Just Hang In There

Chapter 6

(Jacob)
I walked home today. My mom was working late and my dad never picks up his phone. I walked up my driveway and pulled out my keys. I slowly opened the front door. Inside, my dad looked like he was passed out on the couch. There were empty bottles scattered across the floor. I left him alone and walked into my bedroom. I changed out of my wet clothes and put of some dry ones. Nothing special, just jeans, a T-shirt, and a black hoodie. Then, I started on my homework. I lost my headphones on the school campus. It made me upset. They were basically my life.
I was in the middle of doing math and my dad called for me.
"Yeah," I answered.
"I need you to come with me to da store," he said. I sighed and followed him to the car.
"Have you been drinking at all?" I asked, knowing the answer. I knew what the answer would be, but I still had a spark of hope that he would change. He looked at me as if I asked the stupidest question.
"Nah, we ran out. We need to go pick up some more."
"I don't think it is a good idea. I think I'll stay home," I said heading back to the house.
"No!" He yelled at me. He grabbed my arm and threw me into the car. His car smelled like alcohol. Shortly, he came in and immediately started the car.
"Dad."
"Shut up. Sit there and be quiet!" He yelled. This was normal.
I sat there as he drove off. We drive down the main road to the store. He started speeding. I was getting uncomfortable.
"Dad, can you slow down?" He ignored me. I went to grab my seat belt. He smacked my hand.
"You don't need that!" I stared at him. I was frightened. We came up to an intersection. The street light turned yellow. My dad floored it. I looked out the window. The shop was right there.
We barely made it across. The light turned red as soon as we reached it. My dad didn't stop, he kept going. Luckily, no one was in the road. My dad parked the car.
"See, not so bad. Anyway, stay here so no one steals the car," he said. I nodded. He was drunk. I didn't feel safe being in the car with him. When I saw that he was in the building, I quickly got out of the car and started to walk back home.

I stopped at the neighbor park. It was fairly empty. Only some joggers running the trail that went around the park were present. I took a seat in a swing. I just sat there, watching the nature around me. At least here, my dad couldn't get to me.

(Mark)
I was scared to open the front door. My mother was probably worried sick. Normally, my bus would be here by now (at least I assumed. I didn't have my phone so I had no idea what time it was), and I didn't call her telling her I was walking. That was a bad idea.
I walked up to my front steps and was about to open the door, but my mom did first. She looked me dead in the eye and I winced.
"Where were you?!" she exclaimed.
"Sorry Mom. I walked home today," I said.
"But you did even text?"
"About that-" the home phone rang inside. "You should get that. Then I have something to explain to you," I said. My mom gave me that we-will-talk-about-this-later look, then went inside. I walked in and shut the door behind me. I was greeted by my yellow lab.
"Hey Sparky," I said rubbing her head.
"Woof!" She barked. I crouched down and opens my arms for her to run in. She did and it knocked me over. I laughed as she went around and started to lick my face.
"MARK," I heard my mom yell from the kitchen, "We have a lot to talk about!"

(Jacob)
I stayed until sunset. When the sky turned a beautiful shade of blended orange, yellow, and pink, I got up and started to walk home. I put my hood up, hands in my front jean pockets, and headed home.
When I got home, my parents were arguing.
"What do you mean he was kidnapped?" I heard my mom say.
"I dunno, I got back and he was gone!"
"How dare you!" yelled my mom. I walked into the living room.
"Stop arguing." I said. My mom smiled and my dad looked pissed.
"Where were you," hissed my dad. He got up and stomped in my direction. I backed up until my back hit a wall. My dad placed his hand on my throats and put enough pressure to make me feel the choke. I grabbed his wrist trying to release the pressure.
"Let go of him," my mom said trying to pry him off me. My dad growled then backhanded my mom in the face. She stumbled back and fell over a chair. My dad turned around and look at her. As he did so, I felt more pressure on my neck. I could barely get in any oxygen.
"George, please stop," my mom begged getting on her feet. She held her cheek with her right hand.
"Not until this boy answers my question," said my dad. I tried to break free, but he was too strong. I tried to answer, but no words came out.
"George, stop this!" screamed my mom. I caught a glimpse as she came up and shoved my dad. He was caught off guard and stumbled over a bottle. His grip was released off my neck.
I gasped trying to get air back into me. I sounded like a dying horse.
"How dare you!" Yelled my father. He was about to charge when my mother stopped him. She started saying something to him, but I didn't stay. I ran back out of the house to the park once again. I ran until I reached the park. There, I found a bench and curled up on it. The sky was filled with stars. I stared at them admiring how beautiful they were. Then I started to cry.