Brenda's Nightmare chapter 2

Now the real story begins! We see how Brenda's troubles begin and how her family plays a role in it all.

July 20th, 1996

Jaya was dropping Brenda back at her dad's house. Jaya was allowed to see and have the children every weekend. This week had been Brenda's turn and she was happy to see her mother.

She had taken Brenda and Krissy to Six Flags and they ate cotton candy and popcorn and even took some pictures. Jaya had taken the two girls to the beach afterwards and Krissy even made a good sandcastle with Brenda. They used seashells and a few other small things they found in the ground to decorate it. Jaya took a picture of that too before she hugged her two "sweet little girls" and took them home to Joseph.

Little did Brenda know that this would be the worst day of her life...

Jaya pulled her 1995 Nissan Maxima up in front of the girls' house in Brooklyn. Joseph kept the house in Jackson but got a second one in Brooklyn and decided to live there. Of course, she didn't like seeing Joseph but she dealt with him for the kids' sake.

Jaya got out followed by Brenda and Krissy. She walked up the porch steps to the door before she rang the doorbell. Soon after, Joseph opened the front door and frowned.

Jaya thought " Oh, here we go."

Joseph frowned and said " Oh, it's you." before he turned to Krissy and Brenda.

He crouched down and smiled at the girls before he hugged them and said " Hey, girls. How was your day?"

Brenda giggled while Kristy smiled and replied " It was great, Dad. Mom took us to the amusement park then to the beach. Me and Brenda made a sandcastle and we took a picture of it. You wanna see?"

Krissy handed Joseph the picture of the girls and Jaya. Joseph falsely smiled but only Jaya noticed the fake smile as he hugged the girls.

Joseph said " That's great, Krissy. Why don't you and Brenda head inside and I'll get you something to eat, OK?"

Krissy nodded and replied " OK, Dad." with a large smile on her face before she and Brenda went past Joseph into the house.

Joseph switched the lock on the front door and then closed it before he turned to Jaya with a look of anger and loathing. Jaya returned that with a look of indifference.

Joseph said " Surprised you still have the nerve to show up here."

Jaya replied fiercely " I have the nerve, Joseph because they're my children. The kids need somebody in their lives and since you work almost everyday, that should be me."

Joseph said angrily " Oh, that's right. The woman who walked out on them three years ago should have a second chance. The one who then lied about me."

Jaya replied " I didn't walk out on the kids. I walked out on our relationship. Besides, it's yours and you know it, Joseph."

Joseph said with rage " Bullshit, Jaya." before he glared at her and went back inside.

Jaya sighed before she went back into her car and drove away from the house. Inside, things seemed nice.

Brenda was very happy as she played with her older sister, Bubbles. Joseph looked at his youngest child as he then felt calm and joy replace his anger and rage. At only five years of age, Brenda was practically a bubble full of energy and joy. She could turn a person's mood from angry to happy in five seconds.

Plus, Joseph noticed that she was good at drawing. She was only five years old but she was great at drawing and reading too. She was already reading a couple of chapter books at the time. Joseph was proud of Brenda and despite the anger he reflected at Jaya, they both shared one thing in common: they cared greatly about their children.

Joseph may have been happy with Brenda but her older brother Rueben wasn't. Rueben had red hair, which came from his grandmother and Blossom had it too. However, he was the only boy of six children. Also, he was the middle child in the family which increased his jealousy of Brenda.

Rueben thought angrily " What makes that little black-haired Barbie doll so damn special to Dad? He treats Krissy good but she's the oldest. The triplets, I don't care about. Getting into a fight with Kay-Buttercup isn't worth it. But Minnie Mouse is the youngest and just because she could draw Mario, Dad treats her like a princess."

Rueben muttered darkly " Just you wait, Minnie Mouse. You won't be so cheerful when I get to you tonight." as he watched Brenda get her hair tied into braids by Bubbles.

Brenda was unaware of the plot her older brother had in store for her that night as she slept comfortably in her bedroom. She was dreaming about angels and clouds when she heard something creak very loudly.

Brenda opened her eyes and rubbed them sleepily as Rueben walked into the room. Rueben glared at Brenda and crouched down next to her bed with an angry frown.

He whispered " Get up, Mouse and take your pillow too." as Brenda slowly climbed out of bed.

Brenda asked nervously " Rueben, what's going on? Is something wrong?"

Rueben answered angrily " Oh, something's wrong, Mouse. You're about to find out what it is." as he slapped Brenda's face with as much force as he could muster.

Brenda's eyes widened and tears began to leak out as she rubbed her right cheek in shock and fear.

Brenda said " Rueben, what was that f-" as Rueben pushed her to the floor.

Rueben replied " You know what was that for, Mouse. It's because you're worthless. No wonder Dad hates you."

Brenda stuttered " D-Daddy l-loves me. He told me that."

Rueben said " Dad lied to you. He said that to you because he doesn't want to hear you crying, you little brat."

Brenda tried to get up but then Rueben kicked her. Brenda yelped as the tears became more frequent.

Rueben mocked her with " Go on, Mouse. Just cry, you little runt. Nobody loves you. Not Krissy, not Bubbles, not Blossom, not me, not even Buttercup, not Dad and totally not Mom!" as he continued to kick and hit Brenda.

Brenda wept and curled up into the fetal position as Rueben left her room with a evil smirk on his face.

He turned back and said in a mocking tone " Good night, Mouse. Sleep tight." as he chuckled.

Brenda's view of reality and life were forever shattered by his older brother's attack. But unfortunately, things wouldn't get better for her over the years. In fact, this was only the beginning.

Apparently, what I listen to plays a minor part in how I write the chapter. I was listening to " White Walls" while writing this which is probably why it seems that way.

How far will Rueben go? Will Brenda's torment ever end? Just what was Jaya and Joseph talking about?