dirty laundry ⚣ phan

three

"hey, mom." dan called as he entered the house. he set the bag down by the front door. their golden retriever dog bounded towards him, her tongue hanging out the side of her mouth. "he-e-ey, satchmo!" he cooed, scratching behind her ears. "who's a good girl? who's a good girl? you are! yes, you are!"

"dan? is that you?" his mother called from the kitchen.

"who else would it be?" owen replied monotonously. "the king of england?"

"good to see you're happy and cheerful today." dan replied, a forced smile plastered on his face.

"dickhead." owen muttered. his younger brother turned and walked into the kitchen, and dan flipped him off once his back was turned. dan walked into the kitchen as well, and began to help his mom with setting the table and serving the dinner.

"ooh, chicken." dan smiled as he walked into the kitchen and the smell of rosemary and thyme engulfed him like a warm and familiar blanket.

"i know, i know." she said. "we've had it three times this week, but--"

"mom." dan placed a hand on her shoulder. "it's fine. your chicken is delicious."

"thank you sweetie." she pecked him on the cheek and spooned some rice onto a plate. "give this too your brother, okay?" dan nodded and set the plate down in front of owen. owen rolled his eyes and attacked the chicken with his fork.

dan returned to the counter and grabbed his plate and his mothers, then walked over to the table. dan set his mothers plate down on the table, but paused before he placed his down.

"hey, mom?" he said. "can i eat in my room?"

"sure honey. why?"

"oh...i just wanted to...read over my essay one more time. then maybe watch some tv."

"okay. be sure to bring your dishes down. i'll leave a slice of pumpkin bread for you on the counter."

"thanks mom." he smiled and walked up the stairs as he listened to the sounds of his brother whining.

"why can't i eat in my room?"

"because. you haven't finished your homework. and you're still on your punishment. remember?"

"uuugh but still!"

"listen to mom, owen." dan called from the top of the stairs. he ran into his room before his younger sibling could respond, and he slammed the door.