Chapter 2

2006 – Three Years Later

"A job offer?" Eddie asked dubiously. "For real?"

"Working at a private hospital has a significantly bigger pay for starting nurses, but they'll want their money's worth as soon as possible." Dean Winthrop pointed out. "St. Mary's did give you top marks during your internship, and are quite keen on taking you back as a full-time nurse there. So what do you say, Gluskin?"

Half a year ago, Eddie took an unpaid internship in a private hospital in the city, St. Mary's Hospital. Ever since he set foot in the hospital, he had admired how modern the hospital was, how everything seemed well and fit for the upper-middle and upper classes that inhabited the hospital. He had done his best to give a good impression on the administrative staff, and performed well especially in the Pediatrics Ward and in every operation he partook in. That was an offer he couldn't refuse.

"I'll take it," Eddie nearly shouted, but managed to control himself in front of the Dean. "Sir."

"Good." Dean Winthrop handed him a slip of paper pushed a button on his intercom. "Hanna, please call Dr. Stewart back, tell him that Gluskin accepted the offer."

"Yes, Dr. Winthrop." Hanna, his secretary, replied through the phone.

"I expect good things from you in the future, Mr. Gluskin." Dean Winthrop stood up, prompting Eddie to do the same. "Good things. You'll have to attend an interview with Dr. Stewart—details are on the paper."

"I'll do my best to bring this school honor, sir." Eddie shook the Dean's hand before striding out. He had no idea how much this job meant to Eddie. He looked at the paper and saw that the interview was in two days. He knew that if it went right—according to his plan—he would be able to leave his father's house on the same day. He counted on the fact that Dr. Stewart was impressed with his work, and silently prayed that things would go well— as they rarely had his whole life.

"YOU'RE WHAT?" Mr. Gluskin screamed at his son as he began loading another box of his belongings into a car.

"You heard me," Eddie said with as much courage as he could muster. Don't be afraid of him anymore. "I'm leaving, father."

"And where the fuck do you think you're going?" He growled, walking behind his son as he walked towards the door.

"The hospital gave me a loan for an apartment," Eddie said matter-of-factly. "I'll still get a salary, but it'll be less until I pay off what I owe."

"Leaving me with that bed-ridden cow?" Mr. Gluskin yelled, for the first time not caring about upholding a "Happy Family" façade in front of the neighbors. "The deal was that you become a nurse so you could look after her better. Is this the thanks I get for raising your ungrateful ass?"

"No," Eddie whispered coldly, surprised at his sudden courage as he dropped the box with a heavy thud. "This is what you get for being a rapist, molester, and pimp of a father and for every slap, hit, and shove you have given me for twenty-three years. As for mother—well, if you can afford an orgy party at least once a month, you can bloody well afford to hire a professional caregiver."

Eddie couldn't help but feel electric over the venomous way he spoke, but locked cold, furious eyes at his father, who sneered. "You have no proof of anything."

"I don't need fucking proof." Eddie said in a deadly quiet voice. "I can't change or forget what you've done. I can't cut that vulgar cock of yours off and send it to the police as evidence. But I can make sure you will never hurt me again, and I assure you, if you try and touch me again, I won't hesitate to fight back."

For a second, Eddie felt triumphant as he saw the fear and shock in his father's face for a second, which then turned back into rage.

"Then leave," He growled. "I have no son."

"You don't." Eddie said firmly, shutting the trunk. He still had two boxes in his room filled with his belongings, but he didn't dare go back in the house. He assured himself that it didn't matter—he was free, and he would have more things of his own now that he was literally on his own. He immediately didn't regret his decision as he saw his father walk back to the house, but instead of entering, just stood by the door frame. He knows I want to go back in—well, I won't give him the satisfaction. He made sure his trunk was closed properly before hopping into his car to start it. Fighting the urge not to floor the gas pedal, he drove away from the house, not bothering to look back and see his father watching him until he turned at the corner.