Bobby had always been temperamental. When he was in a good mood, heâd agree to anything with a smile. But when he wasnât, nothing would sway him, and it could easily lead to conflict.
âIâm not going!â
His mother sighed heavily. âBobby, everyone around you is settling down. Your father and I worry. What will happen to you when weâre gone? Will you be all alone?â
Bobbyâs expression hardened. âAlone? Havenât I always been? If Grandma hadnât taken me in, I probably wouldâve died from a fever before either of you knew!â
The weight of guilt bore heavily on Bobbyâs parents due to their past neglect of him. Throughout Bobbyâs early years, they were absorbed in their careers, barely present in his life from infancy. Important family holidays passed unnoticed and uncelebrated. The sole influence in Bobbyâs life was his grandmother, but even she could only command his attention sporadically.
Following her death and Bobbyâs entry into middle school, his behavior took a turn for the worse. He shuffled through schools, each move prompted by increasingly serious misconduct. The situation escalated until Bobby was on the brink of being sent to a reform facility, a stark wake-up call for his parents about the dire consequences of their neglect.
In a flurry of late guilt, they signed him up for corrective courses. While these efforts did not lead to dramatic improvements, they were a tangible sign of their newfound commitment to his well-being. Over time, this led to a cautious thaw in the icy relations between Bobby and his parents, though they remained ever vigilant, mindful of his unpredictable moods.
Bobby could unpredictably revert to treating them like outsiders, coldly reminding them of their past neglect.
âThe past is behind us, and Iâve said Iâm sorry,â his father said.
Bobby scoffed, rolling a grape between his fingers, his tone laced with irony.
âSo, you ignored me when I needed guidance, and now you intervene when I seek independence? Did you really think spending a fortune on those courses would change anything?â
The tension in the room escalated, and his mother pressed a hand to her chest.
âMy heart hurts.â
However, had her pain been genuine, she would have sought medical attention. Instead, her display was merely a theatrical ruse designed to guilt-trip Bobby.
Unmoved by her performance, Bobby rose to his feet.
âMom, I canât say I know what good parents are supposed to be like, but Iâm pretty sure they donât use hardship as a resort to guilt-trip their children. If youâre so eagerâ¦â
âFor me to get married, I can do it anytime. Just remember, if I end up not happy, you and Dad are the ones to blame.â
With that, Bobby exited the house, the door shutting behind him with a definitive thud.
âHave we really messed up?â his mother asked.
His father waved his hands dismissively. âLet it be. Our son will carve his own path. Our role is simply to support him.â
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