Page 167 - The Houseguest

boxers were still pulled up high around his waist. The smell of stale alcohol and cigarettes was a stark contrast to the pink trinkets and toys scattered around her room, remnants of a loving mother’s touch, before her own addiction took control.
Brian knew things had to change. He knew his father was a pathetic drunken bastard, but he’d never placed a hand on Laura before. Maybe that’s because Brian endured the wrath of his anger in her stead most of the time.
He remembered he was working part-time for a local hardware store around this time. The next day he’d stolen two sets of door locks, and instructed his little sister to go straight to her room after school if their dad was home while he was still at work. He promised her that day he would protect her no matter what. He still remembers her little arms grasping his neck and holding on tight. He knew how important he was to her survival and that gave him purpose. He shrugged his shoulders thinking how they were actually beneficial to each other in that way. Providing her safety gave him the determination that would prevent his succumbing to their circumstances.
Another uninvited recollection crept into his consciousness...and another...and another. There was an evening where his father brought home some of his drinking buddies from the local dive bar. Brian quickly grabbed his sister and locked her in her room with her crayons and snacks. He knew it could be a long night. Since his room was on the other side of the house, he pretended to fall asleep on the couch so he could monitor what was happening. As he’d anticipated, the stumbling drunks began fighting as the evening progressed. He ignored
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The Houseguest by Linda Ellis www.LindaEllis.life