Malin kicked Shoe away, scrambling to his feet. "Life! Mom, leave her alone!"
Things could not end this way. Malin made a promise, and he wasn't about to break it. He took off towards Life, trying desperately to reach her and tear the vicious bushy-tailed monsters off of her body. Behind him, Shoe took off and leapt at Life; Malin blocked her with his own body, wincing at the strong claws digging into his back.
Shoe growled, barking.
"Call them off!" Malin nearly begged. "What do you want with her?! Why are you monsters still trying to kill her?! Has she not suffered enough already?! Gosh, this is why I hate this stupid family!"
Bennie scrunched up her face, pondering. Did she really not remember her son's name?
"Caleb? Craven? Um...Kaitlyn?"
Life knew. No, even worse...Alfonso knew.
"Kameron? Kaiden? K...Kathy? I'm getting there. I know I am, I'm gettin' there."
Sure she cared, but just not...
Enough.
"Listen, kiddo, I...just have too much going on, okay? I still care. It's just, y'know, that whole 'getting pregnant' thing was kinda spur-of-the-moment? You understand."
Alfonso was the better parent. At least he remembered his daughter's name while he was banging her.