Friday morning rolled in with a dark, cloudy sky that Billy felt he could relate to. He had gone to bed late, didn't sleep well, and when he was asleep he dreamt of times long past. So for once, he was up in time to see Spencer off to school, if only because he happened to be awake at the same time. His ulterior motive was putting off the inevitable talk with his mother for as long as possible. Jane had taken the day off to watch after Jessica since Mrs. McGanzer was sick but he couldn't stick to her side all day. So when Hugh left for work and to drop Spencer off at school Billy left too.
With hours to kill before the Wrights got back, spending all day in the junkyard surrounded by nature didn't sound appealing. So Billy decided to kill some time by checking out the town. He shouldered his bag, which still contained the shoebox, snuck out once the Wrights' car drove off, and started the long walk into town.
With a fresher perspective, Billy thought the tiny town didn't look quite as bad as it did before. Almost. The sidewalks and roads were cracked and broken from years of neglect. The park, if you could call it that, looked like nothing more than a small grassy patch of land with a rusted jungle gym, rotting benches, and a leaf covered picnic table. On the outskirts of the town ran a series of railroad tracks and every so often Billy could hear their horns blaring in the distance. Even though he was in the supposedly busiest part of town he still got whiffs of corn, grain, cattle, and manure from nearby farms. Disgusting.
Billy longed for the city where every street was lined with lavish stores, restaurants, theaters, and teeming with people. This town only had one main street where there were any public places and the lack of people reminded him of a ghost town. He paced the main street and looked at the few buildings and shops. There was only one place to eat, some mom and pop diner with attached ice cream parlor. One run down cinema that looked like it was on the verge of closing. A barber shop that Billy likely wouldn't trust a single person inside to touch his luscious locks. A 'General Store', whatever that was. An old antique furniture store, and something called a 'library' that Billy wasn't even remotely interested in. Anything of actual interest or use was several miles out into the next town but to get there Billy would need a car. He decided to investigate this 'general store'.
Billy walked in expecting to be underwhelmed as he assumed everything in this small town was underwhelming. But to his surprise, this store had a wide variety of items. Stores back in the city sure as heck didn't look like this. Every store he knew in the city usually specialized in one type of thing. Granted the stuff if the city was likely of better quality and design but this was at least interesting. He walked up and down the isles gawking at all the different items. Shelves lined the walls full of toys, medicines, herbs, snacks, nicknacks, ornaments, clothes printed with the theme of this small town(which of course involved cows), hand-carved wooden utensils, etc. But the best thing was the wooden barrels filled to the brim with snacks and candy. Billy was happy he took some cash along for this trip since his mom still handled all his credit cards and most of his finances.
"Do you need help finding anything?" croaked a hoarse voice.
Billy's looked to the front desk where the voice came from. A little old wrinkled lady with wiry white hair tied in a bun sat on a small stool behind the register. She had huge bifocal glasses on but based on the way she wasn't exactly looking at him, and obviously wasn't freaking out over the great Billy Joe Cobra gracing this establishment with his glorious presence, she probably was blind as a bat even with them.
"I dunno, this place has so much stuff it's awesome! You got any music?"
She pointed a shaking spidery hand to the corner. On a table sat a few wooden instruments like a pan pipe and a banjo. Not exactly the CDs or records he'd been hoping for.
"Uuhh, heh, ok. What about some rad-tastic clothes? You know, that don't have cows on them...Or some cool costumes?"
"Afraid not."
Billy sighed. He should have expected as much. If he couldn't get anything music related to entertain himself and later teach the kid what good music(his music) was then he had hoped for some new material for some outfits. Too much to hope for in this podunk town he supposed.
"Hmmm...I don't recognize your voice. Are you new to town?"
Yup, she's blind as a bat, "Just visiting some family. Do you have any movies? Like action movies or even some B-horror flicks? My cousin likes scary stuff."
She seemed to perk up at this, "Scary stuff, you say? I don't have any movies but I do have these," the old woman took several items out from under the desk. There were some monster themed sticker sheets and a pack of skull shaped cookies, "You wouldn't happen to know Spencer, would you?"
"That's my cousin."
She chuckled, "I thought as much. Sometimes he pops in here so I keep some of these around even if it's not in the Halloween season. He gets so excited about them and he prattles on about his favorite monster movies. Hehehe, sometimes he tells me some of his own stories but he's so shy. He says he would rather have me see them like he sees his little movies. He is quite the adorable little scamp."
Lightbulb moment. If at least one person showed interest in the kids' stuff then maybe there was a way to get others interested too. Billy thanked her and purchased the monster stickers, some musical themed ones she had, as well as the cookies and some candy before heading back.
Instead of going to the house he went directly to the fort and spent the last few hours finishing it. Billy completed the little stage area in the fort: adding a makeshift curtain, finishing the storage areas for costumes and props, and finishing some backdrops. When he was satisfied with his work he went to the cabin. There was only one more thing that could complete his plan.
Billy crept into the cabin and towards the back room. He couldn't seem to shake the feeling that he wasn't alone and every few moments he glanced around in the anticipation a raccoon was going to attack him. He crept into the back room and as Spencer said the camcorder was back on the end table. Billy grinned as he picked it up and looked it over. The Hughster loved to tinker with things, he wasn't great at it but maybe he could get it working enough to record. That way the kid could show people his stuff like those people who make movies do. What were they called? Billy has walked out on enough sets he should know the word by now...Eh, the kid will figure it out.
Billy opened his bag and put the camera in the shoebox. Then he turned and started out of the cabin. Something creaked heavily against the wood flooring in the back and he stopped. His head wiped around but he saw nothing. As if on impulse he glanced once again to the doll cabinets in the back to triple check that they were closed. A quick look around the rest of the cabin assured him he was alone. He shivered at the thought of encountering another animal and left.
When he got back at the Wright's house he left the camcorder on the Hugh-mans' workbench with a sticky note asking to see if he can fix it. Then right as he ducked out of the garage he saw the familiar old station wagon rolling up the dirt road. Billy waited as it screeched to a stop in the driveway and out jumped the kid.
"Billy!" Spencer shouted as he ran up to the pop star and leaped onto him.
Billy caught him just in time, caught off guard by the hug, "Hey, lil' dude. You have a good day?"
When he was back on his feet Spencer smiled up at him, "Yeah, no one pushed me around!"
"Awesomesauce! You tell them of your epic escape from the terrifying Kinder Snatch like we rehearsed?"
Spencer nodded, "Uh-huh! I told em he's my friend so if they pick on me again he'll come and get them!"
Billy grinned and ruffled his hair, "Perfect, my little horror helmer! Hey, I got some surprises for you today."
Spencer gasped and his expression brightened with anticipation.
"Baruch!"
Billy winced. Of course… He looked to the front door to see his mother waiting for him. Busted. He sighed, "You go ahead to the fort, ok? I'll catch up."
Spencer nodded eagerly before returning to his dad right as Jane came outside while cradling Jessica to greet them. She shared a fleeting kiss with her husband and gave Spence a hug. Billy found the sight heartwarming(not a word he thought he'd ever use). The three talked for a bit before Spencer ran off towards the back of the house, presumably to the fort. Billy watched Jane and Hugh talking for a moment longer before looking back at his mother. With her arms crossed and tapping her foot, the image sent a feeling of dread coursing through him. He sighed and looked up at the darkening sky before following her inside.
"Baruch, we need to talk," his mother said as she led him into the living room.
Billy groaned, here we go, "Yeah?"
"As you have likely already guessed I am not happy that you got yourself out of the funeral. It's the reason we even came here."
Not the only reason..."Yeah, yeah, I know, but someone has to watch Spence."
She crossed her arms, "While I'm happy you've chosen to take on the responsibility of watching your cousin I'm not convinced you're doing it purely out of the goodness of your heart. I'm disappointed in you for finding a cop-out, AGAIN."
Billy glared at the floor, "I don't like funerals…"
"Baruch, it's part of life and you're going to have to get used to it sooner or later. Chances are a lot more people will die before you do. You've always managed to weasel your way out ever since-"
Billy shot his glare over to her, daring her to finish.
She sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose, "I understand your aversion to them, but-"
Then, by the grace of God, Jane popped her head in from the kitchen, "I don't mean to interrupt…"
Billy's mom opened her mouth but he beat her to it, "You're not interrupting. What's up?" he asked as he ignored his mothers' glare.
"Do either of you know where Spencer ran off to? He's not out back and it looks like it may start to storm soon. I don't want him outside if it does."
Billy grinned, Bingo, "I do! I can go get him."
"Thank you, sweetie," she smiled before slipping back into the kitchen.
His mother grabbed his shoulder before he could bolt, "We're not done. Spencer is one thing I wanted to discuss. You can get him in a minute."
Billy glared. He could argue that 'in a minute' it could start to rain but her expression was set with such resolve it killed the words in his throat. He already knew he wasn't going to like where this was going.
"I also know you haven't been doing anything I've asked you to do, and this isn't just about your homeschooling. What exactly did Jane mean about dressing up earlier?"
Billy rolled his eyes, "I'm not doing anything to 'negatively influence' the kid if that's what you think. We've just been playing around."
"As long as that's all you're doing. I don't want your bad habits influencing him which is exactly what I've been trying to teach you."
"Oh come on, Mom. It's not like I take him out partying and getting wasted. Hell, I don't even curse around the kid."
She raised an obnoxious eyebrow.
Billy scoffed, "We've just been playing typical kid stuff, alright? Pretending to be monsters and stuff. Nothing weird."
"Really?" She then took several garments out of one of her suitcases. They were the more scandalous costumes Billy had hidden in his luggage.
"You went through my stuff?!"
"Of course I did. You've lied to me more than once and hid things from me. How could I trust you not to keep lying? And don't think I didn't notice the makeup you took out of the bag after I explicitly told you I was keeping it until this trip is over."
Billy was starting to see red, "What is it with you? Why do you care so much about what I do all the sudden?!"
"You need to learn that your actions have consequences and young kids like Spencer are easily influenced. Lying, stealing, throwing tantrums, or performing outrageous stunts for attention aren't good things for a kid to learn. He isn't famous like you, if any of this behavior rubs off on him people around here won't accept it. Do you want other kids to bully him?"
"He already is bullied because he likes scary movies! Besides, it's not like I'm putting makeup on him and dressing the kid up as a freaking cheerleader! I'm just been boosting his confidence so he's not afraid to show off the stuff he likes. So what if it's different? He's doing better since I've been helping him."
"And what happens when we leave and you're no longer around for him?"
Billy opened his mouth but closed it again. What was going to happen to the kid when they left?
"I'm not saying what he's into is weird. What I'm trying to say is that from a social standpoint things are different here and how one presents themselves can impact how others receive them. Your flamboyant way of handling social problems, like the streaking incident, won't work for everyone. Especially, not in a small farm town."
Billy flushed at the memory. He wasn't embarrassed about it before but when she puts it like she kind of had a point. Billy thought back to the other day when he helped Spencer scar the bullies. Dressing up as a pseudo grim reaper or any other monster won't work a second time and next time Billy wouldn't be there to help. If the other kids got wind that Spencer's stunts were just that, stunts, then the bullying could get worse.
"He's a smart kid and can learn to work through any bullying on his own. I'm sure he'll soon make lots of friends, too. But he'll have an easier time developing and learning how to interact with people and present his interests without your over-the-top 'solutions'. That's how normal kids do it. Not like some of the stunts and tantrums you pull when someone doesn't agree with you. Do you at least understand that?"
Billy gritted his teeth but nodded.
"Now for the other thing that's concerning me," she sighed as she fiddled with his mermaid shell bra.
He winced and knew what was coming.
"I had hoped you would grow out of certain phases but I was clearly wrong and this trip has done nothing to rectify it as I had hoped. Baruch, your fans might be ok with it now but like I said it'll get old. Your managers and producers only care as long as they aren't losing money. The second it starts to impact that they'll drop you. As your mother, I don't want to see something like this ruin you."
Billy bristled and tried to ignore the stinging in his eyes, "Dad wouldn't have had any problems with this stuff!"
Her expression hardened and Billy knew he struck a chord but he wasn't sure if it was a good one, "I knew your father longer than you knew him. You have no idea what he would have thought."
That's not fair, "He was a musician too, right? A performer. He'd get me."
"He never made it as a successful musician as he promised me he would. But when I saw you had the potential that he didn't-"
"You thought what? That I could be your cash cow instead?"
"No, that's not-"
"Yes, it is!"
"Baruch, your father wasn't great with his music like he wanted to be but he wasn't terrible. If he worked harder he could have made it. But he also had some...strange tendencies like you which were the real reasons why he never made it as big as he dreamed of. People didn't accept some of the things he did, things like you do now."
"So that's where I get it from? See, he would have supported me! Why didn't you ever tell me?"
"Everything he promised and hoped for fell apart because of it. Back then we didn't have much which was fine for the two of us but when you came along I convinced him to take a NORMAL job for the sake of this family. Then after he passed and you wanted to keep doing music I wanted to support you but I knew I had to try and make sure things didn't follow the same path."
"He was my Dad, I have a right to know!
"I didn't want your life to fall apart too because of some phase, so I never told you that much about your father. I thought if you didn't know things would turn out better for you than they did for him. But I'm afraid of it happening again if this continues, dear."
Billy gritted his teeth, he refused to let his tears spill over in front of her, "I wish dad was still around. Maybe then I'd get some decent support in this shitty family!"
He didn't bother waiting for a response and he bolted through the kitchen past Jane's concerned expression and out the back door.
Billy kicked a rock as he walked along the dirt road towards the old cabin property. The fight with his mom kept turning over and over in his head. She would never understand or support him. Finding out that his father probably would have just hurt even more. He wished he could have had a few more years with him to get to know him better, but that was taken from him. Billy couldn't help but find some dark humor in the irony. He was a superstar and had anything anyone could have wanted in the world: fame, fortune, fans, glory. But the thing he wanted the most right now, the thing he would trade this whole damn lifestyle for, he could never have. Ever.
Sure the Wrights were technically family and they didn't seem to have any problems with him but it may only be a false kindness because of his fame. And they were distant relatives at best. He didn't know for sure if they actually cared and even if they did he was leaving in two days so it wouldn't matter. He didn't know when, or if, he'd ever get to see them again. If he could would they even want him to? Billy's mom was right in that some of his exploits wouldn't be setting a good example for the kid. If Spencer's parents had any kind of access to a tabloid they'd discover some of his less than savory stunts. They might not want that kind of influence around their kid.
What would happen to Spence? Sure he seemed to be doing better now but that was because Billy helped him with some dumb prank. What was going to happen when Billy wasn't around to have his back? Maybe his mom had the right intention about discouraging any weird stuff. Billy's method might have scared the bullies for now but it wasn't a sure fire way of making friends. Spencer needed to make real friends since Billy was likely only a temporary one. The kids' interest in horror wasn't all that abnormal, he'd find friends who liked stuff like that too. After all, the old General Store lady encouraged him and so did his own parents. Unlike Billy's mom...
As Billy slipped through the fence he tried to figure out what to tell the kid, IF he should say anything. But his mind blanked. All he could think about was how complete the Wright family was. How they all supported each other and how happy they seemed. He kind of resented it. It only reminded him of the void in his chest left behind by his dad that he had tried to fill with fame and fortune. It had failed.
Billy dragged his feet into the fort but the kid wasn't there. He wasn't in the mood to play games today. He walked back out but refused to go any further into the property.
Billy cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "Spencer! Come on, we have to go!" He waited a few seconds but didn't get a response, "I don't have time for Hide 'N Seek today, kid! Come on!"
A few moments later the pitter patter of feet told him of Spencer's approach. The kid popped out from around a pile of trash and stared up at Billy with something like concern on his face. But Billy ignored it.
"Come on, we gotta go home. Your mom doesn't want you outside if it starts to storm."
Spencer glanced at the sky in confusion then back at him, "But it's not stormy."
"Doesn't matter, let's just go back, ok?" Billy didn't wait for him as he started back towards the house.
Spencer ran up next to him, "But Billy I thought you said we were going to play more today…"
"Yeah, well, change of plans. Sorry, kid."
Spencer ran in front of him, making Billy stop, and he stomped his foot, "But you promised!"
Billy sighed and scrubbed a hand over his face, "I know I did but your parents want you home, so stop whining."
Spencer frowned up at him with those big teary eyes. On a normal day they'd get to him but now he wasn't in the mood. He walked past the kid and continued on. Spencer followed, continuing to pout and he kept glancing back towards the junkyard every few seconds.
It started to irritate Billy, "What is it?" he inwardly winced at the sharpness of his tone.
Spencer jumped a little, "The ghost said you took the camera. If we're not gonna play we need to give it back."
Billy exhaled a long, heated breath. He was sick of anything 'undead', "Spence, I'm really not in the mood to play pretend right now."
"I'm not playing! The ghost we have to give it back," the kid stamped his foot again. Billy's had enough tantrums of his own to know the kid was about to have one and he DID NOT want to deal with it. All he wanted was to go home, lock himself in the room, and mope on his stupid air mattress. But the kid was going to keep pestering him until he did something.
"Spence, look, I know I promised I'd play with you so we'll do something when we get back, alright? But stop with the ghosts and monsters for a while, I'm sick of it."
He heard a hitch in the kid's breath and Billy felt a pang of guilt.
"I thought you said it wasn't weird…"
"I-" aw shoot, this isn't what he wanted, "It's not weird, Spence. It-It's just, uhg! That stuff isn't real Spence and I'm not in the mood for games right now, ok? Drop it."
"But it was real! If we don't return the camera the ghost is gonna get mad, Billy!"
Billy's could almost feel his anger bubbling over, "Sorry to break it to you, squirt, but that stuff isn't real. It's all make-believe. There are no zombies, no vampires, and no GHOSTS."
"But there ARE! There are ghosts, Billy!"
"No. There. AREN'T. Trust me, I would know."
The kid huffed, "Yeah, right."
Billy's fists clenched, "I DO know, brat."
"Have you seen one? Talked to one?"
"No, but-"
"Well, I did! So they are real!"
"Spence, seriously I'm not in the mood. Just drop it!"
"But we have to do what the ghost said!"
"No, we don't because ghosts. AREN'T. REAL."
"How would you know?!"
That's it, he finally snapped and whirled around, "Because if they were then my dad would still be here, ok?!"
Spencer jumped and stared at him with eyes like saucers. It wasn't something Billy wanted to talk about but he was too angry right now. Between the fight with his mom, missing his dad, and now the kid egging him on he was done with today. Billy spun around, stormed over to a stump and collapsed onto it. He rested his elbows on his knees and threaded his fingers through his hair to hold his head up as he leaned over. A little voice in the back of his head told him not to take it out on the kid but his anger and grief drowned it out. For a long few moments, he sat there silently and focused on breathing. In. Out. In. Out.
"But he's gone," Billy hated the way his voice cracked, "and that's what happens when you die. You don't come back as a zombie or a vampire or a ghost. You're just gone and you leave people behind. So stop, ok? Leave me alone..." He couldn't continue because if he did he'd completely break down and that wasn't a pretty sight.
Billy was going to leave Spencer and the Wrights behind in two days, so perhaps it was better if the kid was upset with him when he left. It would make it eas-
He felt small arms wrap around his middle and something lean against his side. Billy looked over at Spencer, "What are you doing?"
"Mom always says hugs help when people are sad…"
Sad? Billy thought he was pissed or-he didn't know what he was feeling. There were too many things going on at once. But when he blinked and fat tears rolled down his face he knew the kid was right.
Billy put a hand over his face to try to stop the spasms and sobs which threatened to break free. Even now the kid was still trying to help him even when he was being a jerk. Dammit, "Why are you being nice to me?"
Spencer pouted and thought for a moment, "Mom says that what family is supposed to do: Be there for each other."
Unable to keep holding back anymore Billy broke down. He pulled the kid into a tight hug and for a while, they just sat there.
It was later than Billy anticipated when the two finally made it back to the house. Thankfully, the sky had shown them mercy as it hadn't started to rain yet. Jane had greeted them with relief and joked that she was about to call the National Guard. Billy tried to mirror her happy demeanor but couldn't quite find the energy. She must have noticed something was off because she frowned and gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze before ushering the boys to wash up for dinner. His mother was too busy talking on the phone to notice they had returned until they sat down to eat.
Billy didn't say a word during dinner and afterward, he and Spencer went upstairs to the kids' room. Spence dragged his paper and crayons out from under his bed and started to scribble. Billy plopped down on his air mattress, leaned back against the wall, and stared at nothing for a long time. His mind was blank and he felt drained, both mentally and physically. He had never broken down like that before and if made him feel this exhausted he never wanted it to happen again.
Then he felt something against his leg. He blinked out of his daze to see a piece of paper resting on his lap. It was a childish drawing of two stick figures: One taller than the other and wearing a kind of multi-colored cape with little stars on it, star glasses, and holding a red guitar in one hand. The shorter stick figure with spiky brown hair and was holding what looked like the red camcorder. At least that's what Billy assumed it was seeing as it was just a red rectangle with a black circle at the end. Billy looked over at Spencer.
Spencer grinned at him, "Better than Eldon-um...Elden-Elder...El-"
"Elton John?"
Spencer nodded.
A soft chuckle escaped him, "Thanks."
"You like it?"
Billy slung an arm around the kids' shoulders and pulled him into a small hug, "It's bro-mazing. Sorry I was such a tool earlier. I got into a fight with my mom before I came to get you and I didn't mean to take it out on you."
Spencer smiled and nodded in acceptance of his apology, "What did you fight about?"
Billy let out a world-weary sigh, "About me. About my dad. Family stuff, ya know? Makes me wish he was still around."
Spencer frowned and twiddled his thumbs. Billy could sense the kid either didn't know what to say or still didn't quite understand. Right, change of subject then, no more of this moping around for BJC. It ruined his image.
Billy grabbed his bag, "Got a surprise for ya."
Spencers' eyes widened and he smiled. Billy pulled out the sticker sheets, candy, and cookies he'd bought earlier at the general store.
"Turns out you got a fan already. The lady at the store likes listening to you talking about your horror stories and she keeps this stuff around for you. You should make movies like how we were playing around at the fort and show people."
Spencer beamed at the stuff before he looked up at Billy with concern, "But people will think it's weird, right?"
Billy shook his head, "People who make stuff like that are mega-normal. They're not weird, they're artists. At least in Hollywood. Make it that far and millions of people could see your stuff and you can become a super famous movie making person!"
Spencer grinned up at him again, "Really?"
"Really, really! You might become almost as famous as me. But not AS famous as me, I mean no one can be as great as BJC. But you're family so it's in your veins, you'll get close," Billy then took out the shoebox, "Ok! Let's make this thing awesome."
They spent a while decorating their 'secret-stash' box as they snacked on the candy and cookies. They put the monster and music-themed stickers on and doodled all over the box. It became their special safe where they could store all their favorite stuff without worrying about prying eyes. Billy put Spencers' drawing inside it for safekeeping. Spencer was especially proud of it.
By the time they finished, it was time for lights out but both boys were still wide awake from the sugar high. They slipped out the window, leaving the little building block in the way again to keep it open, and sat on the porch roof so they wouldn't disturb anyone inside. It wasn't raining but it was still partly cloudy and the moon would peek through a crack in the clouds every now and then.
Billy brought out his guitar and stared at it for a bit. His prized bright red sparkly guitar that probably cost way too much. He didn't seem to care as much anymore. Instead of feeling the same star-studded pride he'd felt before now it simply felt normal. It was just a guitar. Not this fancy symbol of who he now was, which he wasn't feeling too great about at the moment. He needed to fix that, BJC doesn't do gloomy.
Billy looked up at the kid, "Hey, Spence. Still wanna learn a few chords?"
The kid's face lit up and he scooted over next to him. Billy laid the guitar over their laps and showed Spencer how to hold the pick and pluck the strings. With each pluck, Billy held the string in the correct place and told Spence which chord he was playing, just like his dad did for him when he was a kid.
