"What is this bullshit?" The paper that was slammed down on the table in front of Steve made him cringe. His grades were not doing the best and he knew that but he hadn't realized just how bad.

"Dad, I can explain." He said as he met his father's eyes. His father's face was flushed from all the alcohol he had been drinking. Unfortunately he was all too used to dealing with his inebriated father. Steve was just feeling lucky that his old man was just yelling him and not hitting him.

"I don't want to hear your 'explanation.'" This was punctuated with some sloppy air quotes. "What do you expect to do with grades like this?" It took everything in Steve to not scrunch his nose at the smell of his father's whiskey breath. "You sure as shit ain't going to be playing sports with shit letters like this." His father leaned in until their noses were only a breath apart.

"Well? Do you have anything to say?" Steve pressed his lips closed and averted his eyes. It was better to not get into a confrontation with his father when it was like this, he had the scars as proof. "Go to your room and study. A son as stupid as you doesn't deserve dinner." With his hands and jaw clenched he stood and did what he was told.

"Niño, you should take a break from your books and eat." The plate of food placed next to Ricardo's makeshift desk on the kitchen table had his mouth watering. He thought about eating, he really did, but he had to stick to his promise to himself.

"Gracias Mama, but I have to finish what I'm doing first. Once I'm done I will." He gave her a bright smile even as her face fell.

"Is this because you got a B on your prueba de ciencias?" His mother sat down next to him and covered his hand with hers. "You know I'm proud of you, niño. But you should have some fun every now and then. Be a teenager, get in trouble, something."

The hope in her dark eyes made his heart clench. This wasn't the first time he had heard this and it wouldn't be the last but... "Thank you Mama, really. But you know why I need to do this."

His mother let out a deep sigh as she stood up. "Alright, alright. At least eat before it gets cold and go to bed at a decent time." As she passed by him she kissed the top of his head. "Te amo Niño."

"Te amo a Mama. Buenas noches." After his mother had left the room Ricardo leaned his chair back until he was balanced on the back two legs. He had to work and study hard because he didn't want to end up like his father and older brother. Just thinking of his old man left a sour taste in his mouth and he grimaced. Leaning forward slightly, the rest of the chair legs gently touched the ground.

"Enough." He muttered to himself. "No more thinking of that low-life." He grabbed his pen and pulled his books and papers closer. He would finish his work then eat like he promised his mom. He always kept his promises to her. Or at least he tried...