Part 1

I heard his heavy footsteps before I saw him. I tried to sit quietly in my seat. It was hard. I wanted to reach for my mother but I remembered her warnings. He paused for a moment before sitting himself across my mother. He picked up his spoon and began to eat. My mother began to say something.

Without warning, he reached over the table and hit her. Something bright red and gloopy from her nose flew into my plate. I stared at it, mesmerized.

He never said a word and continued eating. I swallowed my meal along with my fear. I tried to avoid the bright red substance in my food. But I remembered his rules. I ate everything.

I was seven.