Protect Me: Oakville Series:Book Three Read Online Free Page B

good to finally find the courage to fight back. I smile because seeing the terrified look on his face and knowing he’s getting a glimpse of what we’ve felt all these years is a little satisfying. And I smile because when I’m finished, this son of a bitch will never lay another hand on me ever again.
    Before I know it, my father is curled up in a heap on the kitchen floor. It’s so fitting seeing as my mother and I have looked like that more times than I can count. I have no idea how or even why I stopped pounding on him, but I wish I would have done this years ago. I turn my attention to mom. She needs medical attention and the emergency room isn’t an option. It comes with too many questions she’ll refuse to answer. That only leaves the free clinic downtown. They see this type of shit all the time. They don’t bother to ask questions they already know the answers to. I gently get her to the car and drive to the clinic.
    After four hours at the clinic, we are on our way home. A broken nose, mild concussion, and tons of cuts and bruises are what the monster left her with this time. As long as she stays, there will be a next time and it will most likely be worse. We both need to leave him and start over — try to be happy again. We pull into the driveway and I turn off the engine. Neither one of us makes a move to exit the car. You never know what to expect when walking through those front doors. I don’t think there has ever been a time when I haven’t been scared to enter my house. The one place that should make me feel safe and happy is the place that breeds all my worst nightmares.
    “Mom, please leave with me. We can start over and never have to worry about him hurting us again,” I beg. When I hear her sniffle, I turn to look at her. She’s staring at the house as tears stream steadily down her face. I know her answer before she says a word.
    “I love you more than anything, son. Please always remember that. I know I’m weak and I never protected you the way a mother should’ve. I’ve never been able to stand up to him even when he was hurting you. For that, I’m so sorry,” she sobs. I reach over and hold her hand. I know she loves me and would’ve protected me if she could. I can’t blame her for being weak when it comes to him. I was, until today. “I know you can’t understand my reasoning, but I have to stay. You don’t. As much as I love you, Paul, I need you to go. I want you to have a life without the fear and pain. I want you to have the life I never did.”
    She reaches in her purse and pulls out a small paper bag. For the first time, she faces me. Her eyes look so tired and sad. She hands me the bag then reaches over and hugs me tight. Why does it feel like this is the last time I’ll ever see her again? That thought causes my tears to flow and at the moment I don’t care. We both hold each other as tight as we can. As if we’re hanging on for dear life.
    “I’ve packed a bag for you. It’s in the trunk. Take it and don’t look back. Don’t ever look back. Forget about me and this hell you once called home. Please, Paul, I need to know you can do that for me,” she pleads. How can I just walk away knowing she’s here and what she’s going through? “It’s time to save yourself and for me to be the mother I should have been a long time ago. You need to get out, Paul, and don’t come back.” Hugging me one last time, she gets out of the car and gets my bag from the trunk. I meet her at the back of the car, tears streaming completely unchecked down my cheeks.
    “I love you, Mom,” I sputter in between sobs.
    “I know, baby. I love you, too. You are the only thing that’s ever brought me happiness. Now, go and don’t come back.” She kisses my cheek and walks into the house. I stand there for what feels like hours, trying to decide whether I can really leave her behind. Finally, I glance to the house one more time before turning and hauling ass as fast as I can away