49 Outtake: Howard Hunt 2 (1/2)

[Dad hit mom.]

His mother was busy cooking dinner. His father, a police officer had yet to be done with his work and would come late. His mother had helped him do the homework and gave him a delicious snack to eat before dinner. His lunch had been taken by the stream of boys who had made it their mission to tease him. He really enjoyed sitting by and watching his mother cook. She was a beautiful lady. Having run away from home with her high school sweetheart, the woman got pregnant soon and found herself strapped with a baby. No college education and a baby on board meant that she would be staying in the house, taking care of the household duties while her husband took care of bringing in money.

Money was tight all the time, but they managed. Howard didn't feel like they lived poorly. Sure, they didn't have their personal car or a fancy house like some others in his school, but he lived a comfortable life.

When his dad got home, he would have run to him and showed him the picture he had drawn in class, or the many things he had learned, but instead, he silently got off the stool and came to a stand in front of his dad, who looked very grim.

”Are you done with your homework?” Nod.

There were no more words said to the boy. Instead, his father turned to his mother and started speaking.

”Why has dinner not been cooked yet?” he asked, half-yelling.

Howard flinched, but his father caught his action before he could correct his posture.

”Do you have something to say, boy?” he urged, his voice menacing. It was only then that Howard realized that the distasteful scent coming from his father was a sign of his bad temper. Usually, when he smelled that way, he would yell and scream at him for coming too early and ruining his life. It was not every day, but he was gentle when he didn't stink.

”No,” he said softly, not wanting to alarm his father, but that was the exact effect his words had.

”Did you just talk back to me?” His scream was deafening. Howard wondered if his bullies would be able to hear his father screaming and tease him the next day. Again. He wondered if they would call his father bad names.