Read Online The Fight Within by Tiana Laveen - Free Book Online Page A

the way to the floor.
    “Is that true, Sean?” She gasped, as if she’d seen a car crash, and covered her quivering lips with both hands, as if to stifle a scream. “I still love ya, son!” Her eyes watered, like she had the starring role in some damn soap opera.
    Is she for real?! Of course she is…that’s Mom for ya!
    “Ahhhh Jesus Christ, Ma!” Sean rolled his eyes. “Do you believe everything Colin says? No, I’m not gay. If I were, you’d have known it by now with all this grandkid business you’re always bringing up!”
    “Guys that take steroids aren’t gay, Kathy,” his father shouted from the kitchen once more, as if this was common knowledge—something stated in the books authored by clever, distinguished scholars from around the world, ones held in the highest regard.
    “I am in the damn loony farm over here!” Sean slapped his knee in disbelief as he glared toward the kitchen. “Dad, I’m not on steroids, okay?!” he yelled out, ensuring he was heard, though his father’s acute ears would have picked up on a toothless rat gnawing on cotton candy a mile away. “Ma, again , I’m not gay and I don’t have a girlfriend because the women out here are freakin’ bananas. Not to mention, I don’t have time for all of that.”
    “That’s good you’re not on those steroids, Sean, because you’d never get a girlfriend,” his father declared, sharing more of his infinite wisdom.
    “Why’s that, Kevin?” His mother asked, as if Dad’s word was bond.
    “’Cause it makes the man downstairs small! No woman wants to date a guy with a small Johnson!”
    …Oh God, Dad…Ya didn’t!
    His mother shot a sad yet sympathetic look back at Sean and nodded in agreement. On a murmur, she hunched over, set her glass on the polar bear’s face and folded her hands, as if she were about to deliver grave information, the kind of stuff that made one’s heart stop cold. “It’s true, Sean…if you’re taking those star-roids, it could ruin your chances of becoming a father, too.”
    “Ahhh, you’re making me sick!” He burst out laughing as Colin got back up from the floor and made himself comfortable on the couch, sporting a satisfied smirk at Sean’s expense. “Can we not talk about things like this, please? Geesh!” He rolled his eyes and turned back to the television.
    “Well, I wish you’d make the time to meet someone, Sean.” She paired her expression with a look of disapproval, along with quiet judgment. “You’re thirty-four years old…getting a bit long in the tooth don’t you think to be caravanning around single. And don’t think I don’t know the truth about you.” She squinted her eyes. “You’re a ladies man, no prospects either.” She plucked her glass from the tray and placed the rim to her bright pink covered lips before turning her attention to the Family Feud. “You won’t have your good looks forever, ya know,” she added for good measure, as if that assertion alone would somehow turn the tide in her favor.
    Steve Harvey made his way across the screen, announcing the families prepared to play against one another.
    He looks like Mr. Potato Head…kinda like a hound dog, too…
    Sean thought to himself.
    “I wonder how much game show hosts get paid?” Colin inquired as he leaned back on the couch and crossed his arms, his face twisted in honest inquisition.
    “Steve Harvey is a celebrity, man. Probably a helluva lot. It ain’t pennies, that’s for damn sure.”
    “I bet I could be a good game show host! How hard can it be?” Light brown brows bunched, his brother pointed to the screen, as if Mr. Harvey had somehow insulted him by his mere presence.
    “I dunno.” Sean shrugged and took the final gulp of his can of beer before placing it down and leaning back against a pillow. “It probably is harder than it looks, like a lot of things in life.”
    “Oh, so you’re Mr. Philosophy now?” Colin shot him a glance, looking him up and down in a way that