1984

Seven year old Shawn Spencer ran up the steps to his house after a long day at school, both of his parents were supposed to be at work so he was hoping to skip out on his homework and go to his best friend's, Gus', house. As he slid open the door and started inside, he stopped in his tracks. There was his mother and father sitting at the table, his dad reading the paper while his mom sipped at a lemonade and read through the mail. A twinge of disappointment and a whole lot of fear surged through him... He probablywouldn't be going to Gus' today. "Hi Goose! How was school today?" Shawn looked at his mom as she spoke, he hated when she acted so nice. It only happened when other people were around. He glanced at his father, who was still focused on his paper (reading the Police-Beat, no doubt) before responding with what he knew she wanted to hear, even if it was a lie. School's great. My teachers love me. I'm getting all A's, blah blah blah. His father looked at him skeptically but decided to ignore the part about it being great, he knew his son didn't like school very much and arguing with him about it brought no progress. He decided long ago to just make sure he gets his work done and done well, after all, he was a very smart kid. "Do you have any homework, Shawn?" He said, putting the paper down. Shawn knew his dad could see through his lies, but tried anyways, "Nope! Mrs. Marcsom was out sick today so we had this really old guy for a sub who doesn't like to give kids homework because he thinks it's wrong to keep kids from going outside on nice days and-" his dad cut him off with the wave of a hand, "you're rambling Shawn, no go upstairs and do your homework!" And with that he went back to his paper. Shawn's shoulders slumped a bit as he picked his backpack up once more and slung it over his shoulder "okaaaaay, fine. But if I finish early can I please go to Gus'?" Madeline Spencer pursed her lips too quickly for anyone to notice, anyone except for Shawn. Her look of anger and annoyance was gone as fast as it appeared, and she smiled warmly as she cupped Shawn's cheek. Shawn tried not to flinch and pull away as she stroked his jawline in what seemed to be an affectionate way, but was really quite hard, and spoke. "Of course honey, but be you'll have to be picked up at seven so you can wash up and get ready for bed." She let go and he attempted to bolt from the kitchen to his own room but before he could, Henry clapped his shoulder and brought him in for a side-hug. "Bring your homework down here before you leave so I can look over it, okay?" Shawn nodded in affirmation and left.

Once he reached his room, he threw his backpack on the bed and closed his door. He sat on his bed and pulled out his math homework, but he couldn't focus on it. He subconsciously dug his fingers into them palms of his hands, a habit he picked up after the abuse started. Any time he thought about it, he'd squeeze his hand together until he was no longer focusing on the memories and pain, but on the indentions his nails made on his skin. He sighed and picked up his pencil, he needed to finish it if he wanted to go to Gus', and he *really* wanted to go to his house.

A little over an hour later, Shawn was jumping down the stairs two at a time with his completed paper in hands. "SHAWN! What did I tell you about jumping down the stairs? You could break your leg!" his father yelled from the couch without having to even look up. Shawn stopped where he was and then continued down at an agonizingly slow pace, "okay dad, I'll be reeeeally carefulllllll" he drawled, his voice sounding like a toy running out of batteries. Henry huffed, and snatched the paper from his child's hand. As he headed back to his seat Shawn straightened up and followed him, realizing that his antics just delayed his play time. They spent the next few minutes correcting problems and after what felt like forever to a seven year old, his dad finally gave him the okay to go to his friend's. "Good job kiddo, let's go drop you off at the Guster's." Shawn smiled at the rare compliment from his dad, he always knew his father was proud of him, but he didn't say it often. With a quick, uncomfortable goodbye to his mom (who would be picking him up from the Guster's, *so be outside at seven young man!*) he settled himself in his dad's truck.

It was 7:04 when Shawn stepped out of Gus' doorway, waving goodbye to the family. "I'll see you tomorrow, Gus!" Shawn exclaimed, with his fist held towards his best friend. "You know that's right!" Gus replied, happily connecting his fist to Shawn's. As he was about to say goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Guster, his mother stepped out of her car, "come on sweetie! It's getting late!" Shawn looked up at the cheerful voice and his smile faded a little, he'd forgotten who was picking him up. "See you tomorrow Shawn" Mr. Guster said with a hint of disapproval in his voice (Gus' parents never really did like Shawn, and he couldn't figure out why) as Mrs. Guster waved and said her greeting to Maddie before rushing Shawn off the porch and returning inside.

Shawn stood still for a moment, watching his mom climb back into the car before doing the same. It was quiet for a moment, aside from the clambering out seat belts and the low murmur from the radio. Shawn stole a glance at his mom before staring at his feet. He had been late getting out the door and was sure to hear about it. "Four minutes, Shawn. FOUR MINUTES" she said in a deadly calm voice and she pulled out of the Guster's driveway, "I specifically told you to be outside at seven!" She snapped her head towards him, "Are you disobedient or are you just stupid?" When Shawn refused to look at her, she pulled over to the side of the road and grabbed his chin. Pulling him roughly (but not roughly enough to leave a bruise) to face her, she repeated herself. "N-neither.." Shawn stuttered, "th-the time was wrong on the clock.. I didn't know. I-I'm sorry!" He was practically shouting at the end, purely out of anxiety. She pulled her lips tight as she started up the car again, "I guess we'll just have to add another four minutes to our *bonding* time, won't we?" Shawn closed his eyes tight for a brief moment, he should have just stayed home..maybe he really is stupid. As their car sped along the road he closed and opened his hand, each time letting his nails pierce his skin a little longer than the last.

"We're home!" Maddie stated in a sing-song voice to her husband as she opened the door, a secretly hesitant Shawn behind her. Henry smiled, "hey kid, have a good time?" Shawn have him his best fake smile-a damn convincing one- nodded, and left it at that. Maddie gave Henry a kiss on the forehead as he whispered a goodnight to her before turning to Shawn, "go up stairs and start the bath, I'll be up in a minute." Shawn knew what this meant but went up the stairs anyways. "Night dad, I love you!" He yelled it from the top of the staircase and waited for his dad's reply before headed to the bathroom connected to his bedroom.

He knew the drill, make sure he was undressed before his mom got there and she did, don't make any noise. He climbed into the tub and drew his knees to his chest, the nausea growing as he waited for his mother to start their "bonding time" as she put it. He froze up when he heard the footsteps in front of the door, he knew what was coming- it happened every time- but that didn't matter. It was just as horrible as the first time she'd molested him. He remembered every bit of each of their bonding times, he'd never forget them. And that wasn't just because of his photographic memory.

The door knob was turning and Shawn looked up obediently, just as he knew she'd expect. Smiling at Shawn, she closed the door behind her. Shawn closed his eyes tight and heard the click of a lock.