Page 2 of Family Bonds- Kelsey & Van

“Guess not,” he said softly.

Fiona took her leave and he went back inside. There’d be no gathering afterward. His father had said his mother didn’t want it. He wasn’t so sure about that, but it wasn’t his place to argue.

“We need to talk,” he said to his father when he saw him coming out of the back office.

“Not now,” his father said. “We just buried your mother.”

“We’re talking,” he said firmly. “At the house. If you’re not there behind me, I’ll find you and we’ll do it in front of anyone around.”

He turned and stalked off.

At six foot two and two hundred and twenty pounds, not many messed with him. Being a law enforcement officer had nothing to do with it either.

Van was a guy who didn’t say much and hardly ever smiled.

He went about life doing what needed to be done. No nonsense, his mother often said. It was the quiet ones you always watched out for—his mother had told him that more than once too.

After a deep breath, he went to his truck and drove to his childhood home in Wichita. His father was right behind and they got out together and went into the house.

“I can explain,” his father started to say.

“I don’t give a shit about any explanations. Yes or no answers are all I care about. Have you been cheating on Mom?”

“Listen, Van.”

“No!” he shouted. “Answer me.”

“It’s not a simple answer.”

“Fuck that. It is. Yes or no?”

“Yes,” his father said, grinding his teeth.

“Tell me why I shouldn’t deck you right now,” he said.

“Because it solves nothing,” his father said. “It’s not your business. I’ve been there for your mother for the last year and caring for her day and night and you know it. I never left her side.”

“Don’t give me any of that shit to ease your conscience. You knew she was dying. If you couldn’t wait and keep your dick in your pants until she passed, then you’ve got to live with that.”

He turned to leave. “You’ll never understand because you’ve always been a Mama’s boy. You’ve always believed everything she’s said without listening to anyone else.”

“Yeah, there was a reason for it,” Van said. “The same reason everyone thought she was a sweetheart and you were a piece of shit. Guess you had no problem living up to it.”

“Don’t talk to me like that in my home,” his father snarled.

“That’s right,” he said. “It’syourhome. Everything isyours. You made sure to always rub that in Mom’s face even though she had a job and worked too.”

“She was a Goddamn secretary for the city. She didn’t make shit. I supported you and her and you both knew it. I’ve got every right to say this is my house.”

“I’m out of here,” he said. “I can’t deal with you or this or anyone else.”

“That’s right,” his father shouted. “Run away like you always did. Mom used to let you go and that was her mistake. For as big and tough as you are or want everyone to think, you’re nothing but a pussy inside. You can’t handle anything and never could.”

He walked up to his father and lifted him by the shirtfront. His father was five inches shorter and fifty pounds lighter. Van never could figure out where he got his height and build from.

“You don’t know me. You never even made the effort to do it,” he said. “So you can keep your damn opinions to yourself and go on with your life. I hope you can live with yourself.”

He tossed his father aside and stalked out the door knowing that he’d probably never return.

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