The Stoic And The Beast

Thanksgiving Black And Blues

Alicia's POV

As soon as we pulled into the driveway of my home my heart began speeding like I had done a line of cocaine or two. Not that I actually would know what that is like. I tried to hide the fear in my eyes from Luke. My hands trembled as I pulled on the door handle of the jeep and swung it open. I took one last deep breath and headed for the front door.

Luke was at least five steps behind me. I hadn't realized how fast I was walking until I reached the door and looked behind me to see how far he had trailed behind me. His face was stoic but I could see the spark of fear hidden behind his green eyes. He was quickly losing the pink in his cheeks from the icy cold wind the closer he got to me. I gave him a reassuring smile and turned back to the door. He gently caressed the small of my back as I heard him take a deep breath and held it in. I slowly opened the door and we both stepped in.

The smell of cooking wafted around us as I shut the door. I could hear the clinking of pots and pans and water running in the kitchen sink. We turned our heads in the direction of the noises. Mom was cutting some vegetables and wiping her wet hands on her apron as she slowly turned toward us. She had a warm smile on her face. But it seemed to fall slowly into an apologetic one as she glanced from me to Luke. Then I winced and jumped where I stood at the sound of my father's booming voice.

"Where the hell have you been? You didn't come home from work last night!" He yelled.

I grabbed Luke's hand and stepped toward my dad. His eyes caught my sudden small display of affection toward Luke. Luke noticed dads eyes on our hands as well. He gave me a gentle squeeze and rubbed the top of my hand with his thumb.

"Answers! Today please!" He hollered still looking at our hands holding.

I felt Luke's hand squeeze again. This time in fear. I looked over to Luke who was wide-eyed and biting his cheek. He opened his mouth to speak.

"She stayed at my house, Sir. I picked her up from work last night so I took her home for dinner. It got late so she stayed the night."

He sounded so confident as he spoke. His words came out so smooth and calm. Luke's eyes never left my father's while he stood straight up like a soldier ready to obey orders. My dad eyed him for a long time. Contemplating Luke's story. He nodded his head in appreciation for his honesty. I didn't expect that. I let out a sigh of relief when I began to believe Luke would miraculously survive this day after all. But I was quickly holding my breath again as was Luke when my dad rushed toward him and grabbed him by the shirt. Practically lifting him off the ground.

Luke was taller than my dad but not by much. Maybe an inch. Which kept him planted firmly to the ground. Luke remained calm and still like a person logically would when a mountain lion was approaching. He just maintained his composure as my dad put his face right into his. Dad was gritting his teeth and trying his damndest to look menacing.

"Did you remain respectful toward my daughter while she slept at your house son?" He said through his gritting teeth.

Luke slammed his eyes shut when a few small bits of spit flew from my father's mouth and landed on his face.

I dropped Luke's hand and went to grab my dad to pull him off of Luke but Luke held up his hand motioning for me to stop. So I did. I stood there horrified. Afraid for Luke. I had a sick feeling in my stomach. Afraid of what Luke would say next.

"Please move back Alicia, I don't want you getting hurt by accident."

I took a few steps back just as he had asked. To my horror, Luke began confessing to my father what we had done last night.

"I was respectful to her sir, I didn't do anything with your daughter that she wasn't comfortable with. If that's what you're asking sir."

I screamed and covered my mouth as my dad raised his fist into the air and drew it back, ready to punch the daylights out of Luke. Luke turned his head away from me. He wasn't cowering from the impending hit. He was shielding my eyes from seeing his face when my dad hit him. There was that and he was also giving my dad a place to land his punch. As if he had expected this to happen all along and was going to allow it, respectfully. My dad's fist loomed in the air. Waiting for the perfect moment to swing.