● RUN ●

chapter 1

"For Christ's sake, Joseph! Can you not get shit faced for once in your goddamn life?! It's our sons tenth birthday. Hurry and sober up before that bitch Debra sees you, last thing I need is more of our family's dirty laundry out in the open!" Veronica lectured Joseph, who wasn't listening to a single word. He was in fact shit faced. Dion was finishing the last of the dishes when Veronica carefully set down the groceries on the round checkered table.

"Hey D.,"she greeted and kissed his cheek,"Did you finish your chores?" She asked as she rubbed off the red lipstick that was left from the kiss. Dion turned off the water after putting the last plate on the drying rack.

"Yeah Mom, did you get the cake?!" He asked excitedly. Veronica smiled, and took it out of one of the bags. "It looks great...Thank you!" Dion wrapped his arms around his mom. He was disappointed because it wasn't the one he wanted; but he was just happy that she had gotten him one.

Though Veronica loves her son; things have been rough between them. Mostly because Dion always got the second hand of the fights between his parents. Veronica would scream her head off and throw things. Joseph, after every fight - if he didn't leave for the bar already - would take out his frustrations on his son. Dion learned real fast who Veronica's loyalty lies with, and it's the same person she lays with after every fight.

One time, Dion was told that he'd be staying with his favorite aunt while they were trying to make up for the millionth time. Things turned sour when Aunty Selena saw the dark bruises on Dion's sides. When Aunty Selena reported the abuse and they (Child Protective Services) found out; Joseph got into a lot of trouble. He isn't allowed to be near Dion, or at least he shouldn't be.

"Mom, I really like this, really! But why is dad here?" Dion felt bad that he was ending their good moment, but his dad already knocked back a few cold ones before she got home. It was barely past twelve-thirty in the afternoon. His friends would be showing up in only an hour! It was bad enough that Dion went to bed listening to their fights and then the rocking of the bed against the wall in the early mornings.

"Baby, I know he's done you really bad... but he's your dad. You have to forgive family," Veronica said, not thinking of a better excuse. The real reason Veronica let him come over is because she missed Joseph, even if he was an abusive drunk. She loved him and has since tenth grade when they met.

Dion pushed away his distaste for his father. "Maybe she's right," Dion thought to himself as he went to the backyard,"Maybe I should just forgive him, family is family." He said, thinking more than a nine (nearly ten) year old should. He took a deep breath and was just about to give up and forgive the drunk when the cross on the right side of the yard caught his eye. Tears instantly began to threaten their appearance when Dion remembered just what Jospeh had done.

"For Beso, I would never forgive him," Dion declared aloud. He rose to his feet and quickly rubbed his tears away. Beso was a grey and white pitbull and Dion's best friend. Jospeh, only one year, three weeks, and two days ago; had beaten and shot Beso to death after he had snapped at Jospeh when he went to hit Dion. Beso had died protecting Dion, and the least Dion could do was never forgive the monster that stole his life.

Dion's fist clenched, and his breaths were heavy. He would be strong now. To make Beso proud was the only thing that kept his spirits up.

Veronica called Dion back in after awhile, it was enough time for Dion to say a prayer for Beso and plead to his God for the strength he needed to tolerate his father. While her son fought the demons that tormented his mind between the times his body wasn't being tortured, Veronica had gotten dressed up in a pretty yellow dress, and her hair was in curls. It was very rare that Dion saw his mom look so pretty and not all bruised.