By Dave Pelzer
-Parts & Parcels Of the Story-
;The Gas Stove Incident*
Mother reached over and turned onthe gas burners to the kitchen stove. Mother
told me that she had read an article about a
mother who had her son lie on top of a hot stove.
I instantly became terrified. My brain became
numb, and my legs wobbled. I wanted to disappear.
I closed my eyes, wishing her away. My brain
locked up when i felt Mother's hand clamp
my arm as if it were in a vice grip.
'You've made my life a living hell!' she sneered.
'Now it's time I show you what hell is like!'
Gripping my arm, Mother held it in the
orange-blue flame. My skin seemed to explode
from the heat. I could smell the scorched
hairs from my burnt arm. As hard as I fought,
I could not force Mother to let go of my arm.
Finally I fell to the floor, on my hands & knees,
& tried to blow cool air on my arm.
Mother then ordered me to climb up onto
the stove & lie on the flames so she could
watch me burn. I refused, crying & pleading.
I felt so scared I stomped my feet in protest.
But Mother continued to force me on top of
the stove. I watched the flames, praying
the gas might run out...
________________
;The Diaper Incident*
As soon as both of my brothers left the
kitchen, Mother brought out one of
Russell's soiled diapers. She smeared
the diaper on my face. I tried to sit
perfectly still. I know if I moved, it
would only be worse.
After what seemed like an hour, Mother
knelt down beside me & in a soft voice said, 'Eat it.'
I began to cry. 'slow her down,' I thought
to myself, trying to concentrate. Time was
my only ally. Mother answered my crying
with more blows to my face, stopping only
when she heard Russell crying.
I tried to wipe the shit away, flicking it onto
the wooden floor. I could hear Mother
singing softly to Russell, & I imagined him
cradled in her arms, I prayed he wouldnt
fall asleep. A few minutes later my luck ran out.
Still smiling, Mother returned to her
conquest. She grabbed me by the back
of the neck & led me to the kitchen. Mother
had the same look in her eyes that she had
the day she wanted me to lie on top of the
gas stove back at the house...
_______
