Dear Austin...
Painted Black and Blue
The thoughts that raced through my mind were violent and assaulting. The night had enclosed on me, so quickly and sudden. The early spring day had spread the colors of joy and happiness through my backyard, but I knew something was amiss.
It was all to...joyful. Nothing in life was so freely given, especially not happiness.
I was cradling a book to my chest as the hammock swung sullenly. The stars poked out, each little light shining down upon the world. I counted constellations as they appeared and watched for their forms to dance into the sky. Slowly each star shone brighter as the night moved on. A breeze caught the fragrance of the blooming trees.
A car's tires crunched fallen leaves as a familiar vehicle approached the house. My mother was sleeping. She had crashed hard in the back bedroom after a hard day of work on her feet.
I may have been ten, but I knew what the squealing tires at this time of night meant. Slipping out of the hammock carefully, I slunk through the back door. Maybe I could escape into my bedroom, all while avoiding the squeaking staircase.
My father didn't like me staying up late reading. I didn't expect him until later, so I was completely thrown off with his sudden appearance in the doorway. I could tell from ten feet away he was drunk. The way he stumbled around while attempting to put his coat away gave away his dizziness. I prayed that I could make it up without dad catching me and waking up mom.
As soon as his back was turned, I scurried up the first few stairs. My feet barely landed with a sound I couldn't even hear. I didn't think my drunk father could, but the yank on my shirt told me otherwise.
My book fell to the floor with a gentle thud. I cringed as a page bent when my precious treasure was bent out of perfection. My father yanked me back down the steps.
"Where were you?" He growled into my ear. I whimpered as his hand clenched the back of my neck.
"Reading outside!" I pleaded to him. I was simply enjoying the cool night air outside, admiring the stars. I'd give anything to be a thousand light years away like they were, even though they are secluded in the deep vastness of space.
"I told you not to be outside past night." he hissed to me. I knew he just didn't want me to see him drunk, that's all.
"Daddy, let go of me!" I pleaded to him. The stench of alcohol on his breath drenched me in nausea
"Don't disobey your father, you little screw-up!" He snarled. His clammy hand raised up and swung down. A red mark stung my face as he threw me against the wall. The clatter that we made didn't seem to wake anyone up. He continued to snarl incoherent words at me. All I could do was curl up into a little ball as his left foot struck my chest again and again.
Eventually he left me there after losing interest. He moved off, in search of a bed to pass out on. Maybe he would settle for the floor, but who knows.
Whimpering ever so slightly, I dragged myself up the steps and into my bed room. I managed to salvage my book and tuck it lovingly into my shelf between many other well taken care of novels. Before tucking myself into bed, I rolled up the corner of my shirt.
My belly was painted black and blue from the bruises that had already started to form. Breathing was hard, but not impossible. At least I don't think he broke anything. My face was red from the slap that my dad had landed.
That night, I let the tears fall slowly onto my pillow. They cradled my fragile mind to sleep
It was all to...joyful. Nothing in life was so freely given, especially not happiness.
I was cradling a book to my chest as the hammock swung sullenly. The stars poked out, each little light shining down upon the world. I counted constellations as they appeared and watched for their forms to dance into the sky. Slowly each star shone brighter as the night moved on. A breeze caught the fragrance of the blooming trees.
A car's tires crunched fallen leaves as a familiar vehicle approached the house. My mother was sleeping. She had crashed hard in the back bedroom after a hard day of work on her feet.
I may have been ten, but I knew what the squealing tires at this time of night meant. Slipping out of the hammock carefully, I slunk through the back door. Maybe I could escape into my bedroom, all while avoiding the squeaking staircase.
My father didn't like me staying up late reading. I didn't expect him until later, so I was completely thrown off with his sudden appearance in the doorway. I could tell from ten feet away he was drunk. The way he stumbled around while attempting to put his coat away gave away his dizziness. I prayed that I could make it up without dad catching me and waking up mom.
As soon as his back was turned, I scurried up the first few stairs. My feet barely landed with a sound I couldn't even hear. I didn't think my drunk father could, but the yank on my shirt told me otherwise.
My book fell to the floor with a gentle thud. I cringed as a page bent when my precious treasure was bent out of perfection. My father yanked me back down the steps.
"Where were you?" He growled into my ear. I whimpered as his hand clenched the back of my neck.
"Reading outside!" I pleaded to him. I was simply enjoying the cool night air outside, admiring the stars. I'd give anything to be a thousand light years away like they were, even though they are secluded in the deep vastness of space.
"I told you not to be outside past night." he hissed to me. I knew he just didn't want me to see him drunk, that's all.
"Daddy, let go of me!" I pleaded to him. The stench of alcohol on his breath drenched me in nausea
"Don't disobey your father, you little screw-up!" He snarled. His clammy hand raised up and swung down. A red mark stung my face as he threw me against the wall. The clatter that we made didn't seem to wake anyone up. He continued to snarl incoherent words at me. All I could do was curl up into a little ball as his left foot struck my chest again and again.
Eventually he left me there after losing interest. He moved off, in search of a bed to pass out on. Maybe he would settle for the floor, but who knows.
Whimpering ever so slightly, I dragged myself up the steps and into my bed room. I managed to salvage my book and tuck it lovingly into my shelf between many other well taken care of novels. Before tucking myself into bed, I rolled up the corner of my shirt.
My belly was painted black and blue from the bruises that had already started to form. Breathing was hard, but not impossible. At least I don't think he broke anything. My face was red from the slap that my dad had landed.
That night, I let the tears fall slowly onto my pillow. They cradled my fragile mind to sleep
This story has completely captured my full attention over the last few hours. I don't think I'll be able to sleep until I finish it. This is wonderful. I adore your writing and characters. Rae and Austin's relationship and the bond between Alan and lp are the most adorable freaking things ever. I've been laughing, wanting to cry, and majorly fangirling. This is beautiful and I love it so much. And the appearance of all of the various band members made me incredibly happy!
Okay back to reading.
10/2/15