I love her and only her

Another day at Hell

                                                               (Laura Caldwell, the picture above)

"Laura! It's dinner time!" said dad (Earl). "I'm coming!" I said. I started to walk out of my room and as soon I was in the hallway I smelled the great smell of homemade lasagna. Before I sat at the table, I quickly fixed me something to drink. When I finally sat down at the table, dad said "here you go" in the most irritating tone. I said thank you and then we started to say the blessing. After that, I started to eat the lasagna. It felt like I haven't ate in years when I first took a bite out of it. 

"So, you ready for your first day of early college?" my mom (Jessica) asked. "Yeah, I'm very anxious. How was work?". "It was good". While eating I started to think about everything that happened. Dad got mad for NO reason. He claimed he was in pain, but he always is. Then, dad argued with mom, something about money and my brother and I. Dad started to yell and I knew that's when he was going to get physical. I said "dad... please stop" in a shaky voice. He yelled at me saying "YOU DON"T TELL ME WHAT THE FUCK TO DO! I'M FUCKING GROWN! YOU'RE NOT!" I jumped and then I looked down, started to cry. 

"I DON'T GIVE A FUCK IF YOU CRY!" he yelled at me. My brother said "leave her alone!" and that's when dad blew off. He then grabbed Junior and slammed him against the wall, choking him. Mom and I both screamed "EARL STOP!!", after we said that he dropped my brother. I stood there in fear and I was very furious. I wanted to do something, but I couldn't move. I froze and then dad threw something at my mom and me. We both dodged it and it was a cup I think. It was hard to tell because this whole time my vision was blurry. Dad pushed me down and he went up to my mom.    

"DON'T YOU TOUCH HER!" I managed to get out of my mouth. He turned around quickly and punched me in the face repeatedly, then he kicked my ribs 3 times. Mom tried getting him off of me but she couldn't. During that process, she got hit too. Dad took the keys and left. Mom had to call the ambulance because I couldn't move because of all this pain. 

Turns out I had a fractured rib and nose. 

Mom didn't press charges on him and I was so disappointed and sad. One, because I have to live with that. Two, people can tell I got hit in the face because of the scars it left and I can't bend over much because of my rib.   

"Hey, You ok?" mom asked. I looked up and smiled saying "yes ma'am, why?". "Because you zoned out," she said. 

Oh shit! I have, haven't I? "Just worried about school" I lied. "it'll be ok. I'm proud of you!" mom said. I smiled and finished the rest of my lasagna. I put the dishes in the sink and my brother said "I got the dishes tonight. You need to go to bed early tonight". I looked at the clocked and it said 8:30 pm. "Dang! I didn't know it was this late! But thanks Junior for doing it tonight". I told him goodnight and then I went to my room to get my medicine. After I got my medicine I went to my parent's room and show the pills to my dad. He said "ok" and then I took them. "Goodnight, love y'all!". "Love you too!" mom said. I walked out and I was kind of sad that dad didn't say it back.   

"Maybe he didn't hear me?" I told myself. 

I turned off the light and put my glasses on my nightstand. 

I sighed. How come home is hell for me and not school like most people? Why does dad hate me? Why am I even living? 

I started to cry. At least tomorrow I go to school and forget reality for a bit. This summer was the worst. 

I closed my eyes and I fell asleep.