Enemies and Playmates by Darcia Helle Page B

didn’t understand how her mother managed to appear so far removed from these other women, as if the things spoken about could never and had never touched her.
    They drove home in silence. Lauren closed her eyes, wishing she could be anywhere else. Why didn’t she simply move out? Carrie had even suggested they be roommates when she’d first decided to get her own apartment. Why did she stay home where there was constant tension, deceit, and abuse? Why didn’t she go away to college, in another state, when she’d had the chance?
    She opened her eyes and stared at the back of her mother’s head. Her mother, the reason she stayed. Her mother needed someone on her side, someone to protect her.
    Lauren frowned. She was doing a lousy job of protecting. The abuse had only gotten worse with time. Did it do any good at all for her to remain at home?
    Maybe it would be better if she moved out. Maybe her father would have less to get angry about, less reason to lash out.
    Lauren closed her eyes again. She knew better. Even after she and Stephen had both moved out, Alex would remain the same abusive, unfeeling man he was now. The only difference would be that he’d have no one around to witness his behavior. Or to keep him from going too far.
    By the time they walked into the house, Lauren had forgotten all about Stephen’s behavior at the restaurant. She was lost in her own thoughts, deep in search of a way out. As she crossed the living room toward the stairs, her father’s voice bellowed behind her.
    “What the hell were you trying to do in there?” Alex said.
    Stephen almost smirked. “What would you be referring to?”
    Alex stepped within inches of Stephen. His hands balled into fists as he sputtered, “You are an embarrassment to this family.”
    Tears sprang to Kara’s eyes. “Alex, he didn’t mean to embarrass you. Please -”
    Alex shoved Kara aside. “Stop babying him. Stephen wants to play adult, so let him handle this like one. He doesn’t need his mommy defending him.” He turned back to Stephen, his tone taunting. “Or do you?”
    “Fuck you,” Stephen said.
    The back of Alex’s hand caught Stephen in the corner of the mouth. His lip split open and blood oozed out, sliding down his chin. Stephen didn’t blink. He said, “Do you feel like a big man now?”
    Alex grabbed Stephen’s arm, yanking him closer, “You little -”
    “Leave him alone!” Kara demanded.
    “Get upstairs,” Alex said. “I’ll handle him myself.”
    Kara hesitantly approached. She stopped just out of Alex’s reach. Her eyes swam with tears. “Alex, let him go,” she said.
    Alex’s expression tightened. “Kara, mind your own damn business”
    “This is my business.”
    Alex glared at her a moment, then let go of Stephen’s arm. To Stephen he said, “Looks like Mommy wants to save you. Perhaps she’d also like to take your punishment. Now I suggest you get lost while you still can.”
    Stephen glanced at Kara, then quickly put his head down and stumbled up the stairs. Alex turned to Lauren and said, “You should do the same.”
    Lauren searched her mother’s eyes. The knot in the pit of her stomach twisted tighter. She couldn’t leave them alone. He would beat her, like he always did. Only this time would be even worse. This time her mother had dared to defy him.
    “I said get upstairs,” Alex said.
    “It’s okay,” Kara said quietly. “Go ahead to bed.”
    Lauren reluctantly headed up the stairs. Her father’s angry voice trailed after her as he berated her mother for interfering. He blamed her inadequacy as a parent for Stephen’s behavior.
    Her father’s voice grew louder, booming through her bedroom walls. Even with her door shut tight, she heard every word. He ridiculed her mother, belittled her. Lauren buried her head beneath her pillow. Her father’s voice became muffled but the rage remained unmistakable.
    Eventually the yelling stopped. Then everything became quiet.
    A deadly