Chapter 4
Lottie's POV
After about an hour, the crashing and screaming finally stopped and I let go of Nick. We crawl out of the closet, and cautiously opened the bedroom door. I wave for Nick to stay there and I walk carefully through the hallway. There are evident signs of fighting on the walls. Broken lamps, broken plaster off the walls, and red paint everywhere.
I know it's blood.
When I walk into the living room. I freeze in horror. Dad is lying in a ball in the middle of the room, crying.
All around him, the room looks like a tornado ran through it.
I race over to Dad's side and place a gentle hand on his shoulder.
He flinches under my hand, and I gently turn him over so he's facing me.
His hands are bloody and have glass shards in them. His face is scratched and bloody. His eyes are are deep blue and wet from tears.
"Lottie." Dad whispers.
"Sshh." I whisper, placing a finger on his bloodied lip.
I go into the same destructed looking kitchen and grab a tweezers and a wet cloth.
I walk back to Dad, who's sitting up and staring at his hand in horror.
When I get into earshot, I hear him muttering, "What have I done?"
"Dad." I say. He looks up at me, and smiles a weak smile. I kneel in front of him and take one of his hands.
He winces when I take some of the glass shards out.
"Where are your MOm and Nick?" Dad whispers.
I shrug and continue washing his hands.
When I get to his face, I wipe the tears from his cheeks.
"Lottie-" Dad starts.
"Sshh." I murmur.
Dad catches my hand in one of his bandaged hands, and holds it against his face.
"Lottie-" Dad starts again.
"Dad." I murmur, "I'll take you to work after this."
he nods, knowing I'm too stubborn to do something different.
Once I'm done cleaning him, I put on his tie and apron, and tell him to wait for me.
I wander around upstairs until I get to my parent's room.
Nick is there, sitting next to Mom, who is sleeping.
"Nick." I whisper.
His gray eyes catch mine and I motion for him to come over to me.
"Where are you going?" Nick whispers. His eyes are wide and deep gray.
"Hey don't worry kiddo." I smirk, rubbing his hair.
"I'm taking Dad to the store. We'll be back around five o'clock."
"Alright, you do that, I'll clean the house while Mom's asleep." Nick whispers.
I nod thanks and shut the door quietly.
I make my way back to the living room.
Dad looks up at me when I walk in.
"You ready?" I ask.
He nods and I take his hand.
"Thanks Lottie." Dad smiles a sad smile at me.
"Don't worry Dad." I smile a strained smile at him.
I need to cough so badly.
And I forgot my medicine.
We walk hand in hand to the bakery, and i lean my head against Dad's shoulder.
