Page 102 of The Spare
"What goddamn privilege?"I shout in his face, shaking. "What the fuck is privilege when your own father can't fucking stand you-"
"Father,let him go,"Hendrix says, stepping to our sides and then putting a hand over Father's. But it only makes him clench down even harder on me, narrowing his eyes as if he didn't even hear my words, continuing as if Hendrix isn't right next to us.
"You,who have known a life of luxury, what the hell would you know about being alone, of being broken?" he snaps, starting to shake now. "Of not having love?Huh?How dare you fix your mouth to tell me that man needs forgiveness when you don't know what that fucking bastard has done to me! I lost a family.My entire family.And the one person that remained,the one personwho was supposed to walk by my side through life turned around and stabbed me in the back like it was nothing! And I was left to shoulder it all alone. Do you know what it's like to have your sister killed in front of you in cold blood-"
"Richard, let himgo!"Madre shouts, her hands now over Hendrix's to try and loosen his tight grip. Her face is flushed, and tears aresliding down her cheeks as her small hands grasp futilely at my father’s harsh, unforgiving grip.
My eyes go back to his and tears fill my eyes at the pain that's in his. Isobel steps to his other side, as does Melody, and Teresa stands on the other side of Hendrix until we form a tight circle. But he doesn't let up, looking me deep in the eyes.
"You're just like him," he whispers. "You'll betray me, just like you betrayed your brother."
The hair on the back of my neck stands on end, because the truth is in his eyes. This is how he feels about me deep down inside.
Hendrix tightens his grip even further. "Father, you know as well as I do that wasn't Mason's fault. He was taken advantage of-"
It's appreciated, but not needed at the moment. My eyes narrow at Father.
"You compare me to the man, but then won't even tell us what the hell happened between the two of you so we can make that decision for ourselves," I say in a level tone, but yet my heart races at the venom within his eyes. "Think what you want about me, I don't care anymore. But I will not bow down to you just based on yourfucking word."My voice rises. "If you'll hide this from us, then whatelseare you hiding? Who are we, Father, if we keep these kinds of secrets from each other? Because it certainly isn't a family. This is not how you raised us!This is not the King Dynasty way!"
Father's eyes narrow as he lets me go, and Melody immediately squeezes against my side again. However, I stand my ground. His gaze turns to us all. "Your uncle is asnake.He will wrap himself around you and squeeze every drop of common sense out of you if you let him."
When he turns his eyes to me, I get the feeling that warning was more for my siblings to guard themselves against me.
He turns his back on us and walks through a hidden door, leaving us alone with Madre who looks bewildered and beside herself.
"Children, I-" she gasps, bringing a hand up to wipe a tear off her face."I am so sorry for your father."
"Madre, what is going on?" Hendrix implores, stepping forward and taking her hands in his. "Why won't he discuss this with us? Mason's right; we deserve to know what really happened. Or, at the very least, why he's hiding it from us?"
Madre looks up at him with eyes wide with worry, and perhaps even fear?
"Mijo, some wounds run deeper than others." She holds a hand up when Teresa goes to interrupt. "And it is not my place to tell, but yes… it was bad. It was truly horrible what happened, and even after all these years, your father still bears the brunt of that wound." Her eyes flick to me, turning even sadder. "I know your father gets angry, but his anger is fueled by unimaginable hurt. A hurt that I'll even admit might be something he may not ever get over. So, I'll have to ask you all to… to please stop pressing him for answers he's not ready to give." She trails off, and we all stand in silence, not sure what to say.
She brings a hand up again, wiping at her eyes.
"Is he going to be okay, Madre? Are you?" I ask softly.
Madre nods. "Yes, mijo. I'll go check on your father and make sure he's okay." She walks towards us, stretching her hands out and ushering us towards the door. "It's time to go. Go home and get some sleep. I will call all of you tomorrow."
She finishes escorting us out of the house and stands in the doorway while we get in our cars. No closer to answers than we were before we came.
Closing the door I lean back in the seat and put my fingers to my eyes, blowing out a breath. A tap on my window has my head swinging to the side. Hendrix is motioning for me to get back out of the car.
Opening the door, I keep my eyes averted from his as I step back out into the chilly night air.
"What?"I grit out, ready to go home and hole up in my closet and lick my wounds like I always do.
Hendrix steps forward into me, clasping me in a hug so hard I tense up. One hand clasps between my shoulder blades and the other tightens on the nape of my neck, holding me so hard I can feel him trembling.
"You listen to me," he grits out in a thick voice, his breath warm in my ear. I keep my arms tight to my sides, slightly alarmed and not really trusting it. "I don't care what he says, you are not worthless. Do you hear me?" My throat clogs up and tears prick the back of my eyes."Do you hear me, brother?"He shakes me once.
"I do," I manage.
"Do youbelieveme?" His voice is hesitant, worried. I pause for a few beats too long because he tenses up now and pulls away, looking me in my eyes. I'm determined to remain stoic, not willing to break down in front of him."Mason?"
I give a jerky nod.
It's the best I can manage.
