They said I was a freeloader. Said I was dragging Lionel down.
The cruelty came down like a monsoon, and every word stung.
Lionel had covered my ears with his hands, gentle and firm. It was the first time he'd ever raised his voice at his parents. He threatened to cut them off, swore he'd move us out.
For ten full years, every time they came at me, he stood between us.
But my memory must have been lying to me.
The man who once shielded me now stood on the other side, shielding someone else.
I wiped the blood from my nose with the back of my hand, shoved Lionel aside, and walked into the office.
The slim figure darted into the attached lounge before I could reach her.
I tried to follow, but Lionel caught me around the waist and pulled me down onto the couch.
He sat behind me, one hand pinching the bridge of my nose while the other carefully wiped the blood from my face.
Close as we were, I could smell another woman on his fingertips.
"Moira, I'm sorry. I lost my temper. But you shouldn't talk to a woman like that."
"Go home and be good. Leave her alone, and I won't let any of this touch you."