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For a few weeks, both Jack and Robby had been nervously waiting in anticipation for mother's day, being fully aware that it would most likely be a complete disaster.
As the day steadily approached, they tried to ease the boys into all of the talk around it. As usual, Liam was fairly unaware of why everybody seemed so stressed about it and Jacobi just avoided the subject entirely, giving no help at all. And so, as simply predicted by the grandparents, chaos consumed the household on a random Tuesday night, two days before mother's day.
The evening had begun normally, with Jack picking up the boys from school ( lucky enough to have a day off from the hospital ) and Robby coming home from work about an hour before dinner time.
Jack was in the kitchen preparing dinner when Robby walked in and hugged him. They chatted for a while as Jack chopped and seasoned some chicken breast, ready to have with homemade egg fried rice with garlic parmesan chicken on the side. As usual, Jack's cooking flooded the house with a gorgeous aroma of home cooked food and warmth, making Robby's mouth water.
Once he finished cooking, they managed to convince both of the boys to sit at the dinner table with them and have a family dinner. Liam chatted away about his day at school and what he had learnt, while Jacobi kept to himself and was as quiet and reserved as usual. Robby was just grateful that he was actually starting to sit with them and participate more.
They carried on eating and talking about their day and once they finished, Jack declared it was time for homework. Both of them had found it easier to sit with the boys together at the same time to make sure they did their homework, or else it just never got done. Even then, Jacobi often refused and would start a massive argument with Jack, resulting in them spending half the night at the table bickering. Robby prayed that wouldn't be the case today.
The boys fetched their school bags and sat down at the dining table, pulling their sheets out. Robby froze when he saw the two tasks they had to complete.
'Colour in this picture and make it look exactly like your mom!' for Liam.
'Make a Mother's Day Card for your mom and write a poem inside it.' for Jacobi.
This was going to be a nightmare.
Robby and Jack shared a look as they tried to get the boys started on their homework. Robby placed some crayons in front of Liam with the sheet next to them, with Liam seeming mostly unbothered. Jack got some card and pens for Jacobi to start, but Jacobi predictably started to get up and walk away from the table, refusing to engage.
Jack quickly grabbed the back of his shirt and pulled him back down, making him face the table with the card and pens. Jacobi groaned aloud and crossed his arms.
"Come on Jacobi, it's not that difficult. Look, I'll help you." Jack pleaded, with Jacobi just putting his head in his hands and lying down on the table, unresponsive. Jack shook his head and shot Robby a look, to which Robby just raised an eyebrow.
Jack tried to pull Jacobi up but he pushed his arm away and leaned further to the side, trying to escape the firm grasp of Jack.
"I don't want to…" Jacobi groaned, still refusing to move. Jack let out a deep sigh.
Meanwhile, Liam was starting to colour in the animated picture of a stereotypical mom with the help from Robby. He was fiercely concentrated on colouring inside the lines, making sure that every stroke was perfect. That was until he suddenly stopped and looked away.
"Everything ok buddy?" Robby asked softly, looking towards Liam.
"I … I can’t really remember what mommy looks like though." Liam said concerned. Robby immediately felt sympathy for the poor kid, knowing how hard this must be, especially because Liam was so young when it all happened.
Jacobi shot up from the table, with a look of rage on his face.
"How can you not remember what your own mom looks like! Are you stupid!" He shouted angrily, pushing away from the table again. He grabs his paper and throws it off the table and onto the floor in a fit of rage. With this, Liam began to cry loudly, curling up into a ball.
Robby picked up Liam and cradled him as he took him into the living room, trying to get him to calm back down after Jacobi had lashed out at him. This was the last thing they needed. Liam continued to wail as Robby rocked him back and forth.
Back at the dining table, Jack pulled up Jacobi and started him towards the corner of the room.
"Go and sit in that corner, now!" He shouted angrily, once again enraged at Jacobi's behaviour. This was so much worse considering it was towards his little brother too.
Jacobi stumbled over to the corner and sat down, punching the wall as he did it. Jack shook his head and walked into Robby, who had finally managed to get Liam to stop crying and reduce it to a sniffle. Thank god. He sat down with them both and they tried to relax by putting an animal documentary on the TV, this being one of Liam's favourite things to watch. Luckily, that worked a treat.
As time passed, and as Liam drifted off to sleep, Jack decided it was probably a good time to go and sort things out with Jacobi now. He walked back into the dining area and saw Jacobi still slumped against the wall, facing the corner. At least he actually stayed there.
"What do you have to say for yourself?" Jack asked him, still largely angry about the outburst. Jacobi stayed silent.
"You know that Liam is suffering just as much as yourself and still you treat him like that. How would you feel if somebody said that to you, huh?"
"I'd feel upset." Jacobi replied quietly.
Jack nodded, "Exactly. And so what makes you think that it's acceptable to do that. It's never acceptable. And I don't ever want to hear it again."
Jacobi looked down at his hands, clearly feeling guilty about lashing out at his little brother. Jack felt bad being so stern, but he didn't want this to happen again. They needed to stay united in these dark times.
"Go up to bed, you're to stay in your room for the rest of the night. And then tomorrow I expect you to apologise to Liam." Jack commanded. With that, Jacobi got up and headed past Robby ( who shot him a sympathetic look ) and went upstairs to bed.
Alas, absolutely no homework got done. All that happened was a massive argument and lots of hurt feelings. But sometimes, that was just how it was.