【自留】Fallen From Grace by V(2)

"The soup is good, Dad." I say, trying to stay awake, salvaging what little is left of the exchange.
"Then eat it, girl." My fingers tighten around the spoon, the skin on my fingers whitening, my knuckles growing against the skin as if to pierce it. I hold for a few seconds. Close my eyes. And release. I take another spoonful.
"So…," I ask, drumming the table with the fingers of my free hand, "Is work coming along okay?"
Don't try to change the subject, Chara." He snaps almost before I finish.

"I'm sorry-,"
"Don't be sorry." He snaps again. I choose to ignore him, thinking whatever I say won't turn out well. I turn to my soup and swallow another mouthful, ignoring how it scalds my throat.
"I'm going to bed." I say.
"You should." He says, quickly. I get up to leave, taking my bowl to the sink and scraping remnants of diced carrots into the drain. "And actually sleep, this time." I swallow, deeply.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Dad." I say, pressing my nails into my palms, feeling the uppermost bones in my fingers wanting to bend and shatter.