“Mmm, course that’s what you meant…But I have no idea who works there…” Tina knew exactly what Henry had really meant…She knew how he hated Tina to so much as talk to a guy..

Henry knew Tina knew also…He felt remorseful…He knew deep down she wouldn’t cheat on him…She was the loyal type…But sometimes, especially when he drank he got these crazy ideas into his head…He shook his head, and tried to swallow down the insane thoughts that come to his mind and said “Tina..Honey…I’m trying to change, and I want you to know I love you, and I’ll do anything to please you…I want to make up for all the horrid things I have done…”

Henry kissed her forehead then and continued “…I’m gonna prove that I’m worthy of you and the kids…I swear..”

“I-I know…We better get going or we will end up being late…”

[B]LATER – MIKEYS PRIZEGIVING[/B]

“Ladies and Gentleman…I would like to introduce an exceptionally gifted student, who normally excels at sports…But was a surprise runaway winner in our Annual Poem Competition…A big Hand for Mikey Morgan who, having read his effort, I have to say, was a deserving winner…

The audience clapped as Mikey took the microphone…

The teenager quickly scanned the audience…Praying his parents had not come…He couldn’t see them and the knot in his stomach eased slightly…

“Come on Mikey don’t be shy..” The headmaster said…”Your audience is waiting…”

Mikey cleared his bone dry throat and began to recite his poem clearly and concisely…He didn’t want anyone to click it was based on truth…

On his fucked up home life…

He’s home again from another booze filled session..
Tanked Up & ready to teach you another lesson..
They heard him come in…His boots stomping across the floor
Then suddenly he bangs open your bedroom door…

Soon shouts and screams, ring through the night
As per usual..He wants to fight…
Quickly he’s dishing out punches, kicks…Going mental
Inflicting damage to her body, and its not just dental..

Shes cowering in the corner…Quietly weeping
From her cherub lips, blood is seeping…

Your rage and jealousy is still shamefully ripping
As your uncalled for paranoia is visibly dripping…

Because she wears a suit, She’s a prostitute
Because at a guy she smiles…She’ll get a battering in a while…

The colour of her bruises, purple, blue, black and red
One day your temper will leave her dead
The kids are scared…Full of confusion
It’s a messed up life..Happiness an illusion

They flinch as he boots her again, using all of his might
If only his buddies could see him on a Saturday night..
Perceptions can be wrong, the boy wants to cry…
Cause this vicious bastard is not a ‘nice guy’…

Next morning, he’s no recollection…He was full of the malt
So quite clearly, it wasn’t his fault!!

“I’ll change, I’ll stop the booze” The monster cries
But that mouth just keep uttering blatant lies…

The torture wont stop, he’s too mean and cruel..
And his promises are empty…Stop being a fool…

Cause after a pint…Maybe a litre
Once again he’s a woman beater..

Leopards can’t change their spots
No matter how much they try
And deep down you know, he’ll never change…
So get out before you die!!

But when the young boy grows, brave and strong
He vows he’ll right this terrible wrong
He swears the terror will end & his fear will pass
When he finally, gleefully, whoops the brutes ass!!

Cause after a pint…Maybe a litre
His father becomes a woman beater!!

Henry’s face went pale as listened to his sons scathing words…

Tina gasped…She was speechless…But she knew deep down what her stepson wrote was true…She turned to her husband and watched the changing expression play over his face…She noted that it registered contrasting emotions…Shame, hurt, guilt…And then… there it was…
The familiar expression…

Anger.

Tina squeezed Henry’s hand…Trying desperately to pacify him…Calm him…But he quickly pulled his hand out of her grasp…But not before she felt a tension fill his body…

Her own being quickly filled with dread…And wondered what the result of this evening would be…

What would tonight bring?