Memories

Lucas shifted papers around on his desk, trying to look busy. It was late on a Friday, and he had just finished up work on one project and didn't want to start on the next this late before heading home. His watch said he had 15 minutes to go before he could take off. He needed the weekend break after the week he'd had.

"Hey, Lucas," his boss said as he rounded the corner. "What's happenin'?"

Lucas cringed at his boss' mannerisms. He controlled his features and kept his voice level as he said, "Not much, ready for the weekend. What about you?"

"I wish. That payments project just blew up and we have to finish the interface by Monday," his boss said. "We'll have to work the weekend."

"But I have some things to do this weekend with the kids," Lucas stated. "I was planning..."

"Lucas, I need you here."

"But..."

"Lucas," his boss said, raising his voice, "you'll be here tomorrow!"

Lucas flinched, the tightening in his gut overriding his logic. His father's face flashed over his boss', scrunched in anger with eyes flashing and mouth straight. Avoiding the panic rising in his chest, he calmly said, "Okay, I'll be here." He managed to keep his head up and eyes on his boss.

"Good, I'll see you at 8 sharp." His boss walked away.

Lucas dropped his head and sighed, holding back tears. He gathered up his things and walked out the door, not caring that it was a little early. He slammed his car door and banged on his steering wheel on the way home. He pulled up in his driveway, composing himself and pointedly closing the driver's side door quietly.

"Hi hon," he said as he walked in the door. He walked up to her and gave her a kiss. "How was your day?"

"Awful," she replied. "Yours?"

"Mine too," he said, walking down the hall to the bedroom to set his things down. He came back, stopping in the kitchen to get some water. He saw the kids at the table, quietly waiting for dinner. "Hi John! Hi Ellie!"

They both looked up at him and smiled. "Hi dad!" they both said, almost simultaneously.

"What's for dinner?" he asked.

"It's Friday! Pizza!" each exclaimed.

He laughed at their enthusiasm. "They're pretty excited," he said, looking at his wife.

"It'll be a bit, it only just went into the oven."

"Thanks for picking it up," he said.

"It's right by work," she said. "You just like it because you don't have to cook."

He gave a huff. "Because you cook," he said jokingly.

"Careful," she said.

"Must've been a really bad day at work," he said, going in for a hug she didn't return.

"It was," was all the acknowledgement he got. "John! Ellie! Stop that!" she exclaimed. Lucas turned to the table. The kids were stock still, fear written on their features.

His own gut clenched, adrenaline pumping. Swinging back to his wife, he asked, "What did they do?"

"You don't pay attention," she said cuttingly, shaking her head. "They know."

He held his hands out in a questioning gesture, then scoffed. "Whatever."

"Don't give me that," she said angrily.

The adrenaline spiked again. He froze in her stare, panic rising. He heard his father's voice raised, pointing out Lucas' failings. "Sorry, hun." He looked at the kids again, seeing them imploring him to help, to stand up for himself, to show that he could help protect them. He closed his eyes, steeled himself, and turned back to his wife. Her stance mimicked his father's so perfectly. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

"You should be," she said bitingly.

"Sorry, hun," he said emphatically, hands now in a placating gesture.

She sighed. "You take care of the pizza. I'm going to shower."

"Aren't you hungry?"

"Not anymore." She stormed off to their bedroom.

He sighed and looked at the timer. Five minutes remained. "I'll be back in a sec," he said to the kids. He walked after his wife.

When he got to the bedroom, he heard the shower come on. "Hun, hun!" He opened the master bathroom door.

"Get out," she said, stepping into the walk-in shower.

He could feel the bite in the words. "Okay, hun," he said as he sagged back out of the doorway. Slinking back to the kitchen, he waited for the timer. Once the pizza was out, he sliced it up and gave a piece to both John and Ellie. He wasn't sure he was still hungry, but he took one himself and sat with the children.

"Dad, why is mom so angry?" asked John.

"She's just upset with me," Lucas said. "Don't worry about it."

"But she's angry all the time," said Ellie.

Lucas could see the concern, tinged with fear and anxiety, written across her face. "She loves you both," he said, running his hand through her hair. "Very much. Now, let's eat."

His wife came out of the shower, dressed in her comfy clothes. "There better be some left for me," she said, and Lucas hoped that the kids didn't notice the irritation in the words.

"There's plenty," he said, pointing into the kitchen.

She humphed as she wandered over to the pizza. Getting herself a few slices, she asked the kids, "Are you ready for tomorrow?"

"Yeah!" They both cheered.

"Oh, hun, I don't think I can make it," said Lucas, as his gut felt like it was dropping.

"What." Her eyes burned.

"My boss said I had to be in tomorrow..." He trailed off at her expression.

"We've had this planned for months!" she exploded. "How dare you do this to your kids!"

"But..."

"No! No buts!" Her face matched his father's, her tone, her posture.

"Okay," he nearly whispered, standing and heading back to the bedroom.

"What was that?"

"Okay," he said testily. He made it to the bed before his legs gave out. His mind played over the scenes, first his boss and then his wife. He shivered and felt a tear run down his cheek.