“When I was old enough to yell back at him, I found my way to the edge of town. Never got far in that sweltering heat. One of the locals would always find me and drag me home. Dad would be waiting with his belt. I kept begging mum to leave him. Couldn’t leave her there alone.”
His voice breaks at the mention of her.
Is this theshethat he left behind?
Tears well in the corner of my eyes.
I rest a hand on Marco’s knee.
His words flow quickly now.
“I stayed far longer than I should have. But one day he hit me so bad, I passed out on the floor. Knew I had to make a choice. Wait for him to kill me, turn out just like him, or leave it all behind. So I created a new identity, a new name and appearance so he could never ever find me. I’ve been living a secret life. Because hewillkill me if he gets the chance. He’s made that very clear.”
I can barely control the pain, the rage I feel toward his father.
That worthless bastard, robbing my love of his childhood.
I ache as though each blow was directed at me.
If only I could rewind time and shield that precious kid somehow.
Marco’s shoulders loosen, but the sadness in his eyes is palpable.
“Finally found the courage to escape without her when I was fifteen. Two days before my birthday.”
His shoulders loosen, but the sadness in his eyes is palpable.
I kiss him lightly on the wrist.
“How did you...?”
“Hitched a ride with a contractor as far as Longreach. Then I worked in a motel kitchen for a couple of months.” His voice brightens slightly. “You’ve heard me mention Beth?”
“Yeah, you were on the phone with her once. Said she was the closest thing you have to family?”
“She has been for more than eleven years now. I tried to steal a tablecloth from her restaurant the first night I slept on the streets. It was so cold, and I needed a blanket. She noticed my cuts and bruises. I was looking pretty rough with my black eye and split lip. She was kind enough to offer me a job and a bed until I could save enough money for a bus ticket to the city. She still calls me every month just to check in and see how I’m going. Maybe you'll meet her one day.”
I’ve never adored the name Beth as much as I do now.
“I’d love to meet her,” I beam.
“She’s the one who helped me get a job when I arrived in Brissy. And a bank account, some decent clothes, a proper birth certificate.”
He’s endured so much.
I want to cradle him in my arms forever.
“You were still a kid. You must have felt so alone.”
He nods slowly, reaching into his pocket to retrieve a small notebook.
The cover is creased, the edges wilting with age.
“I've never shown this to anyone before.”
He hands it to me.
???
