“Yeah, well, Mom gives me extra money.”
“When you grown, you think you’re gonna get paid just to do daily shit? I don’t like takin’ out the motherfuckin’ garbage but it has to be done. Sometimes, I don’t feel like checkin’ the locks on the doors or openin’ them in the mornin’ because four of those motherfuckers are offline and can’t be done through the app.”
“You’re missing my point and at the same time proving it to me.”
“Ain’t no fuckin’ point I’m interested in,” Christopher snapped. “Shit need to be doneevery fuckin’ daywhether you fuckin’ like it or not. That don’t mean I don’t think you did a good fuckin’ job yesterday. It just mean life goes the fuck on, yesterday is gone, today is here, and you do what the fuck needs to be done.”
Ryder huffed.
“I ain’t got time for this fuckin’ bullshit. You came and ate breakfast, brought shit to the kitchen, then went the fuck back to bed. You ain’t woke up until an hour ago and you complainin’ about what you did yesterday?”
“I wish Ax was here. He’d make you see what I mean.”
“If he tried in this situation, I’d beat his fuckin’ ass. Don’t fuckin’ twist what the fuck he did to me over your ma into thinkin’ you or him got the upperhand.”
“I vacuumed and I helped Aunt Bunny. I’m done for the day. I’m not doing anything else.”
Allowing Axel to get away with so fucking much was wreaking havoc.
Christopher folded his arms. “That’s your final answer?”
Mimicking him, Ryder folded his arms too and nodded.
“As proud and as appreciative as I was of your hard fuckin’ work yesterday, that’s how fuckin’ disappointed I am in you today.”
Ryder’s eyes widened.
“Even if a motherfucker never thank you or say good job, ifyouknow what the fuck you have to do and decide not to do it because you did that motherfucker yesterday, then you’re the fuckin’ irresponsible and undisciplined one. You can work from sunup to sundown, if it’s what the fuck you need to do for whatever fuckin’ reason, you get the fuck up and do it. Cuz not a motherfucker around got to be proud of you. Ifyouface your responsibilities and accomplish whatever for that day, that’s the best fuckin’ feelin’ in the world.”
“You’re disappointed in me?”
Christopher nodded.
“Even though I’ve been doing everything I’m supposed to? It’s only today, Dad. You must not have been that appreciative of my work if you can berate me for taking a break for one day to rest.”
“I ain’t playin’ this game with you, son. If you think that, then that’s on you. I don’t give a good fuck. I understand you’re tired. I get tired. Your ma do, too. And, yeah, we drag our asses through the day. But your stance a cop-out and a motherfuckin’ disappointment. I expect better from you. I’m dealin’ with you not doin’ what the fuck you supposed to do.Youfuckin’ deal with my disappointment.”
“But I want to play a game while I’m listening to this new CD from my favorite band. It’s onlyoneday.”
“One day becomes two days and two days turn into three. What I do at the club? I consider it self-employment. It’s a whole lotta work with a lil’ bit of thanks. But it’s my responsibility. As for your favorite fucking band,thosemotherfuckers made their money. Learnin’ discipline and meetin’ your responsibilities now as a kid set the stage for the rest of your life.”
Ryder didn’t say anything.
The click of the doorhandle being pressed grabbed Christopher’s attention and he turned.
“Ryder!” Axel screamed, barreling toward him. “I missed you.”
“Hey, Daddy,” Rebel greeted, gave him a quick hug and waved. “I’m tired. I’m going rest since we have the DNA thing tonight.”
“Okay, baby,” Christopher said, barely able to focus on his daughter as he awaited his wife.
Kaia walked in, a motherfucker that left with a fucking headful of hair and eyebrows. That same motherfucker was now bald and eyebrowless.
Christopher squinted, looked at Kaia, then at the back of Axel, who was still talking to Ryder.
“C’mere,” he said, crooking his finger at Kaia.
Shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans, Kaia walked to Christopher.
