It's Red Wine, You Fool

"What the HECK are you doing?! How USELESS are YOU?!" Dad screamed. Dad's voice rang into my ears instantly. Fear went across my body, my body froze out and my brain went completely blank. I was terribly scared and frightened, but most importantly, I was confused. I didn't understand why Dad was angry.

".....huh?" A word busted out of my mouth, I was surprised that I had the courage to speak. Sadly, courage was useless in this matter of time, it was more like a nightmare. This tiny sound triggered Dad's anger, he was boiling on fire. Dad was more furious than ever when he saw me so stupid that I didn't know what my mistake was. He pointed at the broken glass bottle and scolded.

"You know WHAT that is?! OPEN your eyes and LOOK at it! It is RED WINE. I want to have WHISKY. Not red wine! I can't believe you CAN'T even buy things properly!"

"Err.........I'm sorry. Because......you just.....you just say w.....wi....wine in the morning....... I thought you meant red wine." I explained, hoping he would at least listen to me, but he didn't.

He never did.

Dad went closer and pulled my collar tightly, barking out some nasty words, "HUH?! YOU see my bottles of wine every day when you pass the living room. DON'T you even remember my living habits?"

As Dad kept on roaring, my eyes were all wet but not a single drop of tear came out. He pushed me away and punched me in the face hard. Because of the sudden impact, my legs lost balance and I fell on the ground. There was pain all over my body, I wanted to stand up but I didn't have enough strength to do so. The only strength I had was to open my mouth and spoke.

"I'm..........sorry...."

"SORRY? WHAT is the USE of YOU apologizing?!" Dad criticized. He lifted up his feet and kicked me on my stomach, again and again and again.

"REMEMBER! You BAIT!" he yelled and pointed his finger at me.

"Everything you have, your clothes, your meals, your education, it is I who give it to you. I give you so much and you CAN'T even buy SUCH a simple thing for me?!!"

Dad continued to rebuke my behavior and actions, numerous dirty words came out from his mouth, insulting me again and again. My eyes darkened, there were endless sharp swords stabbed right into my heart, opening up holes that couldn't be filled. I was in pain but surprisingly no tears came out from my eyes, not even a single drop.

I didn't want to cry.

Not because I was strong.

But because I was tired of crying.

On dealing with the violence ahead, I didn't resist and I didn't complain.

All I said was......

"I'm sorry."

∞∞

A while later, the kicking finally stopped. I opened my eyes and observed the room. Dad was gone. I stood up but my legs were still wobbling in fear. Touching my head, I tried to trace my memories. Yet, I hardly remember anything of what Dad said, the fear seemed to be blocking the way. Pain was exposed in my head as I thought, I must have gotten a terrible headache.

All of a sudden, I heard a sound near the main door. It seemed Dad had gone out for a walk. I tidied up all the glass pieces in the living room, threw them in a bin and went upstairs. My head was dizzy again, I bet if there was someone pushed me from my back, I would probably collapse on the floor. I was not in a condition for walking but my feet never stopped.

Upstairs, there was a wooden door with a straight metal handle. I opened the door. A short straight black hair man was staring at a bookshelf, searching for something.

"Jay."

Jay stopped searching, he turned at me and said in a bright smile, "Let's play."

I gazed at him and made a smile. I was grinning with pleasure as if nothing had happened and replied.

"Sure."

∞∞

What is family?

What are friends?

I didn't know what is family and I didn't know what are friends.

I want a family but my parents never gave me any warmth.

I want friends but the atmosphere at school seemed so distant.

However...

Jay appeared.

He gave me everything.

He comforted me when I was sad, he believed in me even though no one did.

He gave me happiness, he gave me love.

That's right, I don't need to cry anymore.

Because I don't care about anything that happens in real life.

I don't care about the bullies in school and I don't care about my parents.

All my life, all I wanted was happiness.

And it is Jay who gave it to me.

Even if he is a ghost.

Even though he is not human.

I don't care.