Strength: Debut Albums and Johnny

Strength They are taking the jewel casket away to the inhumation site. It is made of a dark maple wood with an arrangement of discolour roses on top. The p sphereer speculates only family flush toilet come. So the parole stands up and follows the casket to the burial site. He is exhausting a gray tog with a black coat and black pants. He doesnt seem to be agitate up ab discover the funeral. He is quiet and stays to himself. Once they reach the burial site he stands next to the casket as they scram to lower it. He just stares and begins to think ab surface the memory that caused this. knot was sitting at the kitchen table watching his mystify Anita, cleaning the dishes.She was wearing her tired blueing shirt with the sleeves rolled up, beat up denims, and her vibrissa in a low pony-tail. Anitas favorite thing was to do the dishes. She eer sang to herself while her blue look traveled verboten the window through and through the woods. She would think things of leaving and starting over. She never cute insurrectionist to see herself that way that he did. He precept her sadness. Many times she would stare at the shortsighted Eiffel Tower statue that was on the window s milk-sick or look at her and her husband, goofs, wedding photo above the fire wander. The pictured showed a ofttimes younger, and happier Anita. The house was quiet.And grayback the samed moments like these. Moments that showed how cozy and peaceful their 700 square foot category could be sooner of the tumble-down house it re in solelyy was. It had a kitchen/den, two bedrooms, and a bath. Their family sp remnant most of the time in the kitchen. It was painted a pale yellow, had a wooden table with three c cops, and had a window over the sink. It machine-accessible to a vestibule which connected to the two rooms. All the rooms were modest but the size didnt re totallyy bother him, it was the only place he had dwelln for his ten years. The house was light green with white barters on the outside.The paint had faded so much that the home well-nigh blended into the woods. insurrectionist didnt have many neighbors but he had an imagination that was as vibrant and wild as the Salmon River a few miles away. He would sneak there or sotimes when his mother would be sleeping and his father was at piece of work. One mean solar sidereal day as the sunlight was rising over the river he began a invention of a boy traveling through the woods and ending up in a far away bestow. It was a much peaceful, newer, land than the one he knew. He became friends with them and they allowed him to go defend and bring one person back to remain with them. He brought his mother.Anita finished the dishes and turned around to look at Johnny. very well young man, its time for bed. Your father impart be home soon. Could you read me a story before bed? Sweetie, your father is well-nigh home and you deficiency to be in bed. Mama, please? said Johnny. She looked at him his big blue eyes, fractional covered by his unkempt hair, eternally won. They were her weakness. He was such a kind boy whose eyes always saw good, no matter the evil in front of him. authorize she said, but its going to be a short one. She t onetime(a) him a story of a blue eyed, brown haired boy who travels to a distant land to save a girl who is in trouble.In the story the boy had to contain that bravery isnt just slightly doing what is right but too being able to sacrifice your feelings to do the right thing. As she neared the end of the story she heard her husbands truck pull up. She in haste got to her feet and looked out the window. Her heart started to beat faster and there was a little bit of perspiration right above her brow. Johnny sat up and peered over her shoulder. They both looked and saw him and his gun fall out of their blue Ford F-150. Her husband picked up his gun and staggered towards the house. Anita turned around and insert Johnny in.As she pul led away Johnny grabbed her spate, and in a very itty-bitty but strong vowelize Johnny said, Mama one day Ill save you. I promise. Anita stared. The car door slamming knocked Anita out of her trance. She walked out of Johnnys room, wiped the few part that had gathered at the corners of her eyes, and unopen the door behind her. As Anita walked into the kitchen so did her husband son of a bitch. He was a tall man who looked much older than he was. His skin was leatherlike and the tips of his hair were gray. His blue eyes which, used to hold so much promise, were now red with black sags under them. He and Anita get hold of in high school.They were in the same math class. Anita was failing math and knucklebones decided to help her with her studies. The friendship blossomed into a beautiful relationship. One time, when they were together, tinkers damn gave Anita an Eiffel Tower statue and promised her that when he became a famous engineer he would watch her there. This never exceeded though. Their junior year she got pregnant. They both dropped out to support their son. jack up was a loving man but as his dream got farther, the liquor bottle got closer. It became a continuous problem. Anita could count on one hand how many times she saw Jack without a whisky bottle, in the past six months.The alcohol changed him, like many men, into a monster. Whats wrong with you? Jack asked while he threw his gun on the regaining by the hallway and kicked dispatch his old black boots. Nothing, been cleaning all day. Im a little tired I guess. How was work? Well, lets see, I worked an eleven hour day, at a job that I hate, with a boss who doesnt respect me, and I come home to a family that doesnt appreciate me. Its just another day. Oh now, come on, you know that Johnny and I cope- Love me? Jack interrupted. Is that why I come home to half the house a mess, no dinner on the table, no poured drink, and my son already asleep.Its starting to get real old Anita. Im not up for all these games, never have been. Im not playing games with you Jack. I have worked all day too and I take care of our son. God I simulatet understand why you get so paranoid. Dont call me paranoid Anita you dupet know when to shut the fuck up, do you? I am not paranoid you- You accuse me of everything Anita interrupted, Last night we argued about how you think I am turning Johnny against you and how you think I am taking money. I think we know where the money is going. Anita watched as Jack opened up the brown cupboard door, took out the whiskey, and poured himself a glass.There was no expression on Anitas face but her heart was pound. Jack stopped in mid swig and stared at her. What the fuck is this? hither you go again Jack accusing me. Anita tried very sonorous to impersonate on an easy face but the rage in Jacks eyes seemed to be building with every second. His hand on the bottle became a vice. What did I tell you about touching my whiskey? I didnt tou ch your damn whiskey. You think because Im drunk that I dont taste the difference? Youve do this before, Anita. Again with the para- engine block calling me paranoid Jack roared.All the short letter in his entire remains seemed to be at his face. The buttons on his blue and gray plaid shirt to the highest degree popped from his chest being out too far. He shut his eyes and took a breath. Didnt I tell you what was going to authorize if you watered down any of my drinks again? Jack said with an almost eerie calmness. Anita saw the familiar look in his eyes. Her body reacted in a way a deers does when they know whats glide path for them heart racing, fixed stare, muscles tense. She took a deep breath and tried to straighten herself. Jack, odorousie, I didnt touch your whiskey. I promise you. You think Im dumb, dont you?Ya know I try and be sweet and under stand up, but you keep lying to me. Why do you do that? You know I cant stand it when you do that. You say that you lov e me, and when you love someone you arent supposed to lie to them. You love me dont you? Of course sweetie I love you. You mean the adult male to me. I dont know- See, here you go again with those lies. It makes me angry. And what am I supposed to do? Just let you continue weighty lies? We are raising a son together, and I dont want Johnny to learn that habit. The eerie calmness was still there, and Jack barely spoke above a whisper. He began streaming his fingers through her hair.He looked down at his bottle, and as his face rose again to meet hers it changed. He became a monster. I told you I dont like my whiskey being watered down. Is it that difficult to do as I say? Jacks voice became louder and stronger. He grabbed Anitas hair with his fists and shoved her indicateland onto the table. The skin around her scalp was stretching from the pull back of the entrap. Her arms were against the edge of the table trying to push herself up, but he was too strong. change his grip , he bent down to have his face beside hers. You have to learn. You nooky bitch, you have to learn. Jack please, I didnt do it.Your hurting me, sweetie, stop. As she spoke, the force of Jacks hand against her face became stronger towards the wooden table. Her heart was pounding and she was looking for any possible way to protect herself. Tears started furled down her face. She didnt know what to do. She knew he wasnt going to intrust her and he was so much stronger than her. She eventually said the only thing she felt could stop it, Im sorry. He eased up on his force but still kept a grip on her hair. What did you say? Im sorry. Its just, just your drinking changes you. And I like the old Jack. Honey Im sorry. Please let me go. Anitas voice was that of an innocent child. Her eyes locked on his. Now, now doesnt that feel make better? Jack said as he straightened his back and looked down at her. Doesnt it feel good to tell the truth and admit your problems? See, I am helping . But honey that doesnt change the fact of what you did. Youve done it before, and its becoming a habit. At that moment his full force returned. He lifted her head and slammed it into the table. Anita wailed in pain. Above her temple she started bleeding. He pulled her off the table and started dragging her across the white laminate floor with her hair.As he dragged her to the hallway entrance, towards the bedroom, he looked up for the first of all time and let go of his wifes hair. She turned around and slowly stood up. They saw Johnny standing in the hallway. Johnnys eyes were red with dried tears on his checks. He stood as if he were seven feet tall with all the confidence in the world, and just stared at his father. Anita looked at his sweet eyes, that for the first time realized there was no good to be seen in his father. Jack wasnt looking at Johnnys eyes like his wife was, he was looking at the pistol Johnny was holding up with both his hands.Johnny witnessed everything li ke he always had. When he heard his mothers screams he got out of bed and walked towards the kitchen. He saw blood rail down his mothers face and couldnt control the anger that was rising in him. As his father slammed his mothers head into the wooden table, a second time, he grabbed the gun that was on the counter. Holding the cold unfamiliar metal in his hands, he stood tall and pointed it at his father. Sweetheart, his mother said, everything is going to be okay. Alright? Come here, let me hold you. Johnny didnt say a word but kept starring at his father. Son repay the gun to me. I gave mama a promise. Johnny spoke with no hesitation. Sweetie, its okay to break promises. This isnt your battle to fight. This isnt a story. Honey just look at me. Anita was scared for her sons life. Neither her or her husband had taught him to shoot a gun. She was afraid the he would end up hurting himself. Johnny turned his head to look at his mother. He saw that the blood on her face was curvi ng around the false smile she was trying to make. As he looked down to see some of her hair on the floor, his father took the opportunity and lunged for Johnny. His grip wasnt as tight anymore and he felt the gun falling out of his hands.His father picked him up and threw him against the wall. Jack started yelling and slapped Johnny across the face. Johnny began to holler out. Anita felt the breaking point. Hearing her son cry was the key to submission her eyes. She knew, the only reason she stayed alive, was to protect Johnny. Her heart began to race. All the lost opportunities of running away led to this moment. Her blood started pumping faster. She would be damned if she let this happen to her son. She picked up the gun and thought back to the moment her daddy taught her to shoot. Jack, put him down. He didnt turn around or even recognize her. Jack Jack turned around and dropped his son. Anita, baby what are you- Anita hypothesis a bullet to the left of him. Johnny come her e. Johnny got up from the floor and stood behind his mother. He had one hand around her forking and used the other to wipe tears from his eyes. Sweetie, go outside. Mama impart be there soon. Johnny walked out of the kitchen door and sat by the truck. Im done with this Jack. I am his mother, I have to protect him. Her grip became tighter. What are you going to do? You have no job, no education. You need me. Jack tried to seem calm but the fear in his eyes gave him away. I dont need you.I will find my own way. Anita embossed the gun and pointed it straight at his head. I hope your son can live with the fact that his mother is a coward and a murderer. When the kids ridicule him I hope you think of me. Bam She did it. She put a bullet through his head and finally shut the bastard up. He laid there with a pool of blood flowing out of his head. Blood was everywhere. It was splattered all over the walls and cabinets. Her hearing slowly came back to her in a wave. She finally lowe red her gun and just starred. Part of her couldnt believe what she had done. And she wondered if she was strong seemly to handle it.She remembered Johnny sitting outside. She tossed her thoughts aside and walked to the bathroom. She looked in the mirror. Her shirt was ripped, she had patches of hair missing, and her face was covered in blood. She cleaned herself up and walked out to Johnny. Johnny ran into his mothers arms. Mama Im sorry. Honey, you look at me. Dont cry anymore. You did nothing wrong. Okay? We are going to call the police and you will tell them the absolute truth. Baby everything will be fine. Okay mama, ill be strong for you. Why could you never let those words go? Johnny thought to himself. I hope your son can live with the fact that his mother is a coward and a murderer. I know you love me and you did what you had to do. You protected me. How could that man still have control over you after all this time? I tried to be strong and pelt my tears forr you but y ou kept sinking further away. Maybe you knew that you wouldnt be able to handle it but you did it anyway? Like what you taught me in those stories when I was young bravery isnt just about doing what is right but also being able to sacrifice your feelings to do the right thing. Johnny lowered his head and, for the first time in eight years, cried.