Greaser

02.

N I A L L

          My hands were shoved in my pockets with my head was dropped low as I watched my feet. The walks home are always the worst because it is always the only time that I’m alone with my thoughts. Sometimes it’s a good thing, sometimes it’s a bad thing. It’s kind of hard to actually pinpoint when my life went spiraling out of control. My mom was gone—died when I was eight and my dad hasn’t been the same since then. It’s like when she died she took my dad with her. Not physically but mentally.

            Crazy to think about really. My little brother, Anthony, had just been born a few days before she passed. Nobody saw it coming. Nobody knew that she was going to fight with someone. No one knew that person was the prisoner who escaped out of the prison a few towns away. Just like no one knew that I was going to go after him. It wasn’t my proudest moment honestly. That’s what got me into this don’t mess with him reputation.

            When I heard glass breaking from down the street, I knew just what house it came from. The only house that is actually loud at this time of night. My house—my feet patted the ground faster towards the small, worn down house. Only one thought was running through my mind at this point. Is Anthony okay? My dad could be an ass sometimes, okay any time he interacts with anyone he was an ass.

            “What the fuck dad?” the door slammed shut behind me as I glanced over at Anthony who sat crouched in the corner. My hands balling up in fists at the sight of my little brother scared out of his mind.

            “Kid deserved it! Didn’t do as I said!” I shook my head, trying to cool myself down but with no such luck my fist was hitting his jaw before I could stop it. He stumbled back, staring at me for a split second before throwing another beer bottle against the wall.

            “Go outside Anthony.” I grumbled.

            “What about-“

            “Go. Wait for me out there.” He gave me a quick hug before running outside. The only sound around was the screen door slamming shut and the sound of my rapid breathing out of pure anger.

            “Why don’t you just leave and never come back.” He spat while walking off into the kitchen before I even had the chance to say something, let alone think of something. I shook my head, walking outside to check on the shaky nine year old boy.

            “You okay?” I put my hands on his shoulders, checking out his face to see if my dad had left any marks. He shook his head and closed the space between us as he wrapped his arms around me.

            “Where were you? I hate being home with dad alone.” He whispered. I may be this tough guy that no one wants to ever mess with but hearing my little brother say those words brought pain to me.

            “I’m sorry bud. I was dealing with stuff. Come on—we’re leavin anyway.” I draped my arm over his shoulders, walking down the unlit sidewalk with him in silence. I can put up with a lot of things. Hell I have put up with a lot of things while living with my dad after my mom died and this was the final hit. I hated my dad to begin with but this—this brought things to a level I didn’t even think was possible.

            “Do you think we will be okay?”

            “What do you mean? Course we will be okay. I got some money left and besides your brother here has some great hook ups.” I smiled.