The putrid smell of alcohol hit my nostrils, my tummy twirled in disgust. I knew my father was back. I stole a glance at my sister’s side of the room, she was still fast asleep.
Good. It was always better when she was asleep.
I heard my mother’s voice downstairs, she was talking to him, trying to reason with him. This was going to be another long night.
I moved the blanket around my leg and climbed out of bed, positioning myself at the door so I could hear clearly. That’s all I ever did, sit and listen.
It didn’t take long for it to begin. I heard my mother scream from below, the sound almost getting me to my feet, but then I remembered her words. She said never to leave my room whenever my dad got like this, my job was to stay and protect my sister. Always.
I crawled a little to che
