The Day

Chapter 8 BROKEN HOMES Kirstin was a beautiful, 5 yr. old brunette girl with a problem. She didn’t know who she was or who she was supposed to be. She lived alone with her father. Mom had run away with dad’s best friend, Bob, when she was only 2 yrs. Old. She couldn’t even hardly remember what mom looked like; unless she looked at the pictures of her that dad had locked up in his bedroom. “Why had mom done that to them? Where was mom? Who was mom? Why didn’t mommy love them anymore? Was it her fault? Was she such a bad little girl that it caused mommy to hate her and daddy? What could she have done?” Very bleak, depressing thoughts occupied Kirstin’s mind continually. Daddy was a good dad---she knew daddy loved her; but daddy was so-o-o-o lonely, and she knew it (although he tried not to let her see it)! Every once in a while, Kirstin would sneak into her dad’s bedroom after he’d tucked her in bed for the night—thinking she was asleep. What would she find daddy doing---but watching old family videos of when she was first born—while he clenched a picture of him and a pretty lady in a wedding dress to his chest---with tears running down his face! Daddy was so lonely. Why had mommy and Bob done this? Did they hate them that much? Why? What had she and daddy done to cause this to happen? Chapter 9 THE OBJECT OF ANGER Two blocks away lived her 8 yr. old cousin, Heidi who also had her own set of problems: her dad was an alcoholic and didn’t know (or care to know) how to treat her and her mother. When he was sober—which was very seldom—he was wonderful! He could be so nice! He loved to barbeque outside for them on nice days when he was sober. On those occasions, they’d invite Kirstin and her dad down for dinner. Kirstin would help daddy fix a side dish and dessert. They were really fun times. (Probably the only time Kirstin would hear her daddy laugh. How she enjoyed those times!!) But Heidi’s dad didn’t stay sober for long—he had to have his beer and whiskey! As Kirstin and her dad would leave the barbeque party at Heidi’s; she would hear Heidi’s dad yelling at Heidi and her mom. She even heard him on several occasions saying as he yelled: “What’s wrong with you? Look at your stupid daughter! She must take after you because you’re SO stupid!! Shut up--- the both of you! I can’t stand your babbling and nagging!! Why isn’t the house cleaned up yet? It should already be done! You idiots!!!---Why do I even try? You’re worthless!!” Then he’d storm out of the house and go to the tavern; where he’d stay until closing time. He had beer in the house and whiskey in the garage, but that didn’t matter—he didn’t want to be home. Heidi’s dad had a good job that paid well---and her mom as well, she worked hard, too; (for little pay); but the money didn’t last very long; so they also fought about finances. Mom would get ready for work and ask dad for a few dollars to gas up the car or to help with the bills, and dad would explode in a furious temper! So, mom would usually tell him to keep his money and try to take care of things herself; while dad drank up his money. ----20---- Even Christmas at their house was slim. Mom would do what she could-- but when she asked dad to help; he’d explode into a rage, and pick up as little as he could get by with (usually underclothes and socks were his norm—if THAT much!) He did help get groceries for them: but, they had to eat whatever HE wanted to eat—they DIDN’T get a choice!) It was HIS way—or NO way: they didn’t have a voice!