The Monster We Call Dad

By D.A. Riles

The Monster We Call Dad

The story which you are about to read, is based on fact. All the abuses which are written, actually happened. Many other forms of abuse were inflicted upon the family, but they were too ashamed to have it written in this book. Names and places have been changed to protect the offspring of the family.  The Monster We Call Dad is 284 pages long.

• Language: English
• Publisher: D. A. Riles
• Release date: Dec 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393991151

D.A. Riles

D. A. Riles was born in central Minnesota in 1961.  She has been a home maker for most of her adult life knowing, that raising well-adjusted children is the hardest job in the world.  D. A. Riles uses her unique imagination to create her mind-bending books.

Book preview

The story which you are about to read, is based on fact.  All the abuses which are written, actually happened.  Many other forms of abuse were inflicted upon the family, but they were too ashamed to have it written in this book.  Names and places have been changed to protect the offspring of the family.

*****

May your soul find freedom, and may your love sprout wings and spread through the universe.

Epilogue

Deep within every soul, is a soul within, be it good or evil.  Tomas Shultz lives with both.

The Shultz children born from Tomas and Jane, are brought into a house of terror and fear.  Each wanting to escape from their forced reality.  They learn to adapt to the violent eruptions of anger caused by their father.  Jane, submissive and meek follows her husband into the world of pain as the household is torn apart by the brutality of Tomas’ demented ways.

Chapters

Chapter 1   The Badlands

Chapter 2  Retuning to Mom

Chapter 3  The Long Wait

Chapter 4  Delivery

Chapter 5  A Visit from Tomas

Chapter 6  Mom and Baby come Home

Chapter 7  A Walk to Grandpa

Chapter 8  Hungry Girl

Chapter 9  Packing

Chapter 10  Playing Doctor

Chapter 11  Child Number Five

Chapter 12  A Sense of Freedom

Chapter 13  Return to Work

Chapter 14  Babysitters

Chapter 15  Rejection

Chapter 16  Dad?

Chapter 17  Photographs

Chapter 18  In Need of a Doctor

Chapter 19  Family Vacation

Chapter 20  Grandma Nigh

Chapter 21  The Sound of Leather

Chapter 22  Pets

Chapter 23  Butterball

Chapter 24  Corn Meal Mush

Chapter 25  The Final Child

Chapter 26  Runaways

Chapter 27  The Punishment

Chapter 28  Neighbor's

Chapter 29  When Will it End?

Chapter 30  School

Chapter 31  Sauer Kraut

Chapter 32  Another School Year

Chapter 33  A New Chapter

Chapter 34  Prison Life

Chapter 35  A Face of Death

Chapter 36  Christmas

Chapter 37  Lessons

Chapter 38  Growing Up

Chapter 39  A Drink of Water

Chapter 40  Poochie

Chapter 41  Birthday Party

Chapter 42  Chalkboard

Chapter 43  Here's How to Do It

Chapter 44  Sunday Paper

Chapter 45  False Accusations

Chapter 46  A Cry for Help

Chapter 47  Insane Asylum

Chapter 48  Watermelon and Plastic

Chapter 49  What Changed?

Chapter 50  Another Move

Chapter 51  Tempting Ice Cream

Chapter 52  Moving Day

Chapter 53  The Tractor

Chapter 54  The New House

Chapter 55  Don't Hurt Dad!

Chapter 56  Another Blow

Chapter 57  Time to Leave

Chapter 58  Kidnapped

Chapter 59  What's Happened Since Mom Left

Chapter 60  Questionable Choices

Chapter 61  Missing

Chapter 62  What Life has Brought to the Shultz family

Chapter 1

The Badlands

It was a beautiful day in the Badlands of South Dakota.  Hills loomed in the distance as the sun cast hues of purple and orange across its vast expanse.  A lone eagle soars high above.  A growing family was vacationing there.  Jane and Tomas had two sons, a daughter, and a baby on the way. 

Jane and Tomas were looking out over the flat topped mountains as Joe, their oldest son, led his two younger siblings onto the small footpaths alongside the hills which looked like mountains.  The warmth of the day allowed the children to wear shorts and t-shirts.

Although, the paths were barely two feet wide, they had been used many times by others who wanted to venture further into the rock covered region.  As the three children walked along the path it began to narrow.  A sheer rock wall was on their left side, but on the right, was a deep gorge which came to an abrupt halt of jagged boulders at its bottom.

Joe, you kids, get back here before you fall! Mom yelled seeing the perilous trek in which the children were heading.

Carefully the three children turned around and now the two younger children were in front of Joe.

On the way back to their mom, Joe almost did fall.  His body slim, his footsteps small, the ledge upon which he was walking was narrow.  Tiny pebbles began to slide across his path.  His foot slipped.  As it did, the boy reached out.  A lone branch was wedged within the crack of the rock wall.  Fortunately for Joe, he was able to grasp the limb and keep his balance.  The two younger children didn’t see what was taking place behind them and continued on to safer ground.

Coming back to Mom and feeling embarrassed for his error, the young boy blushed.  Joe was fortunate that Dad didn’t see his near death event, for he would have had more than the stern look which Mom gave.

Jane didn’t want to go on this family vacation that Tomas insisted on, but as a dutiful wife, she did.  She was four months pregnant at the time and didn’t feel up to a vacation, especially in an area with a higher altitude than she was used to.  She didn’t know if the lack of oxygen would affect the baby she carried inside of her.

Husband and wife were both the same age, but you would never have been able to tell.  For being only twenty-three years of age, Jane was a mere shell of what she once was, much too thin to be carrying another life inside her. 

The maternity clothes which she wore were her regular clothes, but with alterations, for Tomas didn’t allow his wife to spend money of such frivolous items.

Nearing the end of their vacation, Mom and Dad began to argue.  No one ever really knew why some of the arguments happened, they just did.  It was normal.  Amidst the breath-taking backdrop, the argument ensued as the frightened children huddled together for security.  They could feel the power of his emotion.

Would it come out? they wondered. 

Seeing Dad’s body change, the helpless children were unable to control their quivering bodies, even though the day was warm.

Dad’s face began to redden as his demanding words seeped out through gritted teeth, Get in the f**king car! his words were thick with venom as he glared at his cowering wife.

I feel sick.  I need a moment, Jane pleaded with her husband as her thin face began to pale.

Hanging her head in shame and sickness, she knew she had to do as she was told, but she just couldn’t right now.

I told you to get in the f***ing car! he stormed at his quivering wife standing only a few feet in front of him. 

Back and forth he paced.  Something was happening to him, he could feel it.  Tomas felt trapped inside his own body.  An urge beyond his control began to dominate his thoughts.  He was allowing the monster to take over.  Straitening his body and elongating his already tall stature, his body began to feel alive, intoxicated with power, dominance, and most of all strength.  He liked this feeling; it felt good, almost as if he were breathing in a new life.

Not daring to look her husband in the eyes, Jane peeked up at him through veiled thick black lashes.  Her body trembling, knowing she was in trouble, she prepared herself to beg for mercy, but a feeling came over her body.  Bile built up at the back of her throat, her stomach rumbled with ferocity, the young woman wasn’t able to stop the vomit that, just then, spewed from her, splattering near the ground where Tomas walked.

You f**king b***h! Tomas raged seeing strands of vomit dripping from the innocent woman’s lips.  This enraged him even further as he moved toward his diminutive wife.

Puffing up his chest, snaking out his long, wiry appendage, Tomas thrust for the young woman, snaring her hair with his metamorphosed arm.

The children saw the monster forming, changing, contorting, and mutating into something hideous.  Dad’s size grew.  He was once again something they did not recognize.  Wanting to scream in horror, all they could do was watch and hope the monster wouldn’t attack its prey.  But, it did happen.

Twisting Jane’s baby-fine black hair in his hand, he roared in a demonic tone, I’ll teach you, you piece of s**t!

Yanking her toward him, he raised an ogre-like foot shouting, You did that on purpose!

The monster’s nostrils flared, its eyes bulged with fierce intensity as he flung the hapless woman to the ground saying, You worthless piece of crap!

Jane felt a large piece of hair being pulled from her scalp as she fell to the ground, but her demented husband continued his rant.  Tomas’ large foot connected with Jane’s baby swollen stomach.  A sharp pain pierced through her body as she clutched desperately at her stomach.  Hearing no more, her mind wandered to the child living within her.

The children watched in horror, even though this was a scene which had been played out many times before, hating this monster.  The children wished there was something they could do to stop the violence, to stop the monster, they called Dad.

Feeling the hairs on the back of his neck lift, Dad abruptly stopped his pacing and quickly turned on his heel toward the children.  Making one booming stomp in their direction, just as a wild beast does before it goes after its quarry, Dad was satisfied with the snot nosed brats response to his threat as he watched the frightened children quickly run to the light blue1955 station wagon.  Seeing the childrens antics, made the monster stop its attack upon them and focus his attention back on to his perceived problem.

Testosterone raging through his body, eyes ablaze with hatred and contempt, his hand was still clenching the wad of hair as he rose it high above his head in triumph.  A bitter laugh escaped his sneering lips as he said to Jane, You’re worthless.  Whatever made you think your life had value?  Do you really think that anyone would want a f**king piece of s**t like you?

Tomas looked up at his fisted hand as the sun silhouetted his raised arm.  A sense of fulfillment flowed through his body.  A rush of blood refueled his soul.  He felt invincible, he felt alive!

No reaction came from Jane as Tomas continued his taunts, What?  Now you’re too f**king stupid to talk?

Hearing Dad’s hateful words, the three children were drawn to the scene which was happening outside, hoping the violence would end quickly.  Their small faces were framed by the open window as they peered out watching as the tirade continued.  Joe opened the heavy door and the three young children jumped into the back seat of the vehicle.  It was quite hot inside, so they rolled down the windows as they hastily sat upon the hot seats.

Oh, if there is a god, he laughed sardonically, then you really made a mistake when you made the b**ch laying on the ground!  She’s a worthless piece of crap!

Opening his clenched hand, he spread his fingers wide.  Fine wisps of black hair fell to the ground.  A light breeze blew across the hairs and stirred them just enough to blow them back toward Tomas.  Feeling as if the black strands were mocking him, Tomas kicked his wife in the back making the wisps fly up into the air and away from his body.

Ahhhhh! Jane screamed as his heavy foot connected deeply into her spine.

The Badlands echoed her cry, reverberation after reverberation sending an odd chill through Tomas’ body.

A small mumbling sound escaped Scott’s tiny mouth as the young boy watched the brutality of the beating taking place outside of the uncomfortably sun heated station wagon.  He could feel his mom’s pain, but was unable to help.  Tears welled up in Scott’s eyes never to be shed.

Turning his haunted mind from the scene, Scott tried to take solace in the comforting words coming from Sissy and Joe as the three children talked in hushed tones.

Moaning softly, Jane allowed her thoughts to drift from her mind.  The pain of her tortured body was so intense, that she could barely breathe.  Emotions came and went as wild thoughts ran through her mind.  She wanted to flee, but there was nowhere to go.  She wanted to make herself small and curl into a ball, but her pregnant belly didn’t allow it.  She wanted to just lay there and die, however, how could she, knowing she was carrying another life within her?  Closing her mind to the pain, she knew she had to keep control, for Tomas enjoyed the power he wheeled over her.

With the silence that Jane chose to take, Tomas no longer had the upper hand, for it was no fun to inflict pain, when there was no reward of fear.  Pushing the tip of his now scuffed shoe against her back he said distastefully, "I didn’t kick you that hard, you stupid b***h!  Now stop acting like a baby and get the f**k up!"

For a brief moment the monster stared at the being on the ground, unsure of her true condition.  Momentarily, Tomas saw his wife through clear eyes and with a racing mind he briefly questioned himself, Is she alright?  But, the moment was too brief, the monster returned and through its demented mind all it could see was a willing victim cowering beneath him.

The booming voice seemed to be far off in the distance.  Sounds in Jane’s brain began to dim and blur.  Words faded as the numb mother looked further into herself.  Sudden fatigue set in as the young woman succumbed to the horror of her life.

Laying deathly still on the hot, rocky soil, Jane’s thin black-rimmed glasses, dangled precariously from one ear.  Her breathing shallow, every breath was painful.  Particles of dust from the soil drawing into her nostrils, each breath nearly choking her as she inhaled.

Tomas looked at the pathetic woman laying on the ground.  Showing no remorse or emotion for what he did, he commented with revulsion, Walk the f**k home then!  I don’t f**king care!

Swiftly turning away, not once, did Tomas glance back.  He left Jane laying helpless on the ground nauseous, clutching her stomach.

The children watched as Dad walked over to the car.  Fear gripped their small bodies as they saw him position himself in the driver’s seat.  Putting the key in the ignition and starting the car, Dad drove off without Mom.

The three children looked at each other with wide eyes.  They knew they wouldn’t be able to say anything to Dad at this moment, for they knew his emotions were too raw and any attempt of reasoning would cause the monster to come back.

Jane heard the car pull away as dust settled around her.  A small coughing sound escaped her lips as she closed her heart to the world.  Silence filled the air as the defeated mother faded into unconsciousness.

Chapter 2

Returning to Mom

Please Dad!  We’ll be good! a woeful cry from his young son came crossing into Tomas’ conscience mind.

What the f**k? Tomas wondered to himself as the forlorn child begged once again.

We promise not to even talk! the two other siblings in the car nodded their agreement trying hard to suppress the fear from their eyes.

Joe knew he was taking a huge risk of releasing the monster from its confines, but they didn’t want to keep driving further from their mom not knowing if she were dead or dying.  Trying hard to stay strong and not cry, the young boy waited for his dad’s response, hoping he would turn around and go back to the Badlands.

Finally, the fog lifted as Tomas heard his sons’ entreaty.  Not acknowledging his transgression, he slowed the car.  Gravel crunched under the wheels of the large station wagon as he pulled off to the side of the road.  He waited for a car to pass, then made a U-turn in the middle of the highway and went back to get his wife.

Arriving at the camping area, Tomas pulled off the highway and onto the gravel parking lot where his wife’s body was still laying on the ground, reluctantly he climbed out of the car.  Kicking up dust as he lumbered toward Jane, plumes of dry sand lay in his wake.

Only a short time ago, this had seemed such a beautiful place.  Children laughing, people happy, birds flitting high above their heads, it was picturesque in its charm.  Hills filled with color from the warming sun.  The aroma of small blooming flowers of blue, pink, and white abounded before them, adding to its beauty, yet now only a scene of pain and sorrow.

The children were unable to hear their parent’s words, but saw Mom rise, as if coming back to life.  Straightening her glasses upon her face Mom brushed fine particles of red dust from her clothing and face.  Climbing into the front seat and laying her head on the inside of the door, she took her rightful place on the passenger side of the vehicle.

The drive back home that day and into the night was long as no words were spoken, not even an utterance of needing to use the bathroom.  Only when Dad stopped to fill the car with gas, did the children attempt to quickly dash off to use the restroom.

It was late night when they arrived back in Minnesota.  All were glad to be back home and have an end to the day.

Chapter 3

The Long Wait

Fretting for the child in her womb, Jane kept track of the days as they passed since that day in the Badlands.  Each and every day, Jane waited for any sign of movement from the baby.  It took four long days before she felt the baby kick.  Elated, knowing the fetus was still alive, the young woman’s fears eased, but only a little, for she was still unsure of the damage that might have been done to the tiny being.

The next four months couldn’t pass soon enough for Jane.  She wondered if Tomas caused any harm.  Only time would tell, as she would have to wait until the child was born.

Once again the family was growing, and February finally came.  Jane knew her fourth child was due any day.

Preparing the evening meal, Jane thought to herself as the prospect of going into labor went through her mind, Meatloaf and pie for supper.

With a sudden burst of pain Jane began clutching her stomach as the cramps from her contractions came.  Walking over to the heavy black telephone that sat on the kitchen counter, Jane picked up the receiver and dialed her parent’s phone number.  She knew better than to try to get a hold of Tomas at work for he wouldn’t want to be disturbed just because his wife was in labor for the fourth time.

Hello? Herman said answering the telephone.

Hi Dad, it’s Jane.

Jane didn’t need introduction, for she was their only daughter, yet her words came out of habit.

Hi Jane . . . how are you feeling? he questioned knowing his daughter was probably in labor.

Fine . . . but, I’m in labor, inhaling deeply as another contraction swept over her, she continued, Could you give me a ride to the hospital?

Of course . . . where’s Tomas? Herman inquired.

He’s at work, she replied simply.

Okay, I’ll be right over.  I’ll bring Ma with me to watch the kids.

Thanks Dad.

Being only two blocks away, Jane’s parents were at their daughter’s door in only a matter of minutes.  With a quick rap on the door to let the occupants inside know someone was there, Lena, Jane’s mom stepped over the threshold and removed her woven, brown knee-length coat.  Herman stood next to the door.  The husband and wife couple made an amusing pair.  Herman was well over six feet tall and Lena didn’t quite make it to the five foot mark.

Hearing the door open, Jane knew it was her parent’s.  Grabbing her small jacket she carefully walked towards the two.  A smile passed over her lips with the knowledge that soon the baby would be born.  It was almost thrilling to know that she was bringing another new life into the world.

Thanks Dad, Jane smiled as Herman opened the door.  Bending down to reach his small statured daughter, he smiled and gave her a light hug.

Mom, Jane paused, looking over her shoulder, Would you try to get a hold of Tomas so he knows I’m going to the hospital?

Of course dear, Lena replied kindly as she touched her daughter’s shoulder.

Happy to help his only daughter, Herman and Jane left for the hospital.

Chapter 4

Delivery

Sister Mary, a nun at the Catholic hospital in Hameshire, greeted Jane and Herman as they came into the lobby.  Seeing distress upon the mother-to-be, the nun wrapped her arm around Jane’s waist and began to take her to the delivery room.

You can wait here and fill out the forms.  Someone will let you know after your daughter has had her baby, Sister Mary said as she walked away with Jane.

Herman nodded his answer as he watched the nun and Jane move away from him.  Seeing the backside of Sister Mary, Herman looked at the habit which she was wearing.  It seemed out of place for the hospital.  Instead of the stark white which many nurses wore, the nun had on a black, flowing gown nearly touching the floor and a white veil to cover her fore-head and head, her shoes were polished black and laced with black leather shoe strings.  Turning toward the reception desk, Herman went to fill out the admission forms for his daughter.

Entering the room, the nun took a hospital gown out of a drawer and gave it to the young mother to change into.  Helping Jane onto the delivery table, Sister Mary put Jane’s feet into the stirrups, readying her for the arrival of the new baby.

The baby is coming, Jane said anxiously to the nun.

Hold it.  I have to get the doctor, Sister Mary replied with calmness as she exited the brightly lit, surgical looking room.

Although, trying hard not to push, Jane could feel the baby coming.  She didn’t want it to be born before the doctor entered, so inhaling deeply, she tried to relax, but the urge to push was overwhelming.  No longer able to hold back what Mother Nature makes occur naturally, the infant came out.  The small baby lay at the end of the table as Jane leaned forward and picked it up.  She held it close to her body to keep it warm until the doctor entered the room.

Within moments Dr. Wall walked into the delivery room.  Seeing the baby in Jane’s arms, he said in a teasing,