Dear Stanley [Watty's 2019. Completed]

Cheating

Thursday, June 17th

Dear Stanley,

When I snuck downstairs, ready to go to my midnight waterfall meet with Breeze, I saw Dad shirtless, kissing someone. At first I thought it was Mom, but then I saw a glimpse of red hair.

Mom has brown.

She was in her bra. Dad had her against the wall and was groaning as he kissed her everywhere, her lips, her neck, her breasts. The lady was moaning my Dad's name. Her hands were trailing up and down Dad's back.

"Fuck." Dad said in a lust filled voice. "Getting fired was worth it for you."

The lady giggled. And they continued kissing.

They didn't notice me for a long time and I was stunned into silence. I was disgusted. I felt cheated. I felt like dying.

I thought of all the love and affection I thought Dad was giving me.

I remembered the talks we had.

I remembered thinking he was the best Dad in the world.

I remember defending him from Mom and calling Mom a loser, a bitch, a lonely waitress, and telling her to shut up.

I remembered thinking Mom was annoying and Dad was too good.

I remembered telling Dad in front of Mom that he deserved better.

I remembered him spending time outside even after he was fired, dressed up nicely. I remembered thinking it was because he was going to find a job.

Dad didn't quit his job because he wasn't happy with it.

He was probably skipping it to meet with her.

I remembered him getting happier everyday and thinking it was because of me.

I thought of how healthy he is compared to Mom and me. I think of Mom, struggling everyday with the loss of Stanley and the jobs she has to juggle because Dad got fired from his.

I thought of Mom, broken and sad, while Dad is joyous and elated.

I thought of Mom, throwing herself into work to forget everything.

Mom isn't a bad person. Grief turned her into what she is now, but deep at heart, she isn't a bad person.

And this whole time, I was with Dad. I was supporting him.

While Mom has been alone.

I started screaming, Stanley. I started screaming. I didn't know what else to do.

"Shit!" Dad exclaimed while spinning around. I was screaming and falling on the ground. I felt like I couldn't breathe. I felt like there was a claw around my throat. I was screaming and Dad was throwing his shirt on while the lady did the same.

"Nicolas, look-" He started.

And then that's when Mom came rushing down the stairs. She was awoken by my screeching. Her eyes were sleepy and there were purple bags underneath them.

We all turned to look at her.

I stopped screaming. My heart was pounding in my chest. Dad's jaw was dropped and the lady was burning a bright red.

She opened her mouth, and an ugly sob came out. Stanley, this sob held all the sadness in the world. All the betrayal. All the heartbreak.

I had to cover my ears.

"Andrew." Mom croaked. "What is this?"

She knew exactly what it was. I could see from my spot from the door the marks all over the lady's neck and face.

"Scarlett, I'm sorry-"

Mom cut him off by collapsing on the ground in front of their feet and breaking into tears. She looked so helpless, so weak. I stumbled towards her and threw my hands around her. Dad and the lady watched with horror.

"Mom. Mom it's ok." I whispered. It wasn't ok. It never would be ok. This changed everything.

"When did this start?"

"A few weeks ago." Dad stated simply. He didn't even care. How did I think he was the best Dad in the world Stanley? He was pathetic.

"Andrew I love you!" Mom cried. "I love you! Why did you do this?" She pointed to the lady, but she wasn't looking at her.

I couldn't bare to look at her or Dad either. I just looked at Mom.

Dad cleared his throat. "It doesn't seem like you love me when you're always fighting with me for no reason." His words were so sharp and I winced. Mom didn't need this now.

Mom wheezed. I noticed the lady was huddling closer to Dad, as if he would protect her.

Mom wailed and I recoiled.

"Get out Dad." I said through gritted teeth. I glared at him with hatred. I wanted to strangle him. I hated myself for trusting him so much, for loving him so much.

"I was planning on doing that Nicolas."

His voice was even and calm and that made me want to punch him. That was his plan. He knew he was going to leave. I remembered that time where I talked to him when he was drunk in the kitchen. He told me that it was too bad that he was leaving.

I felt anger bubble up inside me, taking over the hurt.

I shot up and threw my fist into his nose. Dad tripped backwards and clutched his face. The lady gasped.

"Nicolas stop!" Mom bawled. "You hurt him!" She was looking at Dad with wide caring eyes and I realized at this moment that she did love him. It's just that picking fights with Dad was her way to cope with you leaving. But in the end, she still loved him.

Dad's way of coping was to cheat on his wife.

"Mom, he doesn't give a shit about us, who cares if he gets hurt! This entire time he knew he was going to leave, the entire time he didn't care because he had her." I gestured to the women who looked fearful.

I wound my fist to punch Dad another time, but once I saw the vacant look in his eyes, I gave up. It didn't matter. Nothing I said or did would change him or shake sense into him, Stanley. He had left long ago.

My fist fell limp.

Mom howled with pain and I wanted to slap her. To tell her it wasn't worth it. He was hopeless.

"I better go." Dad whispered. Blood slipped out of his nose.

"No! Please, Andrew!"

But Dad ignored Mom's pleas. He took the woman's hand. She smiled softly as she took it, and I wanted to pull that fiery red hair off her skull. He pulled her into him and kissed her head.

Every single step he took closer to the door was agonizingly slow. Once he reached it, he opened it and gave a last wary glance at me. He ignored Mom, bundled on a ball on a floor, repeating his name over and over again.

Then he waved good bye and the door was shut.

He was gone.