earl grey tea

Aloysius took a long, hard look at his father before turning his gaze back down to his earl grey tea. He’d always liked tea, but had often been too embarrassed to admit it, especially to his father. Tonight, he took a confident sip.

“How could you have been so careless?” his father ranted, pacing behind his dining room table chair. 

Just three years before, this place had been his home. Now Aloysius was just a guest. And after tonight, he may not even be that any longer. 

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner!?” his father spat, turning to face him. Aloysius could see his mind working hard to form a solution, one in which Aloysius had no intention of taking. 

“I wasn’t ready for you to be afraid for me just yet,” he replied, “And I value my knowing more than your fear now.”

“Don’t you talk to me that way,” his father threatened. 

Aloysius stood, taking a long sip of his earl grey.

“I’m not intending to offend you. But you taught me to be honest. This is just the truth, dad. And I can’t go back to sleep.” 

-b 

October 7, 2020