Country Born, City Raised

The Bounce Back

Every day seemed worse than the day before. I would beg Mama to drive us to school, but she would just turn over and make Jerold take us. I would try to sit in the backseat, but he would make me sit in the front seat. Sometimes, he would try to rub my leg while he drove. Tip was in the backseat, listening to the radio not paying any attention. I would push his hand away, but he would just strong arm my hand and try to rub between my legs. As soon as we pulled up to the school, I would make sure I had everything I needed in hand and dash quickly out of the car. Sometimes, the car hadn't even stopped. I rolled out the car and ran fast as hell to the front door. Whenever we were at the apartment, i made sure i stayed around Tip. I was never by myself. Crazy as it sounds, i sometimes would bring Deon in the bathroom with me. It had been weeks since the whole ordeal began, but i still hadn't found a way to grab Mamas attention. I never felt so frustrated and alone in my life. I felt like if i told her, she wouldn't believe me because anything else that had gone wrong was generally our fault. I didn't wanna make the situation worse.

On Sunday nights, we only got to watch a little bit of TV. Mama and Jerold were in the bedroom while Tip, Deon, and I were in the living room laying on the floor. We made a pallet with sheets, and that was our bed. I tried to sleep in the middle between Tip and Deon because i was petrified. I felt like if i slept in between them, it would be harder for Jerold to touch me. I always slept in clothes; usually some shorts and a tee shirt, but i had been sleeping in my pants lately because it made me feel more comfortable. This particular Sunday, Deon decided he wanted to sleep by himself. So he got up in the middle of the night and took his cover to lay down on a different area of the floor, which left my side exposed. After all the lights were out, Jerold decided that he was going to reach for me under the cover. He grabbed my leg at first, but he wasn't sure if that was me, so when he reached under the cover again, he reached a little further up and grabbed Tips' leg instead. She instantly jumped up and began kicking and screaming. When i woke up and saw Jerold and at my feet, I already knew what he was up to and began to scream. We both started kicking him and screaming for Mama. When Mama finally came out of the bedroom, she was devastated. Jerold was lying on the floor in his boxers. Tip was kicking and punching Jerold while i was hugging Deon and crying like hell. I finally blurted out that he was trying to get to me. Tip turned and looked at me in disbelief. I yelled that he had been touching me and hed threatened to kill them if i told anyone. Mama was furious. She drug him into the bathroom and punched him in the face as hard as she could. I followed them into the bathroom where Mama held him, and Tip were beating to crap put of him. Mama held him with both of his arms, and i swung with everything in me. I landed right in his jaw. Tip came right behind me, and when she hit him, i heard his jaw crack...the sound of pure relief. I finally stopped crying, and Tip and I hugged and held one another so tight. We got dressed for school while Mama cleaned up the mess in the bathroom. We took the bus that morning. I needed that long ride to clear my head or at least try to let the events of the morning sink in. As i entered school, everything seemed so blurry. I felt like a walking zombie. Normally, i was very attentive in class. Even though i had a lot going outside of school, i always maintained my GPA, but today, my mind was everywhere, but school. I barely finished any of my work that day, and i skipped track practice. I knew Coach was gonna say something. He was also one of my teachers, and i was in his class that morning. As i rode the bus home, all i could think about was that i could sleep comfortably. I didn't have to worry about being scared anymore. As i got off the bus, i rushed down the block. I ran to the elevator and anxiously hurried my ride up. As i opened the door to the apartment, my happiness quickly turned to sudden anger. As the door opened wider, Jerold was still here! Mama had him hog tied on the bed. She was sitting in the kitchen on the phone. I was devastated. I just knew Mama was going to at least call the police and have him arrested for what he did, but she didn't. His face was swollen, and he couldn't really talk. His hand and feet were tied together with telephone wire, and he was lying on the mattresses Mama had brought out the bedroom. I couldn't believe she let him stay. My fear quickly came back, so i decided to do the only thing i thought would save us, i decided to write a letter to my daddy. I didn't have his phone number, but i did have his address. I wrote him a letter telling him what happened and what was going on. The only person who knew about the letter was Tip. Even though he wasn't her Dad, i know she was hoping he would help us, too. The weekend went by so slow. Jerold was still tied up on the mattress, giving us dirty looks and practically begging for one of us kids to untie him. We just ignored him and continued watching tv. I slept very lightly. I didn't trust even being in the same room with him, but Mama slept in the room, and Deon slept with her. Monday morning came, and i got up bright and early. Tip made sure to remind me to mail the letter. I made sure i tucked the letter deep in my inside pocket of my coat so i wouldn't lose it. I put the letter in the mailbox right near the bus stop. Inside the letter, i left the phone number in hopes the daddy would call. The address was on the envelope to let him know where i was.