The Secrets We Carry

Chapter Nine | Chocolate Banana Milk Shake

James

I hear the front door slam shut and know the asshole is home.
Sighing I look back at my homework. I have my old laptop open and papers scattering around me on the floor. This assignment is due next week but I know better than to leave it to the last minute.

Not even ten minutes after his arrival I can hear him start to shout. My body cringes, reacting to his voice like nails on a chalk board.
That's when I hear a scream from the living room.
My instincts kick in and I jump up bolting out of my room.
I stop as I enter the living room. Taking in the scene before me. He has my mom by her hair and is yelling into her face, spit flying out of his mouth. He raises his hand and smacks her hard across the face. My feet get into gear and I rush forward.

"Hey asshole!" I yell as I shove him hard.

He let's go of my mom as he tries to keep his balance and she falls in a heap on the floor.
He stumbles as he tries to turn around.
Drunken idiot.
Catching his footing he charges forward and slams his body into mine throwing us both into the wall.
He pulls himself back off me and punches me in the gut. My breath wheezes as it rushes out of my lungs. He raises his fist again but I see it coming and quickly move out of the way. His fist slams into the wall.
I push him from the side and he falls to the floor.

"You little shit!" He spits as he stands up.

He's still not used to me fighting back. I didn't for almost 11 years. I'm as tall as him now. Maybe not as thick but I can still throw a punch.
I'm careful not to do it often, as I don't want him taking it out on her when I'm not around.
Tonight though; I'm pissed.

He springs forward, lunging at me again. In an attempt to get away I step back right onto a shoe and trip. I look in front of me and see his work boots on the floor. I have no time to process as he lands on top of me. His fist flying into me as I raise my arms protecting my face. He doesn't even bother stopping as he lays into me like a gym punching bag, my chest and stomach taking the brunt of the hits.

"Get off him." I hear my mom and open my eyes to see her pulling at his arm.
He's distracted trying to pull his arm out of her grasp and I take that moment to land a fist at his face. I hit him square in the jaw and my hand instantly throbs from the impact.
He falls off me but not before throwing my mom to the floor.

"Don't fucking touch her!" I yell running over to see if she's ok.

"You little fucking shit." He grabs me by the hair lifting me to my feet. "Get the fuck out of my house." He sends a punch to my kidney and throws me forward.
I hit the wall and turn around.

The sight in front of me has my heart in my throat.
He's holding his jaw as my mom walks over to him. She gently moves his hand examining his jaw before planting a kiss on it.

"I'll get you some ice, honey." She says before heading into the kitchen.

"Are you deaf or dumb?" He's panting. "I said get the fuck out!" He yells.

I don't move as he walks towards me and grabs me by the collar of my shirt. He starts dragging me towards the door but seems to think better of it as he flings me to the side and I land hard on the floor, my arm taking most of the impact.

My mom walks back out with an ice pack and places it on his cheek. She guides his hand up to hold it as she removes his hand.

"Just go, James." Her eyes are pleading with me.
I stand up and walk past him grabbing my jacket.
My stomach clenches as I put my hand on the door. Looking back over my shoulder. They've both sat on the couch and she nuzzling into him, like some sick puppy.