BRUISED
BY C.Wynter


CHAPTER ONE
MY START

Would you like to hear a story?
A story that's relatable? that doesn't end with s happily ever after as it's still being written?
Well, Take a walk with me.

My first memory as a life form was at the age of four years old, sitting on a slab of cement foundation, eagerly waiting on my mother's weekly visititation.

I lived with distant relatives in the community of Steer Town, just outside of St. Ann while my mother worked as a security guard in the town of Ocho Rios.
Having done security work myself, I understood that the long hours are really dreadful so my mother thought leaving me with relatives was the best bet.

she was wrong.

I wasnt Happy there, I was abused by an aunt and cousins. I was often bullied by these kids, teased and often left hungry. I remember being held down as they put a centipede on my back and allowed it to bite me, I developed a fear of them since that day.

I was quiet, held it all in from my trying mother, I didn't want to burden her, I thought it normal.

"mummykin!"
A familiar voice cried out, I immediately felt better, my mother had arrived, all was right within my world.

"mummy!"
I answered her, barreling into her for a hug even as she struggled with the bags of groceries.

Everyone crowded into the one bedroom space, it was time for act One, they played their parts beautiful, however glimpses of their soul could be seen as they greedily eyed the goods that my mother brought.

In my excitement at seeing my mother, I did the unthinkable, I sat on one of the two beds that occupied the small room .
My Aunt quickly corrected me when my mother went to use the bathroom.

" Get up off the bed!"
she sneered in disgust, her kids snickering at me.

I felt a pressure rise within my chest and a voice in my head screamed "tell mummy!"

I debated, thinking I would burden her, that I was in the wrong for sitting on the bed.
The voice screamed so loud, I ran from the room to my mother who was already on her way and told her Every thing, the words rushing from my lips unscripted, wild and desperate.

My mother confronted my Aunt, who along with her kids denied my claims, I could see the confusion upon my Mothers face, I felt the doubt.

she didn't believe me.

I was ready to give up but the voice wouldn't let me, and so in my desperation I pulled out the piece of rotted board I had been sleeping on since I was there, complete with a lumpy pillow and thin sheets, the truth of was so loud.

The silence, oh the silence.

My mother exploded, words were thrown and though I don't remember what was said, I felt light, for she believed me.

it was over.

we left that day, I was free.



CHAPTER ONE CONTINUED

...We relocated to the community of Pineapple, In Ocho Rios st. Ann; the garden parish and a popular Tourist Spot.
it was here, at the age of five, I met the brothers i nevrt knew i had.

My mother organised thus meeting At the popular local beach back then, Fisherman's beach, now known as Magaritaville.

I remember being so nervous, the deep need to be liked by these strangers.
My mother left us to Bond.

oh, the awkward silence.

I remember being stared at, one brother outright looking and the other doing his best to avoid looking at me.

I felt terrible, what should I do?.

"Go into the water "

There was that voice again.

I listened.

I went into the water, over doing the splashing in hopes they would join me.
The older one eventually joined me and with some urging from him, my eldest brother joined us.

My mother arrived shortly after, smiling at us getting along.

however, even in that moment I knew my eldest brother will never like me, but that was okay for now, for the oldest one did, and my mother was happy.


NEXT: CHAPTER TWO

*How do you like this true story so far?
please comment your views.



© Chantal Wynter