Later that day.

Bradley returned home.
"Hi baby!  Go get washed up, I'm making lunch."

"Thanks, mom.  Hey, is dad here?"

"He is."

"Oh.."

Just then Hank walks into the kitchen.
"Bradley."

"Hi, dad."

"Uh, Jessica?  Is lunch almost ready?"

"Are you going to apologize?"

"It's okay, mom.  If it's not coming from his heart, I don't want it."

Jessica sighs and watches her son walk out of the kitchen.

"Lunch?" Hank asks once again.

"Oh go fuck yourself, Hank!"

***

Two days later.

"Mom!"

"I'm in the restroom!  Come in!"

"Uh.. I think I'll stay out here!"

"Bradley!" Jessica laughs. "I'm not using it, silly!  Come in!"

Bradley slowly opens the door.
"Hey Mom.."

"Hi Brad!" Jessica smiles.

"What are you doing?"

Jessica looks up to him and laughs.
"I'm cleaning the toilet, honey.  You okay?" She smiles.

"Yeah.. well not really."

"What's wrong?  Sit down." Jessica lowers the toilet lid.

Bradley couldn't help but laugh.
"It's okay, you sit."

"Alright.  What's up?"

"Conner told me."

"About what?"

"About how dad hit you."

Jessica sighs. "Brad, it's not a-"

"It's a very big deal, Mom!  I don't feel comfortable leaving you alone with him, and neither does Conner!"

"Honey, I've been with your father for over twenty years!
  He's not going to do anything."

"So him hitting you is no big deal?"

"Not that it isn't a big deal, but.. I mean, I hit him too!"

"Mom, this isn't normal.  Maybe we can all go to therapy."

"No, let's not."

"I really wish you'd take this seriously.  I need you to understand the severity of it.  It starts with a little tap on the cheek, then a slap, then a punch, then a broken bone, then you're gone!  I will not just stand here and let this happen!  I need for you two to just realize it's time to separate!"

"Separate?"

"Yes."

"Your father would die without me.. I cook.  I clean.  I fucking make the bed, I do everything but bathe his ass!"

"Mom.. For twenty two years you've taken care of someone.  It's time for you to take care of yourself."

Jessica looks up to her son, and doesn't know how to feel.  Does she still love Hank?  Honestly, No.
At least not how she used to.  But she feels trapped.  In Jessica's mind there's still hope to change him.
She wanted so badly for Hank to accept Bradley and Ziah.  Jessica knew she could change him.  It might just take some time.

Bradley sighs when Jessica doesn't respond.  He then leaves the room.

***

A few days later.

"Mom?"

"In the laundry room, sweetie!"

"Hey!"

"What's up?" Jessica smiles.

"Would you like to go to Ziah's family's house for dinner tonight?  His mom is back in town so we figured you guys could meet.  His parents are divorced but they get along really well so it won't be awkward."

"Well after what your father did, I wouldn't judge them if they were a fucking freak show!"

Bradley chuckles. "Will you come?"

"Of course!  It sounds fun!"

"Yeah!  I just don't know what to tell them about dad.. You know like, why he won't be there."

"Well-"

"I'll be there." Hank says walking into the room.

"Oh!  I uh.. Sorry, I didn't know you were listening."

"Hank Murphy, if you go, you will NOT make a scene!"

"I'm not gonna do anything.  They already know how I feel.  I'm just going to go and see what kind of people they are."

"Well just from what Bradley has told me, a hell of a lot better than us!" Jessica says.

"Just please please be nice!  I really want everything to go well tonight." Bradley begs.

"Of course, baby!" Jessica smiles.

"It'll be perfect!  Your father will NOT be an ass!" Jessica gives Hank a look. "If he is I'll just rip his balls off." She smiles.

"Nice." Bradley chuckles and places his arm around his mother.

**

That evening.

"Dang!"

"What's up, mom?"

"I look damn good for a mother of two!" Jessica says checking herself out in the mirror."

Bradley laughs.

"Oh momma!  You do, you look very nice." He smiles.

"Thanks, buddy!  Now, I have spoken with your father, I even threatened him!  So we should be okay."

"You threatened him?" Jessica chuckles.

"Yes."

"With what?"

"I threatened to take away his two favorite toys."

"What?  His toys?"

"Yep!  These!" Jessica grabs her breasts.

"Oh God mom, GROSS!"

"Sorry!" Jessica laughs.
"Now let's go!"

**

"Holy Shit!  Are they fucking millionaires?!" Jessica shouts as they pull into the driveway.

Bradley laughs. "They're well off."

"Damn!  This is huge!  Is he an only child?"

"He has an older brother."

"Fuck me.  I'm in shock right now."

"Jessica, it's not that much bigger than our house!" Hank says.

"Are you kidding me?  Our house looks like this house' tree house!  It's like a keychain in comparison!"

"Alright mom." Bradley chuckles.

The four of them walk up to the front porch and ring the doorbell.

"Welcome!"

"Is that a butler?" Jessica whispers to her son.

"Yes.  Quiet, ma!"

Jessica folds her lips in, and stays quiet.

"Please come in."

"Thank you, Gabriel." Bradley smiles.

Just then Ziah walks over to greet them.

"Hey honey!" He pecks Bradley's lips.

"Hi!"

"Mr. and Mrs. Murphy, Conner!  Welcome!  Come in and meet my parents!
This is my mother, Leona."

"Lovely to meet you, Leona!" Jessica smiles and shakes her hand.

"And you as well!  I've heard many great things about you!"

"Aww!" Jessica giggles looking to her son and Ziah.

"I was just out back, and the bloody flies were everywhere!  I swear they love me so much because I'm just so damn sweet." The man smiles.

"And that's my dad." Ziah says with a straight face.

"Oh I am terribly sorry!  Please forgive me!  May I greet the lady first?" He smiles and extends his hand out to Jessica.

Jessica giggles. "Oh my!"

"Mom?" Bradley gives her a weird look.

"Oh!  Oh I'm so sorry!  My name is.. is.."

"Jessica!" Bradley, Ziah, and Conner shout.

"Yes!  That's it!" She smiles. "Jessica!"

"Lovely to meet you, Jessica!  I'm Idris."