Family Matters

I sat at the kitchen table in Evie and Alex’s home trying to calm Evie down.

“Evie, let Alex handle it. He’s been handling it fine. You don’t need to stress.” I said. She took a deep breath and the front door opened.

“Karli, why are you here?” Jack asked. I looked up and smiled.

“Because Josie is in deep shit.” I said. Alex looked at me.

“She’s in her room.” I said. His face went from curious to pissed in a second. He looked at Evie’s angry face and set his bag down on the floor and walked out. I looked at Evie.

“Hun, Alex is going to be yelling soon, wanna take Harley and Jace out?” I asked.

“No, I have to be here or Alex is going to get too mad. You can take them out though.” She said. Jack sat down and I heard Alex’s voice.

“Why is she like this? She has always been good.” I asked.

“I don’t know. It seems as though when she got to junior year, she changed completely.” Evie said.

“Send her to my mom’s for a week, when she comes back, she will be a different girl.” Jack said as he stood to get something from the kitchen.

“I’ve thought about it Jack, I’ve thought about it.” She said. We heard pounding on the stairs and saw Alex.

“She is never, ever seeing Matt ever again!” He yelled. I looked at him. He was breathing hard. Evie walked out and Alex sat down and was heated. I walked over to him and hugged him.

“Alex, calm down.” I said. He took a breath and I let go.

“I’m gonna go get Jace and go.” I said. He nodded and I walked downstairs. I moved the gate and Jace and Harley were passed out on the floor. I smiled and walked over and picked Jace up. I walked upstairs and looked at Alex.

“Harley is asleep downstairs.” I said. He nodded and I walked out. I got Jace in the car and I got in and pulled out. I drove down the road and went home.

When I got home I walked inside and saw Ryan in the living room watching TV. Jace ran in and jumped up on Ryan. He jumped at first and then started tickling him. I smiled and set my purse down.

“So how much trouble is Josie in?” He asked.

“In the words of the great Alex Gaskarth, she is never, ever seeing Matt again.” I said sitting down next to Ryan. He nodded and put his arm around my shoulders. Jace was sitting in between us watching TV.

“Can we watch Journey 2?” Jace asked. I looked down at him.

“We sure can.” I said and looked at Ryan. He got up and put the movie in and came and sat down. Jace curled up in between us and I put my head on Ryan’s shoulder the best I could.

By the time the movie was done it was 1:30. I looked down at Jace and he was asleep, Ryan too. I stood up carefully and went to the kitchen. I got a cup of juice and went to my office. I sat in my chair and pulled my good leg up and logged onto the computer. I went to the files my clients and read. I’m supposed to have a meeting with the Lewis’s on Friday. Fun. I went to Facebook and updated my status. I jumped when the phone ring.

“Hello?” I asked.

“Can I speak to Karli Sheckler?” I heard a woman ask.

“This is she.” I said.

“I’m Karen La Fevre, I own the house you are interested in, in Anaheim.” She said. I nodded.

“Ok, is it still available?” I asked.

“Um, yes it is, and you gave the best price, I was wondering if we could meet up sometime soon to talk about you buying it.” She said.

“Oh, well, I could meet you on Wednesday.” I said.

“That sounds great. See you then.” She said and hung up. I nodded and put the phone down. I looked at the clock and saw it was 2:30 now. Hmm an hour went by that fast? I got up and walked out I looked at the clock and saw Ryan and Jace were still sleeping. I rolled my eyes and grabbed my keys and went to the car and started it. I drove to the school and put the car in park and took out my iPad. I went onto Tumblr.com and scrolled through Deryk’s tumblr. I laughed at a few posts. The car door opened and I looked up to see Ben.

“Hey mom.” He said.

“Where’s Deryk?” I asked. He shrugged and buckled.

“He’s gonna be pissed at you.” I said. He smiled.

“I know. But he always gets front, I deserve it this time.” He said. I looked out the window and saw Deryk and a boy having a heated conversation.

“Who’s that boy?” I asked. Ben looked and sighed.

“Tanner Bryant.” He said. I looked at Ben.

“And why are Deryk and him arguing?” I asked.

“Because Tanner bullied me.” He said. I looked at him. I looked back up and saw Tanner throw a punch at Deryk. I unbuckled really fast and got out. I walked over and grabbed Deryk’s hand as it went to swing.

“Deryk, no.” I said. Deryk looked at me and sighed.

“Why not?” He asked.

“Just get in the car Deryk.” I said. Deryk looked at Tanner, and for a second watched him before going to lung at him.

“Deryk Michael Sheckler. Get in the God damn car!” I yelled. Deryk stopped, looked at me, and shrugged my hand off and stalked to the car.

“Be happy I’m not calling your parents for bullying my son.” I said.

“And what would that do?” Tanner asked me. “You look like Deryk’s sister.”

“I’m his mother, and his father is Ryan Sheckler, and I can sue your family for everything it has.” I said.

“Such a threat.” He said.

“Just go home. Before I call the police.” I said. He looked at me, laughed and walked away. I walked back to the car and got in, Deryk was looking out the window. I buckled and drove off.

“Why Deryk?” I asked, looking at him in the rear view mirror.

“Why what?” He asked.

“Why fight Tanner?” I asked.

“He called Ben a faggot and threw him into a locker!” Deryk exclaimed. I looked at Ben.

“You didn’t tell me that.” I said. Ben sunk in his seat.

“We’ll talk to dad when we get home.” I said.

“No, don’t tell dad. He’ll get really mad and try to get Tanner suspended.” Ben said.

“Ben, I know dad can overreact, but he’s still your dad and he needs to know.” I said. Ben looked at his hand. I pulled into the driveway and stopped the car. Deryk got out and slammed the door and walked inside. Ben sat in the car.

“You coming inside?” I asked. Ben looked at his hands.

“Ben?” I asked.

“Would you disown me if I were gay?” He asked. I looked at him.

“Well, no, I wouldn’t. You’d still be my son.” I said. He shuffled through his bag and took out a note and handed it to me.

Dear mom and dad,
I know this might seem far fetched, but I think I might be gay. I don’t like girls, and sometimes I look at guys and think they’re cute, sometimes hot. I know you might be mad or what ever but, please understand.

Ben

“Ben, I don’t know what to say.” I said. He swallowed and looked down again. I saw a tear fall on his hand.

“Oh, Ben, come here.” I said and held my arms out. Ben hugged me and cried into my shoulder.

“I didn’t know how to tell you. I was scared.” He cried.

“Don’t feel scared honey, you are you, I won’t look at you any differently, I promise. Let’s go talk to dad and Deryk and sort all your feelings out.” I said. Ben sat up and looked at me and nodded.