This doesn't really say anything in defense of duke's parents... just saying... parenting is complex and difficult... a good parent should recognize when they've been harmful, though, and find ways to make it up... though even that can be difficult to do without undermining one's own authority.
Hot damn dude, your timing is excellent.
So today I got home and had to explain the vague plans my sister made for the night which usually annoys my dad, because she never explains where she is well enough so I pried the whole story from her. I started to relay the message to my dad the moment I got in the door and was met by the usual response: Getting absolutely nothing after explaining twice. So he asks a questions that I answered and I let out a little stutter as I give the reply again. This continues twice before he finally decides to pull me aside.
I really wasn't in a state to say much so I gave one-word answers to his questions. Like when the stuttering began(So he did notice): When T-t-t--tanner D-d-d-d-
How do you feel inside? How did you feel then?(So he does care): P-p-p-powerless... Scared
It was then that he realized that I was terrified of him, and he seemed really shook up by that. Like, really crushed that his image of respect was perverted like this. He wanted a good family and never wanted to scare his children. And the amazing this was, as he was realizing this everything started to feel lighter. I could look him in the eye, my back could be straight, I even gave answers with no problem.
Just knowing that he knows this seems to be clearing things up for me. And I always knew this was all tough and never really blamed him for all of this. He's not a bad guy, it's just a really difficult situation to deal with.
So yeah, a gigantic weight off my shoulders.