Michael was excited to tell Father about Gavin. He was always interested in Michael's latest discoveries and gave him all his attention when Michael told his stories. That night, Michael and Gavin fell fast asleep, well before Father had gotten home. Mother was still awake but she knew that Michael wanted to tell Father personally so she stayed quiet. Father went up to give Michael a goodnight kiss but when he was up there, he heard a low static kind of sound. Must be the wind, he thought, so Father left it as that.
Mornings were everyones favourite time of day because that was the only time they would be sure of seeing Father for the day. Around the table there was Father at the very head, and Mother to his right. Michael's oldest brother sat on the left of Father and the next oldest sat next to Mother, and the pattern continued down to Michael at the other end of the table. He had younger twin sisters but for some reason, girls were never seated at the ends. Altogether, there were twelve people at the table. Michael's older sisters usually took their plates of food to eat in their room. It must be because the table is crowded by brothers' muscles, he thought.
The family sat around the table as usual, talking about the last day's events, and Father paid close attention to everyone's story. They told their stories oldest to youngest. After many laughs and rants, it as finally Michael's turn. Father turned his eyes full on to Michael, which sometimes scared him but that was Father.
"What did you do yesterday, my boy?" Father boomed all the way down the table.
Michael glanced at Mother but her head was down and her eyes plastered towards her plate.
"I made a friend yesterday, in the forest" Michael said.
"Wow, a friend in the forest. Did he say where he came from? Was it one of our village boys?" Father replied in a weird kind of way.
"No, he came from a cave."
"Cave?" questioned Father.
"Yes, Father."
Father still looked quizzical but continued on. "Why don't you introduce us to your friend?"
"He's upstairs," Michael said simply.
"Upstairs! Well, I'll go up there right away and greet him then, aye?" Father roared. He motioned for Michael to stand up and followed Michael to his small room. Father didn't see anything at first until Michael pointed to a pile of green rags.
Everyone at the table heard a loud, low scream and Father unsheath his sword. Mother jumped up immediately from the table and ran up to the scene. Outside of the room, Father was in his battle stance with his sword up, ready to attack, while little Michael tried hysterically to stop Father from advancing.
"Peter" she said loudly. Her husband turned to her and saw her shake her head.
"I don't think you realise this, dear," began Father, "But there's a creeper inside of this room," he finished in a loud whisper.
"He's not a creeper!" Michael screamed. He ran over to Gavin and hugged him, as if he could protect him in his little arms.
Father was still in his battle stance but now looked at the couple with wide eyes. "What's going on here?" he said menacingly.
Mother dragged Father, still in his stance, by the arm behind the wall and quietly explained the situation. There was a lot of loud whispering and at times Father's voice got a bit too loud. "Shhh" Mother would hiss, and then the conversation went quiet again.
The conversation ended when Michael saw Mother falling to the floor, or so he presumed because her dress suddenly bunched together, and Father walked past the door towards the front of the house, glaring at Gavin. Mother stood up again and ran inside of the room to make sure Michael was okay and that Gavin was safe.
She caressed the young man's cheek and told him softly, "Father doesn't like Gavin, you know? Don't you ever let Father see him."
After that, Father didn't act normal anymore. He didn't ask Michael about his adventures, nor did he listen when Michael tried to tell him. They barely spoke to each other. Worst of all, Father never gave Michael another goodnight kiss again. It was always Mother, but for some reason, Michael became very sad every time she did.
