3 of 36

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

call for help. The last time I called for help, my dad took it out on Ellie for an entire week. I didn't want that to happen again.

"I'm scared, Emily," my sister said, her voice quivering. I squeezed her hand and nodded. I was too afraid to move, too afraid to speak.

Finally, we heard our mother crying out in choked sobs. Ellie let out her breath and her entire body went limp against me. I could feel the heat of her fear pouring out of her skin.

We both listened to Daddy cooing to our mother, "I'm so sorry, baby. It will never happen again! You scared me straight this time. You really did. I had too much to drink and I messed up. I really messed up. I promise you, I won't screw up like this again."

But his promises meant nothing. It would happen again and we all knew it. He made the same promises and the same apologies every time. It never mattered. Once he started drinking, he became our worst nightmare. I was always torn between loving him and hating him. It broke my heart a million times over.

I held my sister as she cried softly. We could hear the quiet tone of our parents' voices and I knew it meant my mother was accepting his apologies. I whispered soothing words into Ellie's ear and promised her that things were going to be different some day. I washed her face with cool water and dried her tears before I led her into my room. I tucked her into my bed and then slid under the covers beside her. We held onto each other as we tried to come to terms with the world around us. I stroked her hair and whispered more soothing words, even though neither of us really knew if things would ever be okay. I was only thirteen years-old, trying to mother my ten year-old sister. It made me angry that my sister and I were ignored and forgotten. My mother would never check on us. She was ever there to comfort us and reassure us when things got bad. Ellie and I had only each other to lean on. We shared a bond and a secret that had aged us both beyond our years.

After Ellie fell asleep, I could hear the tell-tale sounds of my parents in their bedroom, as if they were trying to erase all of the damage that had been done by making love. The thought of it drove me out of skin and at that moment I hated them both.

Learn more about this author, Jennifer Pemberton.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

Know something about Novel excerpts: Loss of innocence?
We want to hear your view. Write now!