TRIGGER: references to drugs, sex, mentions of domestic abuse, swearing
A month passed and it was now July. A heartbroken and rejected Raphael had spent all his free time with Tadhg, drinking, partying, everything he could to dull the huge ache in his heart. Leo was gone and he would never forgive him. He'd called Leo a bunch of times, but on each occasion, Leo had hung up. Once he'd ventured to go to the lair, but Leo had blocked his path and prevented him from entering, the family standing behind Leo, supporting him. Raphael had stormed out and slunk back to Casey and April's apartment.
Casey and April had discovered Raphael and Tadhg making out on the sofa, the lounge a train wreck, with beer bottles, empty take-out cartons, papers, garbage strewn on the floor and it stank of smoke. That wasn't all they smelt. The pungent aroma of weed hung in the air and they could see packages containing white powder on the coffee table. Added to that Raphael's eyes were bloodshot. They'd demanded to know what was going on and once they knew had reluctantly tossed Raphael out, reporting the on goings to Leo. Raphael had promptly moved in to Tadhg's run-down one-bedroomed pad, in a seedy area of the city, where he'd been ever since.
Tadhg was extremely different from Leo. He was aggressive, impatient, selfish, drank a lot and smoked, but Raphael was determined to make things work to spite Leo. One more than one occasion a drunken Raphael had called Leo, left a voice message and bragged, "He's so much better in bed than ya are." One a few occasions, Tadhg had smacked Raphael around. The reptile had fought back, but over time he stopped, feeling inadequate and small from the break-up with Leo, his confidence diminished and Tadhg did as he pleased. Raphael had definitely changed for the worse and he knew it, but he was too far gone to care. Nothing mattered. Only getting his latest fix. Tadhg was a member of a gang known as the Irish skinheads and he recruited Raphael, telling him that they sold drugs to make a living and that was what Raphael would be doing too. Raphael did as he was told, becoming even more entangled.
On the sixteenth of July, Tadhg came home from his latest business transaction and said, "Raphael, come here."
"Comin', Raphael said, getting up from the bedroom where he'd been recovering from his hangover. "What's up?" he added, entering the lounge.
"We're moving to LA."
"Why?"
"My pal says it's awesome down there and a new market. We can hang, deal, have fun in the sun. No more of this shitty city."
"I don't know. My family is here."
"I'm your family, Raphael. The only thing you have. Or have you forgotten?"
"No," Raphael said nervously, worried that Tadhg would strike him.
"I could toss you out and abandon you like everyone else has done and then where would you be? A freak like you. Unwanted. I'm the only one who wants you, Raphael, so don't fucking test my patience." Tadhg stood to his full height of six foot four and glared at him. Raphael was two inches taller, but the rage in Tadhg's eyes made him shiver and he nodded. "When we leavin'?"
"Few hours. Start packing."
"Ya know I'm sorry, right? Don't mean ta make ya mad."
"Shut up and start packing."
A few hours later, they headed to LA. Tadhg was driving and Raphael slouched in the front passenger side, his eyes glazed from the six pack he'd had earlier. "How much longer till we're there?" Raphael asked.
"Probably four days or so. We'll have to stop multiple times to sleep, eat, rest and we can probably only travel at night thanks to you."
"Ain't my fault I'm a mutant."
"You want me to stop the car and belt you for talking back, Raphael?" Tadhg asked, a nasty glint in his eyes.
"N-no. I'll just sit here and sleep."
"Good. You know I love you, but you have to know your place. I'm in charge. Not you, Raphael. Got it?"
"Understood. I won't forget."
"You better not."
"Tadhg, I love ya. Ya know that," Raphael said, placing a hand on his knee. "I'll behave."
"Raphael is a dumb name. Your new name is Jake. It's edgier, cooler. More gangster like."
"Whatever ya want, Tadhg."
"Good. Now go to sleep, Jake."
They stopped at a motel a few hours later and Raphael managed to sneak past the sleepy person at the front desk. Tadhg got a key and they went inside. "I'm going to take a quick walk," Tadhg said. "And get some food and disguises. You stay here, Jake."
Raphael waited until he'd gone and then placed a call to Leo. He was stunned when Leo picked up. "It's Raph, Leo," he said. "Can we talk?"
"It's fucking three a.m.," Leo snapped.
"I know. Wanted ta tell ya that Don came over yesterday and brought the papers ya wanted me ta sign, signifyin' our divorce."
"Uh huh. And?"
"I signed them and agreed to the stipulation that I never see the kids. Ya said it's best and yer right. I don't want them. You win, Leo."
"It's for the best, Raphael. Now you're free to do as you wish and the kids won't be endangered. A life of no responsibilities just like you wanted."
"Ya can have the cash in the safe and our other assets. I'm makin' plenty cash and will be fine."
"I'm sure you will," Leo said sarcastically. "Just focus on what you do best, looking after yourself."
"I did love ya, Leo, and I miss ya. Would ya think about takin' me back one day? Maybe we could try again."
"No! Goodbye, Raphael. Enjoy your freedom!" Leo slammed down the phone.
Raphael looked at the phone sadly, picked up a bottle of vodka and took a long swig. Leo's right, he thought sadly. I ain't good enough for him and the kids. But I shouldn't think 'bout that. I have Tadhg and we're gonna make a great life together.