Chapter 4: Little boy

Drake never forgot that red spot on his mom's arm. Even now, Drake could tell exactly how big and round the bruise was. And it made him angry. Drake felt that angry surge into his soul. Drake found a rock on the beach and threw it hard into the water. The rock hit the water hard and it made the water ripple nicely. Drake still felt angry so he picked up another rock and threw it…then, another, then another, then another. After ten minutes of throwing rocks, Drake still didn't feel better. He felt angry and that anger filled his eyes and they formed into tears, tears that Drake was refusing to hold back. Drake wasn't a crier at all. But this was different. He was thinking about the morning he first saw his mom's bruises and the first day, Drake started getting abused. Drake wasn't sure he could face this. He wasn't sure he could allow his mind to bring back the days of his dad hitting him or his mom. He couldn't bring himself back to those painful memories. Then, Drake felt a drop of water in his hand. He looked up and saw gray clouds cover the beautiful sun. Suddenly, Drake heard thunder roar and he knew it was his cue to get out of there! Drake took his sneakers and ran for his car just as a downpour was coming. Drake sat in his car and watched the raining coming down hard. Drake sat back in his car. Suddenly, he didn't want to be alone. He wanted to be with someone. He couldn't bring back the pain of his past alone. As much as he hated to admit it, but he wanted someone to be there to listen to him, to comfort him. He just didn't know whom.

Drake took a deep breath and braved the rain to drive home.

An hour later, Drake arrived home to an anxious family. Drake came in, a bit wet from the rain.

Audrey, who was sitting on the couch, holding Megan, practically jumped up and wrapped her arms around her damp son. "Ahh, my angel," she breathed, hugging him tightly.

For the first time ever, Drake took in the feeling of his mom's embrace, her arms around him, relieved that he was home and safe. Drake took solace in her hug and felt compelled to her hug back which he did, he wrapped his arms tightly around her, and grateful for her hug and the reassurance it gave him.

When they pulled away, Drake looked at her, a bit misty-eyed. "I'm so sorry, Mom," he whispered.

Audrey, who had tears coming down her face, smiled and caressed his face. "It's ok, sweetie," she breathed. "It's okay. You're here now."

Audrey kissed him and Drake turned to his little sister. "Hey, Megs," he said, preparing to have her insult him like she usually did. But she didn't. Tears in her eyes, she ran to Drake and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I'm glad you're home, Drake," she said. "I was worried."

Drake felt his heart melt. Megan never voiced her concerns towards Drake. In fact, she spent more time torturing him than anything. But this time was different. Here was Megan, crying as she held onto her brother. Drake feeling more tears enter his eyes, which he held back. Drake hugged her back. "Thanks, Megs," he breathed. Megan sat down and Drake looked at Josh and Walter. "You all right, son?" Walter asked.

Drake nodded. "Yeah, I'm all right."

"Are you hungry?" Audrey asked.

Drake shook his head and said, "No, I just want to take a shower and lie down, ok?"

Audrey nodded in agreement. Walter and Audrey watched Drake walk away. Audrey sat down and began to cry again. Walter sat beside her and wrapped her arms around her. "It's going to be okay, honey," he said. "Drake's going to be okay."

Audrey looked at him throw her tears and said, "I hope so." The two held each other and Audrey cried.

Drake stepped into the shower and turned on the water. Suddenly, hot water comes on his skin. "Ow! Gees!" he screamed, wincing in pain. Drake shook off the hot water and made it warmer. As Drake wet his hair, another thought was triggered by the hot water. It was the first time Drake's biological dad hit him. Drake leaned back against the shower wall to think about the memory, which he was too scared to think.

It was the morning after Audrey got her arm squeezed from Michael. Audrey had gotten up early and prepared breakfast and lunch for Drake and Michael. She didn't want to admit it but since last night, she was terrified. Terrified of the man Michael had become. Terrified of what alcohol was doing to him. She couldn't believe it. She was terrified of her own husband, the man who was supposed to love her. Audrey rolled her sleeve up to see that her arm was bruised. She couldn't believe it, how could a man have so much strength? She heard footsteps so she quickly rolled down her arm.

Michael came down the steps, ready to go to work. "Morning," he said, looking at the contents of his briefcase.

"Morning," she said, quietly.

Michael closed his briefcase and said, "I'm going to be late tonight, ok? So, have a suitable dinner ready."

Audrey felt hurt. What? she thought. I can't make a suitable dinner for you? But she didn't dare say that. She didn't want to get hurt again. "Yeah, I will," she said.

Michael left without saying goodbye or eating breakfast. Audrey didn't even question him. She felt it was best if she didn't say anything.

Drake came downstairs a little later, with his Scooby-Do book bag, ready for school.

Audrey put on a smile and said good morning to Drake. She feed him breakfast and got him off to school. Throughout the whole morning, Audrey kept on a positive attitude. She didn't want to worry Drake or let him know what had happened the night before. She just drove Drake to school and kissed him goodbye, grateful that the little boy wouldn't have to deal with his dad tonight. Sadly, he would.

It was common for Drake to be bussed to the Boys and Girls Club of Freemont for after school kinderkare where his mom would pick him up. However, this was different. The bus driver was told that Drake's dad would pick him up. For some reasons, Drake felt happy. Finally! Daddy's going want to spend time with me! He thought. Drake was so excited that he packed his book bag and waited quietly for his dad to come.

Michael came to the club and picked Drake up.

"Hi Daddy!" he said.

Michael smiled and ruffled Drake's hair. "Hiya pal," he said, nicely.

Drake remembered feeling so psyched that his dad was finally to hang out with him. However, he also remembered how that joy would change to terror.

When Michael drove home, Drake realized his dad wouldn't do the things he promised. The first thing that clued Drake in was when Michael sat down in front of the TV…….with a six-pack of beer. Drake stood in the doorway, watching his dad just sit there and drink and drink, completely ignoring him. Drake wasn't happy about this so he asked, "Daddy?" Michael wasn't responding, so Drake stood in front of his dad, blocking his vision and said, "daddy, can't we play together?" Drake actually thought that his dad would say, "Sure, pal." But instead, Michael retorted, "No."

Drake looked crestfallen and said, "But Daddy I thought-"

"You thought I would play with you?" he asked, spitting out beer. "You're wrong, son. Daddy's busy."

Drake felt like crying. He couldn't believe that his dad was being so mean, that his dad wouldn't play with him.

"You promised me," Drake said in his childish voice. "You promised."

"I don't promise anything," he yelled, standing on his feet, glaring at his little boy. "Now go, Drake Michael."

Drake was angry. "Daddy, play with me!" he demanded,

"I said, beat it!" Michael screamed. Michael made a fist with his hand and swung at Drake, hitting him in the lip, causing him to fall.

"Now go!" he roared. "Before I hit you again."

Drake laid on the floor, unable to get up for he was in shock at what his dad had done to him. Michael slammed his beer can on the table, causing the beer to splatter all over. He was angry. "See, what you made me do?" he screamed. "You made me spill beer all over!" Drake hid his face in his hands, scared about that his dad may hit him again. Suddenly, Drake felt a hand, pulling on his shirt, pulling him up. Michael turned Drake around and made him looked into his eyes. Drake saw in his dad's eyes that he was furious at him, furious at him for making his beer spill.

"I'm sorry, Daddy," he said, his voice suddenly quavering. "I'm sorry."

"That's not going to cut the mustard, is it, Drake Michael?" growled Michael. Michael dragged Drake by his shirt with one hand and removed his belt with another. Then, Drake saw as his dad raise the belt and the belt landed on his back.

"Ow!" Drake screamed, crying. "Ow!"

"Shut up!" he roared, louder. "You better shut up and quit you're crying and act like a big boy or else I give you something to cry about."

Drake stopped crying and talking, thinking that it would stop. But it didn't. The belt didn't stop.

Drake stood, motionless in the shower, thinking about that little boy who was getting hit by his dad. Drake saw the pain and sadness in that little boy's eyes. He knew that the hitting wasn't his fault, his wasn't to blame. All that little boy wanted was for his daddy to play with him, that's all. Play, not hit. As Drake thought about this, he felt his soul connect with that memory and his soul began to ache, heavily. And the aches turned to physical pain that Drake couldn't contained. Drake found himself, slowly moving down the shower wall, unable to hold himself up…unable to hold his body and his emotions for Drake began to cry…. hard. He cried for that little boy, he cried for the fact that the little boy, the little, innocent boy of five was getting hit. The shower still running, with the water coming down, Drake curled up in a ball and cried…and cried.. and cried.

After a few minutes, Drake finished showering and crying. When Drake got out, and wrapped himself in a warm robe, he looked in the mirror and was horrified at what he saw, his eyes were red and puffy and his nose was red. Drake felt like he had been through a war. Well, he had actually. But he knew that he couldn't keep facing his pain alone. He went back to the thought he had at the beach, he needed to talk to someone about his dad's death and the abuse. Earlier, he didn't know whom he could talk to, but now, he did. Josh. He could talk to Josh, his brother about the cuts and bruises.