The Good in Sin

Only the Rich Prevail

"Listen, I want to keep helping you," Keith said when it was late and he was walking to the front door, Autumn in a robe and a blanket wrapped around her shoulders. She never met his eyes when he was finished. Something about taking a breath after what felt like being forced into a rollercoaster stilled her world, and Keith's eyes would only bring her back to the ride she dreaded constantly. "But you need to control your boy."

His final words caused her breath to hitch, and she looked at him fiercely, an unusual look for her, he thought. It took him a little by surprise, because it was the same look Phoenix gave him only hours before.

"He didn't do anything wrong." She defended, emotion constricting her voice to where she spoke with a strength that caught Keith off guard momentarily.

He only eyed her, the usual calm of his visit completely ruined by the only two that lived in the crappy house. "I do so much for you both, you know."

As if remembering her place, Autumn dropped her eyes. "Yeah," was all she said.

"You're wonderful to me, Autumn. But remind that kid to be grateful." Was all he said before shedding a few hundred dollar bills on the coffee table beside the door, and he left, slamming it shut before heading off.

A barrier broke in her mind, and she nearly fell against the door, burying her face in her hands and holding back her tears. She had never been so afraid of Keith before. The look he gave Phoenix. The same look he gave her years ago when she told him she didn't want him to use her anymore.

It terrified her to realize Keith could send so much aggression to her child, and it worried her further to realize Phoenix was beginning to act out at Keith's presence.

What was happening to her life? She wondered to herself when finally getting to her feet and heading to her shower where the water burned her skin. She stood there for a while, somehow still able to feel the powerful hold of Keith's hand on the back of her neck, pressing her down into the bed. Her waist ached at the tightness she felt from the marks that were surely to form from his nails digging into her skin.

He had punished her for Phoenix's disobedience, but said nothing of it until he was out the door.

Everything was changing around her. Now Keith was voicing his concerns, whereas before he'd just hurt her and she'd get the message.

This was bad. So bad.

And the only explanation was that Keith wanted complete control over her and Phoenix, at all times.

The only thing she could think to do was have a talk with Phoenix to make sure it never happened again, but now it seemed he was more stubborn than ever, and she worried he won't listen to her without an explanation. An explanation she would never be able to give to him.

The only thing that made sense to her was to go on as if everything was normal.

It was the only way to protect her son.

...

His gray eyes opened slowly that morning, the realization that it was Monday left the boy doleful. A feeling in his chest sat low and heavy throughout the day when he remembered his mother's words that morning.

"You have to be respectful, Phoenix."

The look in her eyes made him overflow with remorse, but his unwavering resentment for Keith reminded him he was only doing what felt right. It killed him not knowing what that horrible man could have said to her that night to make her look so desperate. Why was she at a loss when it came to Keith? Why should Phoenix respect him when he did nothing but ignore him?