December 25, 1974
If there was one thing that Jeff managed to ruin for Michael, it was Christmas. The holiday had always held a special place in Michael's heart, a time of joy and togetherness. But since Jeff entered their lives, Christmas had lost its sparkle and become a bittersweet affair.
Like clockwork, Jeff would take an early day off from the church, supposedly to spend quality time with Michael. However, his idea of spending Christmas together was far from what Michael had hoped for. Instead of warmth and laughter, Jeff's presence brought nothing but belittlement and criticism.
Michael could vividly recall the Christmas mornings spent setting up the tree, the scent of pine filling the air. But rather than joining in the festive spirit, Jeff would unleash his anger on him, berating Michael for the smallest mistakes. Even the simple act of arranging the ornaments brought on a tirade from Jeff, who threw a massive fit when they were not placed in the order he deemed appropriate.
It was during those moments that Michael felt the true weight of Jeff's disapproval, a sharp reminder of his status as an outsider in his own home. While Rachel, his spoiled half-sister, reveled in the joy of receiving a dollhouse, Michael was presented with a copy of War and Peace, a book Jeff suggested he read for his school homework. It was a thinly veiled attempt to mask his lack of interest in Michael's education, as if his future was already predetermined in Jeff's mind.
The contrasting treatment between Michael and Rachel on Christmas cut deep, highlighting the stark differences in their lives. While Rachel basked in the lavish gifts and attention, Michael was left feeling overlooked and unimportant. It was a painful reminder of his place in the family hierarchy, a reminder that he would never be the child Jeff had envisioned.
As the day wore on, Michael couldn't help but retreat into his own thoughts, seeking solace in the world of his imagination. He found refuge in the characters of War and Peace, losing himself in the epic tale of love, war, and humanity. It was within those pages that he discovered a sense of escape, a temporary respite from the harsh reality of his circumstances.
Yet, even amidst the disappointment and heartache, Michael clung to the glimmers of hope that still flickered within him. He held onto the belief that one day, he would find his own path, his own voice, and prove to himself and to Jeff that he was more than just a pawn in someone else's narrative.
Michael, desperate for respite from Jeff's constant criticism, decided to venture outside during Christmas time. He sought solace in the familiar embrace of an old forest, a place his father used to take him before Jeff entered his life. As he made his way through the trees, a sense of nostalgia washed over him, mingling with the bitter taste of resentment.
To his surprise, remnants of his father's presence still lingered in the forest. His father's beer bottles, once left as a trail for their adventures, lay scattered among the undergrowth. Michael's heart skipped a beat as he stumbled upon an old match, a relic of his father's past. Curiosity sparked within him, and he pocketed the match, unaware of its significance.
As Michael ventured deeper into the forest, he caught sight of his stepfather's church, now closed and devoid of the congregation that used to worship under Jeff's leadership. The title bestowed upon him, "The Great Reverend Jeffrey Scott," echoed in Michael's mind, a stark contrast to the true nature of the man he knew.
A surge of anger coursed through Michael's veins as he pondered the hypocrisy and deceit that lay beneath Jeff's mild mannered facade. Would the churchgoers still revere him if they knew the truth? Would they care? These thoughts swirled in Michael's mind, fueling the flames of resentment that had long simmered within him.
In a fit of impulsive rage, Michael reached into his pocket, retrieving the match he had found. Without fully comprehending the consequences of his actions, he struck the match against a rough surface, igniting a small flame. As the fire grew, consuming the wooden structure of the church, a wave of realization washed over Michael. What had he done?
Regret flooded his senses, and he desperately attempted to extinguish the flames, but it was too late. The fire raged on, its destructive force growing with each passing moment. Panic gripped Michael as he grappled with the weight of his impulsive decision. He knew he had to flee, to escape the consequences that awaited him.
With a heavy heart, Michael made the painful decision to run, to disappear from the scene before he could be discovered. He reasoned that it was better to remain unseen, to avoid giving Jeff another reason to hate him. The guilt and fear churned within him, the weight of his actions threatening to consume him.
As Michael vanished into the night, he carried with him a heavy burden. The flames he had ignited in the church symbolized not only the destruction of a physical structure but also the unraveling of his own innocence. It was a moment that would forever be etched in his memory, a secret he would carry with him, a testament to the lengths he would go to escape the clutches of his stepfather's disdain.
To be continued...
(Note: In this continuation, Michael's impulsive actions and the consequences that follow are explored. His anger and resentment towards Jeff drive him to commit a reckless act, which ultimately leads to feelings of regret and the need to escape the repercussions. The narrative focuses on the internal struggle and guilt that Michael experiences, as well as the burden he carries as a result of his actions.)