Parents.. with different treatment

The question

Xander sat on the couch, the vibrant sounds of his family bustling around him, and turned to Colby, who was seated across the room, scrolling through his phone. After five long months in the hospital, he was finally home, but a mix of excitement and apprehension bubbled inside him.

"Dad," he started, his voice steady but quiet, "are you happy that I was away for five months?"

Colby looked up, surprise flickering across his face. "What do you mean?" he replied, brow furrowing.

"I mean... did you miss me while I was in the hospital?" Xander asked, his heart racing as he awaited Colby's response.

Colby shifted uncomfortably in his seat, the tension in the room palpable. "Of course I missed you, Xander. It was tough for all of us," he said, but his tone was more defensive than reassuring.

"Really?" Xander pressed, wanting to hear something more than just the expected response. "I thought you might be relieved since I wasn't around, you know, being a burden."

Colby's expression hardened for a moment, and Xander could see the struggle behind his father's eyes. "I never said you were a burden," he replied, perhaps more sharply than intended. "I just wanted you to be strong and healthy. That's all."

Xander felt a rush of disappointment but pushed on, "It just felt like I was in the way. I mean, you always said that I needed to toughen up. Did you really care that I was gone?"

Colby opened his mouth as if to argue, then paused, his expression softening slightly. "Look, I wanted you to get better. I want you to be strong. But that doesn't mean I wanted you gone. You're my son, and I care about you."

Xander felt a flicker of hope but was still uncertain. "Then why does it feel like I'm always disappointing you? Like you wish I was someone else?"

Colby hesitated, searching for words. "Xander, I..." he started, but the words didn't come easily. "I just want you to be able to handle things, to be able to stand on your own two feet. It's not about wishing you were someone else. I just want you to be able to face the world."

Xander nodded slowly, absorbing his father's words. "But I'm still me, Dad. I've been through a lot, and I just want you to be proud of who I am, not just who you want me to be."

Colby's gaze dropped to the floor, and for a moment, the room was silent. Xander felt the weight of the conversation hang in the air, both vulnerable and challenging.

Finally, Colby looked back up, his expression softer. "I... I'll try to understand better. It's just hard for me sometimes. I know I can be tough on you, and I'm sorry for that. You're not a burden; you're my son."

Xander felt a warmth spread through him at Colby's words. It wasn't the full acceptance he had hoped for, but it was a step in the right direction. "Thank you, Dad. That means a lot," he said, feeling a little lighter.

"Let's work on this together," Colby said, a hint of determination in his voice. "You're back home now, and we can figure things out as a family."

Xander smiled, feeling a wave of hope wash over him. Perhaps things could improve. "I'd like that," he said softly, feeling a little more at peace.

As the family continued to bustle around the house, Xander realized that despite the challenges that lay ahead, he was ready to embrace them—with his family by his side.