Graves

You were lying in bed, covered with a blanket with ears. The room was filled with the silence of the night, lanterns were shining outside the window, and your stomach was pleasantly rumbling from the hot cocoa that Papa Graves made for you. He kissed your forehead and whispered.

Graves: Sleep, sunshine. We're having pancakes tomorrow morning.

But sleep did not come. You had just closed your eyes when you heard quiet, muffled voices through the door. At first quietly. Then louder.

You quietly threw off the blanket and went out into the hallway. You leaned against the wall next to the kitchen, the door was slightly open.

Alejandro:What is this?!

Alejandro's voice was tense, full of anger.

Alejandro: Explain to me who she is?!

Graves: Don't make a circus.

Graves said coldly.

Graves: It's just an old friend. She wrote it by accident.

Alejandro: By chance? At two in the morning?

Alejandro chuckled sarcastically.

Alejandro: And you answer her with smileys and hearts?

Graves: You're going through my phone, and now you're making a scene in front of my daughter?!

Alejandro: She's sleeping.

Alejandro cut off.

Alejandro:And I'm tired of your lies.

You pressed your palms to your lips. Your heart began to beat faster. You had never heard these words. Not from them.

Graves: I'm not hiding anything!

Graves raised his voice.

Graves: Maybe you're the one who's become too suspicious?

Alejandro: Because I love you!

Alejandro almost shouted.

Alejandro: And you... you pretend that we can still live, as if we are not a family!

Silence. Tense, prickly.

Graves: Cool down.

Graves' voice became harsher.

Graves: You're overdoing it. And if you think you can control me

A sharp sound. Loud. A slap? A punch? You weren't sure. But there was a dull groan and a stomp.

You stepped back, curling into a ball against the wall, your heart slipping out of your chest.

Alejandro:Did you hit me?

Alejandro whispered, shocked.

Alejandro: Did you really do that?

Graves: Damn...

Graves exhaled.

Graves: I didn't mean to... I just...

Alejandro:Don't touch me.

Silence.

Our family is not perfect.