Chapter 7 - Confrontation and ConsequencesThe argument shook the walls of the cream-colored house.
"It wasn't a game, Ryan!" I shouted over his anger, trying to keep my temper grounded despite the harsh blows of his words. "I care about your mother! I respect her, and I care about her deeply!"
"You're twenty-three!" Ryan raged, tears of confusion and rage spilling down his cheeks. "She's my mom! It's sick, Ethan! You lied to me! You came over to play video games and watch my mom?!"
"Ryan, stop it!" Julia screamed, her voice breaking as she stood firmly between us. "Ethan didn't trick anyone! I am a grown woman, Ryan! I made my own choices!"
"You chose him?!" Ryan looked at his mother like she was a stranger. "Over me? Over our family?"
"It has nothing to do with choosing anyone over you!" Julia pleaded, reaching for his arm. "I love you more than my own life, Ryan. But I've been alone for fifteen years. I was drowning in routine until Ethan came along and reminded me that I'm worthy of love!"
"Don't pin your midlife crisis on me!" Ryan snapped coldly. He looked at me with pure venom. "Get out of my house, Ethan. Get out, and don't ever come back to the store. We're done."
"Ryan, please—" I tried.
"GET OUT!" he roared.
I looked at Julia. Tears were streaming down her face, her heart shattered into a million pieces right in front of me. I knew that if I stayed and fought, I would only force Ryan to make his mother choose between her son and the man she loved.
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"I'm going," I said softly, looking deeply into Julia's eyes. "I'm sorry, Julia."
I picked up my jacket and walked out into the cold Fresno night, leaving the only woman I had ever truly loved crying in her kitchen.
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