This is the second part in a series, so if you have not already done so, you might want to read Part I before continuing.
Brittney regained consciousness a few hours later and went through the routine of checking for bruises and broken bones. Nothing broken this time. She had her mother check her for a concussion, wondering, not for the first time, if it was a coincidence that a nurse had found herself a husband who had a tendency to inflict so much physical damage. Having a medical professional around certainly came in handy at times like these.
Once she was in the clear (nothing broken, no concussion), Brittney got ready for school. She wore her usual long sleeves and layers of makeup to try and hide the bruising. This time her father had choked her for a while, so she added a scarf. She wore her long, brown hair down, as always.
He was sitting at the breakfast table, eating his usual ham and eggs with coffee when she came down. He didn’t look at her as she grabbed an orange and a banana from the bowl in the middle of the table and stuffed them in her backpack.
She knew he wouldn’t look at her because he was ashamed of what he had done, and she rolled her eyes in disgust. He didn’t even have the guts to face his own handiwork. He was a coward and they both knew it.
But she had to pretend she didn’t know it. She had to file that information somewhere no one else could see it shining through her eyes. So, she sent it to hide back in the alley until she had use for it.
In the meantime, she smiled sweetly at the back of her father’s head and said, “Goodbye Daddy,” in the sweetest voice she could muster. He grunted and waved a hand in her direction.
Ever the orator, she thought to herself as she closed the door behind her. Of course, she knew that was why he beat her. He could never win her over with words, so he attempted to subdue her with violence. That would never work either and they both knew it, but they pretended otherwise. It suited Brittney’s long-term goals to play her part, and so she played it to the best of her abilities.
She should have been given an Oscar.
To be continued…
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