This chapter took me quite a while to get on paper…it being a quite sentimental confrontation between Victor and his parents…and I wanted it realistic and understandable…I hope I succeeded…Please review, I value your opinion.
After the appointment at the doctor, Victor is sitting in his room, reading, when his Mother comes in.
Nell: Victor…Are you feeling better, darling…?
Victor: Mother…I…I have to tell you something…about my eye…I didn't run into a tree….I…
Nell: (gasps) Someone beat you up! William…! (Calls down the corridor) Come here a moment!
Victor: Mother………please…it's ok…I …
Nell: No, Victor, you have to tell us… (Sits down next to him on the bed, Victor looks down)
William: (coming in) Victor? What is it…?
Nell: Will, someone beat him up! Who was it Victor? Tell us…
William: (frowns) Victor… (Walks towards him)…this is important… (Victor looks away, William takes his shoulders and turns him towards him)…Victor!
Nell: Please, darling…we need to know…
Victor: Vincent… (Still looking down)…Merusimer…in my class…
William: I knew it…
Victor: I….It's …my butterflies…he insulted them…and …he threw my drawings in the dirt…so…I…well…I…slapped him…by mistake! I...I just couldn't…
Nell: Victor! (Victor looks down)
William: No, dear, leave him…it wasn't on purpose…his hand must have slipped…it happens…it's alright, Victor…
Nell: How often did he hit you…?
Victor: I…I don't know…I-
William: Victor……
Victor: (sighs, traces lines in his bedspread) Well…he…three times…
Nell: William! It's outrageous! That Vincent can't just go around punching our son like that! Look at the state of him! (Touches Victor's bruise under his eye, Victor winces, and quickly clamps a hand over it) See?
William: Victor…you always have to tell us these things…you had your mother in a state…
Victor: I-I'm sorry…
Nell: Come on, Victor, I'll find something for your eye…it looks terrible… (Leaves room)
William: (goes to Victor, sits next to him on the bed) Victor…A word of advice….stay away from that Vincent….alright? He sounds like trouble…and I don't want something like this happening to you again…
Victor: I…yes…I always stay away from him, Father…
William: Good…and keep it that way…(holds his shoulder and embraces him a little) I don't want you miserable, Victor…but you always have to be truthful with us…alright?
Victor: (smiles) Yes, Father…I'm sorry…
William: (smiles and gently shakes Victor) Are you feeling better now?
Victor: (nods)
William: Goodnight, Victor… (Goes out of the room) …and get some sleep…
Nell: (enters with a medicine bottle and a cloth) Now, let's have a look at those wounds…are they hurting you, darling?
Victor: No…it…It's ok… (Nell touches his bruise under his eye and Victor winces in pain) Oww….
Nell: (sighs) Seriously, Victor…please stop lying…doesn't Pastor Galswells teach you anything at school…?
Victor: (shudders at the name)
Nell: Right, look at me…and let's see to your eye…(gently dabs eye with cloth, then nose, Victor is bravely gripping the edge of the bed, Nell notices and looks at him) Are you alright, darling?
Victor: (relaxes) Yes….Y-yes….I 'm fine….
Nell: Are you sure?
Victor: (nods)
Nell: We'll see how you feel tomorrow after school, darling, alright? (Victor swallows at the thought)
Don't worry, darling…everything is going to be fine…just stay out of his way…and if anything happens again you tell me immediately this time.