A Tortured Soul

Chapter 15

        Today was the day! JT and Justin turn eight years old! Finally all of May's hard work and planning was going to pay off. That morning she got up at 5:30 and began cooking JT's favorite breakfast. Eggs, bacon, pancakes, and biscuits with white gravy.

         It was her tradition to cook the birthday person's favorite breakfast foods. It was of course the most important meal of the day so she made it her mission to start their day off right.

         The mouth watering smell of his mother's cooking hit JT's nose and instantly woke him up. He leaped out of bed and ran into the kitchen. May greeted him with a big hug and a big smile.

"Happy birthday sweets! I hope you are hungry!"

****

          Jason kicked Justin's door open.

"Well, hello you little maggot! Guess what today is!"

       Justin rolled over and looked at Jason with groggy eyes. He didn't get home until around three o'clock that morning so he only had about four hours of sleep. Jason walked into the room and closed the door softly behind him.

"It's your birthday! You know what that means!"
          He said with a smile.

       Downstairs Marge made breakfast for the twins. They sat and ate together while Justin received his birthday surprise. When they finished eating Amanda asked what they were going to do for Justin's birthday.

"We don't have anything planned."
      Marge replied.

"Why not? We always have lots of fun for me and Derek's birthday, but we never do anything for Justin's."

"Justin is different."

          Before Amanda could respond Jason came walking down the stairs with a huge smile across his face.

"Finished already?"
      Marge asked.

"Yep! He didn't make it to 8."

"What did he get to?"

"4"

"Wow, must have been real good!"

"I tried, I succeeded!"

"Good job baby! Breakfast is on the table."

          Every year for Justin's birthday he received new and improved beatings. The number of different beatings depended on his age. Every year they got more intense.  This year was worse than usual because they found out he has been sneaking out of the house.

       Justin was motionless on the floor for hours. When he finally woke up his body was so sore he couldn't move. He had two hours to regain his strength and get to JT'S house for the party.

         At that moment he didn't think he was going to make it. He felt himself resting in a pool of blood but he wasn't sure what part of him it was coming from.

****

         Party guests began arriving at the Thomas' house and some helped May finish up the decorations. They had balloons, streamers, party favors and goodie bags for all the kids. The rock wall was set up along with the bouncy house in the front yard, cake, ice cream, and the present table was beginning to over flow.

         JT waited patiently for Justin to show up. The party started and he still wasn't there.

"Mom, I don't think Justin is coming."

"Just give him a little more time. I'm sure he will be here soon enough."

            He nodded in confidence and ran off to play with his friends hoping to distract himself until Justin came. Finally an hour and a half later Justin appeared.

"Justin! Finally! I was starting to think you weren't coming."

"Of course I am. I told you I would be here, but the thing is.... I never said when."

"Ok, you got me on that one."

           May spotted Justin and rushed over. She scooped him up into a big hug.

"Happy birthday! What do you think of the party?"

"There are a lot of people here."

"Yes well, that means more presents! Where are your parents? Did they come with you?"

"No ma'am, they are busy."

"They aren't coming?"

"No ma'am."

         May had an awful disappointed look on her face and turned toward his house. It was obvious she was not happy about them skipping out on the party. Justin placed his hand on her shoulder bringing her attention back to him.

"It's ok, really."

"Ok, well go have fun and you two enjoy your birthday!"

          They smiled at each other and JT pulled Justin away.

"I will race you to the top of the rock wall!"
       JT said.

"You're on!"

           Tatiana waited at the bottom for Justin so she could tell him happy birthday. Justin was faster and beat JT to the top. When they came down Tatiana gave Justin a hug.

"Happy birthday Justin!"

"Thank you!"

"Can you two come bounce with me in the bouncy house please?"

"Sure thing sis!"
         JT said wrapping an arm around her.

        They walked together to the bouncy house on the other side of the yard. Just as Justin began to enjoy himself his stomach tightened. Something was different about it this time though. The pain was severe, he clutched his stomach with both hands and dropped.

       Tatiana yelled at everyone to stop bouncing and rushed to Justin's side along with JT.

"Is it a cramp from jumping?"
       JT asked.

"No."
   
        Justin responded with pain filling his voice. He opened his eyes and there, standing in front of the bouncy house smiling at him was his parents. His heart dropped.

"May told us we were late to the party."
       Marge said.

       The pain in his stomach grew stronger and he passed out.