𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘥 • 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯

one

It was the beginning of the end.

His parents marriage has been slowly deteriorating over the years. Lisa and Sean Dolan were the perfect couple. They met in college, got married and have been together ever since. His dad worked as a therapist, while his mom stayed home to take care of him.

He recalls the arguments, constant accusing, choosing sides. He remembers being stuck in the middle, his entire childhood.

The last straw was when his mom caught his dad cheating with one of his patients. She initially thought a home intruder was in her house so out of pure shock and rage she slashed his arm with a kitchen knife she held for safety, leaving a deep dark red gash.

In some ways he thinks his dad deserved it. If infidelity was a crime, he would definitely be doing life.

All of the bittersweet moments he had growing up made him numb. Numb from his family and numb from the world, but he wasn't always this way. His parents remind him constantly about how kind and happy he was as a child. Always eager to learn and to be with his parents. He didn't need friends or acceptance from others, he was a brave kid.

Brave. He thinks to himself.

He still is, but the rest of those traits have diminished along with his parents decaying marriage.

After months of his dad begging his mom for forgiveness, going to couple therapy, and rekindling the remnants of their relationship they decided to move across the country for a fresh start and just like most things in his life, he had no say. Sure, New Jersey didn't offer him much, he was tormented at school, he had little to no friends, his grades were slowly plummeting to new lows and his home life wasn't the best but still, it was better because it was all he's ever known. It was comfortable in a sick way, plus he isn't very open to change.

Almost on cue, his parents sense his resentment.

"You might not understand why we're doing this Grayson, but one day you will." Sean says knocking him out of his thoughts.

"Yeah hun, this may seem crazy and out of the blue but trust me, you'll love it here." Lisa adds with a reassuring smile.

Grayson simply ignores them just like he did the second they told him about this move, he ignored them before but that's besides the point. Even then he would occasionally talk to them, now he simply says nothing.

They sit in traffic for what seems like forever, the car feels suffocating with each passing minute. His parents excited glances flickering out the window in amazement and curiosity just make him more anxious.

He looks out the window, seeing a sea of cars packed on the long highway. He sighs dreadfully thinking about how much he hates California. He thinks the people here are superficial assholes. There are assholes everywhere he should know he's one of them, however the false sense of joy the gleaming sun and clear blue sky promised just irked him. New Jersey was mostly gloomy which matched his mood. He misses the snow, the rain and the acres of wilderness he'd run off to when the world became too much to handle.

"I hate it here." He groans, finally letting out a word since they arrived.

"This was such a stupid idea. I can't wait until I'm old enough to make my own decisions, so I won't be stuck dealing with yours." He scowls almost lecturing his parents.

"Ah, there's the pleasant Graysie we were waiting for!" Sean jokes looking in the rear view mirror. He knows how to handle his sons mood swings by now.

"Gray, please give it a chance." Lisa insists.

"Whatever." He mumbles with a eye roll. He knows he's disrespectful, he knows he shouldn't be but he just doesn't care. Deep down he feels they deserve it. He feels abandoned by them.

He feels alone.

"I think I'm getting sick, I've been in this fucking car for too long." He whines.

"Language!" Lisa responds.

"Trust me bud, we aren't having the best time ourselves." Sean adds with a laugh. "Especially with that attitude of yours, so lighten up."

"Alright, because I should be ecstatic that we're moving all the way across the country in one last effort to fix your dying marriage? I'm just over the moon happy!" Grayson exclaims with sarcasm in his voice.

"Grayson Bailey Dolan." Lisa snaps. "You may be mad at us, but save the disrespect. Can we have at least one day where we act like a happy family?" She almost begs.

"Yeah, we sure are good actors." Grayson replies under his breath with a pitiful laugh.

The conversation ends, leading into a long silence. They finally reach their new neighborhood after the slow burn of traffic. The street is filled with new and old houses of all different era's. Some were built centuries ago, but they've been put under good care so they look almost brand new. They drive up to their new house towards the end of the block. It's a two story classic victorian home made of orange and red brick. It has a beautiful well kept green lawn with various flowers, bushes and large classic windows on the sides of the house. Grayson must admit it's stunning.

"Here we are." Sean says with a big smile on his face.

Grayson stares at the house in a trance like awe. He feels an energy radiating off of it, he can't quite put his finger on it but this house is special.

"Here's our new home, lets get settled in!" Sean adds excitedly smiling to him and his mom.

They open the door to an empty house with shining chestnut hardwood floors, custom light fixtures, multi-colored stained glass windows and broad open rooms.

Grayson instantly runs up the staircase leading to the second story to find his room. He stops at the first door in the long hall and opens it up. Inside the spacious room, he sees dark violet painted walls, his bed and nothing else. The blinds are opened halfway letting in some natural light but mostly leaving the room dark. He smiles at the view. His defenses and apprehensiveness about this move slowly fade away.

"If I'm going to live here I might as well make the best of it." He takes one last look before going downstairs to check out the rest of the house.

"You know, I think he's going to like it here." Lisa says while unpacking some boxes.

"I think we're going to like it here." Sean assures while rubbing her shoulders.

Lisa let's out a breathy sigh as she thinks about how much she loves her family and how much she wants them to be happy again. She worries about her son often. He avoids them, locks himself in his room, keeps himself away. She wonders why. Has she let him down? Has she let herself down? Is taking her husband back the right decision?

"This house has lots of potential." Sean adds with a hopeful smile. Lisa moves out of his grasp and walks to the window looking out at their new neighborhood.

"Yeah it does."