BROKEN

            

     Katrina wasn't always alone. The oldest of two, she lived with her younger brothers, mom, and stepdad. They were normal; a typical southern family, living in a typical southern neighborhood. They weren't above any other family; however, they were a little more put together than the average; or at least that's what they displayed for the world. Everybody's story is different behind closed doors, and though Katrina and her family believed themselves to be "decent", the drama that unfolded day in and day out sang a different tune. Katrina's father is a pastor, married to her mom who is now a social worker; back then she was getting worked on. Katrina's parents have been married for 11 years now, starting dating back when Katrina was six. Her real father is no longer around, not to say that he ever really was, but ever since his last punch landed her mom in the hospital for weeks, she hasn't seen or heard from him; not have fully decided if that's a good thing or a bad one. Katrina loved her father but hated him also. Her father was a drunk, a mean, and selfish drunk. She was only maybe 5 years old when her and her mom were leaving a mid-day movie on a Sunday evening, and she noticed her father and some stranger in the middle of the street having a brawl. Her mother wanted Katrina to in no way witness that, but just like her father, she wouldn't walk in the other direction, instead she watched as the whole thing unfolded. A wild and nasty altercation in which her father took lead on, dominating his opponent, in every sensible being. His aggression, cruelty, and selfishness were all displayed right there in the middle of the street, right in her face and when it was over, and her father realized her watching his response to her then was "what the fuck are you looking at?!" and proceeded in the other direction. Katrina knew that face, that voice, it was all so familiar to her, however from the looks of the man standing across the street from her, she was a stranger, a nosey stand-byer. It'll be months before she sees him again, and this time it's at her front door. Because of his drunken habits, Katrina's mom left her dad a year after she was born, wanting in no way for her child to live through the experiences she had to.

THE BEFORE

Kevin, that's Katrina's father's name, met Tiffany, Katrina's mom back at a college party. Neither of them attended college though, but they had friends amongst other friends and well, word got around and soon enough it was more neighborhood folks that attended the party than it was college students. It was the typical "good girl, bad boy" love tale, that's been told time and time again. They weren't supposed to be together, everyone told them that their opposites did not attract, and while they too believed they were completely different, they still gravitated towards each other, stronger than the doubt amongst them. They spent every waking moment together, days in and out; things between the two grew strong, quickly. It'll be 6 months before Tiffany leaves home to move in with Kevin, he and his cousin that is. Tiffany was only 19, dropped out and never finished high school, same as Kevin, him being 21, however.

Shit was sweet between the two and lasted that way for the first year of the relationship. Tiffany soon became adjusted to the lifestyle Kevin lived, became a part of it in many ways too, but what starts good doesn't always end up that way, and somewhere along the way, things between the two became intense, in a way that seemed more dangerous than sexy. It was Tiffany's 21st birthday, and she wanted to do it big. Over the years Tiff, her neighborhood nickname, made a name for herself aside from being Kevin's girl. She ran plays for him, turned his tricks or whatever pleased him in the moment, but in doing so she also took on some of his game, his smooth talk, and his hunger for money; she was becoming a reflection of him, in her own way and he couldn't stand it. The city was invited out to celebrate Tiffany's birthday, more people than she would have expected. Hundreds of people came out to show her love, but the one person who'd she expect to be by her side was everywhere but.