His mother knocked on the door to find Ms. Marie,

“Mrs. Hughes, Earl, what do you need from Mr. Hughes? He's a very busy man.” She told them as she stood in front of the door blocking their entrance.

“He has time for his family.” She remarked as she pushed the woman aside and dragged the trembling Earl inside the house, and towards a large conference room where Mr. Hughes sat in a meeting.

“Amelia, I thought I told you you're not welcome here anymore. Can’t you see I’m in a meeting?” He sneered

“Charles, you are the worst husband and father I’ve ever met.” She walked over to his seat and bent down towards his face, “If these people don’t leave now, I will ruin you.”

Charles stood up and ordered, “Meetings over, my wife needs me.” Earl stood at the door while he watched as men in black suits sat up and walked out of the office.

“Amelia, do you think you have the power to come in here and disrupt my work? You had your chance and blew it so get out of my house.”

“This is my house as much as it is yours.” She walked around the long table in slow confident steps. “You expect me to leave for loving my son. You are so disappointing, Charles.”

“I’m disappointing? Look at our son! He just stands there like a deer in a headlight.”

Earl looked over and tried to conjure up all the confidence he could, and walked inside the room, shutting the doors behind him.

“I’m a disappointment?” Earl laughed. “You cannot call me that anymore. I have lived my whole life in fear of you.” He grinned at his father. “I have never been happier being away from this house. The only one who loved me was my mother. You are the disappointment in this family Charles.” Mr. Hughes walked over to Earl, paused, and stared at him for what felt like the longest 30 seconds of his life.

“You do not address your father by his first name.” He hissed.

Earl chuckled, “Too bad,”

He turned away from Earl, “Amelia, what have you done to him?”

“He’s right Charles.” She walked over to stand by her son’s side.

“Why should we be the ones to leave?” She remarked, “I could take you and this whole business down. I know every little scheme you have made, and I have evidence.”

“Are you trying to blackmail me right now? Fine, do your worst, but I will always win. I will fight for you to live in pain.”

That’s when it hit Earl. 

What’s the point of even trying when he will never change? He’ll always be an uncaring rude father. This was just a fun show for him to watch. Earl pulled his mother’s arm,

“We should leave, there's no point in staying anymore.” He turned away from his father.

Mr. Hughes announced, “Earl if you leave you will never see me again.” Earl walked out of the office with pride and shut the doors.

“Are you alright, Earl?” asked Ms. Marie.

“I’m fine.” He kissed the top of her forehead. “Thank you for all your hard work.” He walked out the door and pulled his phone out,

“Hello? - Alder, could you come and pick me up at the entrance of my father's mansion. - Alright, Thanks.”