Page 24 of Rocky

“Nothing,” he mumbled as he tried to walk past me.

“Wait a minute, son. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“It’s Dad. He always says I’m spoiled, but that’s not true. He’s gonna tell you I have to quit my boxing class.”

I kneeled to look him in the eyes. “Hey, don’t worry about it. You’re not quitting anything, okay?”

“Okay.”

“Wait for me in your room while I talk to your father.” I kissed his forehead and waited for him to go into his room before heading outside.

“You missed your deadline,” Deacon spat before I got outside.

I kept my distance because being near him sickened me.

“What deadline?”

“I told your dumb ass to take him back to the youth center on the Westside.”

“I didn’t agree to do anything, so I’m not sure why?—”

“You think because we’re not together anymore, I won’t fuck you up?” He walked toward me, and my hand, still on the door handle, began to shiver.

“I don’t think anything, but I know you better not put your hands on me.”

“Or what?”

He was barely an inch away from me, and I could smell liquor and weed on his breath. I often asked myself why I was head overheels in love with him. He was average-looking, not very tall or fit, and he had the personality of a wet paper bag.

“He’s staying where he is. End of discussion.” I tried to go back inside, but he pulled my arm so hard it felt like my shoulder was dislocated.

He yanked me away from the door, pinned my arm behind my back, and pressed me against the house.

“Oww!” I screamed, causing Briar to run from his room.

“Mommy!” he cried.

“Go back to your room, baby.”

“Yeah, go back to your room, mama’s boy.”

“No! Let my mommy go!”

Briar barged through the screen door and kicked his father in the leg.

“Lil nigga!” Deacon shouted as he released me and went after Briar.

My shoulder was throbbing, but I had to protect my baby. We were still on the porch, and Deacon had Briar cornered. Just as he reached for him, I jumped on his back, catching him by surprise and giving Briar enough time to get past us and into the house.

I wrapped my good arm around his neck and used every ounce of my strength to choke him. When he’d abused me in the past, I rarely fought back, but this was the first time he’d ever tried to hurt Briar. I wasn’t perfect, but I didn’t play about my son.

Suddenly, I was slammed against the house, and I felt a surge of pain. The pain caused me to loosen my grip around his neck and fall to the ground. My eyes were closed as I rolled around in pain. I could sense Deacon standing over me although I couldn’t see him.

“Bitch! I will—Ahh, fuck!”

Before he could unleash his venomous words, they were interrupted by a loud thump. I opened my eyes and saw Sage and Violet standing over me. Sage was holding a brick while Deacon lay on the ground next to me, seemingly passed out.

“Oh my God!”

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