I think I've got some good ideas for this chapter, as far as how it will add to the story. But I don't know, until it's done, so, here goes. Also, there's a detail in this chapter, that is not at all fictional, but I sure as hell wish that it was.
The Lonely One
5:40 p.m.
Another day working at the Dodge Dealership, and now Griffin was back home, in the garage. But today, he wasn't working on his motorcycle. He was playing some guitar. The amp was loud enough, that only he could hear it, and he was lost in his playing. He was playing a song that meant a hell of a lot to him, so much so, that he couldn't ever pick up his guitar, and not play it, despite the fact that it was eight minutes long. It was Blackbird, by Alter Bridge, an incredibly emotional number, that was clearly for remembrance of those who have passed away, and have meant something to someone. He ripped through the solo, and then finished the song off softly, singing the words in his head, and taking hard breaths, to keep from breaking down. When he was done, he heard an applause. He looked up, and saw Alex Dunphy, watching him.
"That was really good." She stated.
"Thank you." Griffin responded. "Was there something you needed?"
"I just wanted to say hi, maybe talk to you for a little bit."
"Sure, have a seat on the Harley."
"I didn't know you could play guitar." She commented, as she sat on the old motorcycle.
"Yeah. Started when I was about seven."
"How old are you, anyway?"
"Nineteen."
"Wow. No offense, but I thought you were older."
"Well, unless you thought I was in my forties, none taken." He said, with a laugh.
"No, no," she giggled. "Nothing like that. I thought you were as old as my sister."
"She did too," Griffin started, remembering yesterday afternoon. "Didn't stop her from kissing me."
"What?"
"I took her to the mall yesterday, to hang out with her friends, and as I was dropping her off, she caught me off guard, and kissed me. Even though I told her I wasn't ready for another relationship."
"And she's in a relationship herself." Alex said, shaking her head. "Don't tell her I said this, but she can be a real slut sometimes."
"Well, she's not the only girl in the world like that. Trust me, I know."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Promise not to tell anyone?" She nods her head. "My ex girlfriend got pregnant, toward the end of both of our Sophomore years. Obviously, I thought the baby was mine, and she let me believe that. Thing is, she lied. Two weeks before we slept together, she had sex with some jackass."
"How'd you find out?"
"The bastard sought me out, and basically told me that the baby was his. It took me almost two years after she got pregnant to find out, and that's what stings. Both that I was dumb enough to fall for this, and that she let me believe that I was a father for all that time."
"Don't beat yourself up about it. There's no way you could've known."
"I know. It's just a hard pill to swallow."
"Then we'll stop talking about it. It clearly upsets you."
"Yeah it does. Thanks."
She smiled, and nodded her head. "So, what song were you playing?"
"Blackbird. It's a song by Alter Bridge, and it really means a lot to me."
"Why's that?"
"I had a friend, named Shawn Anderson, who said that was his favorite song. He... passed away from cancer, last year. To him, it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever heard. To me, it's the best way for me to remember my best friend."
"That's really special, Griffin. I'm sorry for your loss."
"Thank you." Griffin then looked to his left, and groaned. "Here we go." He said to himself. He put his guitar on the stand, and then stood up. A blue Camry pulled into his driveway, and only one person with a blue Camry knew where he lived. It was James Nathanson. The middle-aged man stepped out of his car, to speak to Griffin.
"Should I go?" Alex asked.
"No, this won't take long." Griffin responded, then turned to face James. "What is it, Nathanson?" He asked, in a slightly cold tone.
"What do you think it is, Walker? I need your answer. Are you going to take the position from Kenny, or not?"
"I haven't made the decision yet. Things like that happen, what with life and all. I've got a lot of other priorities on my plate right now, so I need more time. I'll let you know when I've made my decision."
"Or," Nathanson started, then reaching into his back pocket, and pulling out a handgun, and pointing it right in Griffin's face. "How bout you make the decision right now, and let's go."
Griffin then pulled something out of The Equalizer movie, and snatched the gun out of Nathanson's hand. "You've clearly forgotten who you're dealing with." James had a nervous expression on his face. "I've told I need more time, and you're going to give it to me, whether you like it, or not. And If you don't get off of my property, within the next thirty seconds, I'm going to let the police haul your ass, to jail." Griffin then dismantled the gun, and dropped it to the floor. Embarrassed, Nathanson got back in his car, and drove off.
"Griffin, that was amazing! How did you do that?" A surprised Alex asked.
"I've been a Martial Artist, since I was four. You stick with it as long as I have, and you learn a hell of a lot."
"What was that all about, anyway?"
"Long story." Griffin then heard Mrs. Dunphy call Alex in, for dinner. "I'll save it for another day."
"Okay. Bye." She started to walk back to her house.
"Hey, before you go!"
Alex stopped, and turned around. "Yeah?"
"Why come here, and talk to me? Isn't there someone else you could talk to?"
"Only my parents. I just wanted to talk to someone new."
"No friends from school?"
"No. I'm not as popular, as my sister. I'm kind of lonely sometimes."
"In that case, if you ever want to talk again, let me know."
"O-okay... thank you!"
"No problem!"
She then went back to her place, and Griffin said to himself, "Nice girl."
So... it was the part about my friend that was true. He really was like a brother to me. Also, the Martial Arts at a young age part was true, as well.
