Family Matters

Throughout the day, Jodie couldn't stop thinking that what happened to Billy was her fault. True, he deserved it, but she still felt guilty

Back home, Jodie was silently staring out of the window hoping to see that Billy, who was also her next door neighbor, was okay. Susan was worried. "Hey baby, you can't just spend all day staring out of the window. Why don't you find something to do." Jodie took that as a command and walked upstairs.

Susan was worried about Jodie. She wasn't social enough to keep any friends around and there seems to be a certain barrier between her and the rest of the world. Susan tried her best, but she was afraid for Jodie's sake.

Jodie entered her room and just stood still, 'bored as hell' Jodie heard her dad say out loud by accident.

Jodie's Dad Philip, has been trying to go down the religious path after countless therapy session from outbursts which caused him to end his baseball career. He was an MVP. Most Valuable Player, but now he's known as MHL. Most Hated Legend. He was released for excessive profanity and unsportsmanlike conduct. If he wanted to leave a game early, all he had to do was raise a certain finger.

At home, that rage has stuck with him as when something doesn't go his way, he just loses control. If he's not fighting with umpires, he's fighting with Susan over Jodie's mistakes. Jodie once attempted to run away, packing a suitcase and everything, but what always stops her was the soft loving voice of her Mother telling her that Dad apologizes. The worst it got was Father's day. Jodie poured her heart out writing a Father's day card for her Dad. As she laid it by his MVP trophy it tipped over and broke, right where he walked in the room. He backed Jodie up into a corner like a boxer, pushed her onto the ground facing the broken idle and he spanked her hard. 30 swats clothed, 30 on her bare bottom. Susan was afraid to do anything so she was just a siren, blaring at Philip to stop. After that, Jodie almost always uses her Mom as a shield when around her Dad.