(A/N racism involved! Don't get butthurt. You were warned!)
October 17th, 1978
Marshall Mathers' birthday was alright. It wasn't the best, but it was still fun though. His mother took him out to a burger restaurant and she got him a couple of Hot wheel cars and a bag of mini plastic toy soldiers.
But Marshall still seemed unhappy. Debbie knew that she really couldn't afford to buy him the best, but he should be happy right? Its not every day you turn six.
Debbie reached across the table and stroke his cheek.
'Baby, what's wrong?'
Marshall looked up at her from his mess of ketchup and bread.
'Where's my daddy? Everyone at school has one except me'
Debbie felt her heart break. His innocent look and the way his eyes met hers'. It was too much for her. She knew that eventually he was gonna asked her that, but she didn't expect this soon.
'I don't know sweetie. Somewhere out there I guess'
She thought he was done but no.
'Why'd he leave?'
Again, she had no answer to that.
'Let's go home. I got something for you'
'No momma. Tell me'
Marshall was now demanding an answer. She didn't know what to tell him.
'Marshall, we're leaving. That's it. Get your things'
Poor little Marshall sighed and followed him mother home. They went walking: their car had broken down.
While walking down the street home, Marshall and Debbie witnessed a robbery. Some black guys were down in a alley pointing a gun at an Asian man. The robbers were wearing deep blue hoods and black ripped jeans.
Marshall, held on tight to him mom as they walked by. Debbie silently prayed for them not to be noticed. She picked her son up and silently ran off.
But it was too late. One of the guys saw them and ran after them. Debbie immediately started running faster and faster. Unfortunately, he caught up with them.
The guy grabbed her by the arm, took out his gun and pointed it in her bare neck.
'Listen here you motherfuckin' white whore, I ain't gonna shoot you yet, you got a kid with you. Would be a shame to kill you in front of him, but I swear, if you tell on us, we'll find you and kill you and your kid. Go it?'
Debbie nodded madly. Marshall whimpered in her chest. He was shaking like crazy. He knew what most of those words ment and 'kill you' were some of them.
Debbie didn't dare stop. She ran all the way home and didn't look back. Once she got inside of their tiny house, she set Marshall down on his bed.
He was silently crying and shaking like crazy.
'Hush baby. Don't worry, we'll never see them again'
Marshall covered himself with his blankets. Debbie also started crying. She felt like the most terrible mom in the world. She couldn't afford to give her son a proper education, good clothing, not even a safe place to grow up in.
'Momma what's a whore?'
She looked down at him and shook her head. 'Its nothing baby'
'Oh. Momma, I never want you to die. 'Cause if you do, I'll be all alone with no one to love me'
Poor Debbie. It killed her completely to hear those words come from his mouth.
She picked him up in a big hug.
'Oh baby, I'm never going anywhere. I'm staying here with you forever. Like it or not Marshall Mathers. You're stuck with me for life'
He smiled. His two front teeth were missing.
'Go brush your teeth and I'll give you your other surprise'
'Okay!'
He ran out of bed and went to brush his teeth. Debbie sighed. Her baby boy was growing up in a flash. Soon he'd be on his own.
He came back with toothpaste smeared all over mouth. She smiled and gently wiped it off.
'Come with me'
Marshall followed her outside in their tiny, tiny backyard. Outside, sitting on the broke porch was a dog. Like the one he draws everywhere.
He threw his arms around the dog. Debbie had never seen him be more happy in his life. She wished she had a camera, but she couldn't afford it either.
But she didn't need a camera for this. This was going to be in her mind for ever.
'Thanks momma. Momma I love you and doggy and me will always protect you'
She smiled. It brought tears to her eyes.
