an officer would not have a badge on his left hand pocket over his heart. Something about this man made me nervous.

"Fine age, that is. That was the best year in my life. Now, did your father ever abuse you?" he had finally scratched my healing weak point. I kept a blank, emotionless face when I answered with a definite yes. He nodded, writing in his notebook again. My mom folded her hand into mine and I squeezed it reassuringly.

"Did he ever abuse you before the divorce?" he asked. My mother drew in a sharp breath and opened her mouth, but I squeezed her hand tighter to signal that she not speak.

"Yes. I and my mother both." I felt sweat trickling down my neck as I said this, and was glad of the turtleneck I wore. He nodded, and placed his cap on his head, tucking the book back into his pocket.

"I will keep a close watch on your father. Keep me posted with what happens." he tipped his hat as he exited the house. "Good night." he closed the door, and through the rain I saw him get into the car and drive away. I sighed heavily, and ran the hand that wasn't joined with my mom through my wet hair.

My mom let go of my hand and stood up, her face red with anger. "I know he is in rank to ask those questions, but I didn't like him! He was so...oh, I would just like to go and tell his mother!" she hurried off to her room and I followed.

"He didn't have a badge, did you see?" I walked to my room and my mom paused. She pursed her lips and frowned.

"Come to think of it, I didn't even notice!" she blew me a kiss good night and I went into my room. I changed into my pajamas and sat by my window, staring out into the night. His face also seemed somewhat familiar, but I couldn't put my finger on it.