Don't Let Go: Day 8

Word Count: 48,058

Summary of Events:

Tor decided he wanted to move in with his grandparents to escape his father's punishments, but his plan was thwarted when his Opa refused to come get him and his things and urged him not to work so hard to destroy his relationship with his father. Thus, Tor was forced to meet the tutor, whom he quickly got upset at, throwing his largest textbook at the tutor before going up to his room, where he held out against his father's efforts to get him back to his studies for over an hour. Eventually, however, his mother asked him to go resume them for her sake — and under her supervision — to which Tor begrudgingly acquiesced. Once the tutor was gone, Tor expressed his displeasure to his mother, while also apologising for the damage his textbook had done to the fence…

Excerpt of the Day:

“Danke, Tor,” Mama replied. “What did you do?”

“I threw the textbook at him,” Tor replied, pointing at the still-dirty book.

Mama looked at the book, a shocked look coming over her face before she looked up at him. “Tor!”

“He dodged the worst of it,” Tor replied. “I was aiming for his stomach.”

“Tor,” Mama scolded. “I know you have a temper, but you could have caused severe injuries.”

“I shouldn’t have to do this Mama,” Tor argued. “My marks are passing, which is all they need to be because I’m not going to need them for the rest of my life.”
Mama shook her head. “That’s no justification Tor.”

“Mama,” Tor pleaded.

“Don’t even start Tor,” Mama said sternly. “You will apologise to the tutor tomorrow for losing your temper at him.”

“He made me mad,” Tor protested.

“Conrad,” Mama said firmly.

Tor lowered his head. The invocation of his first name with Mama was much more serious than with anyone else.

“You have the ability to control your temper,” Mama said firmly. “And you must keep it under control, for you will live a more lonesome existence than even someone like you could stand if your temper controls you.”

“Ja Mama,” Tor replied quietly, keeping his head down.

Mama placed a gentle hand on his and he looked up at her to see her face was as tender and affectionate as ever.

“Danke Tor,” she said softly. “I know you don’t like the tutor, but that doesn’t mean that you are justified to have acted in a fit of temper in such a way that you could honestly have killed him.”

Tor sighed.

“Now how about we get this homework out of the way and then you can go back to your game?” Mama said.

“Do I have to?” Tor asked.

“Better now than later,” Mama replied.

“Why do I have to do it at all Mama?” Tor asked.

“It will make tomorrow easier Tor,” Mama replied.

“But I don’t want him to come tomorrow,” Tor protested.

“I know Tor,” Mama replied softly.

“Then why are you making me do it Mama?” Tor asked.

“Because the tutor has been hired to teach it to you,” Mama replied

“Mama,” Tor complained. “Why don’t you just tell Vater to sack him?”

“My little boy,” Mama said softly. “Darling, bitte.”

“Why?” Tor whined.

“Because your Vater has hired him,” Mama replied.

Tor looked at Mama with pleading eyes. “I don’t want to do it Mama.”

“You aren’t a puppy Tor,” Mama said. “Come, let’s go inside so I can make supper while you work.”

Tor made his most pleading eyes at Mama, even managing to summon a few tears.

“Enough Tor,” Mama said. “Doing some extra studying won’t do any harm.”

Quivering his jaw, Tor blinked repeatedly at her as she stood up.

“Stop that Tor,” Mama chided, tapping his nose firmly. “Bring your books, come.”

Sighing reluctantly, Tor got to his feet and picked up the books, carrying them into the house while Mama carried the tray with their empty bowls and used spoons toward the house.

Pronunciations:

Vater: fahtuh

Bitte: bihtuh