summer at my dads
by anonymous
(Lebanon, TN)
Garrett was the boy of my dreams; tall, athletic with dark green eyes and a smile that would melt your heart. He was outgoing and made friends easily the complete opposite of the shy, quiet plain girl I was.
Our dads were friends, my parents were divorced so I spent summers with my dad at his farm so I had known Garrett for a longtime but I didn't think he knew I was alive so when he asked me to the last dance of the school year I was ecstatic. We had a great time and became inseparable over the early summer. We spent hours together taking care of the animals; doing other chores we both enjoyed riding the horses together.
Since he was a full time cowboy and I was a part time cowgirl I always did things as he told me to, after all he knew more about such things. Towards the middle of the summer I noticed a change in Garrett he would tell me what to wear, how to wear my hair was saying I shouldn't go home at the end of the summer my mom was a bitch even though he had never met her and I should stay with my dad. My dad was very strict I had chores and curfews things I didn't have at home with my mom. There were consequences usually those consequence s involved a belt dad had always spanked even though I was 16 it didn’t matter.
Garrett thought my dad was cool and he said if I got the belt I deserved it. Not the supportive boyfriend I had wanted. One night we were out with some of Garrett’s friends at a bonfire Garrett was drinking I told him he needed to stop and I needed to be home by curfew. He laughed said he would take me home when he was ready, we were standing near his truck I told him I really needed to get home he had turned away walking back towards his friends with a beer in his hand and said I was acting like a child that he would tell my dad that we got a flat or something and it would be cool and I should have a beer and relax. I told him I was going to call my dad to come get me and that was the first time he hit me. He smacked me right across the face he told me that if I did that his dad would be pissed. He grabbed my arm and said if I had to go home he would take me he shoved me into the truck where he slapped me again. I was so scared driving home with him he was yelling and all over the road. I was crying not to mention I was already 20 minutes late for curfew.
When we got to my house I was so relieved we had made it in one piece. My dad was standing on the front porch I started to cry again. I could see the clenched jaw from the truck. Garret told me to pull myself together he said he would take care of my dad he got out of the truck and walked me to the door. Sorry were late Sir Garrett said to my dad it won't happen again. Dad didn’t even look at him but straight at me and said, “no it will not - get in the house now. Garrett, go home.” ??? I wanted to tell my dad about what had happened but Garrett had told me not to on the way home it would ruin our father’s friendship because I was acting like a spoiled brat. I went straight to my room and looked in
the mirror no bruising yet. I heard my father walking up the stairs he walked in my room you were 45 minutes late young lady care to explain? All I could stutter to say was daddy I'm sorry. I'll never forget the words he said next Garrett is a very responsible young man; you get away with being late and irresponsible at your mothers but not here. You will apologize to him tomorrow I'm sure this is your fault. I listened as I watched him undo his belt I began to cry please daddy no, I won't ever be late again. Actions have consequences young lady drop your pants and lay across the bed. I did as I was told with each crack of his belt hitting my flesh I cried harder. I don't know what he saying I was so scared. When he was done he said that if there was a next time he wouldn't be so easy on me and I should go to bed. After he left I got up and looked in the mirror my but was bright red. My arm from where Garret had grabbed me was now turning purple, no bruises on my face yet thank god. I got into bed not wanting my dad to come back in I lay on my left side because my right arm hurt and my backside. I couldn't believe this was happening and I didn't know what I was going to do about it. I cried myself to sleep.
The next morning I was sore all over and my stomach was still in knots. I had bruises all over my body my face had bruised lightly overnight, my arm from Garrett grabbing me my butt and lower back from Dads belt were deep purple. I covered the one on my face as best I could and even though it was going to be 80 degree I put on a long sleeve shirt. I walked down the stairs slowly my dad was at the kitchen table drinking coffee. Good Morning Daddy I said as cheerful as I could if he thought I was being sullen I was afraid he would hit me again. Melissa you really scared me last night I thought something awful happened to you. I was thinking something awful did happen to me but I didn't say it. It won't happen again Sir I said. Be sure it doesn’t your here at least 6 more weeks I don't want to spend that time disciplining you.
You slept late Garrett’s already here. He came early to talk about last night, trying to protect you; he is a very decent young man. He fed the horses for you go put them out and the two of you come back in I'll make you breakfast. I didn't know what Garrett had told my dad and I didn't want to see him or have breakfast with him and my father. When I reached the barn Garrett came over and hugged me he told me he was really sorry and he had been really stressed and it wouldn't happen again. He said he told my dad we were having such a good time that we lost track of time and it was his fault not mine. He had tears in his eyes when I told him about the beaten I got after he left. He softly kissed my bruised face I'm so sorry baby please give me one more chance that's all I need one more it won't happen again. I said okay because I didn't want to lose him. I never told my dad what really happened that night because I wanted to believe it wouldn't happen again...........but it did again and again starting 10 days later................