I was huddled in the back of the hall closet. Mama and Daddy were fighting again. And when they faught, they faught. Daddy wasn't so good to Mama. I pushed the palms of my hands against my ears, trying to block out the yelling. I could still hear every word, every sound, even through the thick wool blankets and coats.

The front door opened and slammed shut. Daddy and Mama stopped yelling. "What the hell do you want, Loranne?" Daddy said. Auntie must've came in.

I could tell Mama was crying when she spoke. "She's here to do something we should've done a long time ago."

"What are you talkin' 'bout?" Daddy slurred.

"You're a no-good-lying-abusive snake. If you didn't know so much, Linda wouldn't be here with you," Auntie said. I could hear her heels clicking against the wooden floor, towards my hiding place. The door swung open. "Come on, baby," Auntie said, holding out her arms. I crawled into them. She scooped me up.

"Thank you!" Mama sobbed as Auntie walked out the door. Before she slammed the door behind her, I saw Daddy narrow his eyebrows and shove Mama into a wall. Mama put her arms over her head to protect it from Daddys fist that was coming down towards her skull.

"Your Mama really loves you," Auntie whispered to me as she buckled me into her car. I always loved Aunties car. It smelled like the peppermint candies she ate. She'd give you one and say, "Make it last." Sometime, she'd give you two and say, "Share with someone you love."

A/N: Sorry, I know that this is short. And it isn't the best writing I have ever done. Please, though, tell me what you think :)