Chapter Eight
779 Words
Knowing Ben was going to be here made me feel safe. We were safe, I thought to myself. I stood at the window for awhile, I don’t even know how long, but I hid behind the curtain so Mum couldn’t see me. While I listening o them talk.
Cameron had smack mum in the face because he was convince her and Ben were flirting with each other. I hear them talking about it. Mum maxed her way back into the house, so I quickly jumped back in bad and pretended to be asleep. I knew she would open the door and check on us. Sure enough she did, she came in the bedroom and walked over to the window and slowly closed it. I heard Ben and Mum talking while I laid there.
I heard everyone leave and Mum closed her bedroom door. She was crying, I could hear her through my bedroom wall. I felt bad for her, she loved that piece of s**t. I heard her stop crying, so I knew she had gone to sleep. I decided to sneak out to the kitchen for a glass of water, before I went to sleep. I looked towards the lounge room and sure enough Ben was sitting on the lounge watching television. I pretended I didn’t notice him, but he seen me,
“Your Mum’s okay Pete. You don’t have to worry bud. Not while I’m here young fella.” He spoke softly “I seen you at the window- everything’s okay now, you should try and get some sleep. I’ll still be here when you wake up. ” His words were comforting to hear,
“Thanks Ben, for sticking up for Mum. I don’t like Cameron, he likes to hit me.” I said it softly. I don’t know why I told him that, I hadn’t told anyone before.
“Does he?” Ben asked shocked,
I nodded my head and turned around so my back was facing him. I gently pulled down on side of my pants and showed him the top part my bum cheek. I knew there was a bruised welt from the last flogging Cam had given me a couple days ago.
“He did that?” He asked,
I turned around with tears forming in my eyes
“Yeah” I whispered.
Ben got up off the couch and came over to me. He gently placed his hands on both of my shoulders,
“His never going to touch any of you ever again Peter. As long as I’m around, I will try my hardest to protect you all.” His voice was cracking, I looked up at him and he was crying too. He pulled me into his chest and gave me a big cuddle.
Ben and I sat on the lounge talking till the sun come out. His dad was really hard on him when he was young too. He used to get flogged too, over nothing. I really liked Ben, he was such a nice guy. I wished my Mum dated someone like him instead of Cameron.
Opening my eyes the next day I could smell food cooking, and my stomach was rumbling, I woke up starving. I stood up and stretched, then made my way out to the kitchen, and Ben was at the stove cooking bacon and eggs, while Mum was sitting at the table talking to him. They were laughing and joking around.
“Afternoon buddy” Ben smiled at me,
“Bit tired my boy?” Mum chuckled.
“Afternoon?” I said rubbing my eyes, as I poured myself a glass of orange juice,
“You had a good sleep in” She grinned “You must have been tired” She patted the chair next to her, “Come sit here, I just want to talk to you for a minute”
I put my drink on the table and sat down next to her, I was worried Ben had told her about the bruises Cam had given me. I was a little nervous, I didn’t want Mum blaming herself for what he had done to me.
“What wrong?” I said nervously, I ignored the fact she had a split on her lip and a bruise.
“I’m sorry I let Cameron back in our lives Pete, I honestly thought I was in love. I was wrong. Cameron’s not coming back Peter, I promise.” She sounded serious, I was hoping she was.
“Good. His an arsehole” I mumbled. Mum looked at me shocked but laughed, so did Ben, it was nice to hear Mum laughing after last night.
- Writer
