Past time
"Slow down honey, you will fall and hurt yourself!" The woman remarked to her son, who was playing in the school's playground with other children. The boy returned her smile and giggled before sprinting towards the other children who were playing.
She shook her head, a sweet smile on her lips, and returned her attention to her newborn child. He was sleeping peacefully in his mother's arms, his tiny hands curled up as he took a small yawn. His mother smiled at her son and drew his little form closer to her. Her four-year-old son wanted to play with the other kids even though school was over. The day appeared to go longer than usual. She looked at her watch; it was almost 2 p.m. She looked at the sky and gasped. Grey clouds were starting to gather, signaling that it might rain anytime. She hurriedly called her son and told him they must go.
"But mommy, I want to play for some more," he whined.
She sighed. "I know baby but if it rains then we are gonna get drenched and your little brother will get sick. I promise we will come back tomorrow again."
He looked at her with big baby eyes. "Promise?" He asked innocently.
"Yes honey, promise," he squealed and hugged his mother. She laughed and stood on her feet.
"Go get your bag now and we'll go home," he nodded and ran off to get his bag.
After returning to his mother they started to walk towards their car.
The drive was short. They lived close to their school so it didn't take them too long to get home.
After reaching, she got off the car with her two sons and walked toward their house.
"Mommy I wanna get an ice cream tomorrow too!" The four-year-old demanded holding onto his mother's hand.
She smiled. "If you're a good boy tonight and eat your broccoli, then I will buy you ice cream."
He scrunched his nose and made a face. "But mommy it tastes gross."
"It's really good for you baby," she said ruffling his hair, earning another giggle from him.
She opened the door and walked inside with her children. She turned back, locked the door behind her, and met her husband's stern stare. She flinched as he approached her and stood only a few inches away. She could smell alcohol oozing from every pore on his body. He stood directly in front of her, hands in his pockets and frigid eyes on her.
"Where were you?" He questioned her. His tone, much colder and stern made her shiver in fear.
"I-"
"Didn't I tell you to come back before lunchtime?" He asked her grinding his teeth together.
"Please, he-"
"Yes or no?!" He asked yelling in her face. Warm tears were trailing down from her eyes as she nodded her head and muttered yes.
"Then what took you so much time baby, hmm?" His hands slowly reached his belt and unbuckled it, pulling out the belt from his pant.
Her eyes were wide in horror. Shaking her head she pleaded.
"Please don't do this. It won't ever happen again. I'm sorry," dropping the bags from her hands, she held her baby close as she backed away from him only to meet the door.
"Put him down," her husband. She knelt down to her older son.
"Baby, it's your turn to take off your brother. Take him and run straight to your room. Don't come out until mommy says so, okay?" The toddler, unknowingly, nodded his head and took his brother from his mother, and slowly went upstairs.
Now, she was all alone with her monster of a husband.
He raised his hand and connected the belt with her pale white skin. She screamed in agony. He hit her again, this time it hit her cheek. Her skin was turning a shade between blue and red.
He hurled her across the living room, grabbing her by the hair. His belt never left her flesh, leaving marks all over her body. From the stairs, her four-year-old son was witnessing everything. He was hiding behind the wall that faced the living room, giving him a perfect view of the assault.
As he watched his mother in pain and misery, tears poured down his cheeks. He closed his eyes and embraced his own arms. His mother's screams and sobbing were unavoidable. He wanted to assist his mother, but what could a four-year-old do?
After what seemed like an eternity of his father's onslaught, the boy gently peered into the kitchen and gazed at his mother. His father could not be traced. He walked to his mother.
"Mo-mommy?" He softly muttered to her.
Her bruised eyes slowly opened. Her face was all covered with bruises as well as her body.
"H-honey, a-are you two o-okay?" She managed to croak out the words.
"Did daddy hurt you two?" She whispered. He shook his head. "No, mommy but he hurt you," his voice cracked, his eyes were filled with tears as he spoke up.
She shook her head from side to side and wiped his tears with her thumb. "No baby, I'm fine. Look I am fine. Don't cry, sweetie," she pulled him for a hug. He wrapped his small hands around her body and embraced her tightly. She kissed his head and tried to stand up. Hissed when she felt the sharp pain in her leg, but she nevertheless stood up anyway.
"You and your brother must be really hungry, come on, I will get you something to eat and then feed your brother," the boy nodded his head and followed his mother to the kitchen. She made lunch for her son and made some extra for other members of the family.
They weren't the only ones who called the place home. Her husband's two brothers and one younger sister also resided there. It seemed strange that they hadn't moved out. Their older brother, on the other hand, never complained. He relished the fact that his brothers witnessed him hitting his wife.
"Marilyn, come here," her sister-in-law called her. Marilyn rushed to the living room where she was sitting on the sofa with a cigar in her hand.
"Yes, Leona?"
"Give me my lunch. I have to do something important and don't be late. I'm sure you don't want me to call my brother and add up some more bruises on your body," she stated and smirked.
Marilyn's heart dropped. She knew it might happen.
"No Leona, lunch is ready. I will serve you in a few minutes," she said and walked away.
She got the lunch ready and served it on the table. Sophie ate and thankfully did not complain. After she left, Marilyn cleaned the table.
After washing the dishes she went to her younger son's room, who had already woken up from his nap, and fed him.
"You should rest honey. You must be tired," she said and kissed her elder son's forehead.
"Will daddy hurt you again, mommy?" He asked innocently.
Her eyes filled with tears, and she forced a smile on her face. "No honey everything will be alright. Mommy will be alright. Just go to sleep."
He nodded his head and turned on his side, closing his eyes. Marilyn stayed there until he fell asleep, patting his shoulders lightly.
She leaned down and kissed his head.
"One day... one day I will get us out of here, honey. I promise I will never let him hurt you and your brother. I love you both so much.
My precious, Carlos and Liam.