Eight Years Old
Your bedroom is dark. Everyone thinks you are asleep, but then he hits her again. You can hear your mother's whimpers through the door and his muffled voice telling her to "shut up " You shake with fear, feeling helpless and alone, wondering whether to hide or try to protect her. Your silence reflects your internal conflict and fear. Who is this guy? He's not your father, just a guy she is hanging around with. He is in your life because she chooses him over you. Even after the beatings, she stays with him, defending neither herself nor you. You hate him. When he tries to beat you, you bolt out the front door to a neighbor's house. You call your father, telling him a crazy man is whipping you. You rush home and sit on the porch to wait. When he arrives, your father angrily confronts the man threatening to whip you, holding his huge hands close to the crazy man's face."If you ever hit my son again, I will kill you " he says, pointing toward the pistol in his holster.Gleefully satisfied by the fear you see in the man's eyes, you laugh at him, calling him a bitch to his face. Your father winks at you.(About the Author)Ron Alexander currently lives in Hampton, Virginia. "I am motivated and inspired by my lived experiences on the dangerous streets of Philadelphia and the political context of my life. I joined the Black Panther Party when I was 16, became a substance abuser when I was 35, and found redemption when I was 55."Available for Book SigningEmail: buyronsbook@gmail.comWebsite: ronalexanderbook.com Direct: 267 721 9551