"I wish I could," I whispered inside my chest, too afraid the words would spill into the room if I spoke aloud.
"Will you join us this weekend at the house?" Senior continued. "Your parents are coming also."
"Oh! I just spoke with my dad—he didn't say anything about it," I replied.
"Your dad is swarmed with work," Senior said. "I doubt he remembers he has a house anymore. I hear your mum complaining to my wife whenever she comes around…"
He rubbed his palms along his thighs before rising to his full height. The man was tall—commanding even when he wasn't trying. His presence always shifted a room, and this time was no different.
"I better head home to my wife," he said. "I will leave the rest of the day to you kids. Make me proud."
His footsteps faded, and the door closed. Suddenly the room seemed colder. Quiet. Thick.
I finally let myself look at the other men.
