retiresims

[retiresims]

P: “What is Lucky doing?”

Z: “Being a troublemaker.”

P: “Silly dog.”

[retiresims]

Z, making breakfast: “I’ve never made a worse mistake.”

[retiresims]

[retiresims]

Z, laughing: “Gross! Smelly boy!”

C: “Oops?”

[retiresims]

Meanwhile...

[retiresims]

Z: “Alright guys, let's calm down.”

S: “No, Zene. This isn’t okay.”

V: “You heard the lady, San.”

S, seathing: “Don’t you dare call me that.”

[retiresims]

Zenith, entering the room: “SAN!”

Sander, perking up slightly: “Hey, Zene. I’m just having a conversation with this piece of work over here.”

Z, nodding: “Go easy, he’s the father of my children.”

S: “A father who abuses is not a father.”

[retiresims]

S, furiously: “I know Wil. She is NOT disobedient. It is never okay to yell at a child, Pal.”

V, laughing: “You got me there? I don’t know what you expect me to say. You’re in my house.”

S: “I’ve heard about you, Bud. I know for a fact you don’t pay any of the bills. This is Zenith’s house. Don’t pull that with me, I’ll kick you out.”

[retiresims]

W: “... That’s Victor. Mom’s boyfriend. He abuses us.”

S, shocked: “What?!”

V, speaking up: “She’s exaggerating. Her mother has put it in her head that all I do is yell, but I’m simply raising a disobedient kid.”

[retiresims]

W, surprised: “Uncle Sander! Where have you been?!”

S, smiling in the doorway: I went into the military, remember?”

W: “Yeah! I missed you.”

S: “I missed you too, Wilma-girl.”

[retiresims]

Wilma was slowly realizing she was happiest when away from home, hanging out with her friends. She could be herself, safe from the verbal abuse that coated the very walls of her house.

[retiresims]

[retiresims]

P, grumpily: “Wilma!”

W: “Hm?”

P: “I love you. Butthead.”

W, smiling: “I love you too, Butthead.”

[retiresims]

P, cheery again: “Dad can fly!”

V, smirking: “Wow. Look at that, Zene. A three-year-old speaking full sentences.”

Zenith looks on, terrified of what comes next.

[retiresims]

Paisley overhears the two adults yelling in the other room, starting to cry.

Z, rushing out: “Aw, Pais. Everything is okay, munchkin.”

V, pushing past Zenith: “Move, let me handle this. I don’t need you ruining my kid also.”

Zenith stares blankly, unable to find words.

[retiresims]

Z, sad: “Why do you do this, Victor? We have three beautiful children-”

V, interrupting: “No, WE have two children, YOU have that mongrel of a girl.”

Z: “Oh, come on.”

[retiresims]

Victor leans in to kiss Zenith’s cheek, trying to make up Z, nudging him away: “Absolutely not. Don’t touch me.”

V, furious: “How dare you deny me.”

Z: “Get over yourself.”