My Friend Who Is A Boy

24. Son Of Mine

Jason's dad continued to be in a foul mood, even after dinner was finished. He had Jason's mum running around fetching him the newspaper and blankets because he was "a bit chilly".

Jason had a bitter taste in his mouth as he sat in the arm chair, watching his dad, slumped over the entire sofa in his fucking blanket.

He was still gulping wine and Jason didn't like the distant look in his cold eyes. His mother had obviously sensed it too and she appeared to have run off upstairs.

Jason switched off the tv, seeing that it was half past ten at night.

He got up and began to leave the room when his dad groaned.

"What is it?" Jason asked, turning to see his dad struggling to his feet. He managed it and swayed on the spot slightly.

His eyes were staring blankly and his face was hard. Jason felt uneasy.

"Wheredoyouthink yourgoing?" He slurred, his words melding together.

"To bed, it's late" Jason said carefully, not wanting to anger him...but he had a feeling it was too late. "Do you want me to put that blanket back for you?" Jason asked kindly.

"No! You arent goingtobed" he said, saying his words slowly to make them clearer. Jason's heart was beating in double time.

His dad pulled something out of his back pocket and the irrational part of Jason's brain said oh shit he's got a gun!

His dad pulled out a piece of paper instead and he waved it in the air, nearly toppling over as he did so.

Jason couldn't understand what his dad was getting at when he unfolded it and began reading.

"Dear MrandMrs Herring..."

Oh shit! No that can't be... Jason thought but his dad went on.

"I am sorrytosay that I witnessed yourson Jason initiating afight with a fellowstudent..."

Shit! When did that come? He was utterly shocked, he couldn't understand why this was just coming up.

"...wh...where did you get that?" Jason asked, taking a step back as his dad moved foward.

"I found it...burried in one of your mother's drawers" he said, still moving towards Jason.

Jason stepped back and hit the wall with a loud thud.

"Did youthink you couldhide this from us? From me?" His dad cried, raising his voice.

Jason hadn't hidden the letter...his mum must have found it then tucked it away. Why would she do that?

"No I swear...I didn't" Jason stammered, knowing that there was nothing he could say.

"Are you saying you're mother hid it from me boy? Thats a serious accusation."

"No! No of course I'm not" Jason hurried to reply, not wanting to put his mum in danger of his dad's anger.

"Then youmusthave done it. I didn't raise a liar...or a violent one for that matter." His dad grumbled, grabbing Jason by the shoulders.

"Bad boys must be punished" his dad breathed under his breath, almost like he was reciting something.

"Dad..." Jason said in a shaky voice as his dad held him tighter, Jason felt like his bones might crumble under the wait of his strong hands.

"That...hurts' Jason stammered, holding back the urge to react to the pain. His dad wasn't listening, he continued to push Jason up against the wall with force.

"No son of mine disobeys me" he bellowed and with one swift movement his hand collided with Jason's face.

A white hot pain spread through Jasons cheek and he stumbled to the side, his hands up.

"Please...stop" he pleaded.