~I Learned From You~
"So anyway, I was thinking of asking her to go to Lizzie's recital since my parents won't go," Dak commented in a quiet voice the next day as he repeatedly hammered the tip of a paint brush, covered in pink paint onto a canvas. He glanced over at Riley as she pulled the cap off a container of spay paint. "What do you think?"
"I think," Riley commented, looking up at him, holding a mask away from her face, "that you're going to drive me crazy talking about my sister all of the time, and in turn while drive her crazy by popping up everywhere she turns, which would make our already crazy family even more psychotic."
"So…you don't think it's a good idea?" Dak asked, slowly, setting down his brush.
WayneWayne burst into loud laughter despite the sour look Dak gave his friend. "What?" he asked, widening his eyes. "She's right. Their family is crazy." Riley made a face and kicked him hard in the shin.
"Just because I say it doesn't you're allowed to," she commented, placing the mask over her mouth. She then turned away from her friends and started spraying the canvas. Once she stopped spraying, she set the can down and used both hands to wave her painting, blowing the paint fumes away from her. As she lowered the mask, she let out a single cough. "Anyway, thanks guys for helping me with my art project."
"No problem," Dak replied, moving to sit down at the kitchen table. "It's been assigned for weeks though; I figured you'd be done with it by now considering how much you love art."
"In case you hadn't noticed, Ronan's been pretty distracted lately," Riley replied, also taking a seat, motioning towards the stack of envelopes at the head of the table. "We're getting just about two letters a day now. Plus, he pushed the due date back a while and I figured I'd get a jump on it before I go surfing with James and then Rhubes and I are going to the mall with the girls."
Dak silently nodded, dragging his brush over the canvas, drawing a bright blue stripe. Dak was an avid painter, starting from a young age when his parents would put him in an art class to keep him out of trouble. He used painting as a way to "get away from it al."
Sometimes it was a large cobalt blue vase of blood-red roses speckled with a summer sun or violets in a clear plastic cup of water throwing prisms across a whitewashed room. There were times where he thought that if he wasn't an actor and a singer, then he'd be a painter. It was another form of creating images that people would love.
"But, if you're really going to go on and on about this, I need to warn you about something," Riley commented, getting Dak's attention. "Us Jacksons, er, well now Jackson-McGuires, we live in the past. The main reason why Rhubes doesn't want to go out with you, or anyone for that matter, is because the papers, magazines, online sites, what have you, will start talking. 'What does Dak Zevon see in Rhuben Jackson-McGuire?' Your faces would be plastered everywhere."
"Not like it's not now," WayneWayne commented.
Riley nodded, showing that what he was saying was true. "People will see you as the All American couple, and people will want to start looking for dirt to gossip about. We've worked hard to keep our abuse a secret, and if they look hard enough, they'll figure it out and release it to the press before we figure out a way to beak it to our fans."
"So…I still have a chance then?" Dak asked, brightening.
"You also have a chance of getting a paint brush shoved up your nose if you don't stop," WayneWayne commented with a groan. "I get that you want to date her and everything, but even I get tired hearing her name come up in every conversation. I hate to break it to ya, but you can be pretty overbearing when it comes to girls you like." Dak gave WayneWayne a warning look as WayneWayne turned towards Riley. "Before Rhubes, Dak was head over heels for Tasha Abbot."
"Tasha Abbot?" Riley repeated, raising her eyebrows. "That chick who was in Varsity Vampires with you?" She made a small face. "The girl who has granny hands?"
"Remind me never to tell you a secret again," Dak commented, giving WayneWayne an over the top smile. "And Tasha and I hit it off well. But, I quickly found out that she was way high maintenance and got up into your face if you looked at her sideways." Dak shook his head and sighed. "She let her fame get to her, which is not what I look for in a girl if I'm going to date in the industry."
"Ah, which is why you're attracted to my sister," Riley said with a nod and a knowing look. "Now, every now and then I like to be a good sister and tell you to back off, but considering my siblings and I are taking a small break from music, I need all the entertainment I can get, so purse away." She waved her hand in the air, seconds before the front door to the apartment opened and Rhuben walked in, carrying a stack of mail. "We got more?"
"Yep," Rhuben replied, dropping the stacks of envelopes onto the table. She then coughed, waving her hand in the air. "Are you spray painting again? Ronan said you weren't supposed to."
"So, I'll just febreeze the place," Riley replied with her famous one-shouldered shrug.
"Or you could've taken my suggestion and opened the windows and used a fan to blow it outside," WayneWayne said in a sing-song voice. "But, what does it matter. No one listens to me anyway." He then moved back to what he was doing to help Riley. He was taking all of the (rinsed out) soda cans from the Jacksons' recycling, taking all the silver tabs off the cans.
"What are you making anyway?" Rhuben asked, sorting through the rest of the mail.
"I don't know yet," Riley replied with a sigh. "You done with your photography project?"
"Haven't even started," Rhuben replied with a smirk, looking up from the envelopes. "You know I do well under pressure. Besides, Ronan hasn't even had time to approve my topic yet." She started ripping manila colored envelopes into shreds before dumping them into the trashcan. "You figured he'd stop by now."
"That's what I was saying," Riley commented with a shake of her head. "But you know Robbie, he never gives up on anything."
"Speaking of which, Dak has to ask you a question," WayneWayne pointed out, an amused look on his face.
"No," Rhuben immediately replied before Dak could even open his mouth.
"Harsh," Dak commented, arching an eyebrow. "I haven't even asked you anything yet."
"Dakary Zevon, the list of reasons why we should never, ever, go out are endless," Rhuben replied, arching an eyebrow as she turned to face him, crossing her arms over her chest. "On top of it is the fact that I'm not interested."
"I'm hurt to think that the only thing you think I'm good for is asking you out," Dak said, pretending to be hurt, putting a hand over his heart. He made a face, briefly closing his eyes when he heard Riley and WayneWayne laughing.
"Your name is Dakary?" Riley asked in between fits of laughter. "Seriously?"
"Shut up," Dak groaned, reaching out a hand to cuff WayneWayne on the back of the head. "I told you not to tell anyone."
"It was bound to slip out," WayneWayne replied, with a smile.
"What do you want, Urkel?" Rhuben deadpanned.
"My parents won't be able to make it home for Liz's dance recital at her school, so I was wondering if you wanted to go," Dak replied, putting his hands up defensively. "Not as a date but as a friend. I know she'd appreciate it if you could go. I'll buy the ticket, just give them my name at the door. It's this weekend at 2:00pm." He then gave a her a warm smile and added, "And maybe we could get ice cream afterwards."
Rhuben pursed her lips as she thought. "Yes, on the recital, and as for ice cream, let me think about it."
"Really?" Dak asked, his eyes widening slightly.
"No," Rhuben replied, rolling her eyes.
"You're kidding," Dak said, raising his eyebrows. "We can't disappoint everyone like that."
Rhuben gave him an odd look. "Disappoint who?"
"Well, everyone," Dak replied, dipping his brush into neon green paint. "Like our friends. How are they ever going to tell you that I'm no good for you if you won't go out with me?" An amused look crossed Rhuben's face. "And what about my friends?"
"Your friends are our friends, Teen Icon," Riley reminded him.
"My other friends," Dak replied, making a face at her. Riley just stuck her tongue out at him in reply. Dak shook his head before turning back towards Rhuben. "They're just waiting for the chance to hustle me about hanging with the chick that's so out of my league it's not even funny? Come on, a lot of people have a lot riding on this."
"Wow," Rhuben said, amazed. She titled her head to the side. "You have other friends?" She then gave him a toothy grin. "Forget it, Dak."
"I had to try," Dak replied with a shrug.
"Of course, we can't let you go through the day without filling your daily quota of being turned down," WayneWayne replied, his lips twitching into a smirk. "What kind of friends would we be if that were to happen?"
"Where is everyone anyway?" Rhuben asked, turning towards her sister.
"Um, Sydney is at Palm Woods Park with Kendall," Riley replied, looking towards the ceiling as she thought. "He promised Sydney he'd spend the day with him. And Patrick and Noah took Katie and Lizzie to that pottery place near the boardwalk. Ronan's out somewhere. He said he'd be back late and he left pizza money."
"Alright, cool," Rhuben replied with a nod. "Well, I'll leave you to your art project then." She then turned on her heels and headed into her room.
"Rhubes, wait," Dak said, pushing his chair back, hurrying after her. He stopped in the doorway to her room and stood there for a moment before walking over to her bed, where she was sitting, cross legged, a school book open in front of her. "Look, Riles told me about why you don't want to go out with me."
"Really?" Rhuben asked, her eyes narrowing slightly as she peered up at him.
"She said that you're worried about people finding out about your abuse if we start dating," Dak replied, sitting down at the edge of her bed. "I understand why you're worried about it."
"Riley doesn't know anything," Rhuben muttered, shaking her head. "That's not why I don't want to go out with you."
"It's not?" Dak asked, blinking.
That really threw him for a loop. Riley was right, they did live in the past. Their actions everyday were clearly dictated by that. They didn't like their brothers going anywhere with people they didn't know, but that was just common sense as well, and he noticed that while they were improving, moving on with their lives, they still walked with their heads down, and flinched whenever something moved quickly out of the corner of their eye.
"The next time you have a problem with me, try coming to me first," Rhuben commented, her upper lip curling. "I hate being talked about, you should know that."
"I know, I'm sorry," Dak replied. He reached out a hand and shook Rhuben's foot. "I honestly think we'd be great together, that's all."
"And, honestly, I'm not interested," Rhuben replied, looking annoyed, scratching at her eyebrow. "Please, stop asking me. I just want to be friends, Dak. That's all." Dak silently peered at her. "Seriously."
"Alright," Dak replied with a sigh and a nod. "I'll just leave you to your homework."
"Thanks," Rhuben replied as Dak got to his feet. "Are you still good with math?" Dak nodded. "Mind…if I come to you if I need help? Ronan's offered to help but you know I hate getting help from teachers."
"Yeah, no problem," Dak replied with a small smile. "I'd be happy to help. With anything."
"I know. Thanks."
Ronan let out a heavy sigh as he stared up at the large building in front of him. He briefly closed his eyes before pushing off the hood of his car, slowly making his way up the long stairs and into the building; over to the receptionist desk.
"Hi, how are you today?" he asked quietly. He didn't know why he was whispering, but in a place like this, he felt like he had to. The whole building was quiet.
"I'm doing just fine, thank you," the woman replied with a bright smile. "How are you today, Mr. McGuire?" She then gave him a pointed look as she scribbled his name in on a sign-in sheet. "Will you actually be visiting with a patient today?"
Ronan's lips twitched into a small smile. He didn't blame her for her pointed attitude. Anytime he had actually gone to the rehabilitation center, he never actually visited Robert. He knew that as soon as he did, he'd be changing everything. He didn't know how long he'd be able to keep his visits from his kids.
When the first letter appeared at his apartment, he had discussed openly with his kids about whether or not they wanted to visit Robert. They had all agreed that they didn't want to, and he said that he would go to talk to him once and then they would move on with their lives. That would've been easier to follow if he wasn't so nervous about having to talk to the man that had, for years, hurt his kids.
"Well, looks like we found the place alright."
Ronan cringed at the loud voice and slowly turned around to face Gustavo and Kelly as they made their way into the house. Never before had Ronan been relieved and embarrassed to see his friends at the same time.
"Gustavo," Kelly hissed, elbowing Gustavo in the side. "Keep your voice down."
"Yeah, man use your inside voice," Ronan added, offhandedly.
"I am using my inside voice," Gustavo barked in reply, shooting some spit onto Ronan's face. The smaller man winced when the droplets of spittle hit him in the face. "Sorry, bud."
"Sure," Ronan replied, using his shirt sleeve to wipe his face before turning back towards the receptionist. "Three passes please."
"Mhm, these must be your two guests," the woman commented, glancing a the +2 that sat next to Ronan's name. She pulled three lanyards with laminated visitors passes off a hook that hung above her computer and handed it over to him. "Sorry."
"Not as sorry as I am," Ronan muttered, taking the passes, looping one around his neck before handing one to Kelly and Gustavo. "Thanks for coming. I'm assuming Kacy didn't want to come with you?"
"She's still trying to decide whether or not she wants to come," Kelly replied, clasping her hands in front of her. She reached out a hand and patted him on the shoulder. "I'm sure she'll give you a definite answer soon."
"Nevertheless, I'm glad you guys are here," Ronan replied, before turning on his heels, leading the way towards the back of the house. He took a staircase up to the third floor and stopped at the end of the hallway, taking in deep breaths.
"You ok?" Kelly asked, noticing Ronan's hesitation.
"Oh, yeah," Ronan replied with a nod. "I'm just, uh, giving Gustavo time to catch his breath." He glanced over at his friend who was sitting on a bench, breathing heavily. "You ok, buddy?" Gustavo merely gave his friend a thumb's up. "Ok, I think we should wait here for a little while."
"I understand that you're nervous, Ronan, we all are," Kelly said in a gentle voice, moving to squeeze into the empty spot on the bench next to Gustavo. "We'll go when you're ready." She patted Gustavo on the back. "Just breathe, Gustavo. Breathe."
"Thanks," Ronan replied, rubbing his hands together before he started popping his knuckles. He shifted his weight from foot to foot, and looked around the white hospital hallway, glowing brightly with fluorescent lights. He let out a calming breath, "Ok, let's go."
He and Kelly helped Gustavo to his feet and lead the way down the hallway. He swiveled his head from side to side as he looked at the numbers, before stopping at 327. Ronan lifted a hand and rapped on the door. There was a shuffling sound behind it before the door was swung open and a man with shoulder length dark hair stared back at him. If it wasn't for the grey eyes that Ronan had seen for years, he wouldn't have recognized the man.
"Rob?" he asked quietly.
The man silently looked at Ronan, Kelly, and Gustavo, his face void of any emotion. Without the constant look of contempt on the man's face, he looked…different, like a new person. Just like everything in the room behind him, he wore tan.
"You've finally made it," Robert commented in a quiet voice. He took a step back and waved them inside. "Please, come in." He picked a book up off his bed and placed it on the bedside table.
"Rob." Gustavo stepped forward into the room and Robert's expression finally changed. He looked bewildered.
"Hi, Robert," Kelly said, suddenly shy for whatever reason. She had no idea.
"What are you guys doing here?" Robert asked, moving to sit down on his bed. He motioned towards the chairs and stools around the room. Ronan noticed how many there were as he sat down, Kelly and Gustavo following his lead. "Where are my—" He trailed off, a muscle in his jaw working, "your …kids?"
"They're not coming," Ronan replied lamely. "They don't want to see you."
"Ok?" Robert said as more of a question, still staring at Gustavo and Kelly.
"My friends wanted to come," Ronan replied. "We have a few questions for you. If that's ok." Robert nodded.
"So...how have you been?" Kelly squeaked out, filling the silence that fell over them. She cringed as soon as the words left her mouth.
Robert let out a sarcastic, pained laugh. "Fantastic." he replied sarcastically. She was about to apologize but he kept going. "Let's see...I had a lot of money, blew it on alcohol, cigarettes, everything. Lost my job, lost my kids, humiliated myself in front of what seems like the entire world, then ended up in a shithole apartment." His grey eyes went hard as he swept them over the three adults. "How have you been?"
"The kids are…great," Ronan muttered, scratching at the back of his neck. "They're getting by day by day. They're happy." He saw Robert wince. "They, uh, decided to take a break from now until the new year. They'll be working on their music again in January."
"And your…dogs?" Robert asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Getting more and more popular," Gustavo replied, crossing his arms over his chest, narrowing his eyes at Robert. "Yes, sir, I couldn't be more proud of them. Kelly and I are actually seeing if we can plan a world tour for them."
"Good," Robert replied with a nod. "I'm glad." Gustavo snorted and Robert fixed his gaze on him. "Something funny about that?"
"No, there's nothing funny about my ex-rival complimenting me," Gustavo replied, his voice getting louder and louder with each word. "There's nothing funny with that same man pretending like all is ok between us. There's NOTHING FUNNY about that same man BEATING his kids just to get AHEAD OF ME!"
"Gustavo," Ronan said, suddenly sounding tired, rubbing at his temples.
"DON'T GUSTAVO ME, MCGUIRE!" Gustavo roared, getting to his feet. "I said I'd come here, but I didn't say I'd be civil. This guy needs to understand that what he did WAS WRONG!"
"I know," Robert replied, setting his jaw. "I know that what I did, was doing, was wrong. And, honestly? At that point I didn't care. I wanted…I needed the money. I needed the notoriety. Those kids just got in my way, every step of the way." He bowed his head. "I had to prove to them that I could make it. My dad didn't think I could make a name for myself. I had to prove that I could."
"That's a dumb reason," Kelly mumbled. "I know that there are risks to living in a house of abuse. You pass it on to your children. But you had a choice, and you made the wrong one."
"Really? Would it have made any difference?" Robert snapped back. "I can't take it back now anyway. Now, I'm stuck in this shit hole, trying to better myself." He lazily waved his arms in the air.
"You have no one but yourself to blame for putting yourself in here," Gustavo said with a cheeky grin. "You were the one who agreed to the plea bargain, and now you're acting like the victim."
"I just want to know why," Ronan commented, shooting Gustavo a warning look. "Why did you hurt my kids like that? That's all they want to know, and I'd like to be a good parent for them and give them the closure they want."
"The only way they'll get their closure is if they talk to me themselves," Robert replied, eyeing Ronan warily. "It was them I asked for in the letters, not you. The only thing I ask of you is for your forgiveness."
"You're not going to get my forgiveness until you answer my question," Ronan replied, getting to his feet. "But seeing as you still haven't changed, that's looking to be unlikely. Have fun in here by yourself." He moved towards the door, flinging it open. "Let's go."
"Thanks for stopping by," Robert replied, giving a finger wave. "Oh, and Ronan." Ronan set his jaw, leaning back into the room. "All I want is to apologize to them in person. I have changed. I'm just sad you can't see that."
And there's the next chapter. The drama in this fic really starts to move forward from here. And you finally get to see Robert after a while. Hope you guys liked this chapter.
Cheers,
-Rhubes
