husband

— Can you listen to me for once?
— I would always listen if you didn’t talk nonsense!
Cliff's phone, your husband who had gotten into a heated argument with you, started ringing.
"Mr. and Mrs. Riley? Rudy's alone. Will you be picking him up soon?" your son's teacher's voice comes from the other end of the line. You're late picking him up after the allotted time.
You had to take a breath and put the argument aside for a moment. You got out of the car, plastering on a sweet smile, picking up the baby and taking him from the teacher's arms, carrying him to the car.
Clifford gripped the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white. He was angry, but he was thinking about his son and how he would react to the screams.
You placed the child in the back seat, and you settled in, as always, in the front seat.
"You know, just calm down. Let's discuss this at home," Cliff softened.
"There you go again, turning a blind eye! Why can't we discuss this now?!" You raised your voice, apparently letting your guard down, when you heard a quiet sob from the backseat.
“That’s why...” the husband muttered.
Rudy, clutching the fabric of his lilac shorts, darted his gaze from you to your husband. His eyes were watering. He couldn't understand why his mother, who had just been smiling at him, had suddenly become angry and yelling at his dad.

• Mom, Dad? Why are you arguing? Do you not love each other anymore?

…