No Better Love

two

(Trigger warning. Violence and slight sexual abuse.)

I walked inside, ready to take my punishment. But it was only my cat, Milo. He mewed softly, circling my ankles. I leaned down to scratch behind his ears.

"Did you have a good day, baby?" I said picking him up. He meowed as if to answer, then huddled down into my breasts. Milo was my most favorite thing in the world. I'd gotten him two years ago when a neighbor had mentioned mice. Since then, Milo had grown from a small, fluffy, black fur ball, into a large, fluffy, black fur ball.

I brought him into my bedroom, where my window was opened and locked in a position just big enough for Milo to come and go as he pleased. He meowed, and jumped straight onto my bed, curling into a ball onto his little blanket. It was a receiving blanket from a garage sale. I'd sewn some ribbon around the edge so Dad wouldn't mistake it for a dish towel. Milo meowed, as if to say "Bed. NOW." He was so cute.

"Okay, okay! Just let me get a shower. I'm going to have to wash my clothes that way again." I said to him, closing my door behind me. Luckily, my dad was passed out on the couch in front of the t.v. He wouldn't be bothering us. Tip-toeing past his bedroom, I snagged a towel off of the little shelf in the hallway. I was surprised we even had any. I guess Dad must have taken them to the neighbors and begged a wash off of them. That meant he wasn't going to be in a good mood in tomorrow. I wasn't going to let that bother me now. I'd just had a wonderful night. I could handle a few smacks in the morning. I jumped into the shower fully clothed except for my shoes, covering my clothes in soap. Hopefully they would dry before my shift tomorrow.

As I washed my hair, my thoughts drifted to Andrew. I don't like to be kept waiting anymore than you do, he'd said. Hopefully none of the neighbors had saw us. That would be disastrous.

I finally climbed into bed with Milo, snuggling close to him. He purred happily, his stomach exposed. Quietly giggling, I rubbed his belly, illiciting more purrs. He finally rolled over and resumed our snuggle.

"I love you Milo. Nighty night." I pulled him closer to me and rested my chin on his furry side. He meowed and batted at my hair, then grew still. This was probably my favorite part of the day. When I could go to bed and cuddle up with my cat. I loved my cat more than I loved anyone.

I drifted off to sleep, dreaming of cats and beer and men playing guitars, only to be woke up maybe two hours later.

It was Dad shaking me. Finally I rolled over, only to be slapped in the face.

"Where were you last night? And who were you with? I went hungry last night, because you couldn't come home and cook dinner." I sat up. His sweatpants and wife beater were covered in grease spots, cheap beer, and sweat stains. His hair was greasy; his skin yellow and sagging.

"I went to the bridge for a little while. You know, to get some fresh air. You should try it sometime. When's the last time you went out?" With a howl from Milo, I was yanked up by my hair. My beautiful brown locks (which I actually liked) were coming out in his hands. I saw bits on the floor, swaying slowly from the breeze coming through my window. I was drawn up harshly to my feet, and pulled to the kitchen, where Ewan McConnell was standing with his coffee mug. I was slightly embarrassed to be in front of the ancient man, seeing as I was in only a t-shirt and my underwear. He blushed too, just as embarrassed. Dad huffed and let go of my arm.

"Tell her what you saw, Ewan. About the pints, and the boy!" He almost yelled. Mr. McConnell looked frightened. He opened his mouth, his hands and bottom lip trembling.

"All I said is that you could've drank the lad under the table. I didn't mean any harm by it, Miss Bea. Honestly." Mr. McConnell had a good idea of what went on in here, but didn't have the guts to do anything about it. It was understandable. Dad could definitely hurt him. But it didn't keep me from being slightly cross with the older man.