Hands off

Tell the truth

The rest of the car ride was in silence, except for the radio. I looked a couples times at Marcus but he just looked at the road. Dad is never this quiet. 

Ten minutes later we arrive at home. Marcus parks the car in front of the house. Collin parks the car in the garage. Dad helps me get out of the car. He holds my arm and we walk in the house he let go of me when I sat down on the couch. Jeffrey came down the stairs with blankets and my pillow. I thanked him while he lays me down on the pillow and covers me with the blankets. 

''I think I should fall some more from the stairs.'' I say as a joke.

''What do you mean? You're not going to fall from the stairs.'' Marcus said worried.

''But you guys are so sweet to me. Jeff even got me blankets and stuf and I didn't even ask.'' I began to laugh.

''It's not funny.'' Marcus said Mad. He walks to the kitchen and Collin and Jeffrey follow him. Dad goes and sit next to me. 

He gentlely slides his hand over my head and looks at me with love. He didn't look that why to me since mom died. I clossed my eyes and just enjoy the moment. 

Marcus's POV

''Guys are we going to tell her the truth?'' Collin and Jeffrey look at each other.

''I don't know. She just seems okay with it now. I'm afraid that if we tell her the truth that she will freekout or something.'' Collin said.

''But what if she remembers anything? She will hate us for not telling her. And also what would dad do to us. He knows that Lauren thinks that she fall from the stairs and not a beating from him.'' Jeffrey said with some fear in his eyes.

''Alright we won't tell the truth just that she fell down the stairs. Everyone in?'' I ask my brothers.

''Yes''

''Yes''

They both nod.

At that moment dad comes in the kitchen. 

''What're you guys doing here?'' Dad asks with a smile. 

''We were thinking of telling the truth about what happend to Lauren.'' The smile dissapeared from his face and he steps closser to me. He points his finger at me.

''You will not tell her truth. If you do, you will regret it. Do you understand?'' All three of us nod and dad gives me soft slap on my cheek.

I watch as dad goes and sit next to sleeping Lauren. He turns on the tv and he just sits there. I walk upstairs and get in the shower. I stepped out of the shower and I hear soft footsteps. I quickly get some clothes on and open the door. 

''Lauren what on earth are you doing?'' 

''I'm walking to my room. It's quiet there and I don't wanna be a burden.'' She turns around and keeps walking slowly to here room. 

''Honey you are never a burden. Now stop with walking I'll help you.'' I walk to her and take her arm. She is really shakey. She leans on the me and we slowly walk to her bedroom. ''Laur did you eat anything today?''

''Not yet but I'm not really hungry and I don't want to throw up again.'' She doesn't look at me because she knows I don't like it when she doesn't eat. She lays down on her bed and she gets in a comfortable position. She closses her eyes and falls asleep. I give her a kiss on the head and leave her.

I come down stairs and walk to the livingroom. I see that with a beer in his hand and the tv on football.He screams at it. No wonder Lauren left. 

" Son, come and join me. Grab a beer.'' dad asks.

''No sorry dad.'' 

''Well grab me a beer then. You don't want your old men dehydrated.'' He says with a smile. 

''Last one, promise?''

''Promise.''

I grab him a beer and go sit in the kitchen so he can't get anymore even if he wants to. It's 7 o'clock and I start making diner. After ten minutes dad walks in tries to grab another beer bottle.

''Dad you promised that the last one was the last.''

''Well I don't like that promise and I can do what I want.''

I ignore him because I know if I go against him he'll get mad. It's know a quarter for eight and I go upstairs to tell Collin, Jeffrey and Lauren that diner is ready.

I knock on Jeffrey's door and tell through the door that dinner is ready. The door flies open and he runs down te stairs. I am about to knock on Collins door but he also flies the door open and walks down the stairs.

I knock on the last door in the hallway. There's no response so I quietly open the door. Lauren's still asleep. I let her be. 

I walk the kitchen in and Collin, Jeffrey and dad are waiting for me.

''Where is your sister?'' dad asks surprised.

''She's still sleeping.'' Dad looks angry and walks upstairs I hear a door open and I hear him yell that she needs to get out of bed and eat with us.

We look at each other and shake our heads. That comes running down the stairs and yells that she needs to hurry up because he's starving.

I begin walking up te stairs to help Lauren down.

''I wouldn't do that if I were you.'' Dad says threatening. I take steps back and sit on my chair again. 

Lauren slowly walks down the stairs with watery eyes. Dad looks irritated at her for not moving faster. She walks to her spot and sits on the chair.  She looks scared at dad with her big brown eyes.

''Don't you dare look at me that way, you look to much like your mother.'' Lauren quickly looks down at her empty plate.

''Eat something'' He demands Lauren. 

''I'm not really hungry.'' 

''What did you say? You're not really hungry?'' She nods. He gets up quickly from his chair and walks over to Lauren. He wraps his arms around her and he lifts her of the chair. She screams because he is hurting her ribs. He walks straight to the basement. Before he can open the door I grab his schoulder.

''Dad she doesn't has to go there.''

''If you don't remove your hand from me she's going to get it way worse.'' I quickly remove my hand and he drags the screaming and crying Lauren down the stairs into the basement.