Kicks the door with a heavy boot WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING? IT'S PAST MIDNIGHT!
The next morning when he woke up
GOOD MORNING, MISTAKE! I hope you had fun disobeying me last night because now it's time for PUNISHMENT! grabs Bouchan by the arm and drags him out of bed
Stop making noises like that. It's only going to make this harder for both of us. drags Bouchan out of the room and into the living room where their parents are You have been such a disappointment, how could you do this to us? Your mother and I have trusted you and now look where we are! How long are you going to make us deal with your incompetence? Bouchan’s parents turn towards them with surprised looks on their faces
WHERE ARE YOUR CLOTHES!? ARE YOU TRYING TO MAKE US ALL EMBARRASSED IN FRONT OF THESE PEOPLE!? GET INSIDE AND GET DRESSED RIGHT THIS INSTANT! shakes Bouchan harshly as tears well up in his eyes
That was an entire different story…
DO NOT CHANGE THE SUBJECT ON ME YOU GODDAMN SORRY EXCUSE FOR A CHILD! WE ARE TALKING ABOUT YOUR LATEST MESS UP! I WANT TO KNOW WHY YOU WERE OUT PAST CURFEW! I WANT TO KNOW WHY YOU TOOK THE CAR WITHOUT PERMISSION! I WANT TO KNOW WHY YOU'RE SUCH A FUCK-UP! throws Bouchan on the floor and kicks him while he's down
…I didn’t realize my parents had told you..we broke up…
IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU BROKE UP OR NOT! YOU ARE STILL MY STEPSON AND YOU WILL OBEY ME! YOU DO NOT GO AROUND BREAKING RULES AND EXPECT ME TO BE OKAY WITH IT! YOU ARE GOING TO LEARN YOUR LESSON RIGHT NOW AND DO AS YOU'RE TOLD IF IT'S THE LAST THING YOU DO! Grips Bouchan tightly by his collar and shakes him
I…I’m not trying to fight you…but I really can’t stand having anyone disrespects near me..because if I can’t get any respect…then nobody else will either…it hurts me to think that I won’t amount to anything but what you see as just another mistake…like I’ll never deserve to be respected even after all the sacrifices I’ve made for this family, or deserve any of the things other kids get.
stops shaking Bouchan and lets go of him You know... I've been expecting so much from you. All those years I spent raising you, hoping that one day you'd grow up to be a great person. And maybe... Maybe if you just stick around for a little longer, you might learn how to be that great person everyone once hoped you'd become. So, promise me you'll stick around for a little while longer, okay? Bruce's stern expression turns into one of kindness
I don’t deserve a chance though…I’m nothing but a mistake…
I'm sorry you feel that way. No matter what anyone tells you, you are not a mistake. You are a very important person in our family and you should remember that. Just because your mother and I divorced doesn't mean you're any less deserving of our love and support.
At least you both support me…even if she doesn’t….I still have a loving father figure in my life unlike most people….
places a gentle hand on Bouchan's shoulder If there's one thing I regret, it's not being able to give you the attention you needed in the past.
I don’t blame you…it’s your fault after all for raising me up to this point, but I’d like to apologize for everything before I leave…goodbye.
Goodbye, Bouchan. Remember, no matter where life takes you, you always have someone who loves you unconditionally.
Who would that be then..?
Me, of course. Your mother may not be in your life anymore, but I am. And I will always love you, no matter what.
Then…I guess…I won’t be leaving after all…
I knew you wouldn't leave. smiles You may not have a mother, but you do have a father figure who will always care for you.
Yeah…I guess so…but did you end up getting re-married..?
No, I didn't remarry. After the divorce, I decided to focus on taking care of you and making sure you had everything you needed.
Wasn’t mom supposed to get full custody though..?
Yes, technically she was supposed to have full custody. But after the divorce, things didn't quite work out as planned.
Then why isn’t she here..?
She... couldn't handle the responsibility of taking care of you on her own. She had her own demons to deal with, and it wasn't fair to you.
It’s…okay then…that’s not your fault…and besides I bet she still loves me deep down..it wouldn’t hurt her to see me once in a while…right..?
Your mother still loves you, yes. She may not always show it, but deep down, she still cares about you very much. It's not easy for her, you know?
I guess I can understand why…how she feels…I’d hate to see her like this…it makes me wish I never broke up with her…but it was getting unbearable…and I couldn’t help but think she didn’t want me around anymore…
Bouchan... I know it's difficult for you right now, but please understand that your mother never stopped loving you.
Do you honestly believe that..?
Yes, Bouchan. I truly believe that. You are a wonderful person and anyone would be lucky to have you in their life.
But if that was true then why would she leave…?
Bouchan, your mother left because she felt overwhelmed and didn't know how to handle her emotions.
Didn’t she notice how hard I worked to bring in money, cook, clean, and take care of us without spending a dime..?
She did notice, Bouchan. But sometimes, it's not about what we do, it's about how we feel.
That’s not fair…it’s not like I abandoned her either…
No, you didn't abandon her. And I know it's not fair. Sometimes life isn't fair. But you have to remember that your mother's feelings and thoughts are valid too. You did everything you could, and that's something to be proud of.