Ruthie
My stomach was in a knot as I entered my house. Luckily my dad was passed out on the kitchen floor, a bottle of beer in his hand. I searched through the refrigerator until I found a pack of bacon and started cooking it, the sizzle of the pan soothing my nerves. I watched my dad get up off the floor. There were vomit stains on his wrinkled shirt. I wracked my brain to remember if I had put his clean clothes in his bedroom yet. I kept cooking the bacon as my dad lumbered around the house. First he went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on his face. Then he went into his bedroom. I held my breath as I waited. My dad came out wearing a fresh shirt and pants. I let out a breath and continued his breakfast. As I slid it across the table to him, he glanced up.
"Where were you last night young lady?" He said gruffly.
"I was here the whole time Papa." I lied smoothly. I wasn't sure how aware he was of what happened last night. If I was lucky he would believe me and I would get off the hook.
"You scummy liar, you weren't here otherwise the bathroom would be clean. Where were you last night?" He said again, his face turning red.
"I went over to Embry's because I thought you didn't need me here." I said as I cleaned up the outdated kitchen.
"You little slut." He growled, standing up sharply.
"You better serve me and my friends extra good tonight or else I'll lock you in the closet." He threatened, grabbing the front of my shirt. I nodded quickly, closing my eyes and bracing myself for what I knew was coming. I felt the stinging slap of my fathers hand on my cheek. I realized I'd have to tell Embry about this. I was terrible at lying to him, and no doubt he'd ask if anything happened.
I spent the rest of the morning quietly cleaning after my dad left for work. As soon as it was done, I began my walk to the beach. I knew Embry would be waiting for me there, as it was our routine.
"How was your morning?" He asked, handing me a sandwich as we sat on a blanket in the sand.
"Uneventful. Did some cooking, cleaning, the usual. How was yours?" I said. Embry didn't respond, just looked at me intently.
"I told you to call if anything happened." He said after a moments silence.
"Nothing big happened." I said.
"Ruthie Miller you are such a horrible liar." Embry said with a grin, but his smile quickly reverted back to a scowl as he brought a hand to my face. He rubbed his thumb over my cheek where my dad had hit me. I must have winced, because he pulled his had away sharply.
"He can't keep doing this to you." Embry said.
"He's been doing it for seventeen years. You know why I can't do anything. They'll take me away from here." I said. Embry seemed torn. He always wanted me to be safe and comfortable, but we both knew that if we reported my dad Child Services would take me away and I may never see Embry again.
"How was your morning?" I asked again. Embry sighed.
"The usual. A lecture from my mom, a wink from my dad, and a lot of work stuff from the guys." He said with an eye roll.
"Hey, can you come over tonight? I found a movie that looks sick." He said, his eyes lighting up.
"I have to help my dad. He has some friends coming over." Embry looked crestfallen.
"Some other time then?" He asked, looking at me with puppy dog eyes that he knew I couldn't resist.
"Of course." I said with a smile. Embry and I spent the whole afternoon on the beach together, before I had to go home.
"Let me drive you." Embry insisted. I climbed into his red car and inhaled the woodsy scent that surrounded me.
"Maybe I can work tonight, get some hours in so I can spend time with you when you're available." He said to nobody in particular.
"Don't you go changing your whole schedule for me. You've been at this job for three years now. I don't want to mess things up." I said.
"It's fine. Trust me." He said.
"Course I do." I said sarcastically as I jumped out of his car when he pulled into my driveway.
"See you tomorrow, same time same place!" He called out the window as I walked up to the front door. I just waved goodbye. The first thing I did when I got into the house was put on the skirt and blouse my dad made me wear when he had company. Then I cooked up all of my dad's requested snacks, including hot dogs and nachos and anything else that was extremely unhealthy. I made sure there was enough alcohol in the cooler in the game room, then waited quietly in the kitchen for my dad and his friends to come home.
The night went pretty much as I expected. My dad and his friends ate and drank and played games until they were all drunk. My dad passed out first, which doesn't usually happen. This was a new group of men who I had never seen before. Great, my dad has more of a social life than I do. I went into the game room as I had been doing all night, cleaning up dishes and bottles and trash, when one of the men stopped me.
"Hey pretty girl." He said, his words slurring together and his hand tightening on my arm. I tried to pull free, keeping my head down, but he used his other hand to pull my chin up towards his face.
"How bout you show me where your bedroom is? And if ya don't, I'll tell your daddy that you didn't do as I asked." His breath reeked of alcohol. I didn't want to comply, but I had no choice. Be locked in a closet for two days, or let this man have what he wants for one night. I walked with the man through the kitchen into the living room. I was about to go up the stairs, when he pulled me to a stop.
"This is good enough." He said, grabbing my chin once more and kissing me roughly.
"Betcha never have fun girl. Let me show you fun." He said as he shoved me onto the couch and pulled apart the front of my shirt.
ok, so this is a little different than the fluff I usually write. But it's kinda interesting. If you're looking for fluff go check out my other stories. They all kinda go together. Anyways, I hope you enjoy! Review please!
