My life had never been simple or confusing. To me it had just been normal, I grew up moving to a lot of different places, and I lived most of my life in Chicago. About a year ago we had moved to a small town in Texas. I never knew who my father was and I didn't care. My named me October because it was the month I was born in.
My mother and I had got along pretty well until about a year ago. She developed a drug problem and everything was downhill from there. She began to drink all the time, she lost her job and had began to use her body to make money. I gave up on her and life at that time.
I was sitting home when I got a call from the police telling me my mom had been murdered. The scariest part about it was that I actually felt relieved. The only problem was that I was 16 and I didn't have anywhere to go or so I thought.
The police car stopped in front of what seemed to be a run down house. We were in Odessa, Texas, the land of Football or so I heard.
The officer opened my door and I got out, followed by the social services representative, Cathy. She smiled at me and grabbed my suit case. I followed the both of them onto the pathway. They knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer. It seemed like an eternity before something happened.
"Can I help you?" We all turned around and saw a guy standing there looking confused. There were two other standing behind him. "If you're looking for my dad you're not going to find him, not now at least." He said getting closer.
"Where is he?" Cathy asked. "We made an appointment with him for today."
"I don't know where he is, maybe at work or maybe drunk. Why do you care so much anyway?" He asked clearly angry.
"Are you Donnie Billingsley?" The officer asked.
"Its Don." He corrected him quickly.
"Well we need to get inside, so why don't you just let us in?" The officer said.
"I don't think that's a good idea." He said walking past us and opening the door. "What do you want anyway?" He asked unlocking the door.
"This is October, I am sure your father might've mentioned her." Cathy said smiling.
Don looked at me. "No, he didn't." He said bluntly.
"Well she is going to be living here, with you and your father." Cathy said.
"Oh right." Don said sarcastically. "Come in." He offered opening the door, he waved the other two guys away and they left. "Sorry the place is a wreck, Dad doesn't do much but sit around and drink." He said following them.
As soon as I walked in I could smell the alcohol, it didn't bother me that much I had grown used to it with my recently. Despite the smell though it seemed like a nice enough place. Everything seemed almost new.
"If you could just show us the spare room we will be out of your way." Cathy said still smiling.
"It's the last door on the right." He said pointing down the hall. She nodded as her and the officer walked away with my stuff. "Are you really living here?" Don asked grabbing my arm when I went to follow them.
"Does it bother you?" I asked pulling away. He shrugged. "Your dad is my mom's brother." I said "My mom is dead now and I am underage, sorry for the inconvenience."
"Sorry about your mom." He said looking away.
"It doesn't matter, she was a drunk anyway." I said.
Cathy and the officer walked out. "Well sorry to leave you like this but we must be off, plenty of things to do. Call us if you need something." Cathy said hugging me. "Nice meeting you Donnie." She said smiling.
They both walked out and he closed the door. "Does she always smile that much?" He asked looking at me. I nodded. "So I guess you're my cousin?" He asked. I nodded. "What's your name again?"
"October Billingsley, yours?" I asked.
"Don Billingsley." He said.
"Can I call you Donnie?" I asked
He Shrugged. "Can I call you Tobe?" He asked, I shrugged.
"Guess we have at least two things in common." I said. "A drunken parent and the same name."
"Your are a little short." He said standing straight up, towering over me. "How tall are you?" He asked
"5'3", I know I am short." I said. "Very short."
"Guess so, cousin." He said pushing me.
"What's that for?" I asked confused.
"Isn't that what family does?" He asked.
I shrugged and pushed him back.
Later that night Donnie took me with him a party. He said it was something about the end of the summer or whatever. I just agreed and went with. His father was at home drunk and I didn't want to be alone.
We pulled up outside a house that seemed to be oozing drunken teens and beer. I followed him inside. He introduced me to a couple guys he knew, Boobie, Chavo and Ivory. I talked to them for awhile once Donnie disappeared with some girl.
"Don't worry, he does that a lot." Ivory said noticing my lost face.
"Yeah, if you say so. Where is the bathroom?" I asked. They pointed me to a general direction. I walked and saw three doors, one of them had to be the bathroom. I opened the first one, nothing but an empty room. I opened the second one only to see two people in quickly getting dressed. They both looked at me. "I am so sorry." I said before shutting the door.
I walked away feeling embarrassed. I walked outside and sat on the floor. I was sitting there hoping that Donnie would come out eventually. I gave up and just stood up. I turned around to walk back inside only to walk into someone. Because of my I height I basically walked into someone's chest.
I stepped back to see the same guy from the second room, my cheeks felt hot. "I am sorry about." I said looking down.
"Don't worry about it." He said. "Your Billingsley cousin right?" He asked. I nodded. "He asked me to drive you home." He said.
I look at him, unsure. I know when kids are little stranger tell me 'I'm your mom's friend' or 'I know your dad' so I was hesitant. He could tell.
"I am not going to try anything, I promise." He said. "My name is Mike, Mike Winchell." He said.
"Where is your car?" I asked.
"This way," He pointed to a truck and began to walk, I followed against my better judgment. He seemed nice enough.
I got in and he drove me. The ride was quiet and he seemed concentrated. We finally pulled up in front of the house. "Thanks for the ride." I said as I opened the door.
"No problem, anytime." He said as I got out.