Will this nightmare ever end? my shaking hand scribbles into a journal.
In a swift movement, I hide it under the mattress and glance at the glaring red numbers on the digital clock.
0300…in two short hours it begins again…I wonder what fresh hell he has in store for me today?
Snuffing out the light, I drift into a dreamless sleep, tossing and turning throughout the early morning hours.
I wake with a start, as my heart jumps from my chest. The second pound nearly sends the door off its hinges.
“Get up! It’s 0500. Don’t keep me waiting.”
“Yes, Sir.”
I spring out of bed as if catapulted and race to the bathroom.
By 0523, I sit strait-backed at the kitchen table and stare into the chiseled features and dense, black eyes of my dad.
“I expect you back here at exactly 1515. Is that clear?”
I nod, but remain silent.
His right arm jets out and backhands me across the face. My lip splits and blood trickles down my chin.
“Answer me, you pussy.”
“Y-yes, Sir.”
He pulls out a handkerchief from his back pocket and throws it at me.
“Wipe you lip and pray that you’re not late.” He glares at me. “Get out of my sight.”
After picking up the dishes, I give them a quick wash, and head toward the front door…
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Another high school. Great. What number is this one? 3? 4? This is such bull.
As the day progresses, two unexpected things happen to me…
I meet a blind dude. But not just any blind dude. This one has a story, and the writer in me needs to find it out.
Plus,
I meet a hot, red-headed chick. This girl’s curves race in all the right directions.
After class, my curiosity gets the better of me, and I follow Danny home, putting Tanya on hold for the time being.
And now…
It’s 1525 as I pull into the drive and screech to a halt.
I jump out of my old pick-up and rocket up the stairs two at a time.
“Aidan!”
The keys slip from my hand and crash hard on the wooden planks of the porch.
Shit! I’m so screwed.
“You’re late! Get your sorry ass in here.”
I scoop up the keys and fumble for the right one.
The key barely skims the lock as the door bursts open and Dad drags me into the living room.
“I can explain—”
“Save it.”
He shoves me against the wall. His breath reeks of alcohol, causing my eyes to water.
“What did I tell you about coming home on time?”
His eyes bulge, expanding to twice their usual size.
I tense and wait for the blow…
Nine more months. Hang on Aidan, it’s just nine more months.
A fiery, hot burning sears my ribs, and I crash to the floor…
Portrait of a Teenage Military Brat
by
Michael Di Gesu’
Will Aidan live long enough to see his eighteenth birthday and escape his father’s abuse?
Time is not on his side.
Now you know…This is the intro for MY BOOK! Although not published yet, there is interest. You guys will be the first to know when I have a contract. In the meantime I wanted you all to see a glimpse into Aidan’s world.
It’s terrifying.
It’s intense.
It’s real.
So many teens are abused by alcoholic parents. We all need to be aware of this. The statistics are staggering.
But thankfully there is hope. With media attention and special programs there is help for these families.
I hope you “enjoyed”… (okay, maybe this isn’t the right word.) my intro… Several of you had queried me about what the intro for my book would be… well here it is. LOL
Tomorrow is the end of ANOTHER week of the A-Z! Congrats to ALL OF US! We all deserve a pat on the back!
See you tomorrow!
31 comments:
How awesome you highlighted your own story! And maybe a contract soon? Definitely let us know when that happens. That was tense and captivating in its horror. Yes, some kids do live like that. And it's so wrong.
This was an eye opener that such things happen in life.......but sadly they do.
Wonderful write and compelling reading .
Yvonne.
I totally agree with Alex. Your writing is amazing with such precision, clarity, and tension filled scenes that keep me wanting more. Good Luck and much success to you. And abuse of any kind is terrifying and horrific.
Love your intro...
A "real-life" snippet highlighting a widespread problem which is often so difficult to deal with...
Oh my God, that's wonderful Michael! Congrats. As a foster parent for four years, we saw the results of kids who grow up in that environment. It greatly influenced the main character in my third book.
Oh...I am worried about Aidan. Wishing you the best with your story.
Great to see your own book highlighted, intense indeed.
Wishing you all the best with it's future progress.
Hi Michael - you've had your fair share of living - and I congratulate you that you've decided to tell your story or part of it - the scenes you've given us sound just dreadful and confidence sapping to say the least ...
I guess Aidan does survive, but is so very scarred - life must be challenging for him to come to terms with a life we don't (or didn't) used to discuss or acknowledge ...
I so hope that contract comes together ... this will make a desperate read - but with hope at the end ... have a peaceful Easter - Hilary
Wow, how exciting, Michael! I did a little squee when I saw this was your own book. Congrats and best of luck with the contract!
Hi Michael, I was thrilled when I saw that it was my dear Michael's own book. Congrats. Hope you sign the contract soon.
Awesome intro and your book sounds exciting! It is a widespread problem. I hope your story can encourage people to address it or escape it somehow. Best of luck!
This is fantastic. It's so exciting that you are getting a contract soon for your writing. I will be among the first to snap up a copy. Keep writing, Michael. You are a true word smith.
Excellent Michael! Enough cannot be said and written about child abuse. Take it from one who worked with abused, neglected and emotionally disturbed kids for 23 years. I wish TONS of luck and hope the "interest" turns into the REAL DEAL!
This was incredible. I'm already invested and want to know how things turn out.
As soon as I started reading, I thought... This is Michael's book!!!!
BTW, I would love to read more chapters if they are ready:D
Yikes! That's pretty intense. I beta read a book a little while back that dealt with abuse, and the psychological scarring that goes with it is baffling. Can't wait for your news.
True Heroes from A to Z
Dude! That was your book? Whoever has interest in it needs to jump on that because I want to read it now. :)
Om my goodness! I was engrossed in that from the first sentence. I couldn't read fast enough to find out what would happen to him. I truly hope he does escape his father's abuse.
This story is really something, Michael! I know it'll be published and I bet you'll be hearing good news soon.
I want to read the book now! :D
You had me Michael! I would have kept reading. :-) You keep pushing this one.
Intense? yes, but then that fits the life. Always waiting for the shoe to drop and never knowing for sure what will cause it to fall--god knows the obvious triggers are strenuously removed from practice. Doesn't matter because there will always be another trigger.
I've worked with abused kids. You're right. Way too much of it out there and it needs to be stopped.
Sia McKye Over Coffee
Bad news parent, but great excerpt and intro!
Here's to the last lap on the A to Z!
Fantastic, Michael. Absolutely fantastic. :)
What a terrible life for Aidan and kids like him. Girls have an even worse time I think. Sounds like a good story and I do hope you get a contract.
Hi human, Michael,
For a human, your writing is captivating and high paws kudos to you. It's good you featured yourself on your own blog. I see big things for you, my human friend. Very nicely done.
In so far as the ridiculous A to Z, my fictional human and I, will be doing our regular A to Z detox feature sometime in May. Then again, you might be so obsessed that you will be one of those doing the reflection pawsts about the reflection pawsts about the amazing alphabet challenge.
Pawsitive wishes,
Penny, the friendly host of the Alphabark Challenge! :)
I love it already. I've known way too many kids who have grown up this way. Hope we can all buy it soon.
Bravo, to you! I know both of those worlds, but not in the same time frame. I am happy you surprised us~ I definitely want more- Congrats, Michael!
You already know how moved I was by Aidan and company, so I won't dwell. Beautifully done intro, Michael! Congratulations!
Wishing you endless success,
VR Barkowski
Wow- this had me on the edge of my seat and my heart goes out to Aidan. Very well done! Wishing you the best of luck and I can't wait to read more. I am rooting for Aidan!
~Jess
Oh, wow. Get that book published--and soon!
Oh my gosh… this is so powerful. Holy crap, I'm actually shaking. SHAKING. This was crazy intense, Michael. And it really struck me--quite the intro. I don't often like to read such emotional books, but with an intro like this, I HAVE to. Really amazing, Michael. And I DO LOVE the title. I do!!!!
Wow!!!
Michael, I'm so glad I saw this in situ so to speak. It comes across powerfully and you'd think getting an agent interested would be a cinch. I hope this is your time...D
Oooh! Thanks for giving us a glimpse of your book, Michael! I'm already on the main character's side and can't wait to see what happens next. You skipped over the blind man! Well, and the hot girl :-) I hope there's more of them in the novel too.
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