Right (47) By Littlewing1957
John Twist wanted to spare his son from the hell he endured at his own uncle’s hand. But John found his demons were in control, had the upper hand.
John remembered fondly the first time he laid eyes on Roberta Townsend. He was an usher at the Pentecostal Church where his family were founding members. Mr. Townsend was a deacon at the church, and he made sure that his wife and 2 daughters attended service every Sunday. John was just a boy when he first escorted Roberta to her seat. He remembered her shy glances at his white gloved hand as he led her to her pew. John thought Roberta was the prettiest thing he ever saw, with her long brown hair, expressive eyes, and thin, neat figure. Just one glance and John knew he had found a wife, a companion for life! He had a feeling that Roberta was fond of him, and that he could convince Mr. Townsend to let him spend a bit of time with her. John graduated high school 3 years before Roberta did, and neither had plans to further their education. Once Roberta earned her high school diploma, John asked her pa for her hand in marriage. John and Roberta were married in the Pentecostal Church, and Jack came along some 2 years later.
John cringed when he remembered the first night he snuck up to Jack’s bed and violated him. He reasoned that it was just a one shot thing – that he wouldn’t do it again – would not continue to hurt his son. And he did hurt him! Little Jack was very brave to endure what he was forced to endure, especially as the abuse continued. Jack never told his ma, nor anyone else about the abuse, as far as John knew. John wondered why the guilt didn’t kill him. He couldn’t control himself; didn’t have anyone to help him understand his actions, much less control them. John was relieved when Jack became a teen and wouldn’t tolerate his visits anymore. John knew that once Jack physically became a man the abuse had to stop. Jack would fight back, as any man would. There was also a chance that he would be queer. But John Twist refused to believe that he was responsible for Jack being soft. “Hell, I’m not queer!” Mr. Twist reasoned. He didn’t understand why he molested his own son, but knew it had something to do with repressed anger, and helplessness. It was almost a given that John would molest someone else the way he was molested. Abuse was what he knew!
“Pa, where do you want us to start?” It was Jack, standing right behind him. Jack’s question shook Mr. Twist right back to the present. Ennis stood behind Jack with a questioning look on his face. “Pa, what’s wrong?” Jack asked. “You okay?” Mr. Twist looked first to Jack, and then to Ennis. He looked up at the barn and was again assaulted by painful memories. “Look, we’ll start on the barn tomorrow,” Mr. Twist began. “I think we should tear the whole thing down and build it back up from the ground.” John Twist spat in the direction of the barn. “I’m tired of looking at it!”