Baby Fat

fifty

It's never been unusual for the house to void of Cassandra. Yet, this time, it's different.

His father has been actively ignoring him since he found out. Bradley's surprised that Graham hadn't kicked him out. It's been a week. A whole week of total silence. Which also isn't that uncommon for the Johnson household.

Bradley's seen his father mad. But, never like this. His father assured him that if Bradley ever said anything, the cost would be horrendous. Bradley's been on edge ever since.

When that time finally comes around, Bradley's in the kitchen attempting to tune out his grumbling stomach. He's staring down at his phone, hoping that Graham's footsteps continue on past him. He's never so lucky.

Graham walks into the kitchen looking very composed. "Bradley."

Bradley's head snaps up from his phone. He sheepishly smiles at his father. "Dad?"

"Son, I'm honestly at a loss for words." His father sits down at the island across from him.

"Dad..." Bradley doesn't know what he even wants to say. He's not sorry. Not really. Not at all. His mother, despite her being a fucking hypocrite.

"I'm not mad. It was bound to come out eventually, right?" Graham muses with a soft frown. "I guess, I'm just betrayed. I really did trust you, B."

"Dad, it's not like you confided in me. I caught you having sex with her. And then you acted it was like my fault or something." Bradley shrugs his shoulders. He's silently praying they can go back to the way things were ten minutes ago.

Graham takes a moment to figure out what he wants to say. He's always been like that. Think before you act. "Why? What made you decide to tell her then? Right as Julianne finally came home, you decide to ruin the rest of her trip?"

"Dad," Bradley just sighs. "It wasn't my secret, I know. But, it was taking a toll on me. I couldn't keep it to myself anymore."

His father sighs. "I see."

Silence.

"You should call her. She didn't show it, but I know she was upset." Bradley bites on the inside of his cheek.

Silence. Again.

Graham stands up and leaves the kitchen. Bradley's left alone with his thoughts once again.

•••

Bradley knows that his father is on the phone with his mother when his father's voice can be heard from all corners of the house.

Graham is usually a very quiet and reserved man. The only time that Bradley's really seen his father lose his cool was when he was choreographing a piece. His father was a talented dancer, but he decided not to join a company and choreograph in St. Petersburg, Russia.

But, now he can hear his father practically bellowing at Cassandra. Bradley hopes that Cassandra broke the news that she's cheating too. That would save him a Hell of a conversation with his already pissed off father.

"You act like you're so much better than me, Cassie!"

Bradley can hear it even from where he was sitting in the basement. He's got a bottle of rum sitting next to him on the couch. He hasn't taken a drink. He's not even really sure he can. Ever since he found out about Corrie's relapse, drinking has been harder and harder to do.

"Cassie, stop. Don't hang up! Cass! Ugh, fuck!"

Then there's a loud bang which Bradley assumes is Graham's cellphone hitting the wall. Bradley opens the bottle of rum. He holds it up to the ceiling.