21 Comments
User's avatar
👟Mike Schuster👟's avatar

Oh man Annie, that's rough. I'm glad you've kept your sense of humor.

Expand full comment
Annie Hendrix's avatar

Thanks, Mike :) it’s probably part of why I have a sense of humor haha. Nothing to do but laugh sometimes…

Expand full comment
K.C. Knouse's avatar

Your memoir reads like fiction. I know you wish it were. It takes a lot of courage to reveal this level of pain and trauma.

Expand full comment
Andrew Beebe's avatar

I am truly sorry this was your experience of "brother"! Mine wasn't a saint, and we fought like boys do, but we fought for each other just as hard when we needed to. I don't understand sadism, but I've witnessed it. Goodness exists as truly as maladjustment, but what hurts the most is the betrayal in the tearing apart from someone who is supposed to love you. I will pray for you and I understand that sentiment probably doesn't mean much but just know there is someone out there who wishes you well.

Expand full comment
Annie Hendrix's avatar

Thank you Andrew, I really appreciate this comment.

Expand full comment
Barbara Parker's avatar

Thankful you're still here to share. Glad you're seeing a therapist and able to process the trauma.

Expand full comment
Annie Hendrix's avatar

Thank you Barbara

Expand full comment
Anna Schott's avatar

No words

Expand full comment
Tiffany S.'s avatar

Wow, the opening line, the final, and everything in between. The vividity. Thank you for sharing this.❤️

Expand full comment
Annie Hendrix's avatar

Thanks Tiffany 🖤

Expand full comment
Hanna Delaney's avatar

Oh my God. I'm so sorry you went through this.

Expand full comment
Annie Hendrix's avatar

Thanks Hanna, part of why I’m not a horror writer haha. Experienced too much violence in real life.

Expand full comment
Helen Grover's avatar

I’m picky about creative nonfiction but I loved this. The turn at the end was brutal and it flowed so well! Very vivid! I’ve found that this sort of confessional style may come more naturally to people who write poetry because of the way it involves weaving little moments and memories together to conjure the actual bigger picture. You did great, and I think little Annie would be proud. Also it’s horrible that you had to go through this

Expand full comment
Annie Hendrix's avatar

Thanks for reading Helen, might expand it into a longer piece sometime and give more info for the sake of helping people recognize the signs of severe mental illness in childhood earlier and try to prevent this from happening to others…it’s not fun to write but maybe there’s some value.

Expand full comment
Helen Grover's avatar

I think there’d be a lot of value in that! Best of luck

Expand full comment
Richard Blaisdell's avatar

I read and memories are purged for a flash moment. Cruel bullies exist for no reason.

Expand full comment
Shoni's avatar

Yikes. This can't be easy to remember. You paint a vivid picture in very few words. Sorry you went through that.

Expand full comment
Annie Hendrix's avatar

Thanks Shoni 🖤

Expand full comment
Brandon  Murphy's avatar

Thank you for sharing this. These things aren’t easy to deal with, and you sharing this part of your life like this, is legitimately inspiring.

If I can get fun for a sec, a good Chun-Li is scary as fuck. Especially if you combo things with that fucking kick of hers. Sagat has a chance, it’s the Tiger Knee and Tiger Shot if she gets to Squirrley.

Yes I’m a button masher.

Yes I only accidentally pull off the finishers.

Wanna fight about it?

Joke or challenge?

Up to you.

Expand full comment
Parrish Baker's avatar

Welp

Expand full comment
Coco Wilde's avatar

Speechless.

Expand full comment