Company - campingdolphin

chapter one

book one - ryan

"I don't fucking get it! Why the hell do you always go out and drink away?"

"Because I'm tired of this shit life! All I hear is scolds from you even thought I'm the one who's raising this family! My own kids even hate me, Marley!"

"Maybe you should haven't been a shit father."

"Like you're one to talk."

"Excuse me?"

"Damn right. And I fucking know your secret."

-=+=-

The door slammed close loudly, the paintings on the wall shaking. This usually meant my mom had retreated to her bedroom.

I couldn't stop staring at my room's ceiling, my eyes following each crack as it traveled all over the ceiling. It was just my silent way of dealing with their fights each night ; I was only 12 when I perfected my method and by then, it had been happening for 2 years already.

My door opened slightly, letting in a trickle of light as my eyes strained to see who it was.

A burly figure made his way into my room, his feet dragging across the carpeted floor and soft curse words escaping his mouth. I stayed silent as he reached the wall to the right of me, leaning against it.

It stayed quiet a moment before quiet sobs were heard. His body was shaking slightly as hiccups escaped him every now and then. I wanted to move towards him to comfort him, but I didn't.

It was as if my mind had forced my body to stay still.

So I just stayed there, lying down as I listened to the cries and sobs of my once proud father. It had been years that he could actually be called a father, but I call him that still. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, they say.

I slowly turned away from him, my head facing the left. My eyes gazed everywhere it could as a way to distract me from the harsh reality I was facing. But every moment I forgot, the next moment it came back, was worse.

"All I wanted. . .was to be a fa-father. . ." His sobs were louder and more anguished.

"Y-yet she can't even provide me w-with that." It was as if his heart was slowly being torn apart.

"And now. . .I-I'm just not. . .anything." He finished as the night soon quieted down again.

I wanted to comfort him.

But I didn't.