/ * Some wrestlers real names used throughout the story * /
Amber and the stench embedded into his hair along with bits of glass .
It was his ' shampoo ' he'd grown used to but didn't want and now , was going to leave behind and hit the road to find something better .
To redesign .
Rebuild .
Reclaim his life .
Get out of Hell and create his personal Heaven at last .
" I'll be making dinner again tonight ? " the young man whispered bitterness spooned over sarcasm to his mother as he unfolded an extra blanket from her bedroom closet and left it now draped over her passed out but snoring .
He checked the fridge , not feeling up to doing anything kitchen related besides reheating leftovers , if there were any .
Nada .
" I'm an adult now , legally aged eighteen and graduated yesterday . You should be glad I'm not a high school dropout . You SHOULD be proud and celebrating with me , bragging and we'd be eating steak in a nice restaurant . Instead you're back with your best friend , beer and I'm done with you , done living here and trapped , held down like this ! " the teenager shouted and punched the pillow beneath his mother's head , just missing hitting one side of her flushed , shiny damp face .
She didn't flinch , only kept snoring that annoying rattling sound .
" Useless drunk . Pathetic , worthless , pitiful alcoholic waste ! "
Tying his shoelaces and dragging wrists through the jacket sleeve holes , he left .
Didn't care enough any longer to leave a note .
Besides , she knew where he'd be .
Colby wasn't bothered ( much ) walking into the building , nor did he find the so - called ' hardcore makeover ' of the decaying , ready for the wrecking ball former house of religion distasteful .
Most of the pews , the baptising tub and microphone stand up on the platform stage in the main room had been removed and from what he knew , the mens and womens restrooms , small cafeteria style kitchen , storage room and closet in the back remained the same .
He always looked at everything in wonder and fascination from the unchanged and sparkling clean , very pretty stained glass windows shaped into arches and bigger than he was wooden crosses propped up all over .
Stepping worn sneakers over old car parts , he flopped into a long seat , nodded his aching and scabby head to the classic rock and blues blasting out of giant speakers that had once played gospel after the choir had finished .
He flipped through a Bible ' replacement ' with interest before realizing he'd already seen this month's centerfold , dropped the skin mag and pounced on the back of his ashy smelling , scruffy but surprisingly bathed classmate and one of the better friends , but only after he'd sat down the old plastic juice pitcher he was watering his hanging plant collection with .
" You're under arrest for lighting up inside a church ! " Colby laughed , hanging on to Jon like a baby monkey clinging to its mother's furry back until the other man shook him off to land unharmed on the floor .
" I've served time before but never for smoking . "
" Really ? ! You've been behind bars or are you just running off at the mouth ? "
" I'm not bragging . I try to get locked up in each state I go to . It's kind of a goal of mine and makes me feel worthwhile . " Jon commented and held out a second pitcher .
" You . Are . A . Lunatic . " his buddy backed away , not in a mood to become a gardener out of nowhere .
" Well , hey . I've been called crazy before but this would be a first to hear it from someone I actually like . "
" Don't go getting too emotionally attached to me . I'm headed out of state as soon as I can get my butt on a bus seat . "
" The typically sloshed slob is being more abusive and neglectful , huh ? "
" You guessed ? ! " Colby let his dark brows fly like kites before going back to his sitting area .
" Yeah , I can tell . " Jon leaned behind him and picked glass splinters from waves of black - brown . " What did she do THIS time , Cheese Man ? ! "
" Threw a beer bottle at my head and amazed me by having decent aim . "
" Huh . Ungrateful bitch could've used a non glass material and saved you from future scalp stitchery . "
" I hate to leave you but I can't stay here any longer . "
" Nothing to worry about ' cause I've developed the itch to return to Ohio and see some old friends again . Old meaning that I've known them for a long time , not their ages . "
" Hey , I'm not stupid ! Just amazed that you can find people wanting to be your friend . "
" Oh , you won't believe how many want me . " A round , joyful face capped with dirty blond going to light brown and tangled curls grinned excitedly .
" Maybe or maybe not . " the second man nostril snorted how unimpressed he could be and playfully pushed his friend floor bound .
" So ... "
" Yeah , what ? "
" Let's go see if Joe's at his place and we can say goodbye then . "