Daniel grabbed a towel and handed it to Eleanor.
She pushed it away.
Get her out of this house.
Claire looked at Daniel.
There it was.
The decision he had avoided for months.
Daniel looked at his mother.
Then at Claire.
Claire expected him to ask her to leave.
Instead he said quietly.
Mom.
You need to go home tonight.
Eleanor stared at him.
What?
Daniel repeated himself.
I will take you home.
Eleanor pointed at Claire.
She just humiliated me.
Daniel nodded.
And she was wrong to do that.
Claire lowered her eyes.
Then Daniel continued.
But I let this family become a place where both of you believe screaming is the only way to be heard.
Eleanor looked stunned.
Daniel turned toward Claire.
You are not innocent either.
Claire nodded.
I know.
Daniel looked around the dining room.
Dinner was destroyed.
So was the illusion that everyone could keep pretending nothing was wrong.
Something had to change.
Comments (0)