Chapter 9

James

I was eleven when my dad first came home drunk. He had just lost his job then, and things were quite rough at home. He was so drunk one of the bartenders had to bring him home.

My mom was shocked to see him drunk. I was too. Before then, he was a super dad. He always bought me stuff, always showed up for all my school events, and we played soccer every weekend at the park. Then, he lost his job at the bank due to downsizing.

Initially, he seemed to have taken it well. He would make breakfast since mom had to work in the mornings, and he’d walk me to school and pick me up afterward. Nothing seemed to have changed. Not until that rainy night. The fourth of July night.

My dad happened to be born on the fourth of July, so he said he was going out with some of his friends, and afterward, we’d eat dinner together. Mom made his favorite chicken casserole. She had everything laid out as well – cake, wine, lots of food. I was excited. I was always excited for th