Chapter 21: The Weight of the Past

Tuesday:

The morning light filtered through the curtains as Josh trudged down the stairs, his mood as heavy as the events of the previous night. His mother, Dorothy, was already seated at the kitchen table, sipping her coffee and picking at a plate of scrambled eggs. She glanced up when she heard his footsteps.

“Morning, Josh,” she said, her voice soft, almost hesitant.

Josh barely spared her a glance. “Morning,” he muttered, grabbing a piece of toast from the counter.

Dorothy watched him, concern etched on her face. “Look, about last night ... I know you’re upset, but I’d really like to talk.”

Josh said nothing, keeping his focus on the toast in his hand. His mother sighed, the silence between them thick with tension.

“I just want you to give Danny a chance,” she said, her tone pleading. “I know you don’t trust him, but he’s a good man, Josh. He makes me happy.”

Josh’s jaw tightened. He set the toast down without taking a bite. “I’ve got to go,” he said curtly, grabbing his backpack and heading for the door.

“Josh—” Dorothy began, but he was already out the door.

Instead of heading toward school, Josh headed over to Mr. Johnson’s house. The crisp morning air bit at his cheeks as he walked, his mind racing with memories of Danny’s cruelty from his first life. He knew he couldn’t face the monotony of school today, not with the storm of emotions brewing inside him.

When he reached Mr. Johnson’s house, he knocked firmly on the door. Moments later, Leonard Johnson opened it, his brow furrowed in surprise.

“Josh? What are you doing here so early?” he asked, stepping aside to let him in.

Josh stepped inside, slipping off his backpack. “I needed to talk,” he said quietly. “Is that okay?”

“Of course,” Leonard said, leading him to the living room. “Take a seat. You want some tea? Coffee?”

Josh shook his head, sinking into the worn armchair. “No, thanks.”

Leonard settled into his chair across from him, his sharp eyes studying Josh. “Alright, Josh. What’s on your mind?”

Josh took a deep breath, his hands clenching and unclenching on his knees. “It’s about last night,” he began. “After I left your place, I got home and found out my mom’s dating someone. His name’s Danny.”

Leonard nodded slowly. “And you don’t like him.”

Josh let out a bitter laugh. “That’s an understatement. He’s not just some guy, Mr. Johnson. He’s ... he’s evil.”

Leonard’s expression darkened with concern. “Evil how?”

Josh swallowed hard, the words catching in his throat. “In my first life, he became my stepdad. At first, he seemed fine, but then he started showing his true colors. He was abusive—physically, emotionally. He’d find any excuse to hurt us, especially me. One time, he came home drunk, tripped over my shoes, and beat me with them while I was still half-asleep.”

Leonard’s hands tightened on the armrests of his chair, his eyes narrowing. “That’s ... unforgivable.”

“It gets worse,” Josh continued, his voice trembling. “He pushed my brothers away, too. Joel ended up in the Youth Opportunity Center because of him. William cut all contact with us as soon as he could. And my mom ... she was so blinded by love, she ignored everything.”

Leonard let out a heavy sigh, his face grave. “I see why you’re worried. But why is he here now? You said he didn’t show up until later in your first life.”

Josh shook his head. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s because I’ve changed things. Maybe my mom meeting him now is a ripple effect of the choices I’ve made.”

Leonard leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “What do you want to do about it?”

“I need to stop him,” Josh said, his eyes hard. “I can’t let him ruin my family again. I was thinking about what we talked about before—being smart, fighting this the right way. I’ve got an idea, but I’ll need help.”

Leonard studied him for a long moment before nodding. “You’ve got my help, Josh. Whatever you need.”

For a few minutes, the room was silent except for the ticking of the clock on the wall. Josh felt a weight lift off his chest, knowing that Leonard believed him and was willing to stand by his side.

“Thanks,” Josh said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.

Leonard gave him a small, reassuring smile. “We’ll figure this out together.”

Josh nodded, feeling a renewed sense of determination. With Leonard in his corner, he knew he had a fighting chance to protect his family from the storm he saw brewing on the horizon.

For now, though, he’d have to bide his time and plan carefully. The next steps would be crucial.

Josh paced the length of Leonard’s living room, his movements deliberate but tense. He had just finished recounting the events of the previous night, his voice carrying a weight that hung in the air. Leonard sat in his usual chair, his posture relaxed but his eyes sharp, absorbing every word.

When Josh finally sank into the couch, letting out a long sigh, Leonard leaned forward slightly. “This Danny,” he said, his voice steady, “he’s a problem you’ve faced before, and now he’s here early. That’s a wrinkle neither of us expected.”

Josh ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident. “In my first life, he turned everything upside down. He manipulated my mom, drove Joel away, and made life hell for all of us. Now he’s here, earlier than before, and I can’t figure out why. But I know one thing—he’s dangerous.”

Leonard nodded slowly, his gaze thoughtful. “It sounds like he knows how to charm his way into people’s lives, especially your mother’s. She’s vulnerable to him, which makes him more dangerous.” He paused, then added, “You’re right not to trust him, but that alone won’t get him out of the picture. We need a plan.”

Josh leaned forward, his hands clasped tightly. “I’ve thought about confronting him directly, but Mom wouldn’t believe me. She’d just see me as a kid acting out.”

Leonard’s expression remained calm. “You’re playing a long game here. If you go at him head-on, you risk alienating her and strengthening his position. What you need is for him to expose himself—to show her who he really is.”

Josh nodded, the beginnings of a plan forming in his mind. “How do we make that happen?”

Leonard leaned back, his eyes narrowing slightly. “Danny’s the type who thrives on control, right? We put him in a situation where he feels threatened, but not enough to walk away. If he’s the man you say he is, he won’t be able to resist asserting his dominance.”

Josh’s lips twitched into a faint grin. “Like a dinner, with you there as a third party? If he slips up, you can guide Mom to see it clearly.”

Leonard gave a single, approving nod. “Exactly. I can offer her perspective without it seeming like an attack. The trick is creating the right pressure without tipping him off. We need him to feel comfortable enough to show his true colors.”

Josh’s mind raced. “We could talk about responsibility, family dynamics—topics that would hit his ego without being obvious.”

Leonard smirked. “That’ll work. People like him can’t stand being challenged, especially when they think they’re in control.” He paused, his tone shifting slightly. “You’ve been through this before, but you’ve got more tools this time. You’re thinking like a strategist, and that’s what’s going to make the difference.”

Josh felt a flicker of hope. “If we can get him to show his true self in front of Mom, maybe—just maybe—she’ll finally see him for what he is.”

Leonard’s eyes darkened slightly. “Just be ready. Even if she starts to see it, she might still hesitate. Love and dependency can cloud judgment.”

Josh exhaled slowly, absorbing the weight of Leonard’s words. “When the time comes, I’ll handle it. But I’ll need your backup to make sure she doesn’t fall for his excuses.”

Leonard stood, signaling the end of their planning session. “We’ve got a start. Let me know when this dinner’s happening, and I’ll be there.”

Josh rose as well, a newfound determination in his stance. “Thanks, Mr. Johnson. I mean it.”

Leonard’s expression softened slightly. “You don’t have to thank me, Josh. We’re in this together.”

Josh headed for the door, pausing for a moment. “One last thing—when we get through this, maybe things can finally settle down.”

Leonard chuckled, a rare lightness in his tone. “One step at a time, Josh. First, we deal with Danny.”

With that, Josh stepped out into the crisp morning air, the tension in his chest easing just slightly. As he made his way toward school, his mind was clear. The plan was in motion, and with Leonard’s support, he felt ready to face the challenges ahead.

Josh strolled into the school office, his backpack slung over one shoulder and a deliberately sheepish look on his face. The office secretary glanced up from her paperwork, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in the time.

“You’re late, Josh,” she said, her tone sharp but not unkind.

Josh scratched the back of his head, offering a contrite smile. “I know, I overslept. I’m really sorry.”

The secretary sighed, grabbing a clipboard. “Alright, sign in here. And make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Josh quickly jotted down his name and time of arrival, thanking her before heading down the hall to his classroom. As he stepped into Mrs. Thomson’s room, the buzz of students working quietly on their morning assignment filled the air. Mrs. Thomson noticed him immediately, her keen eyes narrowing slightly.

“Josh,” she said softly, motioning for him to approach her desk.

Josh obeyed, bracing himself for the inevitable question.

“Everything alright?” she asked, her voice low enough that only he could hear.

“Yeah,” Josh replied with a casual shrug. “Just overslept. Won’t happen again.”

Mrs. Thomson studied him for a moment, her eyes searching his face for any sign of distress. Finally, she nodded. “Alright, take your seat. But remember, my door’s always open if you need to talk.”

Josh gave her a small smile of gratitude before heading to his desk. The rest of the day passed uneventfully, the usual routine of lessons and assignments providing a welcome reprieve from the tension of his morning.

When Josh got home, the house was eerily quiet. His mom’s absence wasn’t entirely unexpected, but seeing the note she’d left on the kitchen counter made his stomach turn.

Josh, I’m out with Danny tonight. You and your brothers are on your own for dinner. Be good, and don’t forget to help each other with homework. Love, Mom.

Josh set the note down, his jaw tightening. He couldn’t shake the image of Danny ingratiating himself further into their lives, but he pushed the thought aside. Tonight wasn’t the night for confrontation.

He turned his attention to dinner, scanning the fridge and pantry for ingredients. His eyes landed on a pack of bacon, a carton of eggs, and a wedge of Parmesan cheese. No Pecorino Romano, no guanciale—of course not—but he could still make a decent carbonara with what they had.

Josh moved through the kitchen with focused precision. He pulled a pack of bacon from the fridge, a carton of eggs, and a wedge of Parmesan cheese—the closest substitute for Pecorino Romano that their pantry offered. Grabbing a box of spaghetti from the cupboard, he mentally mapped out the steps.

First, he set a large pot of salted water on the stove, turning the heat to high. As the water began its slow climb to a boil, he sliced the bacon into thin strips, letting them fall in a neat pile on the cutting board. He heated a skillet over medium heat, tossing the bacon in once the pan was hot.

The bacon sizzled immediately, releasing its rich, smoky aroma into the air. Josh stirred it occasionally, watching as the fat rendered down and the edges turned golden and crisp.

While the bacon cooked, he cracked three eggs into a bowl, separating out one of the yolks for extra creaminess. He whisked them together with a pinch of salt and a generous grind of black pepper. Then, he reached for the Parmesan, grating it finely until he had a fluffy mound of cheese. Mixing half of the Parmesan into the eggs, he set the bowl aside, his sauce base ready.

The pot of water was now at a rolling boil. Josh added the spaghetti, giving it a quick stir to ensure the strands didn’t stick. He timed the pasta carefully, knowing it needed to be just shy of al dente to finish cooking in the sauce.

As the pasta cooked, the bacon reached perfection—crispy but not brittle. Josh used a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon onto a plate lined with paper towels, leaving the rendered fat in the skillet.

When the spaghetti was ready, he reserved a cup of the starchy pasta water before draining the rest. Working quickly, he returned the pasta to the skillet, off the heat, and tossed it in the warm bacon fat. This was the critical step: he poured the egg mixture over the pasta, stirring vigorously to coat every strand. The residual heat from the pasta gently cooked the eggs, transforming them into a silky, glossy sauce.

He added small splashes of the reserved pasta water, loosening the sauce until it reached the perfect consistency—creamy without being too thick. The final touch was folding in the crispy bacon and sprinkling the remaining Parmesan on top, its nutty aroma mingling with the smoky bacon.

Josh plated the carbonara, setting three bowls on the table just as his brothers wandered into the kitchen, drawn by the mouthwatering smells.

“This is amazing,” Joel said after his first bite, his tone one of genuine surprise.

“Better than Mom’s,” William chimed in, his fork twirling more spaghetti eagerly.

Josh smirked, hiding his pride. “Glad you like it. It’s all about the timing and getting the sauce just right.”

Joel gave a mock-serious nod. “Well, you nailed it. You should totally teach mom sometime.”

Josh laughed, though his mind wandered to his mother’s evening with Danny. For now, he focused on the moment, the warmth of his brothers’ company and the satisfaction of a meal well-made.

After the last bites of carbonara were devoured, the brothers moved to the kitchen to clean up. With dishes done, they gathered around the dining table, homework spread before them. The quiet scratch of pencils on paper filled the air, interrupted occasionally by questions about math problems or history notes.

As Joel finished his worksheet, he leaned back in his chair, folding his arms behind his head. “Alright, Josh, spill it. What’s the plan with Danny?”

Josh glanced up, his face serious. “I’m going to expose him for the fake he is the next time Mom invites him to dinner.”

William looked intrigued but concerned. “Expose him how?”

“I’m still working out the details,” Josh admitted, his voice low and deliberate. “But I’ll need to catch him in a lie or show Mom something she can’t ignore.”

Joel frowned, leaning forward. “Is there anything we can do to help?”

Josh shook his head firmly. “No. I need you both to stay out of it. I don’t want either of you getting hurt if something goes wrong.”

William exchanged a glance with Joel, his worry evident. “You sure? We’re a team, Josh.”

“I know,” Josh said, softening slightly. “But trust me on this one. The less involved you are, the better. Just let me handle it.”

Reluctantly, his brothers nodded, though their unease was clear.

Later, as they were finishing up their homework, the sound of the front door opening and closing signaled their mother’s return. Dorothy stepped into the kitchen, a smile on her face.

“Hey, boys! How was everyone’s day?” she asked, setting her purse on the counter.

Joel and William answered quickly, recounting their school days and dinner. Josh, however, kept his head down, silently gathering his books.

“Josh?” his mother called gently, noticing his silence.

Without a word, Josh stood, his face unreadable, and headed toward the hallway. Dorothy watched him go, her smile faltering. “Josh?” she called again, more uncertain this time.

“I’m going to bed,” he said flatly, disappearing up the stairs.

Dorothy turned to Joel and William, her brows furrowing. “What’s going on with him?”

Joel shrugged, exchanging a quick look with William. “Probably just tired.”

William nodded. “Yeah, you know how he gets sometimes.”

Dorothy sighed, clearly unconvinced but too tired to press further.

In his room, Josh closed the door and leaned against it, exhaling deeply. The weight of the day pressed heavily on his shoulders, the memories of Danny’s past actions and the evening’s events swirling in his mind.