Skip (aka Slappy) Terwilliger here.  I'm afraid things aren't much better with the relationship between Jim and myself.

Jim is my stepfather.  He's also a drunk.  He can't work, so he stays home and drinks.  When he does go out, it's to the bar with his drinking buddies; sometimes he doesn't get home until after two in the morning (and by then, mom is ready to call the cops on him).

When Jim drinks, he turns mean.  He's slapped me and my sister (Corrigan) around; we've both gone to school with bruises showing on our arms, faces, and necks.  Of course, teacher wants to get involved; she suspects we are being abused.  And we are.

I'd like to call the cops on Jim, but I am afraid I will end up hurting mom if I do.  She claims she loves him.  Well, if it's love, then he wouldn't be hitting on us (or on mom; he's knocked her around a few times, too).  It's a neverending cycle.

The only time we have any peace around here is when Jim is gone; that way we can have some normalcy.  When Jim returns, we are usually in bed, but then we're usually awakened in the middle of the night (or very early in the morning) with his ranting and raving.  It's no wonder I'm so sleepy half of the time!

Mom is seriously considering sending Corrigan and I to grandma Peach's place.  There, at least, we'd be safe.  I ask mom why she doesn't come with us; she says she's needed at home.  Grandma Peach was dad's mom.  (As you know, we lost dad four years ago; he'd had a sudden heart attack that killed him.  He was not even forty one when he died.)

I will tell you this much:  if Jim doesn't quit his shenanigans, I am going to call the cops on him and have him thrown in jail for assault and battery.  He's dangerous when he's drunk!

*to be continued.*