AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What was that?” James turned to his son.
“He said,” Dragan cut in, mentally kicking himself as soon as his mouth opened. “It’s never just hello. What do you need?”
James turned his gaze of ice to Dragan, his smile dropping. “I need you to stop being a piece of shit. I’m here to say hello.”
Dragan pushed back from the table, the legs of his chair scraping against the linoleum title, risking falling backwards. “Take what you need and get out.”
“Oh, big man!” James laughed. He took a step forward, clenching and unclenching his fists. He was still tall, still over six feet. But Dragan had a few inches on him, and was twice his width. Dragan watched his mom shrink back in his periphery. “I’ll get what I need, but don’t worry. I’ll be back.”
He threw on the forced smile, storming through the house and up the stairs. Dragan looked at his family, coiled to spring into action if someone yelled to stop him. James had a habit of showing up, tearing through their belongings like a hurricane. In his wake, there was always something missing.
But no one said anything. They waited in silence, listening to the thumping and banging of whatever James was throwing around upstairs.
For years, Dragan and his siblings had learned to hide anything that could be pawned, usually at a friend’s house. His dad had pawned everything from first edition books, nice clothes, even his wife’s flute she’d played since she was a child. Now that Dragan had a place of his own, his siblings would sometimes give him things to store in his apartment.
Dragan thought of the money he’d given his mom a couple weeks ago. He glanced at her, but she’d hidden her face in his hands. His body buzzed, needing to put an end to his reign of terror. Needing to find a way to secure his family, once and for all.
The steps storming down the stairs ended with the front door banging close, causing everyone to jump in place.
“Ma, where did you put the money I gave you?” Dragan turned to his mom, trying to calm the anger boiling inside him. He knew it was something he’d gotten from his dad, and while he’d never turn it on those he loved, he could sense the energy rolling off him was keeping his family in a state of terror.
She shook her head and went back to the food, shoulders dropping. Defeated.
Dragan looked at his siblings, who were avoiding his gaze.
“Leon,” he said.
“We paid the bills and put the extra in my savings account,” Leon sighed.
Dragan waited for more information, for someone to fess up to something valuable being left in an obvious spot They were used to changing out the spots, but some were easier to find than others. When he didn’t get an answer, he went to look for himself.
“Dragan, come on!” Alice called out.
He didn’t turn around, keeping on the path up the stairs. They were steep, wooden, and as he reached the landing he was greeted with the upstairs bathroom and Alice’s room, which she was sharing with Kasia. He peeked in. Her room was mostly bare, save for a bed, a dresser, and Kasia’s suitcase. The drawers weren’t pulled out, the suitcase unopened, so he turned down the hall. He peeked in the bedroom Cas and Lucas shared; same thing. The primary bedroom at the end of the hall was a different story. The room his mom once shared with his dad was blown through. Drawers over turned, bed flipped. A hook with a missing painting or picture was left in the wall. Dragan wandered into the adjoining bathroom, the medicine cabinet open. There were several spots that seemed to be missing things. Prescriptions, most likely.
Dragan left the bathroom, staring at the mess in his mom’s room. Cas stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame.
“Mom puts all her money in our accounts and an account only in her name,” Cas said. “I’m sure he found something to steal, but it’s okay.”
“No, it’s not okay.” His voice was low, steely. “When has this ever been okay? It has to stop.”
Cas sighed. “How? How do you propose it stops? We hide everything. We have nothing of value. He owns this place, with Mom. His name is on the deed. So tell me, Dragan, how do you propose this stops? Because we’re exhausted. You got out, but we’re still here.” His jaw was set as he stared at Dragan.
The anger rolled through him, begging to be released. “Don’t blame me for that. I took every opportunity I had. I’ve done everything I can to make things easier for you guys. He was always here when I was growing up. I was the oldest. Do you know what it’s like to have him throw furniture at Mom while she’s holding baby Alice? Or to have her reach for the landline as he cuts the cord?”
Cas held his gaze but didn’t say anything.
“Exactly. I know things are shitty. But believe me, they’ve been shittier. Just focus on getting out. I’m doing my part, you can do yours.” Dragan shoved past his brother, running down the stairs. He poked his head into the kitchen, the conversation subdued. They quieted as they saw him.
“There is nothing for him to take, my dragon. He has taken everything,” his mom said, pulling a chicken from the oven. “We are okay.” She gave him a tired smile. “Please, sit.Prosze.”
The steely look from his grandma cowed him, and he took his seat. Cas soon joined them, and everyone started asking about upcoming movies. Something light, simple, easy.
But the whole time, Dragan replayed his conversation with Cas. He knew the words stung. But he couldn’t help himself. He was tired of carrying everyone on his back. He was tired of being the role model they needed while trying to build his own life.
He was tired of looking around every corner, wondering when his dad would come after him instead of his mom.
20
