Final warning

'Hey, I'm back!'

'Hi, El... Can I talk to you in private? Something happened today.'

'Oh, okay...'

'Charon, will you watch Nix so I can talk to your dad?'

'Sure, no problem.'

'Cheers.'

'What's the matter?'

'...Mum came over today.'

'Your mum? Wow... that's unexpected.'

'Tell me about it.'

'How did it go...?'

'Shit. She just wanted drug money.'

'Oh God...'

'What else? I shouldn't have expected any different. For a second I thought maybe, just maybe she'd had a change of heart and wanted to put things right... but no, she's just the same as before.'

'I'm sorry, Heath.'

'So when I said no, she started calling me tight, and a shithead. Then a big old fuck you and a middle finger. Just what you want to hear from your own mother, isn't it?'

'That's a horrible thing for her to say.'

'I mean sure, I wasn't exactly nice to her, but can you blame me? She was rude about Nix too. I'm so fucking fed up of it, El. People can just fuck off with their unwanted opinions.'

'It says a lot more about her than it does you or Nix.'

'Just... what the hell did I do to deserve her?'

'Nothing. You didn't do anything. Sometimes good people get lumbered with awful parents. It's not fair.'

'...Sorry. I know, you've had it worse with parents than me.'

'Yeah, well, I'm just about rock bottom with it. Not many people can claim their parents are worse than bloody Tate. So you have every right to complain about your mum. It's not a competition.'

'I guess...'

'You're so much better that, Heath. She's a disgusting person and didn't deserve you. She should've been proud to have you as a son, instead of treating you the way she has.'

'I can't compete with the number one love in her life. The drugs always come first. Even without them, I'm not what she wanted. Never have been.'

'The best thing you can do is just... be you. Do parenting right. You're everything she isn't. In spite of what she is, you turned out to be a wonderful person.'

'Thanks. God, I don't know what I'd do without you. Y'know, I still worry about not being good enough for you...'

'Well, you are. Without question.'

'Even though I come from that?'

'Of course! Look, your background isn't your fault. You are more than good enough for me, I promise. We make such a nice family. Nix thinks the world of you and I do too. So does Charon. You belong here with us.'

'Good... because you lot are the best family I've ever had.'

Later...

'...Oh, it's you. Guess you'd better come in, considering you'd just push your way in anyway.'

'I'll make this quick. Stop interfering in my business.'

'You're going to have to be more specific than that.'

'You know exactly what I'm talking about. You, going to my house, where you know you're not welcome, and trying to poison Brianne against me by making me look terrible.'

'Considering the way you behave, you don't need me to do that for you.'

'Do you think this is a joke?'

'No, but I'm not going to be intimidated by you, especially in my own home. I spent far too long doing that as a kid.'

'I mean it. If you're intent on causing problems for me, there will be consequences.'

'Look, I know you're a narcissist and all, but this isn't about getting back at you. The less time I spend having to think about you, the better. It's about protecting those girls. They don't deserve having to put up with you. Neither does Brianne, despite what she's done.'

'Oh, well aren't you noble?'

'Just because you have no soul doesn't mean the rest of us can't be compassionate towards a couple of innocent kids in a shitty situation.'

'Once you've got down from your high horse, how about you face facts? I don't give a shit about the reasoning behind your involvement. But by sticking your nose where it doesn't belong, into my family, you're causing trouble for me, and I won't tolerate it. Back off, or you'll regret it.'

'Making threats to your daughter? Nice, Tate. You're a real winner.'

'I don't care... what the fuck is that?'

'That is a baby. Your grandchild, to be exact.'

'...It's blue.'

'Well done, Sherlock.'

'Anything else, before you have the chance to start spouting racism?'

'Well, repulsive as that... thing is, it's probably a good job you didn't have a biological child, considering how ugly it'd turn out.'

'Okay, another attack on my looks. I wondered when that was coming.'

'Just get out. You've said what you want to, now let us actually enjoy the rest of our evening in peace.'

'Fine, fine. But you remember what I've said, Saraya. This will be your final warning.'

'...Ugh.'

'Fucking prick. So Brianne blabbed about you going over, huh?'

'I was expecting her to, as well as him throwing a tantrum. Sadly, I'm all too used to it.'

'Well, you shouldn't be. You okay?'

'Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks.'