Dinner and Joseph Robinette Biden Jr.

Kevin Laciter bit into a bread roll while Seth talked about Harvard. The week before he had talked about community college, and the week before that some other college down in Florida. 

His son stopped talking to butter his bread, but Kevin couldn't tell if he wanted his advice or not. It seemed every time he tried to offer it, Seth would bite his head off. 

"Or I could just go to community college," he shrugged. "There'd be less to worry about with scholarships and whatnot."

"Mhm," said Kevin. It's like he's baiting me to respond so he can yell at me if I disagree.

Paula rounded the corner, "Or you could take a year off to consider your options," she said. Kevin glared at her. Paula ignored him and plated herself a roast chicken leg. 

"No," said Seth. "I'll think of something."

Oh thank God. 

Seth must have seen a look on Kevin's face. "I'm sure dad doesn't want me to stick around. anyway." He said it in a joking tone but Kevin knew better.

"That's ridiculous," said Paula. "Let's eat outside." They grabbed cokes and sat on the porch to eat. Susie and Anna grabbed plates and joined them too. Kevin made himself a plate but thought better about going outside. He did some dishes. He swept the floor. Just go to a college—any college—you can afford. Why is that so difficult? 

He went into the garage and started moving stuff around. His toolbox wasn't in the right spot. The bikes looked untidy. Susie had just thrown hers on the ground after riding that day. I bet she'd say it just fell over if I asked her about it. She takes after her mother.

Kevin went into the girls' room. I didn't even know what porn was at her age, Kevin thought, remembering finding Anna's search history flooded with porn the week before. And I send her to private school. I can't imagine if I'd sent her to public school. 

He smelled a faint smell and went into the bathroom. There it was. Bitty's poop in the sink. 

"Anna!" he yelled, even though he was still too far out of hearing. He power walked through the kitchen. I've told this girl a million times. "Anna!" he busted through the porch door and said her name a third time. "Your cat's poop is in the sink. Again."

"I'm sorry I'm sorry," she said. 

At least I still inspire some fear. Seth frowned at him and looked like he wanted to say something. I. Dare. You. 

But it was Paula who spoke up, "Honey it's fine, let's eat first."

Don't honey me. "I don't want that smell stinking up that bathroom another minute."

Susie stood up. "I'll take care of it." 

"No, it has to be Anna. Her cat, her mess."

Anna stood up slowly and Kevin disliked the animosity steaming from the dinner table. "I see you're enjoying the food I paid for. In fact I pay all the bills here at this house," he reminded them. "You can do what you like when you have your own houses someday." He turned to go back inside. "Cats can poop in all your sinks. Just don't expect me to come around."

He grabbed his dinner plate but couldn't think much about eating. But he also couldn't let it go to waste. He went into the den to watch the news. The volume was muted but he didn't bother with it. He bit into the butterless bread and mediocre chicken. When did Paula stop caring how she cooks? It's the least she could do around here.

Biden's stupid face graced the screen. Kevin huffed in derision. What's he going to forgive next? Mortgages? Watching Sean Hannity rip the libs apart did put Kevin in a forgiving mood, though. After all, my kids are more a product of this generation than my parenting. Society needs to change.

The night proceeded in whispers. Whenever Paula or the kids were near him, their voices lowered. The kids even did the dishes. Only when they're scared of me does anything get done around here. 

He went into the girls' room when they were done showering and in bed. 

"I'm sorry I yelled at you earlier," he said. "I didn't need to get like that. I just like my house a certain way."

"It's okay dad," said Anna, not looking up from her phone. Kevin didn't have the heart to make her put it away, though Paula would've had no trouble with that. 

"Goodnight kids," he said. 

"Good night dad," said Susie. Anna didn't respond. Anna must be watching TikTok or some other Chinese app.

He stopped by Seth's room and saw the dim reading light peeping under the bedroom door. 

"Good night," he said. 

No reply. It's never good to go to bed with an angry heart. He remembered his own dad used to say that a lot.

Kevin cracked the door open. 

"Don't. Come into. My ROOM," said Seth. 

My room, what a joke. But Kevin Laciter curbed his anger. "I just wanted to make sure you heard me."

"Yeah I heard you. Night."

Kevin closed the door and made sure to snicker loud enough for Seth to hear. He went to his room. He stripped to his underwear and turned on the TV. 

"Want to watch a movie?" he asked. 

"Do you really think you handled that well?" asked Paula.

Of course we have to discuss it. "I went up and apologized to the girls. I shouldn't have blown up like that. I know."

Paula kept reading her book. She probably didn't like my "I know" comment, he reflected. 

"Look I'm sorry—"

"Just watch your movie," she said. 

There's no reasoning with her when she gets like this. He turned off the TV hoping she'd say something about that. She didn't. He rolled over to face away from her and closed his eyes. I really am sorry though, he thought.