Part 8
Title: Souls Torn and Mended
An avatar the last airbender story^^
TW: Violence, Familial Abuse
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My mother and I carefully began eating once the appropriate time passed for him to either express his displeasure with words or actions. Nonetheless, we watched his every move discreetly. It isn't rare for him to also wait for the dinner to be over to start shouting about its quality as well. We both braced for his words.

But as he put down his fork, dusted himself off, and left with only a displeased look on his face to the bedroom my mother and I were less relieved than we were worried.

"Ah..." My mother tried to speak, and nothing came out. Her eyes divulged the stress she was under, and the tremble in her arms resting on the edge of the table was her most prominent tell.

I went to reach for her hand, and found myself stopping the motion. After a moment I placed my hand on hers. Giving her another gentle smile I rose from my seat, gathered the dishes, and began cleaning them and putting them away. Father hated dishes left out to dry after all.

As I washed I was lost in thought.

[i]Why did he say nothing? He always has some dissatisfaction with dinner, so why did he just leave without a word?[/i]

As I toiled with my hands my heart became steady but my mind was more on edge than ever.

[i]What if he's just waiting to get mother or I alone and say something?[/i]

It seemed unlikely, but I was unable to quell my fear.

Once I returned to my room and laid down to rest I listened well. For any movement, screaming, crying, anything. But heard nothing until the next morning.