Days are going good now. The big change is Stephen's good mood. Though he spends all of his time with Jonah and talks very less to me and his dad, still I feel like he's okay. My holidays here at Michael's don't bother me more now. I'm liking it here.
Today again I spend my entire day with Michael and Stephen is out with my brother. We watch horror movie, eat popcorn, play scrabble and had fun. It's 9 pm when Stephen and Jonah come home.
"Hey dad, hey Alice." He says and without hearing our replies he start to walk upstairs. Jonah sits on the sofa,
"Hah! Had fun" he says.

"Glad you enjoyed." Michael replies kindly.

"Ummm Michael, if there's no problem, can I go to the beach? " I ask

"Right now? Alone?" He asks.

"I'll be fine." I assure him.

"Alright. Come home soon. "

"Sure." I say and walk outof the house. It's a 10 minutes walk from Michael's to the beach. I walk while staring at the people and cars and shops.

The beach is less crowded. Maybe because it's a night time. Seashore gives a pleasant feeling to me. I can feel cold wind striking my body and then reflecting back, some passes through, making me shiver. I stand in the mud, the waves striking my toes. I stare at the sky. It feels so good to be at some place quiet.
I don't know how long I've been standing here but then I realize someone standing next to me, looking at the sky too. I turn my face to look at the person.
It's Stephen. Still looking at the sky.

"You're here. " I say.

"Dad asked me to check on you." He replies.

"Michael is very nice. I love to be with him." I say and he doesn't respond.

"Let's walk." I say again and we begin to walk. He's quiet. And I hate his silence.

"I miss the old times I spent here." I say with a smile. "remember we used to throw balls on each other and you used to eat my chocolates most of the time and then get hidden."

"Yeah.." he laughs slowly. " I miss it too." Again back to same old expression.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

"Yes. Thank you."

"Is there something wrong between you and Michael?" I ask again.

"What makes you ask that?"

"Your behavior. " I say slowly and he looks at me angrily. "I know you may think I'm interfering but seriously your behavior shows it."

GOSH I JUST SAID THAT!

"What part of my behavior? " he asks.

"You 2 live under a same roof and don't talk. So you know.."

"Just because we don't talk much, you think there's something wrong. How judgmental Alice! We both have our problems and circumstances to deal with and we both are very busy with our lives___" he's about say more when I interrupt,
"Not 'both '. Only you."

"What do you mean?" He asks and I can see violence in his eyes.

"A busy man doesn't get time for movies, friends, family or other people to care about. But certainly your dad does care about everyone do its you who is busy and not him. " I explain.

"I don't get you."

"Why would you? You don't get your dad either." I say flatly.

"Excuse me?"

"Michael is your dad Stephen! And he needs you. Can't you see how alone he is ? You're the only thing he has left and he keeps waiting for you to come home and when you do , you don't even bother to hear if he replied back on your rude 'hello' or not! You don't even ask if he's okay or how was his day or if he needs something. "

NOW YOU GET ME??

"I work Alice. I get tired and I don't get time for such formalities. " he says.

"Since when did taking care of your dad became a formality Stephen ?" I ask in disbelief.

"why the hell are you interfering in our matters?" He asks rudely.

"Because I know how your dad feels! He cries every night since your mom died, Stephen. He has kept himself alive so that YOU can live with your head held high! If Michael wasn't here, whose business you'd be owning right now? You'd probably be a robber who robs the shops or a druggy bar monster! You'd have no respect Stephen! Just because you run his business doesn't mean you are doing mercy on him. It's just that you are doing it for your own as well as for him. After all that your dad has done and sacrificed for you, you get no chance to check if he's alive or dead!" I say out loud and I feel tears stuck somewhere in my eyes, finding a way to come out. I feel my cheek bones getting red with anger.

"Alice shut up! "

"Alright. But keep one thing in mind. Michael is alive, that's your luck. You didn't get a chance to take care of your mom, at least you can earn respect of your dad. If you keep on doing what you are doing right now, I'm sure this will happen to you too. Take care of him Stephen, take care of your dad. Before it's too late." I say and begin to walk away.

Stephen is standing there. Very still. His shoulders down, his eyes are closed. I don't know what he's thinking but I'm sure he understood every single word I said.

And that's enough for me.