BennettEverston City. No wonder Lina Vitton seems surprised and worried about this visit. I had the privilege of being born in one of the most beautiful small towns in this country. A calm and quiet place, with kind and always smiling neighbors. Truly amazing and helpful people. But I chose to hide from them the painful story that the walls of the Bennett house told every day. I kept it only to myself. Not even my father, my stepmother, or my youngest sister know the dark secrets of those walls. All they know is the story of a promiscuous and careless mother. John Bennett freed me from the filth of that house, but the truth is, he never managed to free me from his chains.“David?” Lina wakes me gently, using a soft reproachful tone.“It’s not what you’re thinking, Lina,” I snap, turning my back on her so I don’t have to look into her eyes.I didn’t lie to her. Actually, I never lie to her. I simply can’t hide things from her assessing gaze. No matter what it is, Lina always gets a cl
Julia“I’m sorry, but I can’t! I can’t stay here with you.” I think and carefully push his arm away to get out of his bed and then out of his room.… I’m tired of you!… I’ll destroy her just like you destroyed me!His words full of hatred fill my mind as the warm water from the shower wets my body. Memories of moments of terror and panic make me take another troubled breath.… It hurts!… Stop, Mommy!I’m out of breath and decide to end my shower.“Why would a mother do something so cruel to her own child?” I ask myself and breathe again. However, I stop in front of a mirror on the marble bathroom counter and stare at the marks of his fingers around my neck. “What did she do to you, Bennett? And why did no one help you?”I decide to throw those questions far away and return to my room. I choose a simple outfit because today is the day Lina will come to evaluate Alex. Which is quite strange since I should be the one taking him to the appointment. Minutes later, Alex and I are seated a
Julia“Dream of angels, son!” I whisper softly, getting out of his bed and leaving his room right after, closing the door carefully behind me.In the hallway, I check the time on my wristwatch and think I have enough time to work a little on the Vitton sketches before my well-deserved rest. And as I walk down to the lower floor, I notice the quietness of this house, which is only not completely silent because of the sound of the rain falling outside. However, as soon as I enter the Bennett mansion’s office, I stop, mesmerized by the beautiful image of a storm playing with the wind while wetting the beautiful sleeping garden.“Time to get to work, Julia,” I say to myself, putting aside this relaxing view and spreading some colored pencils and graphite that will help me develop the lines and textures I need to bring my ideas to life. I spend hours deciding between streets, landscapes, and gardens. Walls, partitions, doors, and windows. At some point, my eyes begin to protest, and I deci
Bennett“Alex and I get along very well, Lina,” I retort. This time my sister’s eyes widen at my comment.“You know what? I’m rooting for you, my brother.” She hugs me again, and my body stiffens in response. However, for the first time, I find myself returning her gesture of affection with genuine feeling. “I love you, David!” she whispers amid the embrace. “You know that, don’t you?”“I know.” And it’s true. Her way of loving is the only acceptable one for me. “I love you too, Lina!”***A few days later…“Mommy, look at me! Look at me!” Alex shouts happily as Mike, the farm coachman, starts pulling the colt Alex is riding. And she smiles at him. It’s the most beautiful and captivating smile I’ve ever seen in my life.“Well done, son!” Julia shouts. She cheers and claps, encouraging him even more.The whole damn thing is that I feel trapped inside this beautiful image as if I’m getting lost in a whirlwind. And looking at these two here makes me somewhat relaxed. It’s a calm, happy f
BennettEverston City. No wonder Lina Vitton seems surprised and worried about this visit. I had the privilege of being born in one of the most beautiful small towns in this country. A calm and quiet place, with kind and always smiling neighbors. Truly amazing and helpful people. But I chose to hide from them the painful story that the walls of the Bennett house told every day. I kept it only to myself. Not even my father, my stepmother, or my youngest sister know the dark secrets of those walls. All they know is the story of a promiscuous and careless mother. John Bennett freed me from the filth of that house, but the truth is, he never managed to free me from his chains.“David?” Lina wakes me gently, using a soft reproachful tone.“It’s not what you’re thinking, Lina,” I snap, turning my back on her so I don’t have to look into her eyes.I didn’t lie to her. Actually, I never lie to her. I simply can’t hide things from her assessing gaze. No matter what it is, Lina always gets a cl
Julia“I’m sorry, but I can’t! I can’t stay here with you.” I think and carefully push his arm away to get out of his bed and then out of his room.… I’m tired of you!… I’ll destroy her just like you destroyed me!His words full of hatred fill my mind as the warm water from the shower wets my body. Memories of moments of terror and panic make me take another troubled breath.… It hurts!… Stop, Mommy!I’m out of breath and decide to end my shower.“Why would a mother do something so cruel to her own child?” I ask myself and breathe again. However, I stop in front of a mirror on the marble bathroom counter and stare at the marks of his fingers around my neck. “What did she do to you, Bennett? And why did no one help you?”I decide to throw those questions far away and return to my room. I choose a simple outfit because today is the day Lina will come to evaluate Alex. Which is quite strange since I should be the one taking him to the appointment. Minutes later, Alex and I are seated a