TW: homophobic slurs and speech
Luke
I spent Sunday morning covering up the bruises before church.
My mother and I sat on her bed in silence. She took her time as she applied the foundation onto my face, my neck, my arms... The bruises covered my body. My body ached with every movement I made... I limped when I walked. My mother thinks I may have sprained my ankle.
Well, my father did.
I couldn't help but notice her facial expression as she applied the makeup to my face. Her lip slightly quivered as she layered on the foundation, averting my trembling gaze. Her icy blue eyes seemed emotionless, though I couldn't help but notice the tears that threatened to fall from them.
This wasn't anything new. This is just how things were... I'd end up getting beaten by my father, he'd tell her to cover it up with makeup. He tells me that discipline is normal with bad children, that I deserved to get the beaten I've received- It's a normal thing. Everyone gets beaten. But... it has to be covered up because of the world we are in now. He tells me that the world is sensitive. That in this day... discipline is not tolerated. So it must be covered up so the world doesn't see it.
''Are you going to be able to walk to the car, Luke?'' She suddenly asked me as she dabbed foundation across my neck. I couldn't help but wince at her touch... the bruises on my neck had to be the worst. I didn't quite remember everything that he did... he knocked me out cold.
''I don't really have a choice,'' I muttered to her. I watched as her lips formed a frown, her gaze finally meeting my eyes. I watched as the tears finally fell from her blue eyes, her lip quivering more than before. I slowly brought a thumb up to her cheek, wiping the tear away from her flushed face.
''I-I could carry you, maybe we could make it past your father before he's done in the shower.'' She whispered to me, glancing back at her bathroom door. I couldn't help but frown at her words... I knew she was scared of him too. I just... I don't understand how she could switch her viewpoint so quickly around him.
''Mama, I'll be okay. I promise.'' I whispered to her. She immediately shook her head, her tears flowing more freely down her face as she brought a hand to my cheek. She ran her thumb across my face in an attempt to comfort me.
Before she could reply, my father stepped out of the bathroom. I watched as her facial expression immediately changed, her lip no longer quivering. She brought her hand down from my face, slowly taking it and pointing it towards the door. This is what I was talking about... when he's around she completely changes. I hated it. I think that I have some sort of stability when she's sweet to me... but in reality, I don't. I truly don't have anybody.
''I'm done, Luke. Go.'' She said viciously.
''Yes, mama.''
I pulled myself off of the bed without another word. A shooting pain ran up my ankle with every step I took towards the door... It was definitely sprained. He's broken my ankle before, they told me that the pain of a sprained bone hurts just as much as a broken one. It feels awful... maybe even worse. But I knew he didn't care.
...Why would he? It's normal.
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''I wanted to apologize for my absence, everyone. You are all aware that I was preaching at another church...'' He started, waving his hands as he spoke in front of the microphone.
The church was quiet as he spoke. It was packed to the rim as every Sunday was. I sat next to my mother in the front pew- It's where we have always sat since we are the pastor's family.
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