Independent piece #8- Miss. Humphrey, the beautiful Miss Humphrey

When my father would come home, he’d forget about the killing. Every time he walked in, the first thing he did was kick the dog. Its foaming mouth, a result of starvation, would snap out at his leg, but would always come up fruitless. “Get in bed!” he would bellow to us, as we ran away. We were afraid of him, terrified. His job was unbearable, and as a result, he took a heavy hand towards us. Me and my little brother often bore the remnants of his temper, but we could stand it, our youngest sister couldn’t. She was beaten to death 3 months ago. I loved my dad, I knew he loved me too, he just didn’t know how to show it, but it was okay. My mother, beautiful as she was, was now ragged and worn. At night I could hear her cry, and beg with my father to stop, stop what, I don’t know.

School was a sanctuary. My teacher was always so nice. She had wavy brown hair, and a gentle face. Her name was Miss. Humphrey, or Miss. Hum, for short. We were always allowed to eat in school, and we could play in the playground during lunch. One day she approached me, “Honey, I was wondering, where are those bruises on your arm from?” her face was mellow, but serious. “Oh, um, I’m not sure.” I replied. My eyes couldn’t meet hers. Her face grew taught and I knew I had upset her. “Would it be alright if I came over for dinner one night?” I smiled, of course! I shook my head, and a large smile plastered itself on my face.

The following night she came over, six o’clock sharp. She had on a maternal blue dress with some flowers, it came to slightly above her ankles. “Hi, Miss Hum! My dad will be home from work in a couple of minutes, but my mom is in the kitchen, c’mon!” I took her hand and gladly led her to the dank kitchen. Dishes were piled in the sink, and my mom looked sick. “Hello, Miss Humphrey, I’m Mrs. Gina Glen. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” My mother said. “Would you please excuse me a moment?” My mom walked away, half stumbling. I heard her go into the bathroom, she was vomiting.

Suddenly the front door thrust open. My dad let out an angry roar and searched for the dog, no where to be seen. He looked up and saw Miss Hum, falling back a little he bellowed, “Who the f*ck is this b*tch!?” startled, Miss Hum replied “I’m Miss. Humphrey, your daughter’s teacher. Nice to me-” my father slapped her. “Get the f*ck outta my goddamn house!” he began to charge towards her. A slight gasp escaped between her lips, as her eyes grew wide. He grasped her in his arms and threw her to the floor. She crouched in the feeble position and tried to ward off the blows to her stomach. “Daddy!! NO!! Stop, daddy, please!” I screeched. My feeble voice held no weight in his world. He wasn’t going to stop. “Mom! Mommy!? Mom! Help!?” she was no where in sight. I watched in despair as my father mercilessly pounded Miss. Hum, the beautiful Miss, Hum. Blood began gathering underneath her head, and I could see her body beginning to unfold with each blow. She was dead. I would never forgive my father for this. I would love him no more