All The Unsaid

I rang up my sister and spilled the beans about Yvette's dirty laundry.

Just like I thought, my sister blew her top.

"Eugene, just you wait, I'll make sure they get what's coming to them."

A wicked grin spread across my face. "Now, it's my turn to teach their kid a lesson."

When I got home, there was Charles, looking all guilty, slumped over his homework at the table.

I did not need to check the cameras I had installed to know he had been up to no good.

However, that time, I let it slide.

I spoke to Charles with a calm demeanor. "Buddy, I'm pretty wiped out today. Why don't you watch some TV?"

His face lit up brighter than a kid in a candy store. "For real, Dad? I can actually watch TV?" he asked, his voice quivering with excitement.

I gave him a warm, fatherly look and said, "I've been thinking, son. Always telling you 'don't do this, don't do that' isn't good for a kid's spirit. From now on, you make your own choices. I'm stepping back."

Over the next few days, Charles went wild. His homework was in shambles, and he did not bother listening in class.

It was not long before he got called in for a parent-teacher meeting. However, it was not me they called, it was Yvette, swamped with work as always.

That evening, she stormed in with Charles in tow, launching right into me.

"Eugene, what kind of lessons are you teaching our boy? Charles's grades have tanked this week, nearly bottom of the class. I leave you to look after him, and this is what happens?"

I knew Yvette would be fuming, not just because of the school meeting, but because she had also been hit with layoff news at the company. She and Patrick were on the verge of being booted from the Garcia Group.

I glanced at Charles, who was sobbing quietly behind her, and pulled her into a feigned tender embrace. "Hey, the kid's right here. No need to be so harsh. Charles, buddy, stop crying. We'll buckle down and do better next time, okay?"

Caught off guard by my 'model husband' act, Yvette was at a loss for words.

However, she could not hold back her complaints. "You can't keep coddling him like this. Getting called in by his teacher today was a total embarrassment."

I let out a silent scoff. So, the kid was just another prop for her public charades.

Then, Charles's thoughts broke through.

'Mom's so harsh, and Mr. Shaw too, they're just mean. Dad's the only one who's nice. When I get picked on, he's the only one who cares.'

My plan was working.

I hid a smirk and turned to Yvette with feigned concern.

"Kids grow up, you know. We can't keep a tight leash on them forever. Experts say that open education is key for their development. If you're not on board with my teaching style, then maybe you should take over."

Yvette's temper flared. "What do you mean I should take over? I slave away all day, and you and the boy lounge around at home. Isn't that enough? Eugene, who do you think you are, giving me attitude now?"

In her rage, she sent the coffee table cups flying, glass shattering across the floor.

I watched her, my face a mask of calm, as I fought back my own anger.

"Honey, what's wrong? Trouble at work? You can't let it spill over onto the kid. Look, you've scared Charles. That's not good."

My words hit home.

Yvette's anger faltered. She touched her forehead, remorseful.

"Sorry, Eugene. There was an issue at work today. I let it get the best of me."

She staggered back to her room. However, I knew the show was far from over.