Parents.. with different treatment

Blamed

One sunny afternoon, the children were playing in the living room. Valerie was preparing snacks in the kitchen, humming softly to herself. Xander was deeply engrossed in building a massive Lego castle, while Xavier worked diligently on a drawing beside him. Victoria crawled around, collecting toys like a little treasure hunter.

As Xander added the final piece to his castle, it was magnificent. He was about to call for Xavier to come and see when he heard a loud crash. He turned just in time to see Victoria, in her playful excitement, knock over a pile of blocks that had been stacked on the coffee table.

"Victoria!" Xander cried, but before he could get up to help her, Colby stormed into the room, his face red with anger.

"Xander, what did you do?" he yelled, pointing a finger at him. "You're always making a mess! Can't you be careful for once?"

Xander's heart sank. "No, Dad! It was Victoria!" he tried to explain, his voice trembling. But Colby wasn't listening.

"Excuses! You're always making excuses!" Colby snapped, his frustration echoing off the walls. Xander felt small and helpless. He often felt that way around his father, but today was particularly hard. He wished he could show his dad the truth, but the words got tangled in his throat.

After the commotion, Xander slumped down on the couch, feeling defeated. Xavier glanced over, his brow furrowed with concern. "Are you okay, Xander?"

"Yeah," Xander replied, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

That evening, during dinner, Xander's anxiety bubbled up again. He watched as Colby scolded Xavier for spilling his juice. "Why can't you be more careful? You're such a klutz!" Colby roared, slamming his hand on the table. Xander flinched at the sound, the words echoing in his mind, and he felt a wave of fear wash over him.

"Dad, it was an accident!" Xander said quietly, hoping to defend his brother.

Colby turned sharply. "And you should just keep your mouth shut. You don't know what you're talking about!"

Xander shrank back, wishing he could disappear. As the meal continued, he felt like a glass child, fragile and unseen. No one seemed to notice how hard it was for him to navigate the noise and chaos, especially when his father's anger filled the room.

Later that night, after the dishes were done and everyone was tucked into bed, Xander lay awake, staring at the stars outside his window. He wanted to talk to his mom about how he felt, but he didn't want to worry her or get in trouble for speaking out against Colby. He had seen her tired eyes, and he didn't want to add to her burdens.

The next day, while Valerie took the younger kids to the park, Xander stayed behind to finish a project. He wanted to make something special for his mom—a picture of their family, smiling together. He worked hard, pouring all his love into it. When Valerie returned, Xander rushed to show her his masterpiece.

"Mom, look! I made this for you!" he exclaimed, holding it up proudly.

"Oh, Xander! It's beautiful!" Valerie said, her eyes lighting up.

But then Colby walked in, and the atmosphere shifted. "What's that mess?" he barked, glaring at the paper. "You should be cleaning, not wasting time on stupid drawings!"

Xander's heart sank again. "I wanted to make it for you, Dad..." he said, his voice barely a whisper.

Colby's face twisted in irritation. "I don't want your pathetic drawings! You're just a disappointment." With that, he stormed off, leaving Xander feeling crushed.

Later, Xander tried to talk to Valerie. "Mom, why does Dad always get mad at me? I try my best."

Valerie knelt beside him, her expression filled with concern. "Xander, you're not a disappointment. I love you so much. Sometimes, people take their frustrations out on others, and it's not fair to you."

Xander nodded, but the pain lingered. He wished he could change things, that his father would see him for who he was and love him despite his differences.

The next few days passed in a blur of tension. Xander often found himself on the receiving end of Colby's misplaced anger, whether it was for misplaced toys or just for being there. The other kids didn't understand why their brother seemed to attract their father's wrath. Xavier would sometimes try to defend him, but the words always seemed to get lost before they reached Colby.

One evening, after a particularly difficult day, Xander sat alone in his room, tears streaming down his face. He felt so isolated, so different. Suddenly, there was a soft knock on his door. It was Valerie.

"Can I come in?" she asked gently.

Xander nodded, wiping his eyes. Valerie sat beside him and pulled him into a hug. "I know things have been tough," she whispered. "But I want you to know that I'm here for you. You are not alone."

"But Dad... he..." Xander started, his words faltering.

"I know. He has his own battles, and it's not right for him to take them out on you," she said. "But you are strong, Xander, and you deserve to be heard and loved."

In that moment, Xander felt a flicker of hope. Maybe things could change. He could talk to his mom more about how he felt, and together, they could find a way to make things better.

With a newfound resolve, Xander decided to share his feelings with Valerie more often. They began to make a plan together—to express how they felt and to stand up against the unfairness in their home.

As the days turned into weeks, Xander felt more empowered. He still faced challenges, and Colby's anger still loomed over him, but he learned to find strength in his bond with Valerie and the love of his siblings. They became his shield against the storms that sometimes brewed in their house.

And though Xander was still a glass child, he was learning that he could be fragile but also strong, loved and understood. Together with Valerie, he started to hope for a brighter future where he could be himself without fear, and where his father might one day see the beautiful, resilient boy he truly was.