My father opened the door. "Act sick. Melissa's here."

"Yes, sir." I wiped a little of the sweat from my forehead, leaving some so I'd look ill. I lay down on the mattress. Despite the heat from what I'd just done, I was shivering.

After a moment, Melissa stepped inside. "Hey, Jackson."

I spoke quietly. "Hey, Mel."

"I just came by to see how you were doing. I haven't seen you around school in two weeks."

"I'm not feeling so great."

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Mel." I didn't like lying to her.

"I hope you feel better."

"Thanks, Mel. Me, too."

All of a sudden, I started coughing.

I wasn't doing this on purpose. It just happened.

I saw blood dripping from my mouth.

"Jackson! Jackson, are you okay?!"

I couldn't answer because I was coughing so much.

"I'll go get your father."

I tried to stop her, but it was too late.

She was already out the door.

I lay my head onto the mattress, unable to hold it up.

I blacked out.


I woke up so see my father sitting next to me. "Sir? What happened?"

"You got sick because of your sudden change in diet."

"Where's Mel, sir?"

"She left a while ago."

I was quiet.

"We could've gotten caught, Cody!"

"I'm sorry, sir. I didn't mean to. It just happened."

"Whatever," he said angrily.

We were quiet for a while.

"Sir?"

"What, Cody?"

"Could I please have some water, sir?"

"Sure. It's in the kitchen."

I wasn't feeling so great. I tried to swallow, but my throat was burning too much. "Could you please get me some, sir?"

"I'm not your maid, Cody! You know that! Go get your own water!"

"Yes, sir. Sorry, sir." I tried pushing myself off the bed, but was too weak. I just rested my head on the mattress, giving up.

My father picked up his beer from the floor next to him, pouring it into his mouth, taunting me.

I couldn't take my eyes away from his neck, imagining the cold liquid running down my throat. I tried to swallow again, but couldn't.

It gave me motivation. I tried to push myself up again, but erupted into a coughing fit, clutching my stomach.

My father looked at me, rolling his eyes. "Here." He held out the can in his hand. "Drink this."

"I don't drink beer, sir."

"I thought you were thirsty."

"I am, sir. But-"

"Then drink this. You're not gonna get any water for a while."

"But I-"

"Drink it!"

"Yes, sir." I gripped the can, staring at it.

"Go on."

I looked at my father, then poured the liquid into my mouth.

Even though I'd tried my hardest not to, I spit the beer out, some of it landing on my father.

"D***it, Cody!"

"Sir, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to."

He grabbed my shirt, wiping his face on it.

"I'm so sorry, sir. I really didn't mean to. It won't happen again. I promise. I....I'm so sorry."

"You just wasted my beer!"

"I know, sir. I'm sorry."

He removed his belt. "Take off your shirt, Cody."

"Yes, sir." I did as I was told.

"Turn over."

"Yes, sir." I use all my strength to flip over onto my stomach.

All of a sudden, I felt my father's belt slash against my back. I squeezed my eyes shut tight.

The belt made contact with my skin some more.

I fought the tears.

I couldn't cry. I'd get punished ever more.

I lay there, my father standing over me, slinging the belt.


I slowly moved my arm, careful not to hurt my back. I grabbed the beer sitting on the floor next to the mattress. I poured it into my mouth, swallowing.

I burped, then threw the empty can into the corner, next to the large pile of other empty cans.

I rested my hand onto my stomach. "Sir?" I called loudly.

He came in. "What? I'm watching football."

"Could I please have another beer, sir?"

He smirked. "You drink more than I do." He shut the door, coming toward the mattress, and took off his shirt. He settled onto the mattress, wrapping his arm around me.


"Try this."

I knew he'd yell at me, and I'd eventually give in, so I took the cigarette from him and put it into my mouth. I breathed in, then started coughing.

I quickly stopped myself when my father began laughing. Then I put the cigarette back into my mouth.

I didn't want to disappoint him. I didn't want to be punished.


I held out my arm, watching as my father stuck the needle into a vain.

"Now, Cody, cocaine is very dangerous. You have to be careful." He looked at me. "Not that I'd really care if something bad happened to you."

"Yes, sir. I know, sir."