(Tuesday, 5;45PM, LA)
We walk into the lounge. "What's happening?" Riley asks. "The bastard won't let me go the party!" Maxine shouts. Daniel sighs. "Max, calm down. You can go the party after I speak to you about something." He says. "NO SHE CAN'T, DANIEL!" Joey shouts. Riley jumps. "Papa, don't shout..." Maxine pushes her. "Stop fucking getting involved, ticălosule!" She says. Ashlee grabs Maxine's hand. "Baby." She says. Maxine looks at her. "Sorry for pushing you. Just stop trying to be my friend. I don't like you, Riley. I hate you!" Maxine says. Daniel sighs. "Max, come on. Let's go." Daniel says. They all leave, shutting the door behind them. Tears stream down Riley's face. Caleb sighs. "¿Es así a menudo?" He asks me. "Sí. Al final te acostumbras. Las peleas, los gritos, las discusiones. Así es como es." I tell him. Caleb sighs again. "I'm just tired of this now." Riley says. Xornoth enters the lounge. "Daddy?" Riley says. Xornoth hugs her. "I'm sorry, Riley." He says.
(The next day, 10:30AM)
I wake up, running a hand through my hair. My phone rings and I grab it, answering it. "Buenos días, Caleb. ¿Todo bien?" I say. Caleb yawns. "Si estoy bien. Simplemente estoy disfrutando del día de estudio en casa." He says. I smile. "Bueno Ayer fue mucho." I say. We continue chatting for a bit before hanging up. I fall back asleep, trying to escape this reality.
