Recurrence | 𝐰𝐥𝐰

20.

~ 15 years ago ~

"Tay, eat those damn peas." my father chuckled. "Yuck." I stuck my tongue out. "Your mother said you better eat them, or you're not getting ice cream after dinner." my father explained.

"But they're nasty." I whined. My father looked around before walking closer. "I'll make you a deal. If you can eat one scoop, I'll finish the rest. But don't tell your mother." he whispered.

"Okay." I giggled a little, covering my mouth.

"Hey, what about mines?" Jay frowned. "I thought you like them." our father spoke. "I do." Jay nodded.

"So, why would I eat yours?" our father asked. Jay shrugged. "Dummy." I shook my head.

"Hey, watch your mouth. Don't call your brother that." my father scolded me. "Yea, and let's see who's the dummy when I grow up to be strong and you're still a twig." Jay laughed.

I rolled my eyes.

My father and I then put the plan in motion. We were doing good until my mother walked into the kitchen and saw my father eat the last scoop.

"Did you just eat Tay's vegetables?" my mother asked. "In my defense, your cooking is amazing and I just couldn't help myself." my father spoke, making me laugh.

"Uh huh. But what did I say?" my mother asked. "I know but-" my father tried to speak as my mother made a face.

"I guess when you look this good, I can't argue with you." my father sighed.

My mother gave me more vegetables but I ate them with the encouragement from my father. We then all ate some ice cream before getting ready for bed.

While I was laying down, I stared out my window. I occasionally saw car lights as they drove down the street. Eventually the city noise had me fast asleep.

Until I wasn't.

I was woken up by the sound of loud arguing outside. I quickly got up and ran to Jay's room. "Jay." I said, seeing him peeking out his window. "Why aren't you sleep?" Jay asked, startled.

"What's going on?" I quietly asked, scared. "It's okay. Come here." Jay helped me up on his bed. I got underneath the covers and laid down.

I suddenly recognized one of the voices arguing. My father. "Come on baby, just leave it alone." I then recognized my mother's voice. "The kids are inside." she continued.

"Jay, I'm scared." I curled up next to him.

"Don't be. I'm right here. I won't let anything happen to you." Jay expressed. "Okay." I slowly nodded.

"Stop!" I suddenly heard my mother scream, followed by the sound of gunshots. Immediately my stomach turned and I zoned out. Everything became a blur.

I felt as Jay picked me up and put me under his bed. All I could hear was my mother screaming and crying my father's name, but soon that became distant background noise.

~ a few week later ~

I sat in one of the rooms in our neighborhood church. They were doing some sort of activities for the neighborhood children today and my mother forced me to come socialize with the other children here.