Max nodded. "We're worried about you."
Amara stepped even closer.
"We miss you, Victor."
Victor's grip on the door tightened even more.
A flicker of something crossed his face.
Guilt? Pain? Anger?
Then, finally…
He sighed.
And let the door swing open.
"Fine. Come in."
---
For a brief moment, silence lingered as the group stepped inside. The air was stale, almost as if the place hadn't been properly aired in a while.
Victor didn't bother offering them seats.
Danny, Max, Jake, Amara, and even Derek stood awkwardly in the living room. They all knew why they had come.
And no one knew how to start.
It was Jake who broke the silence.
"…Man, we're really sorry about your dad."
Danny nodded. "We all tried reaching out to you. We texted, we called, we even came here a few times. But…"
"We never got to see you," Max finished.
Amara spoke up next.
"We were really worried about you, Victor."
