My First Memory

I'm not sure how long my mom has been hooked on drugs. I first found out about it when I was a sophomore in high school. I always knew something wasn't right. My mom wasn't like other moms, she had problems.

The first memory I have was when I was probably 4 or 5 years old. My mom and dad were fighting, again. Their fights were scary and violent. I would hide under the bed or in the closet most of the time. Looking back, I thought it was all my dads fault. He worked in the oil field and was gone a lot. I know there were other women. I don't know how many but, enough. When he would come home it was war. I hated my dad being home. This time was no different.

I remember the screaming. I heard my dad yell "Oh God, No!" My dad ran to me and swooped me up. My mom had a gun and it was pointed at us! My dad took off running with me in his arms. I heard the gun shots. My dad kept running. I was so scared. He got us to the neighbors house (this neighbor has turned out to be my life long best friend). I remember him dropping me off and then turning around and going right back home! I begged him not to go back, I just knew my mom was going to kill him.

The police showed up at our house and took my mom away. She didn't go to jail, she went to a mental ward somewhere. I stayed with my grandparents while my mom was away. When she returned home it was as if nothing had ever happened. We never spoke of it.

mom and dad