Dad was sitting down at the kitchen table when we got home. I cringed inside, but didn’t let it show. Charlie squeezed my hand reassuringly.

“Hey daddy,” she said brightly, skipping over to the kitchen, leaving me to deal with our father myself.

My dad glared at me for a long time, then spat on the floor. “Girl! You’d better be making dinner!” he shouted at Charlie, who was making dinner like she did everyday. She was a great cook.

“I am, daddy, don’t worry!” she yelled back pleasantly. She had to act this way, or else he’d-

“Boy,”

I shrank back, then straightened. He gestured over to me, and I walked over to him reluctantly.

“With a stunt like that you pulled this morning, the beatin’ will be harder than you’ve ever experienced.”

I winced and fidgeted with my hands. As long as Charlie was safe, I didn’t care. Hell, he could do whatever he wanted to me, as long as he didn’t hurt Charlie.

My sister was making Mac ‘n Cheese, dad’s favorite and simplest meal to make. I could tell by the smell that was flowing from the kitchen.

“You understand me, boy?”

I nodded to my father. “Y-yes, sir.”

“Good.” he growled. He turned back to the kitchen. “Girl! Get the food out here now!”

Charlie came out, carrying three overflowing bowls of the Mac ‘n Cheese with expert ease. She had done this her whole life. Mom had taught her how to cook, and how to carry dishes. She had loved it.

But then, mom had gone.

And Charlie no longer cooked while humming a song. She never walked with a spring in her step. Everything had changed when mom left.

Dad scarfed down his meal when my sister gave it to him. He finished it in five spoonfuls, and immediately demanded more.

I just stared at my bowl. I knew what was going to happen next if I ate. I couldn’t risk it.

My dad looked up from his second bowl and stared at me. “Eat, boy. Then go throw up.”

I cringed, and some unknown force made me straighten my spine. “No.”

Dad dropped his spoon. I had never stood up to him before.

“What did you say, retard?”

My eyes widened, but I stood up from my chair, trying my best to disguise the fear in my voice. “I-I-I said-said, n-no.”

My dad also stood up. “You have no choice, boy. Eat, then go throw up or there’ll be consequences.”

Charlie came into the room, setting her own bowl down. Her head hung low to avoid dad’s dangerous gaze. If she got involved, he’d just punish her harder. I couldn’t blame her.

“P-please. I-I don’t-don’t want t-to. It hurts-hurts.” I stammered.

Dad glowered at me. “Do you think I care, boy? Do you really think I give a damn if I hurt you?”

I looked down. But I had already started talking, and my mouth couldn’t seem to close.

“J-just this once. P-please. I-I-I’ll do it a-again e-every day. J-just not t-today.”

My dad banged his hand on the table. “I SAID NO!”

Charlie half jumped out of her chair. She hurriedly straightened her bowl and shoved in her Mac ‘n Cheese, her shoulders noticeably shaking.

My dad glanced at her and smiled. “I think the girl will go first, don’t you agree?”

Charlie stopped eating. Her face was deathly pale. She rubbed her wrists unconsciously. I grimaced, then stepped in front of her.

“I-if you l-leave her alone-alone, then I-I-I’ll take t-the beating f-for her.” we had always tried to bargain with him in the past, but to no avail.

“I’ll beat her twice as hard if you don’t do what I tell you to, retard.” dad said, his knuckles white and his face red with rage.

I stopped protesting. I was gonna get Charlie in trouble if I kept going. I didn’t want to hurt her.

I started eating my Mac n’ Cheese.