Parents.. with different treatment

Firgured

It had been weighing on Sam Golbach's mind for a while now. He'd noticed how Colby treated Xander, the sharp looks, the dismissive attitude, the cold comments — and it didn't sit right with him. Sam had known Colby for years, through every phase of his life, and although they were best friends, he couldn't stay quiet any longer about the way Colby treated his oldest son.

One chilly Saturday afternoon, Sam decided it was time to address it. He had just spent the day with Xander, Xavier, and Victoria, treating them to a day of fun at the park and lunch afterward. Xander had been quiet at first, but eventually opened up, laughing and playing with his siblings and even smiling when Sam tried to make him laugh. For a moment, Sam glimpsed the child Xander could be if he felt fully safe and loved — something Sam realized with a pang that he might not always feel at home.

When Sam dropped the kids off, he asked Valerie to watch them for a bit. She was aware of Sam's plan and gave him a supportive nod, squeezing his hand in silent gratitude before taking the kids inside. Sam watched them disappear into the house, then took a deep breath, steeling himself before heading to find Colby in the backyard, where he sat alone with a beer in hand.

"Hey, man," Sam called as he walked over, trying to keep his tone casual but direct.

Colby looked up, his face shifting from relaxed to guarded. "Hey, what's up?" he replied, taking a swig of his beer.

Sam sat down next to him, the air tense between them. He thought about how to begin, wanting to approach it carefully but honestly. "Colby, I want to talk to you about Xander," he started slowly, meeting Colby's gaze.

Colby's jaw tightened, and he looked away, his face hardening. "What about him?" he muttered, clearly uninterested.

"Look," Sam said, leaning forward, "I've known you a long time, and you know I care about you and your family. But I can't just sit by and watch how you treat Xander. He's a kid, Colby. Your son. And... he's hurting."

Colby's face darkened, and he let out a cold laugh. "Hurting? He's got everything he needs. What more does he want?"

"It's not about what he has," Sam replied, his voice steady but firm. "It's about how he feels. And, Colby, he's terrified of you. You don't even see it, do you? The way he shrinks away when you walk into the room, or how he barely speaks when you're around. You treat him like he's a problem, but he's just a kid who needs his dad."

Colby glared at him, clearly annoyed. "You don't understand, Sam. Xander... he's different. He's got all those issues, ADHD, autism — he's... difficult."

Sam shook his head, his gaze unwavering. "Being different doesn't make him any less your son. He needs support and patience, not the cold shoulder or — or whatever it is you're doing. I saw him today, Colby. When he's away from all that judgment, he lights up. He's a good kid, Colby. He deserves better."

For a moment, Colby said nothing, his face a mask of anger mixed with something else Sam couldn't quite place — guilt, maybe. But then, Colby's expression shifted, his defensiveness hardening again. "So what? I'm supposed to just... coddle him?"

"No, Colby," Sam replied, his voice quiet but resolute. "You're supposed to love him. Be there for him. Support him. All the things a dad should do. You don't have to be perfect, but he needs you to be there — really be there."

Colby looked away, his jaw clenched, his shoulders tense. For a long moment, he was silent, then finally muttered, "It's just... hard. I don't know how to deal with him. He's nothing like Xavier or Victoria. He's... fragile."

"He's fragile because he has no choice," Sam said, softer this time. "You think it's easy for him? Xander's doing the best he can, and I know deep down, you know he deserves the best from you, too."

Colby sighed, running a hand through his hair, seeming to process Sam's words. Sam could see the flicker of hesitation, the internal struggle as Colby wrestled with his feelings.

"I just don't know if I can change," Colby admitted, his voice barely a whisper.

"You don't have to be perfect, Colby," Sam said gently. "Just try. Start by being there. And if you ever need help, you know I'm here. But Xander needs to know that his dad cares about him. That he can trust you, even if things aren't easy."

Colby nodded slowly, his expression shifting, the anger giving way to something more vulnerable. "I'll... try," he said finally, his voice rough.

Sam placed a hand on his shoulder, offering him a small, reassuring smile. "That's all he needs, Colby. Just try. It'll mean the world to him."