Chapter 3- LIVING WITH A BEAUTIFUL MONSTER 2

Another thing I did not understand is why I'm their only child. It was until an incident happened before me that I knew why. Eventually.

It was a Friday afternoon and I was back early from school with the other kids in the estate. I decided to do my homework before going out to play on the swing with them. Mom was back but Cameron wasn't. And everything was temporarily peaceful. I was doing my homework in the sitting room with the TV on, and mom was in the kitchen preparing lunch because Cameron hated to have his lunch late. Mom would prepare us lunch and pack his portion and then hire a cab to his office to give him. He didn't buy her a car, even though he could and she never asked him to. I wondered why mom had to do that everyday since I was sure he could get lunch himself, he could get a takeout from anywhere if he wanted. That is why I think Mom is a dummy. I'm always sorry for seeing her that way but it is what she is--a sweet dummy.

As usual, mom cleaned the room they both shared while the food was simmering on fire. It was chicken casserole. She cooked this every Friday afternoon. Most of the things we did on routine in the house was because of Cameron, not because we liked it. Or it was interesting. Never.

I soon finished my homework and went to the room to tell her I was going to join the other kids outside. She rubbed my head and asked me to play safe and off I went. I hadn't played too long when I heard a shriek from our apartment in the estate. I ran back inside to find mom sprawled on their bedroom floor with her hand on her forehead and blood on the back of her green skirt.

"Mama!" I yelled and went up to her "Mama did you fall?" I asked her but she was not responding. She kept rubbing her forehead and it was only when she took her hand away I saw the swell, almost as huge as a baby's head.

"What happened?" I asked panicking

"Your father. Your father is here" she mumbled with a shaky voice

I looked around the room but didn't see a trace of him

"He's not here Mama. What are you talking about?"

"He was here. Maybe he just left" she said struggling to stand up. It was then she noticed the blood on her skirt and she fell down crying silently

"Did he hit you Mama? Did Cameron hit you?" I asked with my eyes watering

But she did not answer. She just sobbed and clutched onto her tummy. She looked like she was about to cry uncontrollably. I didn't know what to do; I was only seven.

"Ariana, can you give me some minutes to myself? Mama is fine, okay? just a bit upset. Go back to the playground. I'll call you when lunch is ready" she said pleading with her eyes.

I walked out. It was what she wanted. I liked to do what mom wanted. I liked to make sure she was okay but she didn't want me then, so I had to give her some time to herself. But I didn't go back to the playground. I waited at the door like some sort of bodyguard in case Cameron came back to hit her. Like I would make him change his mind if he did come back. Like I even mattered at all. I didn't matter, I knew that. Not to Cameron anyway. And he showed me that in every way possible. I knew he had come home to argue about something again, probably about the delay in his lunch delivery or something else I'll never know about. He had hit her with her treasure box, her plastic box where she kept her earrings and deodorants and shoe laces, her precious box, the only thing she'd been able to afford to buy for herself. I had seen the box lying on the floor beside her, its contents sprawled on the floor like goods in display.

I had seen the blood too. The one on her skirt, before she even did, and strangely (because I was only seven), I knew what it meant; She had lost a baby. And her tears after I left the room, "Oh my baby boy, my precious baby boy!" had confirmed it to me. That was the second or third time she'd lose a pregnancy.

Only God knew how many she had lost, before I was born because of that beastly woman-beater who didn't look anything like his wicked heart. Don't judge a book by its cover, my class teacher always said, and it was true. Cameron looked healthy and handsome physically but he was grossly abusive. He had eyes and teeth that confirmed years of smoking and drinking but still, he was attractive. But his soul was not.

This woman didn't deserve to be his. She was virtuous and all shades of decent, way too perfect for him. She deserved a good man, who'd love her and treat her well, and take her to functions to flaunt her beauty, personality and kind soul. Cameron was not anything like that.

Mom prayed for him everyday, she prayed for me and herself too but I don't think he needs prayer. I think he needs some punishment. But I do not say these out, they remain in my head because I am scared. I don't want him to lay his hands on me as well

Mom did call him 'a shame to manhood, fatherhood and humanity', so why would she still be with him after seven years of torment? People did not understand. They thought because we are rich, we have it all together. They see mom looking all beautiful and graceful in her well-starched T-shirt and matching shoes in the morning on her way to work and they're like, "Oh she's so beautiful, so peaceful, married to a rich handsome man with a pretty little daughter" but it is way more than that. Violence is what this rich handsome man offered mom every day of her life. She didn't deserve it. I think peace is more important than money. I envy other kids in the estate whose parents are so close and loving, even when they're not as rich as we are.

I do not understand a lot of things and it worries me. Even now that I'm grown.