A single question has brought it all back again,
Even though it was asked so innocently,
I remember,
I can smell the smells
And hear the sounds
As though it was but yesterday
And not in the far off regions of my youth,
I closed my eyes and could feel
His hot breath on my face
I could feel the tub against my skin
His unshaven face kissing my back
And I retch as the memory consumes me
I can almost feel the little pool of water mixed with blood,
My blood,
Sloshing against my arms and knees
I hear the sound of the other kids voices,
Of them running around playing tag, watching tv
I can't think
All the noises stop
I look up
My face is slamed back down to the bottom of the tub
I hear the kids
His kids
Rushing off
Unaware
Not knowing
Oblivious
To my stuggle
And the percing red pain
As I am slapped to reality