THE MOTHER'S POINT OF VIEW


After my son snapped at us, we usually didn't talk to him. My husband suggested it, saying that we should leave him alone for a while and think for ourselves what we did wrong.

I was surprised when he stood up so abruptly and started shouting about his problems and feelings. No, it would be more accurate to say that I was in shock. After all, he had never bothered us with his requests before. Since childhood, he was a calm child, never giving my husband and me any problems. Even when we were kids, when we went to the store, he didn't ask for anything from us until we offered it to him.

What can I say, he never even mentioned his birthday after the age of seven, and we celebrated only when we arranged a holiday for him.

So we thought that since he doesn't ask for anything and doesn't say anything, then everything is fine. At first I was worried, I talked about it with my husband, because a child shouldn't behave like that. He didn't mess around like everyone else. When we took him to the park to play with the other kids, he just sat on the sidelines and went about his business.

I thought that when the rebellious age begins, everything will be fine. But no. Even when he turned sixteen, he was still the same. He usually didn't talk to us, only when necessary, or when we asked him for something. When we were a little older, we persuaded him to go to university, thinking that guys his age would be able to interest and win him over. But it wasn't like that. He was always on the phone, and when I asked if he was bored staying at home, he replied, "No, I have books. I read them and enjoy spending my time."

But he was a nice kid. He always helped me, even when I didn't ask. He also helped my father when it was hard for him, never contradicted or quarreled with us. That's why I was shocked when he raised his voice at us for the first time.

I thought for a long time and didn't know what to say to him. And when he left the house and didn't come back for a long time, the most terrible thoughts began to creep into my head. I've been sitting all day waiting for him. I even thought he wasn't coming back, and I wanted to go look for him when he suddenly returned home.

I thought that when he returned, I would be gentle with him, but suddenly I started talking rudely to him and even punished him in the end. And even after that, he still wouldn't stop trying to talk to me, but I ignored him.

I hated myself for it. I didn't know what I was doing. Did I have anger? Resentment? Sadness? But for what? He hadn't done anything wrong. He finally spoke out, and we made an enemy out of him. Isn't that what we wanted? Didn't we want him to finally tell us? So why did we make it bad? I couldn't understand anything. After that, my husband said he would talk to him, and I just waited humbly. But seeing him come home, even without looking at me, made my heart ache every time. Unable to take it anymore, I decided to ask him for forgiveness, but in the end I couldn't. The fear that he would not forgive me took hold of me, and I retreated. What a worthless mother I am.

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IZUMI'S POINT OF VIEW


That day, I decided to go to Himari and discuss my novel idea, which I've been thinking about lately. I washed up and went downstairs to make myself an omelet, but I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw, and a smile involuntarily appeared on my face.

There was a freshly made omelet on the table, and next to it was a mug of tea with a piece of cake. I sat down at the table and ate slowly, enjoying every bite. I don't know why, but this omelet seemed especially delicious to me.

After finishing breakfast, I went up to my room, took my laptop and phone, put them in my backpack, put on my shoes, and said before leaving:

"Breakfast was delicious, Mom. I went for a walk. — I didn't hear anything in response, but I left the house with a smile on my face anyway and headed towards the park.

When I got there, I sat down next to Himari and greeted her. Deciding not to delay, I immediately began to talk about my idea.

"Listen, Himari, I want to write a novel, and I have a few ideas, but I can't put them together. I thought maybe we could come up with something together and write our own book.

— It sounds interesting, you can try it. – I could feel her burning up with this idea.

As a result, we sat for half a day and came up with a plot for a new story, writing ideas on my laptop. But for the most part, we just had fun, laughing at the absurdity we were coming up with. However, in the process of this discussion, I finally realized what my novel was missing. When our heads were no longer able to come up with any sensible ideas, I decided to suggest Himari to take a walk around the area.

"Himari, do you want to go for a walk?"

—Uh, well... I will most likely fall and get in the way, therefore...

"Don't worry, you can rely on me.  I said, interrupting her.

After that, I took her hand. Her face was flushed, and I was embarrassed myself, but I wanted to take a walk after spending so many hours sitting.

— Well, let's go?

—Mmm,— she nodded, her face red.

We walked slowly through the park, slowly approaching the ocean. As a result, we stopped at a small beach. Suddenly, Himari suggested a walk near the water's edge. I quickly took off my shoes and entered the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean, leading a joyful Himari. We were splashing around, smiles never leaving our faces, but then she stopped and said:

— I haven't had so much fun in a long time. After losing my eyesight, the fun disappeared from my life. Thank you for today, Izumi. — she had a soft smile on her face, and the red sun was setting behind her, which made this picture even more beautiful.

— And thank you, Himari.

I took her hand, and together we walked towards the park, where Akaru was waiting for us. It was already dark outside, so I decided to conduct a Himari.

— Let me walk you out, it's already dark outside.

"Oh, no, no need, I have Akaru, he will protect me."

"I insist." No one knows what might happen.

— well... Okay.

Himari's house was not far from the park, so we got there quickly.

"This is my house. Thanks for seeing me off.

— You're welcome...

— Himari, where are you going?! Get home quickly! — I hadn't finished speaking when a man came out of the door of Himari's house and started calling her. It was most likely her father. He was tall, with noticeable muscles, but it was obvious that he was drunk. This man was clearly an athlete in his youth.

"Sorry, it's my dad."… Well, I have to go. While.

— Yeah, bye.

I gave her her cane, and she walked towards her house. Her father tied the dog next to the doghouse, and they both went into the house. Maybe it was my imagination, but before the door closed, I think my father hit her. I really hope it was just my imagination.

I turned around and stomped home. All the way I was thinking about our walk today, she was always laughing when I told her something. She's a good girl after all.

Once I entered the house, I just took off my shoes and immediately went to my room. Already lying on the bed, I couldn't let go of the thought of the scene I saw. Wasn't it just my imagination? And if not? Was Himari's father really hitting her? I have to find out.

---


THE FATHER'S POINT OF VIEW


It's been a busy day. I've been feeling tired and drained lately. The reason for everything was a recent incident in our family.

I often wonder: when did everything go wrong? And I know the answer. It started when I put too much pressure on my son. Since childhood, he was different from other children. I sent him to different clubs and sections, hoping that he would become more active and start communicating with his peers.

But at some point I accepted it. If he's really more comfortable being alone, so be it. When he went to university, I thought that now he would start spending time with friends, come home late, or at least bring a girlfriend.

But everything turned out to be different. I've already decided to leave him alone and not push him. However, plans do not always come true.

I don't remember exactly how it happened, but at some point my life went downhill. The blockage at work forced me to stay late, and I returned home in the dead of night, immediately falling into bed from fatigue.

There were also problems with finances, and I had to deny myself a lot of things. At some point, I couldn't stand it and ended up in the hospital due to overwork. Lying there, I thought a lot, mostly about my son. For a long time I doubted whether it was worth asking him for help, but to my surprise, he took everything calmly and immediately agreed. My request was to get a part-time job.

Initially, I planned that he would work only until I got out of the hospital. Time passed, I was discharged, and I thought Izumi would ask for permission to leave her part-time job. But he didn't even mention it.

Every day I thought: "Today I will tell him that he is free and can no longer go to work, thanking him for his help."

But, unfortunately, the blockage at work has not disappeared. The company was on the verge of closure, and all employees worked three times as much. Some even spent the night in the office. My health also began to fail, and I was afraid to let my son go from a part-time job.

After a while, the situation in the company improved. Everyone was glad that now it was possible to relax, but I still did not release my son from work. Now I could rest more, and he continued to work. Moreover, I started to put more pressure on him, saying that he doesn't do anything with his personal life, doesn't care about the future, and only stays at home on weekends.

When he raised his voice at us for the first time, I felt something break inside. I wanted to talk to him, but I couldn't: after work, he immediately went to his room to sleep, and I didn't want to wake him up — I thought he was tired.

While I was thinking about all this, I got a call from an unknown number. I thought it was spam, but I decided to reply anyway.