Page 89 of Kings Have No Mercy
“But Mommy—”
“I said what I said. Now listen to me!”
I wrap my arms tighter around my doll baby and fall quiet, with my eyes big and round.
Mommy remains where she is and sobs some more. Her face falls into her hands and her shoulders shake. She mutters something about God and other words like, “asking for trouble.”
I don’t understand what’s going on.
From somewhere behind our car, men’s voices grow louder. So loud, even the pitter-patter from the rain gets drowned out.
My legs kick out in front of me as I try to stretch my body enough to turn around and see behind me. I’m too small, too tucked into the carseat. I can’t see over the seat to look out the rear window.
A frustrated sound leaves me as I twist and turn and then give up. I’ll never grow enough inches to see out the back window.
But I can click the button thing Mommy does when she comes to get me.
My fingers start pressing at the red button that controls the belt strapping me down. It doesn’t come undone easily. I have to press down hard, digging my finger into the button, and then tug on the straps to wiggle free.
Mommy doesn’t notice a thing. She’s too busy sobbing up front.
I fall to my knees on the carpet floor of the car before scrambling for the door. The locks are automatic, but I’ve seen Daddy pull on the black knob to get them to open…
It pops up! It takes me a couple tries to pull it like Daddy has, but I’m able to do it.
The car door swings open for me to hop out, my doll baby wrapped up in my arms. The rain immediately drenches me. My braided pigtails sink lower on either side of my head and my dress with dozens of tiny pink hearts feels wet against my skin.
But I’m not paying either any mind.
Daddy stands up ahead, deep in an argument with a group of men near their bikes.
I blink and squint trying to figure out what’s going on.
The fat raindrops falling into my face make it hard to see.
It’s nothing good. They raise their voices and one of the guys has something in his hand. It looks like the water guns me and the kids around the block play with, just without the bright orange and lime-green colors. It’s smooth and all black and looks scary clutched in his hand like that.
Daddy needs to come back right now. Leave those big, angry men alone.
The one with the toy gun takes aim right at Daddy. It’s in that second my eyes go wide, and I figure out that’s no toy gun. That’s no gun that squirts water like we play with on hot afternoons. It’s...
I open my mouth to scream for Daddy at the same time the gun goes off with a bang.
Both sounds get drowned out.
The much louder, more ferocious boom of thunder silences everything on earth.
My scream dies in my throat, watching as Daddy crumples to the ground, never to get up again…
“Hey, bitch! I’m talking to you!”
My whole body jerks as I’m pulled back to the present moment. I’m no longer standing drenched in heavy downpour, clutching my doll baby at my side, feeling like my whole world has been smashed to bits.
I’m in Rusty’s Tavern with a soiled rag in hand and a boozing asshole shouting at me.
“Is there a problem?” Steve, the manager of the bar asks. He comes up red-faced and agitated from the back office.
Phlegm thrusts a finger in my direction. “This bitch is standing around staring off into outer space. What kinda help you hiring around here?”