“At least you’ll be aware, Dante, of several things. One, the food is bacteria-free; two, you know where it comes from; three, those eating it don’t have infectious diseases. That’s far more than I had when I dumpster dived.”
“I don’t believe this,” Dante screamed.
“Get used to your new existence. You should have learned from your father. You didn’t. Welcome to fuckin’ reality, Dante. Be grateful you’ll have clean scraps to eat. Push me, and I’ll make sure you do dumpster dive!”
I looked across at Mum and nodded. Dad was torn but agreed, too.
“You’re also going to work at a food bank for a month. That will teach you the real meaning of hunger,” I added and leaned on his shoulder, forcing him back into his chair. Dante would learn one way or another.
Chapter Five.
Fanatic
Quietly, I sat in the kitchen in the dark. Dante would sneak down, I knew my baby brother. It was just a question of when. Willow and Danny were asleep upstairs in one of the guest bedrooms. Willow understood exactly what was happening and agreed Dante needed a few sharp shocks before she arrested him in ten years. That hurt, but Willow was correct. Dante was becoming one of those rich bastards who believed they could break the law and walk away without consequences.
A soft rustle caused my head to jerk upward. Yup, Dante was on his way. Patiently, I waited, eyes adjusted to the darkness, as Dante entered and headed straight for the pantry. He growled when he realised it was locked and turned to try all the cupboards. They were all sealed shut, too. As Dante opened the fridge, I pounced.
“Stop right there. Thief!” I snapped, and Dante squealed and dropped the yoghurt he’d picked up.
“What the fuck?” Dante yelled as I flicked on the lights.
“You’re stealing. What were the consequences for that?” I demanded, yanking out my phone.
“Wait, what are you doing?” Dante squealed frantically.
“Calling the cops to report a thief. What else?” I replied and unlocked the screen.
“You can’t be serious. Micah, I’m hungry!” Dante howled.
“My name, you disrespectful shit, is Fanatic; only family calls me Micah. And why are you hungry? You were given thirty bucks to buy food; you chose sweets. Eddie bought you ramen and hot dogs to eat and a box of cereal, but that wasn’t good enough for Dante fuckin’ Michaelson. There were leftovers, but they were beneath you. When will you learn?
“Dante, sheer luck of the draw had you born into this family and at a time when Mum was rich. Do you think Jodie, Christian, Jared, Aaron or I have forgotten what it was like to eat noodles, sausages, and chicken nuggets constantly? Our meals never varied from that unless the wanker that abused us had guests. Only then did we get decent food because of appearances. I’ve never forgotten watching Mum searching a bin for scraps Martin had left from his expensive dinners while she ate a stale piece of bread.
“You’ve no idea what true hunger is. Nor do you realise what Mum sacrificed because you never fucking lived it, you spoiled shit. What we experienced is what Mum saved Eddie, Tony, Carmine, Serenity, and the others from. And the older ones, those from Cody and above, know hunger intimately. Christ, you think a few hours without a meal is starvation? You’ve no clue. But I promise this, baby brother, you will. The world is a cruel place, and if you don’t watch your back, it’ll strike you down. Dante, you’re lucky, there’s a damn army around you, but you’re driving everyone away with piss-poor behaviour.”
Dante stared. Somehow, I knew my words had reached him when Mum and Dad’s actions hadn’t.
“It wasn’t that bad for Mom,” he whispered. “Mum’s making up stories to make me behave.”
“That scar on Mom’s hip. Martin, the fake husband, kicked her there when he caught Mum stealing a slice of ham. Mum’s arm was broken when Martin found her eating scraps from his plate. According to that cunt, they were still his even if Martin didn’twant them. No, Dante, nobody’s lying. Ask Grandad about the times we came to his shop, and he slipped us treats. Or when Grandad hired me and gave me food to take home to Jodie and the others. Ain’t no lie, Dante.”
“But Dad hasn’t treated Mom like that!”
“No. But for years, that was our life, and it affected us all. I’ll break my back before Danny ever goes hungry. Iwillsell every last thing, including my Harleys, to ensure my brothers and sisters never have to face starvation again. Ask Tye and Carmine what they did to feed Serenity and Harley and keep them safe. Shit happens out there, and you’re here being a spoiled shithead and having food fights and acting like a total cunt. Nobody likes you, Dante, and that’s on you.”
“You mean that?” Dante asked, sounding near tears.
“Yeah. Do you want the truth? Willow and I have stayed away because we don’t want your shitty, entitled attitude infecting Danny. Danny’s a good kid and your influence on him... yeah, not happening.”
Dante looked stricken, but I didn’t stop. “It would be karma if Mum gave you up to child services. You deserve that. The last year you’ve been horrible, and frankly, I can’t stand you. It shouldn’t be like that. Yeah, Eddie does shit. She pulls pranks and acts out revenge. But none of Eddie’s actions is based on hate. You can’t say that. Hatred spills from you like a leaky hose. Nobody wants to be around you, Dante. And if you take president, you’ll lose half of Rage the moment you put that cut on.”
“They wouldn’t leave!”
“Yeah, they would because they won’t follow you. Think about that. Because apart from your tiny circle, no one likes or respects you. Respect is earned, and you’ve done nothing but be a brat. Dante, you’re the failure.”
“You’re wrong!”
“Yup, nobody enjoys hearing anything bad about themselves. But everything I’ve said is true, whether you like it or not. So, get over yourself, and soon, please. I love ya, little brother, but I can’t stand you. Go to bed, Dante, and think of those living on the streets who can’t remember their last hot meal. Be grateful you’re not sleeping on a bench.”
