"So, you decided to marry an older woman for her money, got really good at computer coding and now you live alone in Oregon.. such an interesting story" says Kevin with sarcasm looking out the window. Feeling belittled Cale's shoulders tense, managing to talk "W-Well.. that's enough about me, what about you Kevin? I-I can tell you've changed.." muttering under his breath 'Not that it's a good change..' looking down at his nearly empty mug. "Well, when I left that hell hole that we called home I got to work. I got a bachelor's degree in business and marketing and I worked my way up and earned my money unlike some people.." he says making eye contact. "I made a pretty good living for myself, though.. I went to the doctor recently.." looking up with concern Cale feels his heart sink. "Is everything okay?" nodding Kevin sighs "I was diagnosed with mild to borderline narcissism" thinking to himself 'Makes sense now' Cale sees the clear kettle low. "I'll make some more" he says grabbing it heading into the open kitchen. Tapping a finger on his mug Kevin sighs "Cale.. I don't know how to tell you so I'm just going to say it" listening as he makes the tea Cale has his back turned to him. "Our childhood was filled with lies.. Dad wasn't a Dad at all, he was Harry an unstable man who held a lot of secrets that I had to keep, because we didn't want to hurt you" staring he waits for a response, realizing he wont get one he continues. "You may not see it yet but we are damaged, that horrid man ruined our lives and-" suddenly Kevin ducks getting a glass kettle thrown at him and having it shatter on the nearby wall. "Don't you EVER talk about our Father like that!" shouts Cale in tears facing him.
Getting up Kevin fixes his coat with a small laugh in disbelief "You still don't get it do you.. I came all this way to tell you what you wanted to hear and you can't even take it.. Well I'm not going to waste another breath on you" he says headed for the front door. Suddenly he gets pulled back by Cale staring at him in disgust as he fixes his sleeve. "You don't think I saw the tension between you two as I got older? I saw how uncomfortable it was for you two to be in a room together, I knew something was off but I ignored it. And now I-I regret it because a part of my life feels empty because I tuned it all out and now it's all a blur. And now, my only brother has become too cold, heartless, cruel and self absorbed to even understand how the fuck I am feeling. So don't you dare say I can't take it when I was the one to reach out.. now sit your ass back down" he says feeling tears streaming down his face as he breathes heavily. Fixing his coat Kevin-unphased- quietly walks back into the dinning room, pulling out a chair taking a seat, folding his hands on the table.
Staring at him from the entry, Cale catches his breath as he joins him at the table, sitting across from him in front of the large window. Combing back his hair Cale sighs looking at his hands saying in a calm tone. "I had this nightmare last night.." intrigued Kevin looks at him, catching his glance as he continues. "I remember hearing a loud noise, so I opened my bedroom door and it was the hallway of our childhood home. I looked over and saw Dad trying to break down your bedroom door.. it all felt so real..d-did that really happen?.." seeing Kevin's wide eyed stare he takes a hard swallow. "Cale I.. " rubbing his throat Kevin loosens his tie a bit clearing his throat, clearly uncomfortable. "I-I don't- I mean-" he sighs "Cale, whatever nightmare you had was real, but I'm not ready to tell you what happened because you clearly blocked that from your memory and I don't want to bring it up just yet.." nodding Cale feels a bit of relief knowing it wasn't some weird fever dream.
"Well.. if we can't talk about that then.. what about dad?"
To Be Continued...
