The Last Laugh

***

Once we were both in the room, my father locked the door behind him.

I went straight to sit on the bed. He didn't say a thing but went to the bathroom to change into his sleeping pants and a T-shirt.

On his way out, he came over and joined me.

"Son?" he said in a low voice.

"Yes, dad?"

"Never repeat what you saw this night to uncle Kenneth or to anyone else okay?"

I nodded.

"I think aunt Christina wasn't in her proper senses this night. But I promise that if she tries that again, I'll tell uncle Ken myself." he added.

"Okay, daddy."

"I don't want you to be implicated in this." he hugged me. I hugged him too, feeling tears well up my eyes.

I had the feeling that my father felt very lonely without my mother. He'd loved her with all his heart. And he did not even intend to remarry though he was still a young and strong man.

"Now tell me," he started, "...what was the exact reason you came downstairs."

I looked at him.

"I wanted to tell you something."

"Which is?"

I hesitated at first but then I saw it right to let him know. I told him about aunt Christina and how she was mean to me but acted all nice around them. Surprisingly, my dad didn't seem surprised.

"You don't seem surprised."

"Cuz I ain't, son."

"Huh?"

"Christina has always been quite odd. She hated your mother for no reason."

looked at

"Really?"

"Yes."

tell

Christina was attracted to me.

dad." I murmured. He looked at

Her hatred for my wife increased when she was pregnant

"S– she loves you?"

son. That's

"What's– lust?"

moment keep it all to yourself for your own

please is it possible for us to leave this

"Sunday?"

"Yes."

it's

***

avoided aunt Christina. Meanwhile, dad acted like everything was normal. He would laugh along with aunt Christina and uncle ken

we ate and the adults chatted, I noticed Heather was looking at me. I

waved back and smiled. She blushed. It

still at the table when uncle Ken's cellphone rang. He excused himself and went to

in the woods waiting for us.

take a quick bath,

kissed his wife his wife

kids, gotta go. Have a great

we replied. He then

the table. We kids went to watch TV. That was the only time I

and Sawyer. I was kinda glad heather

cartoons and began to watch. While we watched, I discretely held Heather's right hand in mine. We looked at each other shortly and smiled. Sawyer didn't notice. She was too concentrated with

was through. While making my way up the stairs, I heard two people arguing in low voices. I stopped to

I was sorry, Paul!" she complained in

"Sorry?? Sorry??"

didn't mean

you didn't mean to. What is wrong with you Christina? How could you just enter my bathroom without knocking?? You saw me completely naked

Paul, I admit it.

you are up to,

seen you. Oh Paul, please!