Short Stories

Get Out

No no no. Not again. I screwed my eyes shut as the hand sped towards my face. I didn't try to stop it sending me tumbling to the floor. If he got his full hurting me, he never hurt Meredith.

"Look at me, you ungrateful bitch. I am the one who puts food on this table, and you will obey me." I fought down a laugh. Put food on the table? He barely went to work, and what he did get he spent on booze. I was the one who had two full time jobs to try and support our child.

"Mom." I turned toward Meredith, fear plain enough in my eyes she stopped. My 10 year old daughter spun and tried to flee back to her room, but Jake caught her.

"And you, always scuttling away from me." Tears shone in her eyes now and she trembled.

"Please let me go."

"You dare to talk back to me!" A resounding snap rang through the house as his hand hit her. She cried, tears ruining her beautiful face, along with a red welt where his hand had made contact. Rage filled me and I snarled.

"Put her down." Jake turned to me, surprised.

"Excuse me? Are you questioning me?" I pulled myself up, shaking.

"Get your hands off my daughter." I commanded, making up my mind. This had gone on too long. I had been holding out hope for the man I loved, but that man was long gone.

"She's my daughter too." He snapped. My eyes were cold as I glared at him.

"Not anymore." I took Meredith from his stunned grip and held her against me as I walked out the door.

"If you leave, never come back!" He yelled after me. I opened the door and turned to him. I could already fell my cheek swell, and I could feel countless other bruises and cuts he had inflicted.

"Goodbye Jake." I shut the door behind me. Meredith was shaking in my arms. I got halfway down the street before I sank to the pavement, shaking.

"It's alright baby. It's gonna be alright."