Chapter 4: The Grave

Four days after Russell’s mother died he stands before the grave he has dug. His own grave. His father has crafted a makeshift tombstone with Russell’s name on it. Arky grips Russell by the neck and shoves the boy down hard before the grave and Russell’s knees crush into the dirt.

Beside the grave is the grave of Russell’s mother. It is still fresh.

“Get a good look,” Arky says.

Meeks squints his eyes open to the headstone. He bites his lip and he snarls. His father opens a bottle of whiskey and downs several gulps.

“See where you’re goin’, boy? Everybody dies. This is one lesson you sure as hell are gonna learn.”

Meeks can only tremble with all-consuming anger.

“You think life is hard? You ain’t seen nothin’ yet. No way in hell I’m gonna let you turn out like that weak, stupid whore.”

Arky slams his whiskey and his eyes are glazing over. Russell’s eyes are different. Intense. Hateful. Burning. Scared as Hell…

Arky unbuckles his belt and he tests the thickness of it. He whips Russell with it without mercy until Russell can’t take it and he crawls toward his freshly dug grave. Anywhere for solace. He falls into the grave and Arky Meeks bends down and stares the boy in the eye.

“Tell me why you’re here.”

Russell cowers to the back of the grave. “I’m sorry.”

“Tell me!”

“I’m sorry!”

Arky raises his belt to strike again. “You better tell me why you’re here boy before I…”

“Because Mama killed herself! She was a weak stupid whore.”

His father lowers the belt and he sets it down next to his whiskey. He pulls out his gun and he cocks it. He points it at Russell’s head.

“Tell me how much you hate her.”

Russell peers up at his father and his eyes blaze with hatred. “I hate her so much. I think she was a weak, stupid whore that went and killed herself and she didn’t deserve to live.”

Arky nods and he seems satisfied with that.

“I won’t be like Mama was,” Russell says. “I promise.”

Arky puts his gun away and takes another pull from his whiskey bottle. Russell lets it out and he finally cries. Arky glares at his son with disgust.

“Don’t you cry for her you little piece of shit. Don’t you ever cry in front of me. Don’t you fucking dare.”

Russell steels himself and the hatred for his father seethes.

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