The Hard Knock Life

Part 2

I got home last out of all my other siblings: Eli, August and Asia.

I'm the second oldest. First there's Eli who's 18, then me, 16 turning 17, and August and Asia are the same age, 14, but not exactly twins. They were born literally a day apart. They would've been twins if Asia didn't come so late the next day.

Eli and I are bastards. My parents didn't get married till my mom was pregnant with the others.

All of us are pretty close, if you ask me. But for the wrong reasons. We stay together to keep each other safe from the bad days. What are the bad days? The days my parents go at it. They fight all the time and they drink and they cheat and they take it out on us.

I'm grateful for Eli taking kick boxing, but at the same time, I'm mad about it because mom and dad don't go after him anymore - they know what he's capable of. I'm capable of some stuff too. Calling the police. But everyone knows that when that happens, we go to a foster home and I'm not ready to give up luxury. The nice, big house, the money, the clothes, my brothers and sister. Chances are, we'd probably get split up and then my life would be over.

So I put up with it. I take the beatings and I take the verbal abuse and I take the fights and I take the cheating and I take the nights that my mom lets uncle Dan stay the night and I take the blame when she yells at me for lying about the times that he touched me.

I take it all because I know if I pick up that phone and I dial 9-1-1, I'm never gonna see the beautiful parts of this life ever again.

"Abigail's home." Eli said, while sliding down the long stair case.

"Hey, Abby." August and Asia said from the living room.

"Is mom and dad home?" I asked with confusion.

"No, but dad is almost here. Mom won't get home 'til late."

I looked into the direction of the living room. "You guys might wanna turn off the TV before dad gets home! We can't use it until seven and it's three o'clock!"

"We will. He's not even home yet." Asia yelled back.

Just then, we heard the door unlock. Mine and Eli's head swung in the direction of the door with scared and cautious looks on our faces.

"Abigail, grab your school bag now and head to your room." Eli's voice was stern as he made haste to the living room to grab August and Asia.

My heart rate sped up as I grabbed my things and ran up the stairs. I heard the others make their way behind me but they were too late. Dad had already seen them coming and was getting upset. I shouldn't have turned around because I then witnessed his anger lash out on their bodies for being disobedient. He didn't touch Eli though because he didn't do anything, but when I saw August and Asia run up the stairs sucking up snot and tears, my heart dropped and I almost cried from the looks of pain stamped on their faces. They ran past me without acknowledgement and went straight into their rooms.

I could hear Asia's hiccuped crying as well as August's heavy breathing through their doors. I wanted to help them but I know I would end up in their position if my homework wasn't done by the time mom got home, so I went to my room.

•••

The minute I zipped closed my pencil case, I got a text from Aiden. I couldn't read it yet because it was seven and I really wanted to leave the house for a while.

I made my way downstairs and into the living room where I saw my dad watching TV.

"Dad...?" I called, hesitantly.

"Yes?" He kept his attention on the TV.

"...It's seven o'clock. I was wondering if I could go out."

"Where?

"I don't know yet."

He didn't answer.

"....Dad?"

"I'm watching TV, girl!"

"I just...I wanted to know if I can--"

He kissed his teeth. "Move from me, man!"

I ran upstairs to my room and grabbed my phone. As I placed my shoes on, I heard someone come through the door, but mom wasn't due back until later. I went downstairs slowly and as I reached the lobby, I saw the man who always reappears in my nightmares. Uncle Dan. His attention turned straight to me like a squirrel to a nut.

"Abigail." He whispered with a smile.

My heart rate sped up the closer I got to the door and I was no longer comfortable.

He reached out to me to brush my cheek. I tried to move away in time, but his arm was too long. He smirked at my movement.

"Did you miss me?"

"No." I said through clenched teeth.

He smiled. "I bet you did."

"Danny! That you?" Dad shouted from the living room.

"Yea, man!" He answered, still looking at me.

I would try to run around him and get out of the house, but he was blocking the door. I wanted to fight him, but I knew, from personal experiences, that he was stronger than me.

"Come here, man! What you doin' over there?"

"Just saying hello to your daughter here." He tipped up my chin with his finger and flicked my cheek before he went to look for the living room.

I instantly made my escape out of the house and ran until I got to the end of the street where I saw Aiden waiting for me. I was panting heavily when I had stopped.

"Why were you running?" He asked.

"No reason."

"Did you get my text?"

I was finally able to stand up straight. "No, what'd you say?"

"I told you to meet me here."

"Oh. Well, here I am. Are we going to the secret spot?"

"You bet, let's go," he said, putting his arm around my shoulders.