Marcus, a college student, returns home after a long day to find that his stepmother has demanded that he leave within three days to prepare for a new baby. Marcus confronts his family in the face of fear and resentment and discovers hidden secrets that reshape his place in their lives.
Marcus felt drained when he got home from his part-time job. He was 19 years old and still attending college.
During the day, he took classes and worked at a video game store in the evening.
He struggled to keep up with his studies and stayed up late every night to finish his assignments.
Because it wasn’t necessary, Marcus hadn’t planned to work until after graduation. Tom, his father, was able to provide for him, but Karen, his stepmother, insisted that he get a job.
Marcus knew the truth, however: Karen just wanted him to leave the house more, despite her claim that it was to teach him responsibility. He had no choice but to take a part-time job because his father had faith in Karen.
He hoped for a moment of quiet as he entered the house.
Instead, Karen confronted him right away at the door.
“Why are you so late? Did you forget you were supposed to clean today?” Karen’s voice cut through the air.
Marcus sighed, feeling the weight of the day. “I had a tough day and I’m tired.
I’ll clean tomorrow.”
Karen’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean tomorrow? You have responsibilities, and you need to follow through with them.”
Marcus clenched his fists, frustration bubbling up.
“You’re home all day. Is it really that hard to clean?”
Karen’s face turned red. “How dare you speak to me like that!”
The noise drew his father into the room.
“What’s going on here?” Tom asked, looking between Marcus and Karen.
“Marcus refuses to clean,” Karen said, crossing her arms.
“I’m not refusing. I just said I’ll clean tomorrow. I’m tired today,” Marcus explained, trying to keep his voice steady.
His father looked at Karen.
“See, Karen, he’ll clean tomorrow.”
Marcus was relieved but exhausted. He turned to go to his room, wanting nothing more than to collapse onto his bed.
“Don’t go anywhere tonight; we have important news,” his father called after him.
Marcus nodded, too drained to argue. He went to his room, threw himself onto his bed, and stared at the ceiling, wondering what the “important news” could be.
Marcus napped for about an hour before his father woke him up, gently shaking his shoulder.
“Come downstairs, son. We need to talk.”
Rubbing his eyes, Marcus got up and made his way to the kitchen. They had set a small table for him with a plate of leftovers since they had eaten dinner while he was at work.
He sat down and started serving himself some food, feeling the gnawing hunger in his stomach.
As he began to eat, he noticed his father and Karen watching him closely, their eyes following his every move. The air felt thick with anticipation.
“What?” Marcus asked, looking from his father to Karen, confusion clouding his face.
His father smiled broadly. “We have important news for you,” he said, glancing at Karen, who also flashed a faint smile.
The story doesn’t end here — it continues on the next page.
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