CHAPTER 4

      Terra giggled and laughed as Brad tickled her playfully, she rolled around on her back with her legs up and smiled in a way that no passerby could hold back their comments about what a sweet beauty she was. Brad always smiled and went on with them that she was such a rare blessing, and that he thanked God every day for the gift.

      Jimmy sat on the edge of the sandbox facing them, as other children played on behind him with the mysterious gifts nature had left for them. He pursed his lips and squinted his eyes, studying her tiny little body as it twisted under Brad's rough, worked hands. She screamed and twisted in the torture.

      "Daddy?" he asked meekly while rising, "can I play with Terra?"

      Brad spun around, the anger inching up quickly from his neck to his forehead. His large hand that had only been playing with Terra's tummy several seconds prior, was now cutting through the air towards his son's small, young face. Jimmy didn't move until the callused palm struck him with such strength that sent him spiraling to the ground.

      "Did I give you the right to speak?" Brad's voice boomed over all the sounds of the park. Eyes looked up to see what the fuss was about, and then returned to their games as quickly. "Your tongue isn't a right, we can remove it if yer havin' trouble keepin' it quiet!"

      Jimmy sat on his ass, holding his bruised cheek and nodding at Brad's threats. A lone tear streamed over the bump under his eye.

      Brad turned his back on his only begotten son, and blew a raspberry into Terra's tummy. She giggled happily.

      Jimmy turned away from her screams, and stared out into the field where all the parents were groping their children. He looked beyond them, and a spectacular sight caught his eyes. A squirrel had just fallen fifteen feet, and into the dark clearing where all the older boys would go play with each other.

      "Daddy?" he asked softly, stepping back away from Brad.

      Brad ignored his son, and continued molesting his daughter.

      "Daddy?" his voice was somewhat more courageous, "can I go play with the squibbles?"

      Brad grinned, but continued to hold his back to his son. "That sounds like a fuckin' fabulous idea." He looked at Jimmy over his shoulder, "Now you get your little retarded ass back before I go, cause I ain't waitin' for you."

      Jimmy sprung to his feet with exclamation, and darted into the woods.