Her

Laying on the floor,

My ear pressed to the carpet.

Down below me I could hear their voices,

Their laughter,

Their joy,

Their love.

Up here, it was quiet,

Up here, I was alone.

But listening in,

I could pretend,

Pretend that I was a part of the family,

That I could share in

Their laughter,

Their joy,

Their love.

Suddenly, I could hear footsteps up the stairs,

Heavy footsteps,

Footsteps at a slow pace,

Not a child's.

I ran to my bed,

Hid under my covers;

I knew it was Her.

A shiver raged through my body as I heard the unlocking of the deadbolt.

The door creaked open.

Maybe,

I thought,

Maybe tonight won't be as bad.

The air got heavy as she entered.

Her voice roared,

The stench of vodka heavy on her tongue.

"Disgrace,"

She hissed,

"You spawn on Satan, you black curse. You have ruined this family!"

I shuddered as she pulled back the covers,

My only source of protection.

I could see the anger in her eyes.

I felt it before I could process what was going on,

A stinging slap across my face.

"You deserved that," she croaked, leaving the room.

I could feel a single tear escape.

A part of me believed her.