The Dead Among Us

67. A Tense Evening

Fabia's POV

After gathering my courage and my clothes, I leave the room and head back to the stairs. My plate of food is still there, and I need to clean up the kitchen.

As I slowly descend the last few steps, lifting my head from its constant downward position, I take in the scene before me. Pedro is washing dishes at the sink, Manny is sprawled out and fast asleep on the couch, Kenji is assisting with wiping down the table, and Benji remains seated at the table. Her hands are pressed against her eyes, attempting to brush away tears, and I immediately discern the subtle rise and fall of her shoulders as she struggles to stifle her sobs.

My heart aches at the sight of Benji's distress. I kneel down beside her, placing my hands on her lap, asking, "Benny girl, why are you crying?"

She nearly splits my heart clean in two when she reveals through her cries, "I...g-got you...in...t-t-trouble..."

"No, you didn't," I assure her.

Pulling a page from Sabin, I reach out and tenderly grip her chin, which is warm and damp with tears. Her pretty green eyes reach mine as I do.

I tell her, "You did no such thing; I got myself in trouble. I'm responsible for my actions and my words, okay?"

She responds with a little nod and a big sniff and then uses the back of her hands to wipe her face.

"Are you gonna eat your dinner?" I ask next, bobbing my head towards her unfinished plate. "You need to eat up so you can get big and strong."

Her glistening eyes look at her food and then back to me right before I notice the front door open, and Jon walks in.

He heads straight for us after glimpsing at Pedro and Kenji cleaning up. Placing one hand on the table and the other on the back of Benji's chair, Jon leans in and gently says, "Baby, look at me."

Benji raises her head, resting it back against the chair and craning her neck to meet his gaze.

"Yes, sir?" she answers, her voice soft and obedient.

"Do you have any more homework?" he asks.

"No, sir," she replies, her eyes focused on him.

"Are you done eating?"

She glances at me briefly, then back to Jon.

"No, sir, but I'm almost done."

"When you're finished, I want you to take the trash out, go upstairs, shower, and then go to bed, understand?" he instructs firmly.

It's a little early for her bedtime, but I'm not gonna point that out, and to be fair, she doesn't seem that upset about it. I am curious, though, if he's punishing her or just genuinely wants her to get some extra sleep.

She nods with an "Okay, Daddy," and then goes back to eating.

Jon starts to walk away when I stand up and purposefully position myself in his path, making him stop. His eyes squint, and his head tilts at my action, but he doesn't say anything.

After swallowing my nervousness, I say timidly, "I'm sorry... for being disrespectful..."

A smile plays on the corners of his lips before he startles me by grabbing my shoulder and literally hauling me into a hug.

His head sinks down to my ear, and he whispers in a puckish tone, "We all need some D to end an attitude sometimes. Don't worry, Miss Fabia."

He did NOT just say that!!!