Blog Tour: Fighting Silence By: AlyMartinez

Sound is an abstract concept for most people. We spend our lives blocking out the static in order to focus on what we believe is important. But what if, when the clarity fades into silence, it's the obscure background noise that you would give anything to hold on to? 

I've always been a fighter. With parents who barely managed to stay out of jail and two little brothers who narrowly avoided foster care, I became skilled at dodging the punches life threw at me. Growing up, I didn’t have anything I could call my own, but from the moment I met Eliza Reynolds, she was always mine. I became utterly addicted to her and the escape from reality we provided each other. Throughout the years, she had boyfriends and I had girlfriends, but there wasn't a single night that I didn’t hear her voice.

You see, meeting the love of my life at age thirteen was never part of my plan. However, neither was gradually going deaf at the age of twenty-one.

They both happened anyway.

Now, I'm on the ropes during the toughest battles of my life.

Fighting for my career.

Fighting the impending silence.

Fighting for her.

Every night, just before falling asleep, she sighs as a final conscious breath leaves her.

I think that's the sound I'll miss the most.

Every once in a while there will be a book that not just makes you feel what the author is trying to portray but something deep inside will be awakened, and for me this happened with Fighting Silence.  It may have to do with the fact that one of my best friends is deaf and has been that way since I have known her, or maybe it was the fact that this book was so much more than just another fighter novel.  Whatever it was exactly I may never be able to put into words but what I can say is that it was one of the best reads of this year so far for me.

When we first meet Eliza and Till they were thirteen years old and you can tell from the beginning that they will be something special, not just to each other but individually as well.  Together they took care of each other and already started to become a family even if at the time neither knew it.  Both have loved each other for years, even if they never acknowledged it.

Till is losing his hearing, and one day he will go deaf, but while that doesn’t hold him back in most everything it does when it comes to Eliza.  It melted my heart the way he never wanted to lose the fantasy in his mind, and the way he was with her was so sweet.  He just really was a good guy and he deserved to be happy.  Eliza has loved Till since before he knew she existed, she wants him to be with her but she knows she needs to put her foot down and I was proud of her for that even though it hurt her to do so.

There is so much more to this book than Till’s disorder or his fighting.  There is friendship, sacrifice, family, protection, and last but not least there is the beauty of the love that is shared.  I have never read a book by this author before but I can guarantee that is going to change after reading this.  I want the next book so bad because I have a feeling it will be just as beautiful as Fighting Silence was.

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Excerpt:
"That wasn't yours to take away," he exploded into the otherwise silent night. His words echoed off the surrounding buildings, each wave slicing me to the quick all over again. "That was our place. Not yours." His voice cracked right alongside my heart.

"Yeah, well, there was a lot of stuff that wasn't yours to take either." I held his gaze, desperately trying to be strong, but as his eyes grew wide, I whimpered.

His long legs strode forward, stopping only inches away from me. He was crowding me, but he still leaned in closer to my face. "There is nothing in this world that was ever more mine than you," he stated. Though it was the absolute truth, I wished with all my heart that it were a lie.

"Till," I cried, swiping the tears from my eyes.

"Why!" he shouted, causing his muscles to tense under the force. "Goddamn it! I needed that place."

Porch lights flashed on from the surrounding apartments, illuminating not only the dark but also my rage.

I shoved my hands into his chest. "What about what I needed? You left! I waited in that fucking apartment for weeks."

He didn't budge, but my bare feet slipped, sending me toward the ground. Impossibly fast, Till's hand snaked out and caught my arm. I didn't let his chivalrous gesture douse my fire. I had six months’ worth of words to say to the man I was irrevocably in love with.

"You took what you wanted. Then you left me."

"Doodle," he whispered.

I had been perilously close to the edge of insanity, and with one single word, he’d pushed me over.

I lost it completely.

Pounding my fists against his chest, I screamed at the top of my lungs, "It's Eliza! My name is fucking Eliza! Not Doodle!" I spun to march away, but Till's arms folded around me, lifting me off my feet to restrain me.

I was miniscule compared to him. There was no use in fighting, but I still kicked my legs, irrationally desperate to get away from him—but only because I knew I couldn't keep him for forever.

"Stop it!" he growled into my ear. "I know your Goddamn name—probably better than I know my own."

Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Aly Martinez is a stay-at-home mom to four crazy kids under the age of five, including a set of twins. Currently living in South Carolina, she passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a glass of wine at her side.

After some encouragement from her friends, Aly decided to add “Author” to her ever-growing list of job titles. Five books later, she shows no signs of slowing. So grab a glass of Chardonnay, or a bottle if you’re hanging out with Aly, and join her aboard the crazy train she calls life.

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Blog Tour: Down For The Count Series By: Christa Cervone

  A murderer’s child…A foster child…A troubled teen…Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega has never had an easy life. Being shuffled from one foster home to another after his father murdered his mother, he found himself in and out of trouble with the law. Never giving a damn about himself, let alone anyone else, his life was spiraling out of control; fast. Until one man and one sport changed everything. Frankie Carbone taught Saint how to handle his anger and rejection; by fighting it out in the ring. On his way to stardom, Saint finds himself pushed into the spotlight and into the arms of more women than he can ever imagine; he’s completely content with one night stands and random sex. Then Salem Harris comes walking into his life and changes his game plan. Saint finds himself wanting Salem in all the ways that scare him. She is off limits; taken. But that doesn’t stop Saint from going after what he wants, and he wants her. Frankie showed Saint a new way of life with Boxing, but will Salem give him the one thing he's never known – love? Will Saint find himself fighting for the one thing he thinks he doesn't deserve or will Salem end up breaking his heart? Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega has had to fight for every good thing he's gotten in his life. Can he go the distance?

Gabriel “The Saint” is training for his next boxing match, but that hasn’t stopped him from drinking and man whoring around.  He knows he needs to take things seriously, his trainer who is like a father to him makes sure to ride his ass daily.  Gabriel never had any intentions of settling down, well that is until Salem knocks him down for the count.  He wants her, but she wants nothing to do with him.  I loved how he would be a smart ass to her and not let her bitchy persona and attitude stop him from trying to get her.  Only problem?  Her boyfriend is now his sponsor.  Add to that his past and he doesn’t think he would ever be good enough for Salem.

Salem wants nothing to do with Gabriel.  She can be stuck up and judgmental, and oh boy she is a massive bitch.  She also appears to care less about anything boxing related.  While she appears to be this stuck up bitch, there is more to Salem than it seems.  Her relationship with her boyfriend is anything but perfect, she’s trying hard to make her parents proud, all while losing more of who she really is deep down.

On The Ropes is the first book in the Down For The Count series and while it was good, for me it just wasn’t great.  I loved the idea of the book and it kept my attention but at the same time I was bored if that makes any sense.  I wanted Gabriel at times to put Salem in her place when she would treat him so shitty and have more self-respect for himself for his own self-worth.  The ending, well let’s just say I was pissed and not a happy reviewer.  Luckily for me I had the second book ready to start right away.  It wasn’t even the cliff-hanger aspect that made me made, no it was what Gabriel and Salem do that made me want to slap them both. 

Now, while I didn’t overall love On The Ropes, it still is a good book.  I love sport themed books, and boxers are one of my favorite.  While it may not have worked for me overall, it may work for you so still check this one out, form your own opinion and give it a try.

      

   

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Life has been a roller coaster for Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega. From surviving a hellish childhood, to reuniting with his lost brother, only to hit the struggle of helping him battle his drug addiction. Boxing saved Gabriel’s life, and just when his career hits the fast track, he finally finds love with Salem; at least for a short time.

Social differences, obligations, and misguided good intentions tore Gabriel and Salem apart before they could ever really get started. Will Gabriel be able to save his brother from the whirlpool of addiction that threatens to drag him under? Is Salem capable of breaking away from the ropes that bind her to doing what’s expected rather than what and whom she desires? Can Gabriel convince Salem that their mutual feelings are worth fighting for, and that together, they will be able to go the distance?

Going The Distance is the second book in the Down For The Count series and it picks up about three months after On The Ropes finishes.  Gabriele and Salem are miserable but it’s due to their own actions.  I really wanted to just scream and be like your reasoning is so stupid just get together already.  I wish I could say that I wasn’t as frustrated with these two as I was in the first book, but that would be a massive lie.

Gabriel has tried to forget Salem and Salem is still with her douche bag boyfriend, who still is Gabriel’s sponsor.  However, now these two are together but not.  Add to this stress, Gabriel is training for an even bigger fight, as well as taking care of his brother who is still recovering from his addiction.  Salem wants to end it with her boyfriend but keeps coming up with excuse after excuse not to.  I want to say that I was mature while reading her excuses but I can’t, I called her plenty of names in my head and possibly out load at various times. 

When Gabriel suffers a tragedy, one that made me even cry, I honestly wasn’t sure what could happen next but he kept having hit after hit (and I am not talking about the type that happens in the ring, I am talking about the emotional type) that I was wondering when he would finally break.  Luckily Salem was there for him, finally.

I did like this one better than the first book, but I was still at times aggravated and bored.  I wanted Gabriel to finally find happiness and the peace that he deserves and he does.  I again will say to give this series a chance, I am not sure if the author plans on writing more books in the series or not but if she does I would pick it up and check it out for sure.

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Born and raised in New England, Christa is a married mother of three. She began writing her first book, Broken, in October 2012, as a love story to her husband, Frank. During the writing process, Christa managed to keep her book a secret from the majority of her family and friends, including her mother. She finally revealed that she had written a book on her personal Facebook page just two weeks before Broken was released.

Broken was released in February 2013, and within twenty-four hours of its release, it was on Amazon's Movers and Shakers list as well as in the Top 20 Erotica. Christa released her second novel, On the Ropes - Book One in the Down for the Count series, in February 2014. On the Ropes has also climbed the charts on Amazon, hitting the Top 10 Sports Fiction and the Top 20 Romance Sports Fiction lists. Book Two, Going the Distance, was released July 2014 and claimed the number 3 spot in the Interracial category as well being in the top 20 in Erotica on Amazon.

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Blog Tour & Giveaway: On The Ropes (Down for the Count #1) by Christa Cervone

A murderer’s child…A foster child…A troubled teen…Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega has never had an easy life. Being shuffled from one foster home to another after his father murdered his mother, he found himself in and out of trouble with the law. Never giving a damn about himself, let alone anyone else, his life was spiraling out of control; fast. Until one man and one sport changed everything.

Frankie Carbone taught Saint how to handle his anger and rejection; by fighting it out in the ring. On his way to stardom, Saint finds himself pushed into the spotlight and into the arms of more women than he can ever imagine; he’s completely content with one night stands and random sex. Then Salem Harris comes walking into his life and changes his game plan. Saint finds himself wanting Salem in all the ways that scare him. She is off limits; taken. But that doesn’t stop Saint from going after what he wants, and he wants her. Frankie showed Saint a new way of life with Boxing, but will Salem give him the one thing he's never known – love? Will Saint find himself fighting for the one thing he thinks he doesn't deserve or will Salem end up breaking his heart? Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega has had to fight for every good thing he's gotten in his life. Can he go the distance?

***

My heart was breaking in the prologue alone. The book opens with a young Gabriel and his brother watching as their father stands in court for the murder of their mother. I wanted to wrap my arms around the boys and protect them from the cruelty they've had to endure. Fast forward to their adult lives and I found fate took them in two different directions. While Gabriel found a guardian angel in Frankie that took him off his self destructive path, Gabriel's brother wasn't so lucky.

Gabriel may have had a crap childhood, but Frankie and boxing did him a world of good. He's a good man, helps other at risk youth and is a rising star in amateur boxing. He's content with life and where it's going. Until Salem enters his gym. Her beauty attracts him. The fact that she's in a relationship, her coldness and indifference to him only fuel him on. She's a challenge.

Salem is on a destructive path herself, but just doesn't realize it. For whatever reason she stays with her douchebag boyfriend. As much as he wears her heart down with hurt and mistrust she refuses to leave the asshat. Instead she clings to loyalty and the love she's sure he has for her. Ugh! I wanted to shake her around and shove his cheating ways into her face till the light bulb goes on. She's suspected for a long time that he cheats, but never had proof and hoped he would change. Seriously! You're not married to him. Move on! But their families have a history, so it's not that easy for her.

After a moment of weakness and letting her guard down, Salem and Gabriel actually form a quick friendship. There's attraction between them both. But, she's not free to explore it. These two can actually be good together. The only thing really stopping them is her. She's blocking her own path to happiness.

We meet up with Gabriel's brother again. Life hasn't been good to him. Ms. Cervone made me cry at one point. Now that Gabriel is an adult though, he's doing what he can for his brother and vows to not ever leave him again. Old friends step in to help provide a better outcome for him.

This one leaves off on a cliff. Things are unresolved in the end and left my heart feeling sad for Gabriel. It's a good start to a new series. I'm looking forward to the next one. I want to see what progress his brother has made and if Salem has managed to pull her head out of her ass and get it right.

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Smashwords

Excerpt
My thoughts drift to creating a fantasy of Salem and me. We’re in the locker room at Frankie’s gym and I’m all hot and sweaty from training. I have her pinned up against the wall and she’s completely defenseless against me, but she’s into it. Her skirt is up around her waist and the little piece of fabric she calls underwear is interfering with what I want. I grind my body up against hers and my dick is swelling as I rub up on her thigh. My hands roam freely over her body, finally landing on her tight ass. Our tongues are dueling and I’m drunk on her taste. The scent of the perfume or body spray she’s wearing is tormenting me until I’m at my breaking point. “God, Salem, you smell so fucking good; it makes me wanna fuck you until you can’t remember your own name,” I growl. Her hands tighten in my hair and a stronger wave of her scent drifts into my nose as I inhale. My chest is heaving at my thoughts and my breathing is labored. Sliding my hand into my boxers, I adjust myself to get more comfortable and my thoughts are almost immediately back with Salem. Her perfectly manicured nails are clawing at my back now as I dig my fingers into her legs. I kiss her neck roughly as she pants in my ear, “Make me come, Saint.” Then she bites my earlobe and I lose control. I’m so anxious to have her that I rip off the expensive panties she’s wearing and slam my cock into her like her pussy is my saving grace. I smile when she screams in pleasure as she comes apart in my arms.

Unconsciously, my hand slides back down into my boxers until it meets my aching erection. This time I begin stroking myself; I just can’t help it. Salem…there’s just something about her…I’m not sure if it’s her beauty or the fact that I’ll have to work to get her. But, whatever it is, she will be mine.

Meet the Author

I was born and raised in Western Massachusetts and I'm a married mother of three who married her high school sweetheart, Frank. I don't really have too many hobbies. I like to watch my kids play sports. I do photography on the side (weddings, families, babies etc). I'm Minion & Adam Levine obsessed. I enjoy listening to all different types of music, Maroon 5 & P!nk being some of my favorites.

Achievements -- I was on the Top 20 Erotica as well in being on the Movers and Shakers List on Amazon with "Broken."

I'm currently working on her second novel titled "Going the Distance" which will be released Fall 2013 as well as a third novel titled "Saved."

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Cover Reveal: Going The Distance by Christa Cervone

Synopsis

A murderer’s child…A foster child…A troubled teen…Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega has never had an easy life. Being shuffled from one foster home to another after his father murdered his mother, he found himself in and out of trouble with the law. Never giving a damn about himself, let alone anyone else, his life was spiraling out of control; fast. Until one man and one sport changed everything. Frankie Carbone taught Saint how to handle his anger and rejection; by fighting it out in the ring. On his way to stardom, Saint finds himself pushed into the spotlight and into the arms of more women than he can ever imagine; he’s completely content with one night stands and random sex. Then Salem Harris comes walking into his life and changes his game plan. Saint finds himself wanting Salem in all the ways that scare him. She is off limits; taken. But that doesn’t stop Saint from going after what he wants, and he wants her. Frankie showed Saint a new way of life with Boxing, but will Salem give him the one thing he's never known – love? Will Saint find himself fighting for the one thing he thinks he doesn't deserve or will Salem end up breaking his heart? Gabriel ‘The Saint’ Vega has had to fight for every good thing he's gotten in his life. Can he go the distance?

Meet Christa

Facebook / Goodreads / Twitter / Amazon

I was born and raised in Western Massachusetts and I'm a married mother of three who married her high school sweetheart, Frank. I don't really have too many hobbies. I like to watch my kids play sports. I do photography on the side (weddings, families, babies etc). I'm Minion & Adam Levine obsessed. I enjoy listening to all different types of music, Maroon 5 & P!nk being some of my favorites. Achievements -- I was on the Top 20 Erotica as well in being on the Movers and Shakers List on Amazon with "Broken." I'm currently working on her second novel titled "Going the Distance" which will be released Fall 2013 as well as a third novel titled "Saved."  

 Teaser - Prologue
 “In the case of the Commonwealth vs. Josue Vega. How do you plead?”

“Not guilty,” I hear our father say in his thick Spanish accent.

The cameras begin to flash and I hear reporters talking into their microphones, although I can’t understand what they are saying.

“Order in the court,” the judge speaks loudly as his gavel hits the desk; making my little brother, Jason, jump.

“It’s ok, Jase, we’re safe now,” I say, trying to comfort him. The two of us sit quietly in the second row of the hot, crowded courtroom as we watch our father plead ‘Not guilty’ to the murder of our mother. I’m just as scared as he is but I don’t want him to know that. I’m his older brother and he looks up to me, so I am trying to be brave.

“Your Honor, my client asks to be released on bail. He has two little boys he needs to care for while the trial is ongoing,” says the tall man who is standing next to our father.

I eyeball our father and notice how disheveled he looks. His hair is a mess and his clothes are the same ones he’d been wearing two nights ago. Jase and I were awoken this morning by a loud banging on our door. It was the police and they were looking for our father, but we hadn’t seen him in almost two days.

The last time I’d seen our father was the night he and our mother had gotten into an argument. They were yelling so loudly that they actually woke me from a sound sleep. I could hear our mother screaming, “How could you? He’s just a little boy…” and that was the last time I heard our mother’s voice.

“Your Honor, the Defendant is being charged with murder. I insist he be remanded to the county jail for the duration of his trial,” a voice says loudly from the other side of the courtroom.

The judge looks over at us and I can see the pity in his eyes.

“Mr. Vega, I have to agree with the District Attorney,” the judge’s voice is stern. “You’re standing trial for the murder of your wife. Bail is denied, and you’re to return to the county jail for the remainder of your trial. Bailiff, please remove the Defendant and have him taken into custody.”

I hear chatter erupt from the back of the courtroom. I turn around and see the reporters talking and the cameras flashing again. Spinning back around, I see a man in what looks like a police uniform handcuffing my father, then leading him out of the courtroom. Jase covers his face with his hands and begins to cry, “Why are they taking Papi?”

“It’s okay, Jase,” I whisper. “We have each other. Remember, we’re Blood Brothers.” Jase wipes his tears away with his hand and forces a smile.

“Blood Brothers” was something I’d come up with when we were out playing on the playground. It was one of the few times our father had actually offered to take us somewhere. We’d been cooped up in our small, dingy apartment all winter long, and it was finally a pleasant Spring day. Jase and I were running around playing tag. Our father had told us several times to stop running, but lo and behold, right after his final warning Jase fell and skinned both of his knees. Our father glared at us, just waiting to hear Jase cry. I knew what was coming next, he’d ‘give him something to cry about.’ That had been one of our father’s favorite lines; especially to Jase, who was extremely sensitive and cried over almost everything.

“Come on Jase, don’t cry,” I whispered to him, as I looked anxiously over my shoulder at our father. Jase’s body began to shake as he tried to hold his tears back and the blood from both his knees began to run down his shins. I glanced back at our father, who was now standing up, and I knew I had to act fast.

I reached into my back pocket and pulled out an old pocket knife that I had found lying on the sidewalk one day after school. I’d been keeping it a secret from Jase because I knew he’d want to play with it and would end up hurting himself.

“Hey Jase, look what I found a few days ago,” I said, showing him the knife.

His eyes grew wide, “Woah, where did you get that?” He said in awe.

“I found it a couple of days ago.”

“What are you two doing over there?” Our father said loudly, making Jase jump.

“Nothing Papi. I’m just tying Jase’s shoes,” I answered back.

“Hurry up! I’m ready to leave,” he snapped in response.

Opening up the blade as fast as I could, I took the tip and pressed it down onto the pad of my thumb.

“Gabriel,” Jase gasped. “What are you doing?”

“I wanna show you that you don’t have to cry every time you bleed,” I explained as blood began to pool up on my thumb. “See, I’m bleeding and I’m not crying.”

“It’s like we’re Blood Brothers,” Jase smiled at me as he blinked back his tears.

“Yes. Exactly, Jase, we’re Blood Brothers,” I smiled back at him.

I look over at Jase now and notice that he’s trying his hardest to hold back his tears. The two of us sit quietly as we watch our father being taken away. I finally feel safe. He and our mother are out of our lives forever; they can’t hurt us anymore. I’ve actually dreamed of this day; Jase and me, living with parents who actually love us. I saw it in a movie once; a little girl who didn’t have any parents was living in an orphanage and some rich guy adopted her. They lived happily ever after and I’m hoping that’s what’s going to happen to us.

“Gabriel? Jason?” I hear a kind voice say. “I’m Debbie and this is Dave, we’re going to take you to where you’re going to be staying.”

They’re dressed up in fancy suits and I wonder if they’re going to be our new parents. I can’t help but smile at the thought. They look so nice; they can give us a happy life. I know they can.

“Jase, shhhhh…stop crying,” I nudge him. “Look, I think this is our new Mom and Dad,” I whisper.

The last thing I want is for them to think Jase is a crybaby. He is, but I don’t want them changing their minds about us.

“Come on boys, we’re going to get you situated in your new homes,” Dave says.

I look up at him, confused, “Homes?”

“Yes, you and Jason are being placed in foster homes,” Debbie replies.

“You’re not our new Mom and Dad?” Jase asks sadly, through his tears.

“Oh no, Jason,” Debbie says sincerely as she crouches down in front of Jase. “We work for the Department of Social Services and we’ve been sent to bring you to your new homes.”

Debbie’s words make Jase cry even harder and I feel so sorry for him. In his five years of life, he’s never known a parent’s love. Sometimes at night, when we can’t fall asleep, I tell him about movies I’ve seen on television; how the families are so happy. The mom makes the family dinner, and the dad comes home from work and plays baseball with the kids. Jase always gets excited as I tell him about the movies. I promised him that someday it will be like that for us; that one day Mami’s medicine will eventually make her better. I didn’t mean it to be a lie.

When Mami was sick, she either slept all day or she was throwing up in the bathroom. Every morning, I heard her making a phone call for more medicine. About twenty minutes after she got off the phone, there was a knock at the door. It was usually a man dressed in dark, baggy clothes that brought her medicine. After that, she disappeared into the bathroom. Sometimes she came right out, while other times, she stayed in there for close to an hour.

Most mornings, it was me who got us ready for school. Some days, if we were lucky, there was actually food in the house; but only if Mami had felt well enough to go grocery shopping. Other days, we went to school hungry. Mrs. Gibbons, my teacher, occasionally brought fruit in for us. She slipped it to us in the hallway and always reminded us not to tell anyone.

Mrs. Gibbons was the nicest teacher in the school. She always asked about Jase and me and she made sure we ate lunch every day. Sometimes during class, I’d daydream that Mrs. Gibbons was our mom. But then the dismissal bell would ring, snapping me back into reality. I always hated the end of the day; that meant that school was over and it was time for us to go home.

Jase and I would take our time walking home from school because we never knew what we were walking into when we got there. Was our father going to be there? If he was home, what kind of mood would he be in? Would he and Mami be fighting? More often than not, they’d be fighting. Papi would be yelling at Mami because the house was a mess and dinner was not made; it was always for the same reason. “I work all fuckin’ day, the least you can do is clean this fuckin’ pigsty and make dinner,” he’d yell, raising his hand to her.

Depending on his mood after hitting our mother, sometimes he’d take his anger out on us next. The two of us would huddle in our room, trying to keep quiet, but he’d burst through the door yelling, “And you two! All you two ever do around here is make messes and eat! It’s about time you start helping out.”

Some nights we were lucky and he’d just leave after he yelled at us; while others, he’d physically pick us up, drag us into the living room, and make us start cleaning. “And get me a fuckin’ beer too, you little piece of shit!” He’d yell at me. “I don’t know why your mother even wanted you in the first place. You’re nothing but a waste of space and money.”

I’d encourage Jase to clean as quickly as he could so that we could go back into our room and wait for our father to pass out on the couch. This had become an almost daily occurrence for us.

“Gabriel and Jason, it’s time to go,” a voice says, snapping me out of my memory. “Gabriel, you’ll be coming with me and Jason will be going with Dave.”

“What do you mean I’m going with you and Jase is going with Dave?” My voice begins to tremble. Once I realize what’s happening, I begin to scream at the top of my lungs, “You’re not taking my brother from me. I’m all he has!”

Debbie tries to soothe and calm me down, but this only makes matters worse. I begin kicking and punching her as I yell in Spanish, “No me puedes quitar a mi hermano, puta estúpida!”

Before I know it, I’m taken away kicking and screaming. Dave grabs a hold of my feet while another man has my torso. Jase is crying hysterically and there is nothing I can do. I watch Debbie escort him out of the courtroom and realize that everything that I’ve ever known is gone.

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