Page 25 of Rocky

I tried to get up, but between the pain in my back and shoulder, I could barely move. Violet and Sage quickly helped me to my feet when they noticed I needed their assistance.

“Sis, what the heck is going on?” Violet asked.

“Do we need to take you to the hospital?” Sage questioned.

“I don’t think so. He was here when we got home. I went inside to cook while him and Briar talked on the porch.” I recounted the conversation I heard between my son and his father.

“He’s such an asshole. I swear Briar is the only good thing he’s ever done,” Sage said, then kicked Deacon in his back.

“Watch your mouth, and check to see if he’s still breathing.”

“You’re worried about my mouth after the way we just found you? Sis, please. I think I have the right to cuss. He’s unconscious, but unfortunately, he’s still breathing.”

“Let’s get you inside and make sure nothing is broken,” Violet urged.

“Briar! Briar, where are you?” I waited to hear his voice but was met with silence. “Violet, please find Briar and make sure he’s okay.”

She sprinted up the stairs while Sage continued helping me to the couch.

“I wish he would just disappear. I’m sick of him,” Sage said, referring to Deacon.

“You sound like Rose, and there are days like today that I wish the same. I keep praying he’ll change, but he’s getting worse.”

“Ya think! Thank God you’re not together anymore. He shouldn’t have been hitting you before, but that man has some real audacity to be putting his hands on you now.”

Violet came down the stairs holding Briar’s hand. When he saw me on the couch, he released it and ran to me.

“Mommy,” he cried, climbing onto my lap.

“Be careful, Briar,” Sage warned.

“Mommy, are you hurt?”

“I’m okay, baby. Are you okay?” He nodded. “Where were you hiding?”

“In my closet. Mr. Rocky told me to hide there until he gets here.”

“Mr. Rocky? You talked to him?”

“Yeah. He’s?—”

Before he could explain, the screen door opened and closed. Sage grabbed an empty vase I hadn’t had time to refill with flowers and prepared to crack it over Deacon’s head if necessary.

“What are you doing here?” I asked when Rocky appeared.

I was surprisedto get a FaceTime call from Briar, so I answered immediately. The fear in his eyes was alarming, and when I heard his voice, I knew something terrible had happened. I didn’t wait for him to explain before making an illegal turn and heading toward Rue’s house.

I noticed the furniture on the porch was in disarray and didn’t bother ringing the doorbell before letting myself inside. When I entered the family room, Sage was holding up an empty vase, ready to smash it over someone’s head, while Violet, Briar, and Rue looked on in fear.

“Oh, thank God!” Violet said. “Is Deacon still knocked out on the porch?”

“He must have woken up and left. The door was open. Y’all good?”

“Mr. Rocky!” Briar cheered, hopping from his mother’s lap and running toward me.

I kneeled, allowing him to run into my arms and hugging him.

“Are you okay, buddy?”

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