He didn’t remember how he had gotten home the previous night. Through his pounding headache the only thing he could think about was the girl. His mother was standing by the door and when he saw her, she came in with a glass of water and some aspirin.

“I don’t know what to do anymore,” she huffed giving him the aspirin and water.

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled.

“That poor girl was so distraught when she brought you here yesterday…” she put her hand on her forehead trying to hold back her tears.

He kept quiet because he knew there was nothing he could say except sorry and that wasn’t nearly enough.

He checked his phone when he woke up from his nap and there was a text.

Wanna watch the stars tonight?

He knew exactly who it was from and he couldn’t help but smile.

“You really want me to help you study?” he asked her after meeting up with her later that evening.

“Yes, you are very smart, I trust you.”

“What if you fail anyway?”

“It’s fine,” she shrugged.

“How come we never meet in the daylight?” he asked her.

“I don’t know,” she mumbled.

“Would you like to?”

“Sure, I could come over to your house,” she suggested.

“You can’t,” he said too quickly.

“Oh,” she looked away.

“It’s not like that, it’s just that… it’s my dad.”

“What about your dad? He seems like a nice guy.”

“You don’t know him.”

“Sure, but when I met him he seemed nice enough.”

“You met him?”

“Yeah, he picks me up from the market sometimes when he’s passing by.”

His heart nearly stopped and he had to remind himself to breathe.

“Stay away from him,” his voice shook. “Promise me,” he looked at her suddenly.

“What? But…”

“Promise me.”

“O… okay I promise.”

“I have to go,” he said.

“So soon?” she took his hand. “I’m sorry,” she looked down sadly.

It’s not your fault that my dad is a psychotic old fart, he wanted to say.

“It’s okay, don’t feel bad,” he said instead.

She turned and looked at the stars then she smiled. He had never recovered from the effects of that smile.

“You look beautiful in the moonlight.”

He turned her face to look at him and she closed her eyes still smiling, then he kissed her.

The next day, his mother had gone to the market and he was left with his dad, well he was outside and his dad was inside.

“Why are you sitting outside?” his dad asked.

I’m running away from you, you crazy bastard. That’s what he wanted to say.

“I’m waiting for a friend, we are supposed to study,” he lied and his father knew but he let it go.

“Come in for a few minutes,” he suggested.

“No dad, I’m fine,” he said through gritted teeth.

“By the way your mother is going out with her friends tonight and my friends are coming over,” his father laughed. “I changed the locks too,” he laughed even louder and sauntered into the house.

***

Tell us: Why do you think the father reacted the way he did?