Mike Nesmith was leaving the pad when he seen two kids sitting on the porch next door. They looked scared. He glanced at the little girl. She looked about five or six. She had blond hair and bright blue eyes. The little boy looked about seven or eight. He had light brown hair,and soulful brown eyes.
"Howdy! You must be our new neighbors. I'm Mike. You met my buddies Micky and Davy yesterday."
"Hi. I'm Jesse. That's Heather." the little boy said in a voice barely above a whisper. The little girl was clutching his hand.
"Hi." she whispered.
"Are you kids okay?" Mike asked. He was concerned now.
"Yes. We have to go now. Bye." Jesse said.
The two kids walked inside.
"Bye." Mike said feeling puzzled.
What happened to the sweet kids Micky and Davy were talking about? he wondered.
"I thought I told you two to stay in the house!" Mike heard a man bark.
Mike starting going back towards the house, but stopped.
I shouldn't stick my nose in people's business. Maybe he's just having a bad day. Mike thought.
~~~~~~~~~ Jesse sat on the couch plugging his ears. Tears were streaming down his cheeks as he heard his sister's cries. He had gotten his beating and could barely walk because of it. Now it was Heather's turn. All because they had gotten sand in the house. Jesse had even swept most of it up.
"Go to bed!" their father yelled.
Heather flew to Jesse holding onto him for dear life. Jesse held her tightly.
Why can't we have a one normal day? A day without beatings or tears? Why can't we have a normal dad? Jesse thought sadly. He rubbed his sister's back.
"Don't!" she cried.
"Is that where he hit you?"
Heather sniffed as she nodded. Jesse lifted her nightshirt and winced as he saw red welts on her back.
"What'd we do to make him so angry?" Heather asked.
"Got sand on the floor." Jesse said bitterly.
~~~~~~
Mike was still puzzled by the day before. He glanced at Davy who was eating cereal and reading the paper.
"Hey Dave. Can I ask you a question?"
Davy lowered the paper and looked at Mike. "Sure."
"I don't mean to get to personal but did your dad ever hit you?"
"Well I got a spanking every once in awhile. But that was it. Why?" Davy asked.
Mike sighed. "There's something going on next door. I heard their dad yell at them yesterday. And last night I could've swore I heard Heather crying. I think...I think they're being abused."
"You don't have any proof Mike, and without proof there's nothing you can do." Davy pointed out.
"Then what do I do?"
"Get proof." Davy replied.
"Maybe I'm over re-acting. I mean he could've just being having a bad day. People have those right?"
"Yeah, they do. I hope you are over re-acting Mike. Because if you aren't we have a big problem on our hands." Davy sighed.
"I hope I am too Davy. I hope I am too."