Love class 101

Chapter XVI

As Ben came home, he grabbed another bottle. This time it was a strong red wine that he got for Christmas.
He was in the middle of the drinking session, his phone then rang a notification. He grabbed it whispering: “Larry?”, and saw a message from Hannah, saying: ‘Be home in ten minutes. Chloe’s at grandma’s. We need to talk.’
Ben rolled his eyes and took another big swig of the wine straight from the bottle.
The front door opened a few minutes later and Hannah walked in. She saw her dad in the kitchen and grabbed the bottle from him. He said: “Hey! What do you think you’re doing?”, and got up to grab the bottle from her, but she moved it away and said: “Sit the hell down.”
Ben did as he was told and she said: “Do you really want to do this again?”
Ben sighed and said: “Well, what am I supposed to do? I finally found someone to love and I fucked it up. Again.” Hannah said: “You didn’t. You just need to talk to Larry and explain to him what happened.”
Ben said: “He doesn’t wanna talk to me. I’m fucked.” Hannah said: “Dad. You can’t start drinking again. Do you want to lose us?”
Ben’s head fell into his palms and he cried. He said: “You’d be better off without me anyways.”
Hannah then helped her father get into his bedroom. She could hear blows as he pounded the wall with his fists. She went to his room numerous times, telling him to stop, but every time he just started again.
Few days went by and as Hannah saw her father getting worse and worse, she decided to do something about it.
She found out Larry’s address and went to his house.
She rang the door bell and Larry opened the door. She saw that he was in a similar state as her father. He said: “Hello?”
Hannah said: “Do you remember me? I’m Hannah. Ben’s daughter.”
Larry said: “Look, I don’t know what your dad told you, but we’re not seeing each other anymore.” Hannah said: “I just need to talk to you for a bit.”
Larry sighed and held the door open for her to come inside.
They sat in the kitchen and Larry said: “You want something to drink?” Hannah said: “I’m good. I just need to talk.”
Larry sat down opposite of her by the table in the kitchen. She said: “Look, my dad…He’s had it very hard. My mom died…because of my sister. Childbirth complications. He hasn’t been in love for a long time. I’m sure he wanted to tell you, but just…he was scared.” “Of what?!” Larry said and Hannah said: “Of you leaving. And he had a point. Now he’s at home drinking like a sailor. He’s not good. I already lost a mother. I don’t wanna lose my dad too.”
Larry leaned against the chair and said: “Well, what do you want me to do?”
Hannah said: “I know he hurt your feelings, but I’m sure it was not his intention. He truly loves you, Larry. And I’m sure Chloe will accept you, too. I already did. Could you come over for lunch tomorrow and talk to my dad?”
Larry shook his head, saying: “Hannah, I don’t know what you expect to happen, but I very much doubt that this will just…go away.”
Hannah said: “At least try it.”
At this point, her eyes filled with tears. She said: “I-I beg you. Dad has been taking care of us all of our lives. He loves us more than anything. He wants to protect us. He didn’t even tell us about you.” Larry said: “Because he didn’t mean it.” Hannah said: “Because he didn’t want to ruin it.”
Larry looked down and kept quiet for a while. Hannah said: “Give him a chance. He is a great man and he certainly didn’t mean anything bad. He loves you, Larry.”
Larry was still quiet and Hannah got up. She said: “I’ll make one extra portion of tomorrow’s lunch. If you love him, at least a little bit, you will join us at one PM sharp.”
With that, she left.