Chapter 3 - The Husband’s Ultimatum
The phone on the nightstand began to vibrate,
the screen lighting up with Parker’s name.
Clarissa stared at it for a long moment,
listening to the muffled sound of Alana’s voice downstairs.
She knew they had already called him,
spinning a tale of her "insanity" and "cruelty."
She answered the call,
placing it on speakerphone so she could keep packing Dustin’s toys.
"Clarissa,
what the hell is going on?"
Parker’s voice was a whip,
crackling with unearned authority.
"My mother is crying on the lawn,"
"and Ellie says you’ve gone into a blind rage."
Clarissa stopped folding a shirt,
her eyes fixed on the window.
"Did they tell you why they’re on the lawn,
Parker?"
"Did they tell you about the cold potato?"
There was a brief pause,
followed by an impatient sigh.
"Mom said Dustin was being punished,"
Parker replied.
"She said he was being disrespectful."
"So she gave him a smaller meal."
"It’s not a big deal,
Clarissa."
"She’s from a different generation,"
"they believe in discipline."
Clarissa felt a cold shiver go down her spine.
"A smaller meal?"
"Parker,
it was a cold,
boiled potato."
"He was sitting in the corner like a dog while they ate fried chicken."
"He’s seven years old."
"And he’s your son."
"He’s my stepson,"
Parker corrected her,
his voice hardening.
"And I’ve told you before,"
"Mom knows best when it comes to raising kids."
"You need to go downstairs,"
"apologize to them,"
"and let them back in."
Clarissa gripped the edge of the dresser,
her knuckles white.
"He is my son in every way that matters,"
"and I will not apologize for protecting him from bullies."
"They are leaving,
Parker."
"And if you don't like it,"
"you can join them."
Parker let out a low,
menacing laugh.
"You’re being hysterical."
"You’re going to lose your husband over a piece of chicken?"
"I'm going to lose a husband who doesn't respect my child,"
Clarissa countered.
"And I’ve already made my peace with that."
"If you come back to this house tonight,"
"don't expect the locks to work for you."
"You’re joking,"
Parker snapped.
"I pay half the bills."
"You pay for the utilities,"
Clarissa said.
"I pay for the mortgage,
the taxes,
and the maintenance."
"This is my property."
"Check the deed if your memory is failing you."
She hung up the phone before he could respond,
the silence of the room feeling like a heavy blanket.
Dustin was watching her from the bed,
his eyes wide with fear.
"Is Dad mad?"
he asked softly.
Clarissa knelt beside him,
taking his small hands in hers.
"He’s confused,
baby,"
she lied.
"But we’re going to be okay."
"Just us?"
Dustin asked.
Clarissa nodded,
a lump forming in her throat.
"Just us."
She looked at the clock.
It was 2:45 PM.
The two hours were almost up.
She heard the front door slam,
followed by the sound of a car engine revving.
They were leaving,
May you like
but she knew this wasn't the end.
It was only the opening act of a war.
