The Curse - Book 1 (Completed)

Chapter 19: Seeking Comfort In The Rain

​Ian stares at his cell phone. How many times has he dialed her? He won't do it again. It's too much. She can't treat him like this. It's insulting.

​She throws the phone against the wall and it shatters into a million pieces.

​"What the hell is that noise?" his father storms into his room. "You're doing it again? Again, huh?" he comes closer and clutches his neck, "How many times do I have to tell you?" he yells, "Money doesn't grow on trees, boy! Grow up!" he slaps him.

​Ian pushes him away. "It's none of your business!"
​Why does he have to come every weekend? Joined custody sucks. If only his mother had enough money to support them, he wouldn't have to endure this mental torture.

​"Last time it was the car, now it's the phone!" his father doesn't stop. "And I bought you another car, haven't I? Now you think you'll get a new phone if you destroy this one, huh?"

​"You're drunk," Ian mutters.

​"What did you say?" his father clasps his ear, "I didn't hear you, you talk like a girl. Are you a girl, son?" he storms.

​Ian sighs in anger.

​"I don't hear you, girlie. Speak louder."

​"Go away," Ian says, annoyed.

​He's used to his father drunkenness. It's like this every weekend. But he tries to stay out for as long as he can. In the morning, he's usually fine.

​"Are you telling me what to do in my own house? First you push me," he shouts, "Now you tell me what to do? You really are your mother's son. You're just like her!"

​"As if you'd know," he mutters.

​"Do you think I can't hear you when you talk like that, girlie? Is that what you think? Are you afraid of me, boy?"

​"Dad, go away," he rolls his eyes and pushes him to the door, "Go pass out or something."

​He grabs his wrist and pull. "You will go! You! You're just like her! Always making demands!" he yells as he pulls him downstairs. "This is my house! I built it! Your ungrateful mother's house, too! But no, nothing's ever enough! Pay this, pay that," he shouts, "Enough!"

​Ian doesn't resist. He knows that if he does, his father would fall down the stairs and probably endure serious injuries. Maybe he should do it. No. He knows he can't. Then their relationship would be even worse. He'd lose the alimony. His mother would lose the house. He'll just pretend it never happened, like he always does.

​His father opens the door, and pushes him out. It's pouring rain.

​"Let me see how you handle the world without my help, boy!" he shouts, "No phone, no car, no daddy," he yells and shuts the door into his face.
​Ian doesn't even flinch. This is not the first time he's been kicked out. At first, he went to his friends' place, always inventing stories that he locked himself out, or that he lost his keys, or that he's in the mood for drinking. But his friends started asking questions. Why does he never sleep home during weekends? He would never admit the truth, so he stopped crashing at their places. He would simply find a calm place near the house and sleep the night away.

​However, it's pouring rain. He could go to Sophia's place, she's probably home, but he is too angry with her to do it. She doesn't care about him. She played with him, tricking him into coming to Jake's place, and once he had done his purpose, she was done with him. He knows she will call when he wants him. When she needs him. But what about his needs? Can't she show a bit of compassion? He wants to fight with her, tell her how mad he is, but he isn't even sure if she's home. Nor if her dad is. His dad, he can handle, but Leeroy...he scares the hell out of him.