There are certain events during the course of one's childhood a person doesn't usually forget
For children of normal households that is..
The first time you learn how to ride a bicycle without anyone holding onto the back
Your first kiss
Braces
The day you're handed your driver's license
Prom
There are certain things during your childhood you just don't forget
Like watching your mommy being pinned to a ceiling by some horrific unforeseen force..her mouth gaping eerily wide..face frozen in an unnatural state of fear ..as if she was screaming but you couldn't hear anything other than the sound of flames
Being more frightened then you've ever been before as the smell of her burning flesh permeated your senses until you wanted to throw up
Running hard and fast yet as carefully as you could, your hands full of something beyond precious. So you run.. you run downstairs and out the door under your father's orders of 'protect your brother, get him out of the house..run'
You remember the almost death-like vice grip your father held your baby brother in while you leaned against his side, your little body trembling while you watched your home burn down
Recall hearing your dad's almost silent repeated sobs of 'oh god mary..no'..then utter silence. Nothing..not another word or muffled sob.
Looking up at him you remember the moment you noticed something in him change. You didn't realize at the time but you witnessed the beginning of your daddy's own self-destruction. The solemn, cold angry expression on John's face at that very moment became etched permanently in your memories
You were only four
There are certain things during your childhood you never forget
You were only four..