Something in his face made her step aside.
He brought the plate upstairs.
Set it beside his son.
Then returned.
His wife waited in the living room.
Her son had disappeared.
Probably upstairs.
Good.
The father stopped several feet away from her.
He wanted distance.
She spoke first.
“He lied.”
The father did not react.
She continued:
“Whatever he told you, he lied.”
Interesting.
He had not told her what the child said.
“How do you know?”
She stopped.
The father watched.
“How do you know what he told me requires that answer?”
Her face tightened.
“Because he’s been trying to cause problems.”
“What problems?”
“He doesn’t want me here.”
“Did he say that?”
“No.”
“Then how do you know?”
She exhaled sharply.
“You’re interrogating me.”
“Yes.”
Her eyes widened.
He continued:
“Did you tell my son I said not to feed him?”
Silence.
Then:
“I told him you were concerned about his eating habits.”
The father stared.
“I have never discussed his eating habits with you.”
“You said he was getting lazy.”
“When?”
“You’ve said it.”
“When?”
She looked away.
He stepped closer.
“When did I say my eleven-year-old son was lazy and should lose meals?”
“I didn’t say you used those exact words.”
“Then don’t put them in my mouth.”
She folded her arms.
“He needed discipline.”
“Food is not discipline.”
“He wasn’t starving.”
The father became completely still.
She heard herself too late.
He spoke slowly.
“I did not use the word starving.”
Her mouth opened.
Closed.
He continued:
“You did.”
Her face flushed.
“He’s being dramatic.”
“How many dinners did you take from him?”
“I did not take dinners.”
“How many?”
“He always ate.”
“Then why was his plate empty?”
“He had snacks.”
“How many dinners?”
She turned away.
The father’s voice sharpened.
“Look at me.”
She did.
“How many?”
“I don’t count.”
His stomach turned.
She continued quickly:
“It wasn’t every night.”
The father stared.
There.
Admission.
“How often?”
“If he misbehaved.”
“Define misbehaved.”
She became defensive again.
“He is disrespectful.”
“He leaves clothes everywhere.”
“He ignores chores.”
“He rolls his eyes.”
“He acts like I’m not his mother.”
“You are not his mother.”