Chapter 2: Hardy Boys
*Ten years earlier*
*Lewis Center, Ohio – 9:47 PM*
I pushed a final mouthful of mashed potatoes around my plate, avoiding Aunt Mathilde's overly insistent gaze. The fork scraped against the porcelain, a sound that drilled into my temples. Since their return from vacation, the atmosphere had been... stifling. As if their kindness was an additional weight to bear.
"Have you been taking your medication regularly?" she asked, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.
I looked up, a flat smile already in place. An automatic, rehearsed response.
"Yes, Auntie."
Uncle Hernandez set down his napkin, exchanging a glance with her. I hated this silence.
"If something's wrong, don't hesitate, Kaiser. You can tell us anything," she insisted, her voice gentle.
I clenched my teeth. *'No, I can't.'* Not when your eyes shine with that pity.
"Yeah, but I'm really fine."
I lowered my head, staring at the tablecloth's patterns. Flowers. My mother loved flowers.