The Dolls' House
an excerpt

‘So you’ve heard what’s going on, then?’

Chris stood up to speak to him. He wasn’t afraid of him. He wouldn’t let him go thinking he was afraid of him.

‘Yeah, I know the score. I figured it was only a matter of time.’

His father ran his hand through his perfect hair.

‘I suppose it was. Chris, it’s important you know that whatever your mother and I feel about each other, we both love you very-’

‘Please don’t bother,’ Chris interrupted. ‘You two hate each other and you both resent the f*ck out of me. Don’t pretend to be in touch with your feelings, Dad, it’s f*cking learnt behaviour and you know it.’

He hadn’t ever been in the habit of speaking to either of his parents like that, but his father seemed to take it philosophically.

‘It probably is at that.’ He sighed. ‘Take care of yourself, then. And good luck with your mother.’

And with that, he walked past down the landing to the spare bedroom, leaving Chris standing alone by the stairs. Down below, he could hear his mother crying. It struck him that that was a learnt behaviour too.