Big Boys Don't Cry

by cagd

11 year old Tate gets involved when Addie's clumsy attempts at seducing her mother's current boyfriend backfire horribly, resulting in domestic violence and taking refuge with Beauregard.

Terrified,
The three
Of you
Hide
In the attic.
Down
Below,
Mom and
The boyfriend,
Rage at
Each other
Over Addie,
Who sobs,
Hiccoughing
Against you
Wearing
One of
Mom's
Nighties,
Mouth one
Big lipstick
Smear
Stinking of
Pee and
Perfume.

Mom
Screams
"How could
You?"
The boyfriend
Yells back
"She's
An ugly
Freak,
But younger
Than you!"
And,
"Goddamit,
The little
Bastard
Attacked me
First!"

Sweating,
The three
Of you
Cling
Together
In the
Stifling heat,
Beau's
Chain
Rattling,
Addie
Sobbing,
While you,
Nose bleeding,
Eyes
Blackened,
Gasp,
Struggling
Not to cry…

The front
Door
Bangs shut,
Snarling,
Mom paces
Below
With
Bottle
And Glass
While
You bite
Down
On your
Knuckles,
Rocking:
"Big boys
Don't cry…"

"Big boys
Don't cry…"

"Big boys
Don't cr… "

(…even when
They can't
Defend
The ones
They love.)