“Siah?” She rushed out, tears tripping her words. “Siah?”
“Yes.”
“My God.”
The cracking in her voice reminded me of the time I didn’t get to save her. They also reminded me that they were necessary to save Aubrey.
“Jenny!”I bellowed, finally attracting base in my ten-year-old squeak. I’d waited three long years for it.
I pushed open my sister’s bedroom door. As the darkness was revealed, I remembered her request to knock before entering. However, the damage had already been done. I stepped inside, closing the door behind me. The twenty dollar bill that uncle Jason had given me was almost as much as he had given her the week prior. And, the week before that.
“Get off– please–”
Low whimpers startled me. Distress laced my sister’s tone.
“Quiet!”
I knew that voice. I heard it so often, in so many variations. But, still, I knew it well.
And the stature.
And the black and red motorcycle jacket.
And the black cap.
And the black jeans.
And the eyes that stared back at me in shock.
It was the same eyes of my father. The same eyes on my face. The same eyes on my grandfather’s face. The same eyes on Jenny’s face.
With the twenty-dollar bill clenched in my full fist, I stormed out of my sister’s bedroom. My parents’ bedroom was my destination. I’d never reached my father’s side of the bed faster. I shoved his body from one side to the other, awaking him from his sleep.
“Dad! Dad. Get up!”
“What is it, Son? What’s the matter?”
“Uncle Jason… Uncle Jason– He’s– He’s in Jenny’s bed. She’s crying. He’s on her.”
The cover swept across the bed. By the time the comforter hit the mattress again, my father was already in Janeese’s bedroom. Uncle Jason was on the floor, and my father was on top of him, pounding his fist into his face.
“You fucking bastard!” He screamed, “You’re sick! You’re a sick son of a bitch!”
My mother rushed to Janeese’s side, pulling her night down over her bare legs. Still, I didn’t miss her blood-stained thighs. My entire body ached. Everything hurt.
For Janeese.
For my mother.
For my father.
For my family.
Uncle Jason’s badgered body was expelled from our home, and promised severe consequences if he returned.
But, he didn’t have to. He lived in our home forever. He lived in Janeese’s head forever. And, for two years, I listened to her cry herself to sleep at night, unable to undo the damage he’d done.
Time passed us by so swiftly as Janeese tried regaining control of herself. It felt like an impossible task. However, we both knew otherwise. And, I knew why her healing hadn’t been as progressive as we’d hoped.
