You can run on for a long time but Who: Ronnie Milam (Narrative) What: A Flashback When: December 25, 1990 Where: 450 N Lincoln Street, Searchlight, NV Rating: Mid - some language and a splitting of a family Status: Complete
Sooner or later God’ll cut you down
It was Christmas in Searchlight.
Their trailer had a few lights on strings. A small, fake tree tucked into a corner. The only thing that sat beneath it were a few crumpled beer cans and two small gifts. The paper shimmered with colored electric lighting - it was all his mother could afford.
In the single bedroom Rose Milam was begging her husband to stay. To put down the alcohol and find God, to help raise their son. But Rocky wasn’t having any of it. Fingers fumbled over the latches of the suitcase; he swore loudly, taking the Lord’s name in vane in front of his wife to hone the point. His vision swam.
Plucking up the weighted suitcase in a red fist, Rocky began grabbing up things that his wife held dear - photographs, old memories, taking those with him with intent. They’d end up in the garbage somewhere later.
But he had had enough. A straight-laced wife, a disappointment of a son.
“Rocky, please,” she begged quietly. Rose didn’t want Ronnie to hear but the boy always heard.
Ronnie was curled up on the couch pretending to sleep, a threadbare blanket up over his head.
Thankfully he wouldn’t see the threatening look Rocky Milam shot his way, and the thunder of footsteps ceased as the front door rocked in its frame from being slammed. All that remained was the silent sobs from the bedroom and the wind blowing outside.