Hi @mistermercury, I'm here from the link you shared with me and I have to tell you in all honesty, I couldn't bare to finish this story because I have a rule in my life to avoid travesty like this, I believe putting it in the mind makes it real in life and I just couldn't bare to finish this story and I want to be upfront about that.
What I will say is this: I think it's incredible that you've saved this boy from what I have read so far, would be a terrible life otherwise. It kind of reminded me of the premise of 50 Shades of Grey. What I mean by that is the ability for a loving home to save a child's life. For that, you are blessed, I am sure.
Next thing I noticed was your vivid imagery through your writing and that kept me reading much further than I would normally with the graphics that were entering my mind.
Something else I am thinking of now is the incredible power these memories and feelings will have over your son unless they are worked through so I hope he doesn't push them down. I know first hand the danger that can cause and I have spent the last few years trying to remove my own horrors trapped inside. I hope that he can find release from that past.
Keep up the writing, I believe this is a tremendously effective tool (fiction or not) to allow emotions to flow through!
Sending you and your son a hug :)
Thanks @heart-to-heart. I appreciate your frankness. One of my daughters is like you. She is a very kind, sensitive soul and just can't bear some of the darkness of life. Ironically she has taught school in all-black schools in Minneapolis for 7 years and saw some very dark and troubling things. "Leland" has worked through most of this stuff with me as well as his younger brother. But the anger within is still there and remains a challenge. He'd rather ignore it but one day, he will have to confront it. I hope that day does not come through his own violence toward another. He has purposefully avoided marriage and having children because he recognizes he is not "whole" or capable of raising children without shadows of his own childhood (violence) coming out. Perhaps one day that will change too.
I do appreciate your input and genuine concern. May you be blessed today.