REprisal - Kathy Coopmans Page 0,6

snarls at him, but her atrocious resentment is aimed directly at me. “You’re standing here watching her feed her baby like it’s an everyday thing, as if the three of you are one big happy fucking family.”

Woo hoo! I so want to jump for joy.

“Oh, Tina. Quit being so dramatic, for the sake of all things holy.”

Trent approaches her, rubbing his hands up and down her arms. I roll my eyes. She’s calming down now as she lowers her pitch.

“I told you not to come in here when I’m not home. I don’t trust her.”

“I came in here to see if she needed anything, and she was giving the baby a bath. Besides, you know I don’t want her. It’s you I want. It’s always been you.”

Stroke her ego, you dickweed pansy ass. Better yet, go fuck her to death, please. And I mean that literally.

Her gaze settles on me with a distinct lack of trust, searching my mask of innocence for signs of deceit.

“It’s true, Mother,” I say as I stand and carry Journey to the bed.

I fake a yawn, tuck my still exposed breast into my bra, button up my shirt, and lay down beside her. Her chilly, silent reaction doesn’t have me fooled for a damn minute. When the door finally closes and I hear the flick of the lock from the other side, I know damn well she will be back in here as soon as she thinks she has Trent right where she wants him.

However, I may have underestimated Trent. That motherfucker is playing her, too. Bring it on, Tina. I’m willing to take your rage one more time, because bitch, I am about to make your life a living hell, I think as I drift into a light but troubled sleep.

************

I’m wide-awake and ready for her when I hear the lock turn and the door open. The pitch-blackness of the room lightens up a fraction, illuminating her in the doorway.

“Hello, Mother.”

Her short, see through nightie hides nothing. She is one sick, good for nothing hag. I almost pity the wench. Well, not really. I hate that fucking cunt. Yup, I said it. The one word I despise. Such a degrading word, but perfect for her.

The time will come when I will tell her exactly how I feel about her, but now I just sit here with my head up against the headboard, waiting. She stands there with waves of anger radiating off of her.

“Stand up,” she commands.

“No, I’m not arguing with you in here. Journey is sleeping. If you want me, then let’s talk somewhere else.”

I allow my voice to come out in a fearful waver. Let her think I’m scared of her. The truth is, she’s more afraid of me than I am of her. I can see it in her beady little eyes. Hear it in the tone of her voice.

“You’re not in any position to make demands.”

“No, but I would really like her to sleep.”

Submitting to her when I finally have remembered everything she has done to me makes my skin burn as if someone were pouring salt over the wounds caused by the damn leech that is sucking the blood completely out of me.

Her hand sweeps out, gesturing for me to come out of the room. For the first time in I don’t know how long, excitement weaves through me. Finally. It’s when I stand face to face with the leech herself that I hesitate for a moment about leaving Journey alone.

“This is as far as I’m going,” I say firmly.

“Damn right, it is,” she hisses, backhanding me across my face.

My head snaps to the side and I feel the sting of her ring cutting my cheek open.

“You think you can one up me with him?”

She deals me another blow from the same hand, only this time to the other cheek. I feel the blood trickle down my face. Oh, Mother, may I kill you now?

“I’ve been waiting for almost a damn year for you to finally toughen up and try and challenge me.”

Her hands wrap around my throat, shoving me backwards a step until my head hits the closed door. I stare the bitch down, not saying a word. Even though I desperately want this to end, to be able to get my baby and walk out the front door, I have no clue where in the hell I am. And until I do, I will stand here and take her beating and her hateful, vindictive words. They mean