The crash of shattering glass ripped through the big parlor, followed by Mr. Adams's furious voice. "You're useless, Mary! Completely useless! Why can't you do anything right?"
Mary flinched at the words, her hands trembling as she bent down to pick up the jagged shards from the floor. "James, please," she whispered, her voice steady despite the storm brewing in her chest. "Lower your voice, at least for Lexy's sake."
But James wasn't listening. He loomed over her, his anger unwavering. "For his sake?" he scoffed. "You think putting up with you is what's best for him? Maybe I should find someone else—someone who knows how to be a real wife."
The words cut deeper than she let on. Mary pressed her lips together and continued gathering the broken glass. She refused to rise to his bait, not when Lexy could be within earshot. She had endured too much to protect her son from the ugliness of their home.
"Mum? Dad?"
The small, clear voice froze her in place. She looked up to see Lexy standing in the doorway, his blue eyes wide with concern. He glanced from his father's looming figure to his mother kneeling on the floor, piecing together the wreckage.
"What's going on?" Lexy asked, his voice careful but curious.
Mary stood quickly, brushing her hands on her skirt as she forced a smile onto her face. "Nothing, sweetheart," she said, her tone soft and reassuring. "Your dad and I were just... having an important discussion." She stepped toward him, blocking his view of the broken glass. "Go on and rest, okay? Everything's fine."
Lexy hesitated, his gaze lingering on her face. She was smiling, but her eyes gave her away—tired, sad, and holding back tears. He knew the truth, but he nodded anyway. "Okay, Mum," he said quietly, stepping back.
Mary watched as he turned and walked away. Only when he disappeared down the hall did she let her shoulders sag under the weight of her husband's contempt.
Lexy closed the door to his room and leaned against it, his chest tight. His father's words played on repeat in his head. Maybe I should find someone else.
The thought made his fists clench. He hated how his father treated his mother, as though everything she did was worthless. She worked tirelessly as the principal of their school, keeping the place running smoothly while he sat back and barked orders. And yet, his father never acknowledged her efforts, never thanked her.
Lexy sat on the edge of his bed, his blue eyes darkened with anger and sadness. His mother was holding on for his sake—he knew that. And he hated it.
A single tear slipped down his cheek, but he wiped it away quickly. "I have to be strong for Mum," he muttered, clenching his jaw.
The clock on his desk caught his eye, pulling him out of his thoughts. He realized he was late—Alena was waiting for him.
"I can't let her wait," he said, standing abruptly. He grabbed his jacket and left the house without a word.
------
The streets were quiet, the evening air cool against Lexy's face as he walked. The sky above him, painted in fading hues of blue and gold, mirrored his swirling emotions. He shoved his hands into his pockets, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced with a heavy silence.
He reached their meeting spot, and there she was. Alena leaned against the railing, her arms crossed, her hair catching the faint breeze. When she saw him, her face lit up with a smile, she didn't want to burden him with the weight of her emotions. She forced a smile, determined to keep things light for his sake. Though it softened as she caught the look in his eyes.
"You're late," she teased, her voice light and playful.
Lexy managed a small grin, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Sorry," he said, his tone subdued. "Got held up at home."
Alena stepped closer, her brow furrowed slightly. "Lexy, are you okay?"
He hesitated, his instincts kicking in. He was good at hiding his feelings, at wearing a mask to keep others from worrying about him. "Yeah, I'm fine," he said with a forced smile. "You know me—always fine."
But Alena wasn't fooled. She studied him for a moment, her brown eyes searching his face. She knew him well enough to recognize when something was off, but she also knew better than to push.
Instead, she reached out and placed a hand gently on his arm. "Let's walk," she said softly.
Lexy nodded, grateful for her understanding. As they strolled together, the warmth of her presence soothed some of the tension in his chest. He didn't need to say anything, and she didn't need to ask. Just having her there was enough to remind him that he wasn't alone.
And for now, that was enough.
Lexy and Alena strolled side by side, their hands brushing against each other until Alena boldly grabbed his hand. "If you're going to sulk the whole way, I might as well keep you anchored," she teased, her lips curling into a mischievous grin.
Lexy smirked but didn't pull away. "Anchored, huh? Is that your way of saying I'm a ship lost at sea?"
Alena gasped dramatically, putting her free hand on her chest. "No, no! You're not lost, Lexy. You're just… temporarily off course. Captain Alena will guide you back!"
He chuckled softly. "Captain, huh? Do you even know how to sail?"
She waved her free hand dismissively. "Pfft, who needs to know how to sail when you've got charm and an unshakable sense of direction?" She turned to him, her eyes sparkling. "Now, let me ask you something important: why did the banana go to the doctor?"
Lexy tilted his head, already bracing for the punchline. "Why?"
"It wasn't peeling well!" Alena burst out laughing before Lexy could even react, her joy so infectious that he found himself laughing along with her.
"That's awful," he said, his laughter making the words sound lighter than intended.