Laurent is sitting at the dining table reading his morning paper while Larry is preparing his breakfast. He takes special care to make sure everything is just as Laurent likes. The eggs scrambled softly with a generous sprinkling of cheese, the bacon not too crispy but not flimsy, his hash browns crispy but not overdone and lightly toasted bread with a thin layer of his favorite strawberry jam. He also must make sure it's plated properly because if it's one thing Laurent hates is when his food is touching. With breakfast complete Larry retrieves a glass from the cupboard and pours a generous amount of orange juice into it. With juice and the plate in his hands he takes them to Laurent. In a low, sweet voice...        

Larry: "Here's your breakfast baby".

Laurent lifts his head to observe everything. He sees the glass of orange juice and in a flat tone...

Laurent: "Sprite". 

Larry: "But baby the calendar says orange juice".

Laurent slowly turns his head up to give him a sinister look. Larry's eyes widen in fear...that fear also evident in his voice... 

Larry: "Oki. Coming right up".  

Larry turns to go back into the kitchen for the sprite when he hears... 

Laurent: "And don't waste that juice. You drink it". 

Larry: "I will", he replies softly.

Laurent's harsh tone causes a tremble to come over Larry's body...which is also evident as he pours the Sprite into the glass. He tries massaging his hand to calm himself...but it hardly works. He just silently inhales and exhales then takes Laurent his drink. Without so much as a thank you... 

Laurent: "So are you going to join me or just stand there"?

Larry: "I'll join you", he responds timidly.  

Larry walks back to the stove to make his plate then grabs the glass of orange juice initially intended for his love and heads back to the table. He sits down and repeats a silent prayer to himself before taking a bite into his eggs. After several moments in silence Laurent speaks...

Laurent: "If you're going to sit here then talk".

Larry: "I'm sorry baby but you like it quiet when you eat".  

Once again Laurent slowly turns his head up to give Larry yet another sinister look...

Laurent: "If I want it to be quiet I wouldn't tell you to talk".

Larry softly nods and now trying to think of something to talk about...

Larry: "Oki. Well, um...."

Laurent: "Just forget it. I'm done anyway. Take the dishes to the kitchen and wash them. Don't forget to dry before putting them away carefully".

Larry quickly complies and minutes later he's washing the dishes. He then feels Laurent walk up and stand behind him so his body immediately tenses up as he fearfully anticipates what's about to happen. To his surprise he feels Laurent's hand gently in his afro... 

Laurent: "I want you to get your hair twisted today. Call Stephanie and ask if she can come over and get it done. I'll be gone for most of the day but I will call about 5:00. You make sure you answer the phone. Got it"?

Larry: "Yeah baby. I got it".

Laurent: "Good. I'll see you later".

Laurent smacks Larry on his buttocks causing him to jump slightly. Laurent leaves the house and shortly after Larry finishes the dishes. He goes into the bedroom to retrieve his cell phone to call Stephanie and much to his relief she's available...but she won't come over there like Laurent wants her to...

*****

Larry: *smile* "Hey Stephanie. How are you doing"?

Stephanie: *smile* "Hey Larry. I'm great. How are you"?

Larry: "I'm oki". 

Stephanie: "You know you really didn't have to come here. I would have come to you".

Larry: "I know. I just had to get out the house. I feel like all I do is stay inside".

Stephanie: "I understand". *pause* "Well, let's get started shall we"?

Larry sits in the chair while she gathers what she needs. He can't help but think about how upset Laurent would be if he knew he came to her instead of her coming to him. He couldn't help it though. He feels like a prisoner in his own home and he just wants a few hours away from it. At that moment Stephanie comes back and places everything on the table. Eventually he feels her parting his hair with her comb. That's when she makes a scary discovery... 

Stephanie: "Larry? Where did this huge bruise on the back of your neck come from"?  

Larry instantly recalls Laurent grabbing his neck during one of his episodes several days ago and that moment comes to him...

~flashback~

Laurent: " Larry! Get in here"!

Larry quickly walked into the bedroom and over to the closet where Laurent was. With a shaky yet soft and innocent voice... 

Larry: "Yes baby"? 

Laurent: "How can you not see some of my clothes on the floor"?!! 

Larry looked down at the pile of clothes and had no idea how it happened. He would attempt to tell him that but wouldn't get much of a chance... 

Larry: "I...I'm sorry baby. I didn't...."

Before he could even finish his sentence Laurent was grabbing him tightly by his neck and basically pushing him down to the floor...  

Laurent: "Quiet! Just pick them up"!! 

~end of flashback~ 

Larry closes his eyes and discreetly shakes his head to rid himself of the image. He didn't think any evidence of that moment would still be there so all he can do is play it off... 

Larry: "I have a bruise on my neck"? 

Stephanie: "Yes. What happened"? 

Larry: "I don't know. Um, I bruise easy so it probably happened when I was dancing".

Stephanie: "No Larry. A bruise like this doesn't come from dancing. It looks like someone hurt you". *pause* "Was it Laurent"?

Larry: "No. Laurent didn't do it. Look I don't know how it get there, oki? Can you please just do my hair"?

Stephanie: "Fine. But you know you can talk to me Larry. You don't have to be afraid or ashamed. I won't judge you".  

Larry: "Thank you but nothing is wrong".

Deep down Stephanie knows Larry isn't being truthful...but she will let it go for now... 

*****

 Larry: "Thank you. Wow. You did these so fast".

Stephanie: "Well what can I say it's a gift. Born with it".

Larry: *chuckles* "Well thank you again".

Stephanie: "You're welcome". *pause* "And Larry I meant what I said. I'm here for you. Call me anytime you need to talk, ok"?

Larry: "Oki. I'll see you later".  

And just like that Larry is out the door and on his way home...ultimately arriving at 3:00. He still has two hours before Laurent's call so he decides to take a nap... 

*****

Larry is sound sleep when his phone rings which jolts him from it. Thinking it's Laurent calling earlier than the time he told Larry he quickly answers only to discover it's Lylah... 

Larry: "Hey Lylah. Something wrong with my baby"?

Lylah: "Nothing is wrong. Did you forget"?

Larry: "Forget what"?

Lylah: "Lilo is coming to spend two days with you. We set it up weeks ago".

Larry: "Oh sorry. I did forget. Are you close"?

Lylah: "Yeah we'll be there in about fifteen minutes".

Larry: "Oki".

Larry releases the call then places it back on the nightstand and waits. He didn't realize he dozed back off until the ring of the doorbell wakes him up. He quickly pulls himself together and heads for the front door. Before he approaches it he can hear his baby just talking away which of course makes him smile...

Lilo: *smile* "Papa"!!

Larry quickly picks her up and gives her a kiss...

Larry: "Hey baby. I missed you".

Lilo: "I missed you too papa".

Larry: "Hey Lylah".

He leans forward and gives her a light peck on the cheek...

Lylah: "Hey. You ok? You look a little drained".

Larry: "I just woke up".

Lylah: "Oh. Well give mama a kiss baby. I'm going to miss you".

Lilo: "I'm going to miss you too mommy. I love you".

Lylah: "I love you too angel. Now go inside so I can talk to your papa".

Larry places her on her feet so she can do as she's told...

Lilo: "Oki. Bye mommy"!

Lylah: "Bye baby". 

They watch Lilo take off and now that it's just the two of them...

Lylah: "Listen Larry, I didn't want to say anything in front of her but it doesn't just look like you're sleepy. There's something else going on. You forget how well I know you". *pause* "Do you need to talk"?   

Larry: "There's nothing to talk for. I'm fine".

At that moment the phone rings. He's sure it's Laurent and when he notices that he's calling the house phone he figured he called his cell first which is still in the bedroom...

Larry: "I have to get that".

Lylah: "Ok but I also need to talk to you about this school I want to put Lilo in".

The phone keeps ringing so Larry looks back at it...nervously chewing on his bottom lip because he knows Laurent will be livid...    

Larry: "I really need to go. We'll talk for that later".

Before Lylah can get a final word in he slams the door and runs to the phone...

Larry: "Laurent?! Laurent"?!

Dial tone. Larry cusses under his breath...but not as low as he thought because Lilo heard him and is giving him a confused look... 

Larry: "Uh, sorry baby. Just stay there and play with your toys. I'll be back".

Larry runs into the bedroom and grabs his phone...but his hands are shaking so bad that he drops it first. He picks it up and looks at the screen. Five missed calls...all from Laurent. He semi-yells, "Fuck!" before quickly calling him back. No answer. Larry's stomach begins to turn because he knows he will feel Laurent's wrath from this later on. For now, he'll just go back into the living room with Lilo...

*****

Lilo: "Papa look. Mommy bought me a new game because I got a good grade".

Larry: "That's good baby. You know your papa is proud of you right"?

Lilo: *smile* "Yes papa".

Forty five minutes pass as Larry lays back and watches his daughter play...occasionally playing with her. Then they hear keys in the door...    

Lilo: *smile* "Uncle Laurent is home"!

At that moment Laurent appears and his face is reading anger. That is until he sees Lilo running towards him....

Lilo: "Uncle Laurent"!

Laurent: "Lilo"!

She jumps in his arms and he immediately begins to cover her face in kisses as she giggles...

Laurent: "How's my girl"?

Lilo: "I'm good uncle".

Laurent: "Your papa didn't tell me that you were coming so I don't have a gift for you".

Lilo: "It's oki".

Laurent: "You know I love you right"?

Lilo: "Yes I know. I love you too".

He gives her one more peck on her cheek before setting her down and allowing her to go back to her space on the floor. He looks at Larry and the anger quickly returns. Larry is certain Laurent won't do anything to him with his daughter sitting there...but he still looks nervously at him because, well, it can be at anytime before the day is over. Laurent merely sits across from him. Then...  

Laurent: "So. What did you two do today"?

Lilo: "We just play uncle. Mommy bought me a new game and I beat papa".

Laurent looked down at Lilo as she responded then looks up at Larry...

Laurent: "Hm. Beat papa". *pause* "Interesting". 

Larry sees the pure evil in Laurent's eyes and all he can do is swallow the lump that's formed in his throat. Laurent never removed his eyes from Larry as he speaks to Lilo... 

Laurent: "Princess? Can you stay here while your papa and I...talk"?

Lilo: "Yes uncle".

Laurent: "Good. Larry, bedroom".

Just as Larry is about to stand up the doorbell rings...

Laurent: "Saved by the bell...for now".

Laurent stands up to answer it and once there he looks over at Larry with those same menacing eyes before opening the door...    

Laurent: "Hey Stephanie. What are you doing here"?  

Stephanie: "Well Larry left his hat at my place when he came over to get his hair done. I know he has a million of them but I was in the neighborhood so I figured I would drop it off".

Laurent takes the hat then looks at Larry as more anger spreads across his face. Larry drops his head in despair... 

Laurent: "Oki. Thank you". 

Stephanie: "No problem. I'll see you two later".

Laurent shuts the door but pauses before slowly walking back over when he notices Larry stand up and walk at a fast pace to the bedroom...   

Laurent: "We'll be right back princess".

Lilo: "K"!

***** 

Larry is in the bedroom sitting on the edge of the bed terribly afraid when Laurent walks in strangely calm...almost too calm. He immediately jumps up...

Larry: "Baby I can explain".

Laurent takes soft steps towards Larry which causes Larry to back away slowly. Laurent begins speaking in a low and evil tone...

Laurent: "Explain what? Not answering the phone after I called so many times? Or why you went to Stephanie when I wanted her to come here"?  

Larry: "Both".

Laurent is backing Larry against the wall and when Larry realizes it he knows he has nowhere else to turn... 

Laurent: "I'm listening".

Larry: "I just wanted get out the house baby. I didn't think it was a big deal because I came straight home right after. And I didn't answer the phone because you called when Lylah was here. She was talking and I didn't want to be rude".

Laurent: "Really". *pause* "So you decided to piss me off because you didn't want to be rude to her? You love her or me"?

Larry reaches out to lightly rub his arm and softly reminds him...

Larry: "I love you baby. You know that".

Laurent looks down at Larry rubbing his arm then looks back up at him...the same sinister look in his eyes. It seems as though his eyes changes colors before he grabs Larry by the neck completely startling him then speaking to him in an evil, raspy voice... 

Laurent: "You know what? I get so tired of explaining this shit to you. How many times do I tell you not to leave this house unless I say you can? And how many times I have to tell you to answer your phone when I call? I don't care what's going on".

Larry: "B...baby, I c-c-can't br...breathe".

Laurent: "Oh really"?   

Thinking he will let up Laurent actually squeezes slightly tighter and asks through gritted teeth...

Laurent: "How's that"?  

Larry brings his hand up to grab Laurent's in order to remove the tight grasp...but he just doesn't have the strength to...  

Laurent: "Now if I have to remind you one more time it will be worse".

It isn't until Laurent sees Larry's eyes roll to the back of his head that he decides to let go with Larry sliding down the wall as a result. He immediately begins coughing and gasping for air...

Laurent: "Stand up".

Larry slowly stands up while rubbing his throat to soothe the pain...

Laurent: "Now we go back out there to be with your daughter. You first".

Larry looks at him for a moment...completely terrified to walk past him but he does only to feel a punch on his back causing him to fall to his knees...

Laurent: "Just for good measure".

Laurent casually brushes past him and leaves the bedroom. Larry can't help but allow a few tears to slip from his eyes but he has to get himself together so he can go and be with Lilo. When he stands up to walk and not surprisingly it's with a limp but he tries his best to walk normally so it won't alarm his baby. When he reaches the living room he notices Laurent on the floor with Lilo playing with her as if a few minutes of his terror didn't just happen. He slowly walks over to the sofa and sits down... 

Lilo: "I'm hungry".

Laurent: *smile* "Well what do you want to eat princess"?

Lilo: "Can we go to the place with the big fire"?

Laurent: *laugh* "Oh the Japanese restaurant"?  

Lilo smiles widely and excitedly nods her head...her eyes also filled with excitement. Laurent then turns to Larry...  

Laurent: "Larry? Is that oki with you"?

Larry: "Anything for my baby".

His voice is very weak and it's also clear that he's trying desperately to hold back more tears...

Lilo: "You oki papa"?

Larry looks at Laurent...holding his gaze for a few moments. He then looks down as he replies to her...

Larry: "I'm fine baby".

Laurent: "Let's go".

------------------------ 

A/N: Hey everyone. I know things are getting really intense but I'm really trying to convey the horror of domestic violence. Please comment! Love you guys. :)