& so, the end

'What are you thinking? Tell me, please tell me.'

'That I have had enough. That I can't take anymore. That if I hear one more goddamn person talk my brain is gonna explode and splatter on your feckin lap. That if you don't get away from me now I'm gonna use this shotgun to take you with me.....'

Silence, save for the wheeze of the old man, the creak of his chair as it rocks under heavy weight, and the ticking clock insistent on bring heard in the corner of the room.

She shuffles her feet, hoping her slight movement won't upset him anymore.

'But Papa,' she starts to say, 'but Papa....'


A

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