The AAA tow truck pulls into the drive
I'm in my room, my breath catches in my throat
I hold it, for fear that I will be heard
Which Daddy is it coming home, tonight? good daddy? mad daddy?
I already know which mommy is here, always mad step-mommy
Kitchen door slams rattling the panes. Oh.
His voice slams, too, a tidal wave of anger, solid red and hot
Cupboard doors slamming, one by one, down the row
Anger washes through the house, finds me
On my bed reading and rocks me hard
My soul sinks as I whisper, ‘let me disappear'
Her voice coming in soothing, an attempt
That works. He stays in the kitchen
Having iced tea, cubes tinkling in the glass
His hearty laugh amid the sounds of clattering dishes
Now he is in the living room, calling my name
I come out, smile pasted on my face
He is smiling, jovial, more like my daddy
Tonight, I am safe, at least until dinner
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Comments: 50
Please look at that poem as well. It brought some feelings to the surface for me. Thank you Terry.
Nice writing, though.
Wanda, pause for thought is right.
10 4 u
(catharsis, anyone?)
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Claudia, this wasn't fiction for me, this was my life.
I made very sure that my children didn't live this way. No man ever hurt them, but abuse and anger carries through to generations. My temper was terrible. I managed to keep it in check until I got the help my father would never have sought, whether it had been available or not.
And I am proud to say, my sons both are terrific dads. Neither one uses corporal punishment. It makes me so happy to be in their homes, we broke this cycle in our family. It broke with me.
my eldest son's mother made me spank him once. he'd gotten into a fight at school. she called me and said, "You need to come see about your son." (When they Disavow All Ownership, you know trouble's cooking...)
i went; i listened to her tale (and then his: there was little difference); i fulfilled her oath--for she'd TOLD him i was going to spank him, long before i arrived.
promised him.
aftermath: he went to bed, and i wept in her arms for several hours.
she never made that error again.
I feel as if I have shared an experience with the narrator, something very far removed from my own experience.
I'm reading through the comments noticing how many of us can relate to this piece. Good for you (and others like Thomas) for breaking the chain. I decided the best revenge was to forgive and give my children the mother I never had.
Giving your children the mother you didn't have, (as I did,too) nurtured you as well.
Paying it forward with a 10 for you!