family

Two days had passed, and it was noon. I was reclining on my bed, enjoying a moment of relaxation when I heard a knock on the door.

Me: ?

I rose from the bed, stood up, and made my way toward the door. As I opened it, I found Brock standing there.

Me: Hey, Brock.

Brock: I'm doing well. Do you remember the dinner we talked about two days ago?

Me: Of course, I do! Is it happening now?

Brock: Absolutely! I didn't come here without a reason... I suppose.

Anyway, my mother and father are waiting for us at my house.

Me: Okay, okay... let me just take a moment to get ready...

Brock: Alright.

I closed the door and took a few minutes to prepare myself before returning to the door and opening it again, finding Brock waiting there.

Me: There you are. Let's go.

I stepped out of the house, closing the door behind me.

Brock: Good. Anyway... just a reminder, my father might behave poorly for a while. He tends to indulge in drinking and engage in other undesirable behavior...

Me: Hm... okay.

We began walking towards Brock's house. During our walk, Brock shared some details about his family, and I reciprocated by sharing information about mine. I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of sympathy for him. Having a parent who mistreats you or other family members can be profoundly distressing and traumatic...

I could sense that Brock wasn't entirely comfortable discussing the actions of his father towards him and his mother. It pained me to witness his discomfort, and I truly empathized with his situation.

Some time had passed, and we finally arrived at Brock's house. We stood in front of the doors.

Brock: Okay... here we are. Just be cautious, alright?

Me: Sure, I will.

Brock opened the door, and we entered the house. I observed the living room, the kitchen, and the dining table.

As I glanced at the living room, my eyes fell upon a television situated in front of a couch. And on that couch, there sat a person.

Me (in my mind): Is that Brock's father?

After a few moments, the man rose from the couch, turned around, and looked at me. It was indeed Brock's father.

Brock's father: Well, well! What do we have here... Liran! It's been quite some time since I last saw you! Hehe.

Me: Hello to you as well, haha.

I noticed that Brock's father was holding a bottle of beer. I shifted my gaze back to him.

Me: So, how have you been? Is your wife here?

Josh: I've been doing well. You can call me Josh. And yes, my wife is here. She's in the kitchen, preparing the food.

Me: I see. Perhaps I should greet her as well.

Josh: Go ahead! She would be happy to see you.

I made my way toward the kitchen and caught sight of Josh's wife. She was in the midst of making mashed potatoes, it seemed.

Approaching her, I greeted her with a warm smile.

Me: Hello! I'm Liran.

The woman turned around and returned the smile.

Sophia: Oh, hi Liran! It's lovely to meet you. I've been eagerly waiting for your arrival. Brock speaks highly of you. By the way, my name is Sophia.

Me: Sophia, it's a pleasure to meet you. I see you're preparing mashed potatoes. What's the main dish accompanying it?

Sophia: Yes, we're having mashed potatoes with chicken. It's currently in the oven. Please go ahead and take a seat at the dining table. The food is nearly ready.

Me: Alright, thank you.

I turned around and made my way to the dining table. As I arrived, I noticed that Brock was already seated there, patiently waiting for the meal to be served.

Taking a seat in one of the chairs next to the table, I initiated a conversation.

Me: So... feeling hungry?

Brock: Kind of... I'm just curious to see how everything turns out.

Me: Don't worry about it. I'm sure it will be great.

A few moments later, Josh approached the table and took a seat next to Brock, holding a bottle of beer in his hand.

Josh: So... both of you are hungry, hmm? Haha.

I glanced at Josh briefly before responding.

Me: You're right... and also, you might want to save that beer for later, so you won't spoil your appetite before the food arrives. Don't you think? Haha.

Josh: It's all good, man... don't worry.

I couldn't help but notice that Josh appeared slightly more intoxicated, which gave me some apprehension. I hoped that he wouldn't engage in any regrettable behavior.

A few minutes passed, and Sophia approached the table, carrying some plates. As she came closer, she handed a plate to me and another one to Josh.

A few seconds later, Sophia handed another plate to Brock, completing the distribution of the food. She then took a seat next to us at the table.

Sophia: Well, well... enjoy your meal.

Me, Brock, and Josh: Thank you very much.

We began eating, and the food turned out to be quite delicious and flavorful. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. I glanced at Josh and noticed that he was behaving strangely, as if he was upset about something.

Me: Is everything okay?

Josh: Hm... it's a bit undercooked for my taste.

Me: Oh, don't worry about it! We can easily fix that problem.

Josh looked at me briefly before turning his attention back to his plate.

Josh: But it's raw... I've been waiting for so long, and now it's all for nothing?

As Josh uttered his frustration, I looked at Brock, who seemed visibly uncomfortable. My gaze then shifted to Sophia and back to Josh.

Me: Look, it's not a big deal, man... We can easily fix this problem.

Sophia directed her attention towards Josh, trying to calm him down.

Sophia: Josh... come on, don't be like this.

However, Josh's anger escalated as he shouted in response.

Josh: What do you mean, "don't be like this"? I've been waiting for hours for this goddamn food! Are you out of your mind?

Sophia pleaded with him, desperately trying to maintain composure.

Sophia: Oh, God... Please, Josh! Not in front of the kid!

Josh erupted with more anger, lashing out at Sophia.

Josh: Shut the fuck up! You crazy woman!

In a fit of rage, Josh picked up his plate and hurled it to the floor, shattering it.

Me, Sophia, and Brock were taken aback by Josh's outburst, shocked and unsure of how to react.

I mustered up the courage to confront Josh, my tone firm and direct.

Me: Hey! What the hell did you do that for?

Josh met my gaze with anger burning in his eyes.

Josh: Don't you dare tell me what to do, you stupid piece of shit! I'll kill you!

His threatening words sent a shiver down my spine, but I tried to remain composed.

Me: Hey... it was just a small mistake. Let's calm down and talk about this.

Josh interrupted me, his voice filled with rage.

Josh: I AM CALM!

Suddenly, he stood up, directing his anger towards Sophia.

Josh: I'll teach you not to mess up with my time! You stupid bitch!

The situation had escalated to a dangerous level, and I could sense the fear and tension in the room.

As Josh approached Sophia, a sense of urgency and protectiveness surged through me. Without hesitation, I stood up and intervened, trying to prevent any further harm.

Brock, in a desperate attempt to stop his father, pleaded with him.

Brock: Dad, stop! Don't do this!

Josh glared at Brock, his fury evident.

Josh: How dare you tell me what I should or shouldn't do? I will punish you!

With a burst of aggression, Josh forcefully grabbed Brock, attempting to push him to the ground. Witnessing this act of violence, my anger boiled over.

Without a second thought, I rushed towards Josh, pushing him off Brock, causing him to fall hard onto the ground.

Me: What the fuck is wrong with you, man?! This is your own wife and kid! This is your family!

Josh was utterly astounded when I forcefully propelled him away and articulated those words to him... nevertheless, it held no significance.

Subsequently, Josh rose to his feet, fixating his gaze upon me with an unyielding fury burning in his eyes, and without hesitation, he launched himself towards me, forcefully propelling and pinning me against the wall in the rear.

Josh: I implore you, abstain from dictating my actions... for if compelled, I shall be compelled to terminate your existence without hesitation!

In that precise moment, I tightly clenched my fist, poised to reciprocate the aggression. My anger surged immensely, fueling a fervent desire to extinguish that vile individual, thereby terminating the cycle of torment and the myriad of falsehoods that both Brock and Sophia had endured. However, despite my yearning, I found myself unable to act upon it.

Should I eliminate Josh, here and now, it would be witnessed by Brock... an event that would indubitably traumatize him, along with Sophia.

The notion of taking someone's life, particularly that of a father figure, weighed heavily upon me, triggering a profound sense of unease. Simultaneously, my contemplations turned towards my own father, further complicating the internal struggle. Would Brock ever be capable of recovering from the traumatic ordeal he would endure if confronted with his father's demise? Could he maintain his sanity in the aftermath of witnessing such a horrifying event? These thoughts plagued my mind, rendering me incapable of proceeding with the act.

Gradually, I loosened my grip on my clenched fist, while Josh continued to observe me intently.

Josh: That is precisely what I surmised. Now, depart from my dwelling promptly, lest you wish to meet your demise.

I offered no response, acquiescing to Josh's demand. As he had dictated, I made a deliberate and gradual departure toward the door.

As I proceeded to make my way towards the door, I sensed Josh's presence lingering behind me, his watchful gaze seemingly relentless. Eventually, I reached the threshold and opened the door, stepping outside into the open air.

As I glanced back, my heart sank at the sight of Josh standing there, his gaze fixed upon me. In close proximity to him stood Brock, his countenance etched with fear and anguish, tears streaming down his face—a truly heart-wrenching sight.

With a deliberate stride, Josh approached the door, closing it behind him, effectively shutting off my view. In that moment, all that remained before me was the sight of a sealed entrance, an embodiment of the harrowing ordeal that had just unfolded.

Such a profoundly distressing moment it was, not only for myself but also for Brock and Sophia. The weight of the situation enveloped my thoughts.

Inner voice: Curse it all...

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