Broken Glass

I hear something shatter, followed by a large thud and for a second I don't move. But they're screaming and shouting and I'm terrified, so I do what I have to.

One call, 3 numbers.

One address, one request, the entire time I move slowly up the hall.

I see broken glass and blood on the floor.

I see my mom, huddled on the floor. Face puffy and bruised.

I'm not one to get angry, I'm the peaceful one, the diplomat, the pacifist. But just this once, I don't I've a flying fuck what is expected of me.

I see him move towards her out the corner of my eye and anger pools red hot in my stomach. I move in front of her and stare him down

Pour my anger into a glare, try to look as rabid as possible, even though he's over a hundred pounds heavier and a good foot taller than me

But that's my mom laying there and she needs me even if she'll never admit it

So I stand my my ground and I fight to keep the tears

The fear

Pain and betrayal from my face

God must be watching because there is a knock

Then the handle jiggles

Then the door opens

And suddenly my uncles are there

With police

For once not pointing fingers, making backstabbing comments or in general, being the insensitive bastards I know they are

For once our family's together

For once I can be a kid and my mom, my mom

For once I can cry while she pays me on the back whispering comfort in my ears while our world pieces itself back together