Before He Left (Ticci Toby)

Steak and Beef

The reassuring hug lasted for what seemed like forever. Eventually, Toby backed away, and sat back down on the bed. "Don't you ever think you did something wrong that day. I owe you one." A few moments later, a soft knock came from the door. "Toby?" Toby took a step to the door, and opened it. His mother stood there, with a neutral expression. "What did I say about this door?" Toby laughed, and apologized. Him mom's blank stare turned into a cheerful smile, making the atmosphere in the room so much better. "Suppers ready."

I followed Toby and his mother down the stairs. As they both sat down in their usual seats, I was hesitant to sit down, due to the fact I've never been here before. Toby looked at me, and tilted his head toward the table. I just looked at the table, frozen. He looked at me again, and pulled out the chair next to him, across from his sister. His mother and father sat at opposite ends of the table, Toby sat closest to his mother. I knocked myself out of my trance and sat down like nothing happened. We all helped ourselves to the food in front of us, and began eating. I didn't eat it right away, even though it looked so delicious. I just played with it with my fork. "So, Charlotte." Toby's mother, Connie, started, "I'm really grateful for what you did for Toby. "

"Oh, its nothing." I smiled and took my first bite. I lied. It was everything. My reputation was ruined. I lost all my friends, I get bullied relentlessly. So, It wasn't nothing. But I couldn't let her know that. In a way, it ruined my life. I honestly don't think it was worth it.

"Its nice to know that Toby has someone to look out for him." She continued. Toby squirmed in his seat.
Lyra looked at Toby and smiled. "you okay?" She mouthed. Toby nodded. I looked down, at the food I had barely touched. "I have a game tomorrow morning... 8 am," Lyra said quietly, looking down at her plate similar to me. "Can you come, Dad?"

Her father grumbled. "I went to your last one."
"The last one you went to was two years ago." She almost yelled.
He grew angry as well, and said extremely sternly "I'm not perfect, okay?"

"I'd just expect you to be 'perfect' enough to not be considered a deadbeat."

His face scrunched up, and he said "Not in front of a guest, Lyra."

"Funny. The times we do go out in public, you seem to have no problem making ME feel like shit in front of total strangers."

Toby looked at Lyra, with wide eyes. Lyra didn't return his gaze.

I could see that she got tense, as she said, "Seriously, would you even care if I died?"

This set him off. He slammed his hands on the table, leaned over to her face and began yelling. I stared at them, while Connie tried to get him to stop, but it was no use. To my surprise, Lyra wasn't scared, or crying. She kept her chin up. Toby took my arm and brought me to the living room.

"Maybe you should go..." He said quietly.
"Don't worry, I understand." I smiled at him.
He smiled back at me. "I'll text you after Lyra's game tomorrow, alright?"

We had a hug that didn't last long enough, and I walked out the door.