Brutal - Robby Keene

00. Mommy's Home

Monty's Diner was usually empty at 3 o' clock in the morning, the workers would just spend their time gossiping and playing silly games.

However, on that random night, there were three people sat around a table in the middle of the diner.

Felix Lachlan and Mariah Lachlan were two of the people at the table. Across from them sat a beautiful older woman with blonde hair and eyes similar to Felix's. She was staring at them silently, an awkward smile on her face.

"Thank you." The woman smiled as a waitress placed a cup of coffee in front of her. The waitress nodded before walking off. The woman cleared her throat as she turned to the two children in front of her. "Are you both sure you don't want anything?"

Felix and Mar both silently stared at her. Mar's arms were crossed as she leaned back in the chair and Felix had his fingers interlocked and resting on the table while he leaned forward.

"All we want to know from you.." Mar spoke up finally, with a deep inhale and exhale. "Is why you're here, Martha."

"For Felix." Martha said as if it was the most obvious answer. Mar and Felix exchanged a look. "I'm moving back to New York with my parents and I want you to come with me, Felix."

"No." Felix immediately answered, shaking his head. Mar's lips parted as she looked to Felix before looking back to Martha who also wore a shocked look on her face.

"Felix, I am your mother." Martha said with a disapproving look. "Michael is dead, so you need to come back with-"

"He's not dead." Felix cut her off, venom laced in his tone. "And some mother you are. After dad cheated on you, you left. You didn't message me or return my calls, nothing!"

"You left first, Felix." Martha frowned deeply at her son. "Was I not just doing what you had done to me?"

"You were threatening to ship me off to military school!" Felix yelled in annoyance. "So yeah, I did run away. But you left. You left and now you're trying to take me away from the life I've built here."

"What life exactly have you built here?" Martha asked as she glanced to Mar disapprovingly. It was no secret that Martha didn't like Mar.

"I have people who love me here." Felix said immediately. "I have someone who treats me better than my father, someone who treats me better than my mother. I have friends and family here."

Martha was silent for a moment. She stared at Felix and Mar with a slight frown. She sighed as she hung her head.

"I know all about the karate endeavors." Martha had said with a shake of her head. "You've been hurt so many times, Felix."

"And that's all apart of life!" Felix argued back to her. "Yeah, I've been hurt physically and mentally but it's shaped me into who I am, and I am in too deep to back out now. I am not a quitter."

Martha sighed as she picked up her coffee and took a sip before placing it back down. Mar unfolded her arms.

"Martha, Felix and I are doing fine." Mar offered with a small smile. "My real dad's taking us in so we don't have to worry about rent or water or anything."

"Real dad?" Martha questioned her with a raised brow. Mar bit her bottom lip before sighing with a nod.

"Yeah, Michael's not my real dad." Mar murmured out to her. "My mom cheated on him with her high school sweetheart."

"There's no surprise there." Martha couldn't help but to scoff bitterly. "I had a feeling you weren't Michael's child. Like first husband, like first wife."