Let Me Just Say This Read Free

again, do you hear me!” The physical pain had long stopped but as he finished, she knew the hurt would be there for a while. He shoved her down as if he was disgusted by the sight of her. She pulled herself up and dragged her sore body to the bathroom. She turned on the shower, stepped in and let the water soothe her. She let the water fall down her body and as it did, her tears did too. She climbed out and fell to the floor as the room began to spin. He slammed open the bathroom door, looked down at her on the floor and rolled his eyes.
    â€œI’m sorry.” she whispered. “It won’t happen again.”
    â€œIt better not,” he said and continued past her into the shower.

Chapter 5
    Cheryl woke up and felt much better. Her headache was gone, and so was Kevin. Kevin had left her a note saying he was having his car detailed and to give the kids some money for dinner because when he got back he was going to take her out to dinner. Yeah, that cycle was starting again. Which part of this was it again? Oh yeah, it was the “I’m sorry and it won’t happen again” part. She walked into the living room and saw Donnell sitting there watching television. She touched his shoulder and when he turned around, she pushed the money into his hand.
    â€œOh, taking you to dinner?” Donnell said.
    â€œWatch your mouth,”
    â€œWhatever,”
    â€œLook, no matter what he does or does not do, he is your father and you have to respect him.”
    â€œWrong. He doesn’t want to act like a father to me. He only has one child and that would be his precious Kayla. I’m sure he can’t wait until I leave this dump.”
    â€œDonnell, why would you say something like that? You know he loves you too.”
    â€œDoes he? Because I can’t tell.” Mom, why do you always do that?”
    â€œDo what?” she asked as she stopped and turned back towards him.
    â€œTake up for him. I mean, he beats you down and then he throws you a bone, and then you act like nothing hashappened.” It’s embarrassing!” he brushed by her and started for the stairs
    â€œDonnell,” she called after him but he kept walking. She walked up behind him as he reached his room and he slammed the door in her face. She placed her hand on the door and spoke in a faint voice. “I’m sorry if you are upset with me and your dad, but I am trying to make things better. I know you will be out of here as soon as you graduate and I can’t blame you. I just hope you understand that things are not as easy as just walking out. I have you and Kayla to think about. That’s all I worry about. I would never let him hurt you.”
    Donnell swept his door open and walked back towards his window. “But you do. Every time he puts his hands on you, it hurts us. Kayla doesn’t even hear it anymore. She learned to tune you out. Mom, my room is closer, I can hear you. All the time I hear you. I hear you crying when he is calling you names and I hear you when he is doing worse to you.”
    Silent tears fell from her eyes, “I’m sorry sweetie.” she went over to him and gathered him in her arms and they swayed back and forth.
    Donnell spoke in a soft tone, “You know I know he calls me gay all the time,”
    â€œBut…” she started to say
    â€œDon’t worry about it mom. I don’t care.”
    â€œMaybe if you bring some…”
    â€œSeriously mom, do you honestly believe I would bring anyone over here? Hell I don’t know what I’m going to walk in on half the time. I’ll continue to do what I have always done, hang out with my friends at their house.”
    She kissed him on the cheek and walked off. She knew her baby wasn’t gay, and even if he were; he was still her baby. His father never took the time to even sit down and talk to Donnell because, in his words, “He’s just a little too meticulous about his