A quiet sob slipped out. I didn’t know how long it took.
In the darkness, I heard Dad’s quiet, careful voice and Mom’s loud, angry scream. “Kevin! What do you mean? Your daughter is more important to you now, isn’t she?”
Dad spoke in a low voice, but the quiet night carried every word to my ears. “What are you saying? You’re my wife. Of course, you’re the most important. But Hazel is still young; she’s our daughter. Don’t be so….”
Before he could finish, Mom’s scream interrupted him. “Ahhh! Was it that brat who seduced you?”
“Okay, okay, I get it! I get it!”
"I'll go ask her right now, what exactly does it take for her to let me go!"
Moments later, my door burst open and the room lights came on all at once.
Before I could get used to the brightness, slaps and punches rained down on me. Mom’s screams echoed through the room.
“Why are you doing this to me, Hazel? What did I ever do to you?”
“I should have strangled you when you were born! No! I shouldn't have given birth to you!"
“I gave you life! Now go die!”
The pain from her slap hadn’t even gone away before her punches and kicks came again.
I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I stood up and pushed her back. “Enough!”