Can anyone hear us?

9

"Wake up." I heard someone say and my eyes fluttered open. I was sprawled out on the couch and memories flooded into my mind from last night. Elizabeth smiled at me.

"Hey." I said.

"How are you feeling? Ted and the coach told me what happened."

"I'm good. What time is it?" I asked.

"8:30." She responded.

I leaped from the couch and slung my duffel around my shoulder. "I have to go."

"Why?" Coach asked as he came from upstairs. Ted was besides him.

"Because my dad is gonna know I'm gone."

They began to argue but I ignored them. I opened the door.

"See you at practice, coach." I said and walked to my dads house.

As soon as I arrived, I looked at the living room. His chair was empty but dad was nowhere to be found. I went upstairs to my room, skipping a few steps at a time, and opened the door. He stood there, facing me.

"What?" He asked.

"I thought you left. I'm glad you're back."

Confused, I asked, "What did you do?"

"Aron, yesterday I took it too far. I didn't mean to knock you out." He said. I was shocked he actually said that without beating me.

"I have been going to therapy. And it is changing me, changing everything I do. It's good." He smiled.

"Will you let me go?"

"Aron I'm sorry but I can't. You're the only person who is helping me keep this house and provide food on the table." Fury rose inside of me.

"Did you put food on the table for me? Am I willing to help you? You don't even love me. Heck, you almost killed me yesterday!" I shouted.

"You can't leave! I won't let you, no matter what I have to do!" He screamed.

"What? What are you going to do dad?" I tested him. He stomped over to my duffel, ripping it open. He grabbed my bat.

"Don't." I said, knowing what he was going to do.

"Don't what? It's the only way for you to learn." He spat. I chased him downstairs, stumbling on the steps a few times. He ran to the kitchen and pulled a hammer out of his tool box.

Before I had time to react, he slammed the hammer down on the wood, smashing it to pieces.

"No!" I screamed but he didn't stop until it was smashed to pieces. I went to my room and pulled out my phone.

Aron: See you at practice, leaving soon.

Ted: Ok. Anythin' else happen?

A: Not really...

T: What?

A: He smashed my bat. But I can just throw a few pitches at practice.