It was the norm. Yelling. Fighting. Disagreements. Most of all, disapproving looks. It’s all Mike got. From his employers, even complete strangers. He never wanted it to come from you, but he messed up. Big time. He brought Abby to work and she got hurt. Standing outside your house, you were yelling at Mike.

”Take her there again and we’re done!” It made him flinch. He watched you storm back inside, the door slamming. He turned back to the car, getting in the drivers seat. Abby spoke from the backseat ”She looked so angry..” She paused. ”Why does everyone look at you that way..?”

That hurt. He didn’t want to accept it, no. But he had to. People didn’t like him and they never would. He could drop dead and no one would notice.

With 8 billion people in the world, not one would love him the way he wanted. The way he needed.