Letters to my Father

He never forgot that night. That night his father was arrested. Arrested for domestic abuse. After a drink or two John went crazy and a little thing could set him off and he would be fuming. And poor Joan would be the target every time. After Jerome was born, John didn't drink as much. But soon after Joan became pregnant with Poppy, John turned to the drink and went back to his old ways. But Joan was no longer the target. But his poor, innocent 5 year old son Jerome. Jerome was left with black and blue bruises all over his body with marks all over his back from the broken beer bottles John used to hit him with. Jerome never said anything to anyone. Joan knew it was happening but never intervened for fear John would come at her or the baby.

Laughter and smiles soon turned to shouts and screams after 1 too many drinks. This is what happened every Saturday night. Jerome had learned the hard way that it was safer to stay in his bedroom. But tonight it was the worst he had ever heard. John was hurling every insult at Joan that he could think of. Jerome couldn't bear it. Tears streamed down his face before he quickly wiped them away. Insults soon turned to screaming and cries of pain. Jerome began to cry. But it was no use. Nobody could hear him. After several straight minutes of crying, Jerome heard sirens. He ran to his bedroom window and looked out. Two police cars were outside his house. He was confused. Why were they here? He ran outside to the kitchen to look for his mother. Joan was at the kitchen table being comforted by a female police officer. He didn't understand anything. He just knew his mother was upset and his father was in trouble. He thought nothing of it. Not once in all the 10 years he was missing did Jerome think about him or why he wasn't around.

"John Clarke I am arresting you on suspicion of domestic abuse. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you do say can and will be used as evidence in a court of law"

That's the last of what he remembers. His last memory of his father. It was during the summer holidays when he first thought back on those years. He was at his mother's house and looking around his room trying to find his phone when he came across those letters. It all came back him. The night he last saw his father. He looked at the letters and found the first one he wrote. He was unsure why they were in his room. His mom promised to post them. But why are they here? He decided to ask her later.

10 July 2003

Dear Dad,

Hi Daddy! How are you? I miss you lots. When are you coming home? I am a big brother now! I am really happy. I have a little sister. Her name is Poppy. Mom has been very busy with her. I love giving her cuddles! I can't wait to be able to play cars with her. Mom says she's too small yet. Maybe when she is older. I can't wait for that! Please come home Dad. I miss you. Love you lots.

Jerome xoxox

Jerome spent another hour traipsing through the letters. They were all very much the same. Telling John how his was doing at school, how Poppy was getting on, how his mom was and how much his missed him. Jerome found a letter which was dated 5 years ago. Before he started at Anubis House. Before all the mysteries, lies, trouble and pranks.

21 August 2007

Dear Dad,

Why? Why haven't you been replying to my letters? You haven't said a word to me since that night 4 years ago. Do you actually care about me? If you did you would reply. You would actually care about. You would care about Mom and Poppy. How could you? And Mom? Why would you hurt her? You were supposed to love her and take care of her. Not beat her to a pulp. You know what I can't believe you. I hate that your my father. I never want to hear from you again. I hope I never turn out like you. Ruining your kids life. For crying out loud you haven't even seen your own daughter, your flesh and blood! I'll never have kids. I don't want to ruin their life.

Jerome.

Jerome threw the piece of paper to the floor and slammed his fist on the door. He fell to the floor and puts his head in his hands. Suddenly he heard a knock at the door. "Jerome? Are you okay I heard a lot of noise," said his mother in a hushed voice. Jerome was silent. He heard the creek of the door as it opened. Jerome looked up at his mother.

"Jerome honey? Oh come here," she whispered as she pulled her son into a hug. "Its okay" She saw the pieces of paper scattered around the room.

He found the letters, she thought to herself.

He pushed himself away from his mothers embrace, and stood up.

"You kept those letters," Jerome whispered. His mother, silent.

"Why did you keep those letters? Why didn't you send the to Dad? You had me thinking he hated me!" yelled Jerome.

"Because I didn't want him to hurt you again" Joan whispered.

"You never stopped him" Joan was silent. For the first time in her life Joan couldn't tell the truth.

"Well!" Jerome yelled impatiently.

"Go visit him. Go visit your Dad. He has the answers you want.

Thanks for reading! Got the idea for this in my Home Economics exam last Tuesday... I couldn't think of something so I thought of trying to write a new story. That's what I do in exams if I can't remember something!(This is a twist on a story I was writing) I am now finished school until September! Yay! So I should have more updates more often! Hope you enjoyed this! Should have the next chapter up soon.

SullyClarke