Free BITTER MEMORIES: A Memoir of Heartache & Survival by Sue Julsen, Gary McCluskey Page A

you’ll have someone to play with.”
    “Will I have my own room?”
    “I haven’t seen him in years, Sarah. I don’t know if he has a big house or not, but we’ll be there in a few minutes, so you’ll find out then.”
    I sat up tall to see out the window. 
    “There it is, Sarah! And there’s my brother in the yard!” His voice instantly filled with excitement.
    “He looks like you, Daddy!”
    Pulling into the driveway, he looked back at me and grinned. “We’re twins. That’s why he looks like me.”
    “Wow! That’s neat, Daddy!”
    Frank ran up to the car, and yelled, “Hey, motherfucker! ‘Bout time you got your ass here! How long has it been?” 
    Daddy got out and grabbed his brother around the neck like a wrestler. “It’s been sixteen years, little brother. Bet you thought I fell off the face of the earth!”
    I watched them wrestling around, and waited. 
    “So, cocksucker, what the hell you been up to all these years?”
    “Oh, just workin’ to pay for this house, and raisin’ three young ‘uns. Come on, let me introduce ‘em.”
    “Hang on a minute, Frank. My daughter’s with me.”
    “Well, get her out here!”
    Daddy opened my door, grinning. “Come on, Sarah. Meet your Uncle Frank.”
    Climbing out, I looked up into a face exactly like Daddy’s—same dirty little grin; same piercing, cold-as-steel eyes—same raspy chuckle…with a sudden stab of anxiety in my gut, I muttered, “Hello, sir.” 
    He reached down, grabbed my arms, and swung me up in the air before landing me on his shoulders. “Such a polite little thing, Eli. And very pretty, if ya know what I mean.” Frank guffawed, arching his eyebrows. “You remember Ellie, don’t ya?”
    “Now how could I forget sweet little Ellie?” He grinned. “You haven’t changed a bit, Frank. You’re still the same dirty-minded bastard as always. And yes, I know what you mean. Sarah won’t disappoint you. I’ve trained her well.”
    “I can hardly wait!” Frank’s face broke into a big grin. “And, you won’t be disappointed either. Ellie’s finally trained after all these years! She has a little more meat on her bones now, but she’s still pretty damn good in the sack. Come on in, want ya to meet my boys.” 
    At the front door Frank swung me down off his shoulders, and smiled very big. “We’re gonna be best of friends, my pretty little one.” 
    I smiled up at him, hoping that didn’t mean what it sounded like, and the angel’s voice whispered, “ But, he does have the same smile as Daddy when he’s planning to have his way with us. Please, God, please hear us! We don’t want to service him, too. Please, help us !”
    Frank flung open the front door, and yelled, “Ellie, get your flabby ass out here, woman! Eli and his pretty little daughter are here!” 
    Before I knew it, he turned, picked me up by my butt, and landed a wet, slobbery kiss on my lips, flicking his tongue in and out of my mouth. 
    “Oh yes, Eli. I can tell I won’t be disappointed!” He swung me down to the floor, then yelled again. “ELLIE! Get the hell out here, woman! NOW!” 
    “Yes, Frank. I’m sorry I kept you waiting. I had to add water to the roast. Please forgive me.” 
    A meek, homely-looking woman, with stringy black hair, wringing her hands, stood before us. She looked terrified!
    “There’s no doubt who’s the fuckin’ boss here !” a voice stated, shocking me. Her voice sounded angry. Nothing like my angel’s voice.
    “Just don’t let it happen again, you homely waif! Say hello to Eli, and this,” he smiled at me, “is Sarah. Isn’t she beautiful?” Looking me up and down, he ran his tongue over his lips.
    “Yes, Frank. She’s beautiful.” Ellie smiled, then also looked me up and down before turning to Daddy. “Hello, Eli. It’s been a long time. Dinner will be ready in an hour or so. I hope you’re hungry.”
    “Hello, Ellie. And yes, we’re starved. We haven’t had anything since early