Nicholas

“I can’t do this anymore, Nicky.” Mommy’s crying again. She’s always crying.

“It’s okay, Mommy. Don’t cry,” I beg her.

“It’s not okay, it’s never okay. Get in the tub, Nicky.”

I don’t want to make her cry again so I get in the bathtub but the water is too hot. When I cry out she slaps me across the cheek.

“It’s fine.”

“It’s too hot, Mommy.”

“No it’s not, get in the god damn tub.”

“Mommy,” I sob but do as she tells me.

I don’t want to make her mad again; last time she was mad, she locked me in my bedroom and I didn’t eat all...