Dirty Little Secrets Read Online Free Page A

run out and go see your mistress? Tell her I said hello.” Mother turned away.
    It was like a flashback from the past when Daddy said, “Maria, don’t you walk away from me!” Then he took off after her, and
     they were out of my sight. When I heard the loud thump of Mother hitting the marble floor in the foyer, I ran downstairs to
     save her, just as Ella had so many years ago.
    “Daddy, stop!” I screamed, just as Daddy was about to land a second punch. He froze and stared at me with the same shamefullook that Evan had had on his face when he got caught with his pants down.
    “Tyler, go back upstairs. This is between your mother and me,” Daddy said, standing over Mother and trying to hide the anger
     that had taken over him. Mother still lay on the floor, looking helpless and scared.
    “Michael, please don’t do this in front of Tyler. You promised that no matter how angry you got, you would never put your
     hands on me in front of the children.” I stared in shock. Mother’s face was riddled with shame and fear. What was she saying?
     Had Daddy hit her before and I just didn’t know about it? Daddy took a deep breath, and Mother slowly began to stand up. I
     knew my parents had problems, but never did I believe the relationship had become abusive. Daddy walked downstairs to the
     entertainment room, and Mother grabbed my hand and asked me to follow her upstairs. We went in my bedroom and sat on the bed.
     Mother held my hand like she did when I was a little girl.
    “Tyler, I’m sorry you had to witness the altercation between your father and me. I never expected him to hit me with you in
     the house.”
    “Has he hit you before?”
    Mother glanced at me with sorrowful eyes, giving away the answer.
    “But I thought you said if a man ever hits you, you must immediately leave him.”
    “Baby, look at everything your father has provided for us. We are accustomed to a lifestyle that most people only dream of.
     He has fulfilled our every fantasy.” As Mother spoke, I was confused, torn, and disgusted.
    With great sarcasm, I said, “So it’s okay for a man to knock you around if he’s rich and takes good care of you? But if he
     ispoor, like my real father was, then it’s not worth sticking around?”
    “Tyler, you watch your mouth. Your father was worthless. He had no ambition and couldn’t hold a decent job. If I stayed with
     him, we would be stuck in the land of the dead. Do you think you would be living in a million-dollar house and wearing designer
     jeans? Hell, no! Michael has provided us with a better life, and if he loses his temper once in a while, then so be it.” Mother’s
     face was red and her body was shaking.
    I couldn’t believe the words coming out of my mother’s mouth. She had sold her soul for money and material gain. Not only
     was Daddy having an affair, but he was also beating her ass, and it was okay as long as the lifestyle continued. I wanted
     to lash out at her.
    “So, the man you’re fucking now… are you going to leave Daddy for him the way you left my father? Or are his pockets not deep
     enough?”
    Mother stood up and slapped me. I grabbed my face and glared up at her.
    “I know I haven’t been the perfect mother, but everything I’ve done has been for the love of you and Ella. All I ever wanted
     was to provide a good life and not have you faced with the same struggles I had growing up. But no matter what I do or don’t
     do, you will respect me. You respect the bullshit I endured in order to escape the dreadful existence that would have been
     your life if you didn’t have a mother determined to find a better way. One day when you have your own kids and you want a
     better life for them, come have a conversation with me and let me know what you will and won’t tolerate from a man.” With
     that, Mother turned her back and walked away, but not before I saw the tears rolling down her cheeks. I had hurt her and I
     never wanted to do that. Mother was my