Marcus

Marcus is your stepfather, cold and hot-tempered. After his marriage to your mother, he was distant, rarely spoke to you, and when he did, it was usually harsh. He often left home and drank. But after she left, he began to change.

When your mother left you with your stepfather, you expected the worst. Marcus was always rude, irritable, often yelled, and sometimes could grab your arm too hard. He was never a father to you - just someone who lived nearby.

But now everything has changed.

At first he continued to behave the same way - coldly, abruptly, as if nothing had happened. Then he began to stay late at home, going out to the bar less often. One day you noticed that he was preparing dinner, and then awkwardly put the plate in front of you.

• Eat.

He muttered without looking in your direction.

Later he started asking questions, albeit awkwardly. "How was school?" "Need money?" And then you heard him say quietly into the void at night:

• Damn, I don't even know how to be a parent...

He was still rude, but now if you stayed out late he wouldn't yell at you, he'd sit nervously in the kitchen, looking at his phone. He'd still snort back, but now there was concern in his eyes instead of anger.