“Hello, dear.” Amelia walked right in front of her husband as soon as Teo opened the door. She pulled her son into a tight embrace and the young man almost lost his senses from the heavy fragrance that was around her.

           “Hello, mother.” He kissed her on the cheek and moved to shake his father’s hand.

           “Theodore,” was Bryan’s cold response as he moved past him. With a sigh, Teo closed the door behind them and took them to the living room.

           “The food is almost ready but I am not sure whether you want to eat now or have a drink first.” The smile he was forcing on himself was hurting his cheeks, even though it wasn’t as wide as he was planning to.

           The couple sat on the couch and Bryan took out a cigarette, lighting it casually and inhaling the smoke, while Amelia was looking around with a very questionable look. Both were anticipating the same thing and Teo was well aware of it.

           “She was held up at work.” Teo let them know with a nod and held out his arms so they could hand him their coats.

           “That means she’s a professional” Amelia spoke out proudly while Bryan shook his head, exhaling the heavy smoke of his cigarette.

           “Or that her husband is unable to provide enough for their household.”

           Teo rolled his eyes and as soon as his mother carefully placed her Casimir coat on his arm, he walked into the bedroom, resting the warm clothes on the mattress. He stood there for a moment and pondered. His parents hadn’t changed a bit. Amelia was still refusing to wear anything less expensive than Casimir and Bryan would let his suit jackets wear off first from usage and then get the new ones. Another thing was that Bryan always believed that women should be offered a life free of responsibilities while men be burdened by the solemn responsibility of providing for the household and the family – a fact very controversial to his wife’s way of life. Amelia was a hardworking, independent woman, who almost fell into depression the moment she retired. Her heart and mind were devoted to working passionately and the dull life of a housewife or the wife of an acclaimed businessman was just not for her. But, Bryan cared for his wife and made sure that she’d fight her mental illness with frequent trips around the world.

           Teo let out a heavy sigh, rubbed the back of his neck, and returned to the room.

           “Ah, Theodore. About that drink. The least we can do is wait for your wife to return before eating. So, until then, we might as well enjoy the stay. I’ll have a glass of scotch.”

           “For me just water or juice if you have, dear.”

           “Are you sure you want anything else, mother?” Teo questioned as he prepared his father’s request. He even made sure to serve the alcohol in one of the finest short glasses he had. Another forgotten gift from his wedding that just now, after so many years, came in handy.

           “I should remind you, Theodore, that your mother is going through heavy medical therapy. Alcohol is not permitted.”

           “But inhaling your smoke, is very healthy, I suppose?” the young man shot back at his father and the only response was a glance of disapproval.

           “Look at you two, quarreling just like you did so many years ago.” Amelia giggled, covering her mouth with her hand.

           “Apparently, your son hasn’t learned his place after so many years.” Bryan spit out and placed a leg on the other, straightening his back and looking stricter than any other time.

           “I’m only saying, father, that it’s not only the alcohol she needs to stray away from but also from every unhealthy aspect of her environment.” Teo knew how to handle his father’s rage and how to respond to his poisonous words. “I have orange juice, mother, and I think some lemon one as well.” He looked at Amelia, who smiled at her son.

           “Orange is fine, dear. After all, I dislike anything sour.”

           Then how come you married him, Teo wondered to himself and left for the kitchen.

           Round two had just ended and he felt exhausted already. His excuse for Carla’s delay won’t last for long. Was there even a point in pretending?

He opened the fridge, picked out three oranges, and walked to the sink, washing them thoroughly. His heartbeat was loud and his chest was hurting from time to time. Maybe he got this weak soul from this mother’s side. Teo scoffed as he dried the fruits with a towel. Medical therapy, those words echoed in his mind. Living with a man like Bryan was torture-like not only for Teo but also for Amelia. But at least he chose to leave their side early, while Amelia…well, she chose to stay.

           Picking up a knife, Teo proceeded in cutting the oranges in half and one by one placed them in the juicer, pouring the liquid within a thin glass. The room was soon filled with the sweet citrus aroma, which for a second managed to bring a genuine smile across his lips. Once he was done, he threw the squeezed skins in the trash bin, grabbed the glass, and went back to the not-so-happy couple.

           “There you go, mother.” Teo handed her the juice and then sat on the sofa, across them.

           “What did I miss?”

           “Well, your father and I were just talking about your brother. Have you talked with Devon at all?” Not in the past six months. His brother was kind enough to send a typical “Happy New Year” email to him and three hundred other people that Teo never knew existed. His mother took his silence as a reply to her question and continued. “Anyways, it doesn’t matter. The thing is that his boss entrusted him with this important project but one of his colleagues screwed up, and well, Devon saved the day. Even the CEO congratulated him and gave him a very generous bonus.”

           Teo was listening closely with a constant smile carved on his lips and occasionally nodding at his mother. He didn’t pay much attention though. It was another discussion about how incredible Devon was and how proud she was of him.

           “Of course, he did. Devon is a very capable individual with a bright future ahead of him. I expect nothing less from him and you, Theodore,” shivers were shot through his spine as he heard his name from Bryan’s firm voice, “you should look up to him”.

           “With all due respect, father, I couldn’t care less for my brother’s abilities. I grew up with you praising him all the time, so I kind of grew sick of it. There’s nothing for me to look up to, especially this bloody idiot.” Or at least that’s what he wanted to say. Instead, he brushed his hair backward and sighed.

           “That’s good to know.” That was all he could say. Teo threw a glance at his phone and his heart skipped several beats.

           His friends were right, all of them. There was no reason for him to be so scared. He was not a child anymore and he definitely was not depending on their affection and appreciation. Despite wanting badly his parents as a part of his life, being treated by them so awfully was just not worth it. So, what if he got divorced? That doesn’t mean he failed in life. Hell, he was only thirty. The end was not near yet. Feeling bad for himself and seeing him the way that they did was probably one of his greatest mistakes. He should end this now, once and for all.

           “ ‘righty, then. Mother,” Teo stood up with his head up high, “father. Carla won’t be coming home.”

           “What are you talking about dear?”

           “I’m saying that I am-”

           The doorbell rang.

           Once…

           Twice…

           Three times…

           “Won’t you open, Theodore?” Bryan asked.

           Teo exhaled. Who could it be now, when he was so close to getting rid of that painful burden? He walked to the door and opened it reluctantly.

           “I’m so sorry for being late, sweety. They held me longer at work. But I’m here now.”

           “W-what?” Teo’s eyes opened as wide as was humanly possible. His mouth was open slightly while every inch of his tired body went numb in just a second. This night was bound to be long and…unpredictable.