My daughter told me i had to either adjust to her husband’s expectations or move out. i smiled, picked up my suitcase, and quietly left. one week later… i saw 22 missed calls. My keys were still warm in my palm when I pushed through the front door, grocery bags cutting into my wrists. The Saturday afternoon light filtered through the living room curtains, casting everything in that soft spring glow that usually made me smile. Not today. Harry was sprawled in my leather recliner—Martha’s last gift to me before the cancer took her. His stocking feet were propped up, a half-empty beer bottle dangling from his fingers. The remote control rested on his belly like he owned the place. “Old man,” he didn’t even look up from the basketball game. “Grab me another beer from the fridge while you’re up.” I set the grocery bags down slowly. The plastic handles had left red marks across my palms. “Excuse me?” “You heard me,” Harry’s eyes stayed fixed on the television. “Corona. Not that cheap stuff you drink.” Something cold settled in my chest. I’d bought those Coronas specifically for him, with my social security money. “Harry, I just walked in. I need to put these groceries away.” Now he looked at me, his face wearing that familiar expression—the one that said I was being unreasonable. “What’s the big deal? You’re already standing. I’m comfortable.” “The big deal is that this is my house.” Harry’s feet hit the floor with a thud. He stood slowly, using his height like a weapon. “Your house? Funny, because your daughter and I live here. We pay the bills. With my money.” “Details,” he stepped closer. “Look, Clark, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. You want to keep living here peacefully? You play ball. Simple as that.” The kitchen door swung open. My daughter, Tiffany, appeared. She took in the scene: Harry standing over me, the tension thick enough to choke on. “What’s going on?” “Your father’s being difficult,” Harry said, his eyes still on me. “I asked him to get me a beer, and he’s making it into some kind of federal case.” Tiffany looked at me with disappointment, like I was a child acting out. “Dad, just get him the beer. It’s not worth fighting over.” But Harry wasn’t done. He moved closer, close enough that I could smell the alcohol on his breath. “See, Clark, here’s how it’s going to work. You live in our house. You contribute. That means when I ask you to do something, you do it. No questions, no attitude.” “Our house,” I kept my voice level, though my heart was hammering. “That’s right,” Tiffany stepped beside her husband, a united front. “Dad, you need to decide right now. You will either serve my husband, or you can get out of my house.” The words hung in the air. I looked at my daughter, searching for the little girl who used to climb into my lap during thunderstorms. She stared back with Harry’s same entitled expression. “Alright,” I said quietly. Harry smirked, thinking he’d won. “Good. Now, about that beer—” “I’ll pack.” The smirk died on his face. Tiffany’s mouth fell open. They expected me to crumble, to apologize and shuffle to the kitchen like a beaten dog. I turned toward the hallway, leaving the grocery bags where they sat. Behind me, I heard Tiffany’s whispered, “Dad, wait.” But I was already walking toward my bedroom.. Watch: [in comment] – Made with AI