Success Is the Best Revenge {Book 1} **Watty Awards 2012**

Chapter 16: Bridget's Problem

"You can leave now."

"No, I don't want to leave. You've done nothing for these kids, Tyler. Nothing."

After we ate our pizza, Tyler came back to the apartment as drunk as ever. He had even tried to hit Ryan before I stepped in.

"I do more for them than their own damn mother. You think I want to be here? No! But I'm here because they need someone or they'll be out on the streets just like the rest of them hungry ass lil' kids!" He spat, partially slurring.

"You've only been here for half a day! You don't know what I do around here!" He yelled.

"I know what you don't do! What did you do to Bridget's medicine?"

He scrunched up his face. "What are you talking about?"

"The orange bottle of pills, Tyler. Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about!"

"I don't know what you're talking about!"

"That damn bottle has like 6 different pills in it! What are they? And don't say you don't know because Ryan told me you've been messing with them!" I was filled with rage.

"That damn kid. You believe everything he says! You're just like his damn mother! Always blaming me for stuff. I didn't do anything to those pills!"

"Do you know that she has HIV? Huh! Do you know that!" I yelled.

He gulped down some more of the alcohol. "Found out at the hospital. That dirty slut!"

I slapped him. "Don't you dare call her a slut! She's the mother of your child!"

"How do I know if it's even mine! I heard she sleeps with anything that can stroke!"

I shook my head. "I won't hear anymore of this. You can leave! You aren't wanted here." I turned around to leave. He yanked my arm back.

"Don't you talk to me like that."

I spit in his face. He pushed me and I stumbled back into the wall.

"Leave Alea alone!" Ryan came out of nowhere and attacked Tyler.

"Get off me, you stupid kid!" He pushed him onto the floor.

I went over to Ryan and saw his lip was bleeding. "Get out!! Get out now!!" I screamed at Tyler.

"Fine! Tell that bitch Bridget she better not have gave me anything or I'm suing her for everything she has!" He walked towards the door and turned around. "And that ain't much!" He stalked out and slammed the door.

By then, Ryan was crying and so was I.

Through his sobs he said, "I want my mama."

"I know, I know. It's OK."

"Alea, what's wrong? Why are you guys crying?" Chris came out of his room.

I looked up. "Oh, nothing honey, you can go-"

"Tyler pushed me Chris!"

"He did?!"

"I'm calling dad!" Ryan got up and went towards the phone.

"Ryan wait!" I yelled. He turned around.

"You can't.."

"Why not?" He asked.

"Because um..his car broke down and he won't be able to come over here. I can fix your lip." I hated lieing to a kid.

"How do you know?"

"I..called him the other day and he said he was getting his car repaired tomorrow." That gave me a little more time.

"Oh OK." He walked back over to me.