Sins For Thought

Chapter 13: Drunk Under A Bridge

It was early, too early, so when Anthony saw Spot standing at his bedroom window, he almost didn't believe it. Spot was wearing a single fitting black t-shirt and a pair of jeans. It took a second to register that Spot was even wearing a regular pair of black Vans. If Anthony had never met him before, he'd swear Spot could pass as a normal nigh school kid. Opposed to the "hard core" gangster he tried to pass himself off as most of the time. Though, honestly, he had absolutely no idea what Spot was doing at his home so early.

"What, in all that is holy, are you doing here?" Anthony rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.

Spot leaned against the windowsill, "Not going to class today."

"And you came here to tell me that because?" he cringed at the awful taste in his mouth.

"Actually, my teacher told me not to show up for class today. I have him first period, says we're not allowed to have perfect attendance in his class. Also, that we should use this free time to go get drunk under a bridge and think about life – or something to that extent," he tilted his head slightly to the side and smirked at Anthony's bedraggled state.

"You have weird teachers," said Anthony yawning.

"Hurry up and get dressed, my mom's waiting in the car."

Anthony couldn't hide the look on his face, "Your…..mom?"

"Yeah, criminy Anthony, don't look so damn shocked, just hurry up already or else we're leaving you," Spot took off, path hidden by the large bush next to his window.

Anthony continued to stand there for a minute, then finally grabbed some clothes and quietly went down the hall to the bathroom. His parents had come home really late that evening. The last thing he wanted was an inquiry as to why he was up so early or why he'd be leaving without his school things. He paused for a moment as he rushed through his morning routine. For a second he laughed at himself for being stupid, they're not so stupid as to not wonder why his car would still be there, when he wasn't. God, teenagers were stupid! Quickly he finished up in the bathroom and met Spot outside. Inside the car, Spot's mother smiled and waved to him.

"Hey Anth, guess where we're going?" Spot smiled at him and opened the car door.

"Jamaica?" he got into the back of the car, Spot next to him in the back.

"No, the lake," Anthony thought it was the strangest thing that Spot seemed that excited to be going to the lake.

"Ok."

It took less than an hour to get to the lake and by the time they made it, it was already nine in the morning. Anthony was pretty sure daylight had pretty much never seen Spot and his mother out together on a day like this, or at all for that matter. Spot was helping his mom pull stuff out of the trunk and lugging it to the table. There were three ice chests and four packs of twelve packs of soda. One chest was full of foods, another was full of drinks, and the last was just to carry the paper plates, food condiments, cups, and utensils. After everything was set up Spot and Anthony went walking around the lake. The whole place was pretty deserted, just a few scattered people here and there, then again it was earlyish. Spot and Anthony walked all the way to the other end of the lake where the cooler play area was, near the bridge.

Spot straddled the bouncing metal animal and yelled, "Ye-haw!"

"You look so weird ridding on that thing," he smiled and sat down on the sand.

"It's better to make an idiot out of yourself when no one else is around. You're less likely to give a damn and have more fun," Spot jumped off the metal animal and launched himself at the tiny slide.

"It sort of seems like your having too much fun," but Anthony got up and walked over to the spinning wheel, which he'd never learned the name to.

"I never really had much of an opportunity to go to places like this when I was young," said Spot as he climbed up the front of the slide.

Anthony stared at him as he slowly spun past Spot, "Why?"

Spot shrugged, "I don't think my dad liked public places and my mom, well, worked."

"You don't talk much about your dad," Anthony stopped the spinning wheel and walked over to the end of the slide.

"I don't remember him much, to be honest," Spot slid down the slide backwards laying down and when he got to the end stared up at Anthony, "The only thing I really remember about him was that he loved two things."

Anthony blinked down at him and took a wild ass guess, better known as a WAG, "You and your mother?"

"Drinking and football, I said things, not people Anthony."

For some reason hearing Spot say his name in that somber tone made a shock wave pulse threw him, "Come on."

"Where?" asked Spot as Anthony dragged him towards the bridge.

"You're supposed to get drunk under a bridge and think about life, right?" together their footsteps rang loud on the old wooden bridge.

"First off, we're on the bridge, not under it. Second, we didn't actually bring beer," Spot had this absurdly weird smile on his features.

Anthony shrugged, "Oh well, doesn't really mean we still can't think, right?"

"I don't think you want to hear my thoughts on life. Lets hear yours instead," Spot climbed up on the wooden railing and sat.

"No, I want to hear yours," Anthony leaned on Spot's legs.

"You ever hear the phrase, Life's a bitch-"

"Shawn….."

"What do you want me to say? That life is this amazing thing we should all be happy to experience? Because it's not…….not everyone has a happy life or childhood."

"How about, why don't you think about the things you'd like to happen in life."

Spot had this sardonic look on his face, "Things that'll never happen."

"But good things nonetheless," supplied Anthony.

Spot jumped off the railing next to Anthony then just leaned against it and stared at the water, "I want to get out of here, move to like, the bay area. Someplace nice, where no one knows me."

"Doing what?" Anthony noticed the soft smile on Spot's face.

"I could care less, so long as I had time to see the ocean everyday," Spot had closed his eyes.

"Shawn……how do you feel about me?"

Spot literally looked jolted out of his thoughts and stared at Anthony for a second, then cast his eyes in the other direction. He didn't know what to tell him. Yes, he liked him, or rather maybe even loved him. But honestly, Spot was having a hard time reframing from comparing Anthony to Rollercoaster. He didn't even want to tell Itey about it. Anthony was so different from the other guy, but he was having difficulties with separating his feelings on the two. Though it was much too obvious that Anthony was both a better and logical choice.

"Honestly?"

Anthony nodded.

"I-"

From a distance, the sound of Spot's mothers voice calling them to come and "get it" over to them. Anthony saw the relief on the other boys face and caught the 'oh thank god' comment. Anthony didn't know whether to be confused or hurt. Together though the three of them sat and ate. It was rather peaceful. After they'd finished eating they spent the rest of the morning attempting to skip rocks, climb tress, and a boat to rent. Anthony had spent the rest of that morning wondering what Spot had been about to say. It was sort of eating at him. For a moment he cast his glance at Spot. Currently, Spot was attempting to take the wheel of the boat. Anthony smiled to himself, if anything, he felt he was somewhat responsible for the attempt at familyness between Spot and his mother.

"Hey Anth, mind if I come over after we're done here?"

"……..Uh, yeah, no that's fine. Don't know why you're asking. Usually you don't bother," Anthony really wondered what that was about.

"Cool."

They spent an hour on the water before they went back and started on coming up with lunch. Spot was sitting on the picnic table and Anthony was quietly sitting next to him. Anthony figured if he was distant enough Spot would realize something was up. It wasn't till after they ate and Spot's mother was taking a nap on a blanket next to the water that Spot said something.

"Is something up Anth?" they were still sitting at the picnic table.

"No."

"………." Spot cast a short glare at him, "you are such a chick."

"Excuse me?"

"You! You're such a liar. Saying no like that when you're really upset. You're a chick!"

"I'm not allowed to say no? Because, you know, real men hide their feelings."

"You think you're a real man?" Spot scoffed.

"……Why are we arguing?" Anthony threw his hands in the air.

"I have……no idea," Spot laughed and shook his head.

It got quiet for a moment, then Anthony asked, "Earlier, what was it that your were going to say?"

"Earlier?"

"When I asked you how you felt about me."

For some reason they weren't looking at each other.

"Honestly…..I like you, a lot, more then I actually thought I would."

"What do you mean by thought you would?"

"Look, let's not ruin a good day with the crap that might come from my mouth, 'kay?"

Anthony sighed and stared up at Spot. He had the feeling that maybe Spot didn't want to talk about his reasons. Though, the whole subject was going to annoy him a lot later on in the week when he had time to himself. He supposed Spot was right and they should enjoy this time while they could. With that thought in mind Anthony grabbed Spot by the wrist and dragged him to the water. Without saying anything and much staggering he managed to fling Spot, the best he could, into the water.

"What was the point of that?"

Anthony shrugged, "Felt like it."

"Ok," Spot reached up and pulled Anthony down.

Anthony had momentarily freaked out, but managed to regain his calm before he hit the water. Landing more on Spot then the shallow side of the lakes edge where they were at. Spot smiled up at him and Anthony smiled down at him. Anthony closed the gap between them and kissed Spot. For a moment Spot was too surprised, but then responded unknowingly with a low sound in the back of his throat.

Anthony broke the kiss and looked down at Spot, "I just want you to know, I mean it, when I say I love you."

"Thanks," Spot seemed more somber then happy about the statement.

Thanks was a strange thing to hear after someone said they love you. Anthony's phone rang and he rushed out the water to check it. It was a text message, from Jack. About meeting up at Evan's after he got back from where ever he was. Anthony just smirked at it and texted Jack back. His mom was going to be so mad at him later on.

XXX

Later on in the afternoon, Jack sat with his hands behind his head and Evan held a beer between his hands sitting next to Jack across from Spot. Not one of them had said much since Anthony had left to pick something up for his mother. Spot let out a light cough and shifted in his seat. None of them had any idea why it was suddenly awkward. But then Jack finally couldn't help himself and sat up properly and looked to Spot.

"Ok, so, in light of certain events, you gay?"

Evan spat out what he'd been drinking and coughed, "Jack!"

"What!" Jack didn't look like he cared much.

"What if I am?" Spot finally couldn't help himself and grabbed one of the beers. Anthony told him not to drink but he didn't want to remain sober for this.

"No reason, just asking," said Jack.

"Because, you know, seriously groping your best friend wasn't enough," said Spot opening the can of beer and drinking it.

"Not in the beginning," said Evan.

"Speaking of which, you and Anth doing stuff in the back of the car……so obvious," said Jack.

"………back of the?...Oh at the County Bank parking lot!" said Evan.

"What? You can go flirt and make out with some random broad on top of a parking garage, but I'm not allowed to let Anthony make a move on me?"

"Eww, stop!" Jack pressed his hands against his ears, "Flash back!"

"You didn't even see anything," said Evan.

"Seriously, we crawled off each other before you even hit the last step," Spot took another drink.

"Unneeded information!" yelled Jack.

"Since we're on the subject of gross and unneeded information, we were all talking together at lunch a day or so ago and we sort of came to the conclusion that maybe…..um…that-"

"If you're gonna stutter, Pinky, then don't start sentences," Spot rolled his eyes.

"Seriously Evan, why start asking that question?" Jack looked like he wanted to leave.

"Ok, so, um, what the hell is this going to be about?" Spot suddenly felt like he should take off as quickly as possible.

"Well, we just got into a conversation about Rollercoaster-"

"I'm gonna go now!" Spot made to move, but Jack's hand shot out fast enough and caught Spot's wrist and pulled him back into the chair.

"That was answer enough, Evan, shut up. I'm officially scarred for life," Jack was rubbing his temples.

Spot looked at Jack, furrowed his brows, and scratched his head then looked at Evan and jerked his head in Jack's direction, "He acts like he's the one who got-"

"Spot, shut up!"

"Squeamish much," Spot smirked.

"God Jack," Evan laughed.

"Don't want to hear it."

Spot slapped Jack's hands away from his ears, "Dude, be a man."

"Says the guy who-"

"Finish that sentence and I'll dropkick your ass in two seconds," said Spot.

"And Anthony likes you, why?" Jack got up and grabbed a soda.

"I'm just that good looking," Spot smirked and took a drink from his can.

"……..I'm gonna hurl," said Jack lifting his soda can to his mouth.

"Wasn't Sarah's brother supposed to show up?" Evan got up and looked out the window.

"Yeah, he was supposed to be here an hour ago," said Jack also getting up to look out the window.

"Who?" Spot didn't move.

"David," said Jack sitting back down.

"On a brighter note, Anthony's back," said Evan going to open the door.

Anthony walked in carrying a couple bags with someone trailing behind him, "I found him wondering around the block."

"Hey," said David, he paused at the doorway and pointed at Spot, "I know you, we go to the same school."

"Now, you see, I'm confused. Your sister goes to our school, but you go to Shawn's?" Anthony sat down next to Spot.

"Inner city school district transfer," said David standing next to Jack, who was sending a look toward Evan.

"What?"

Spot casually draped an arm around Anthony, "Since Jack and Pinky live in my school district and want to go to your high school they got an inner city school district transfer. They have to find their own way to get to school though."

"And since I wanted to go to a good school and not just once with an open campus, like some people," David looked at Jack, "I got one."

"I'm confused," said Anthony taking off his shoes.

"About what?" Spot wanted to call him dense, but really that would just be rude. He smiled to himself.

"Well, I'm going to assume you and Itey go to the same school, but Raffle-Ticket and Bumlets, Pelon? Go to another….."

"Oh, they all got sent to Valley because of their shitty grades and they had way too many missed days of school, and plus they got caught smoking and ditching too often," Spot took another drink from his can.

"So what's in the bags Anth," Jack moved forward.

"Food," he pulled out a couple takeout boxes and handed one to Spot, one to Jack, and one to Evan.

Evan opened it, "Mexican?"

"Rocks!" said Spot already digging in.

"Since when do you eat this?" asked Jack with a full mouth.

"Neanderthal," muttered Spot.

"Since I had it a while back."

"That was almost a month ago, I think," said Spot tapping the spork against his lips.

"Shit, really?" Anthony looked at Spot, who shrugged.

"Maybe we should, celebrate……" Spot smirked.

Jack made a gagging sound, "Fool around later, when you don't have innocent bystanders."

"You're not referring to me right?" David finally sat down.

"Davey, quiet."

"I think Jack was talking about his "innocent" little mind," supplied Evan.

"Yeah, no gay things allowed," said Spot tossing a chopped tomato piece at Jack.

"Heh, then what's he doing wearing that shirt?" laughed Anthony.

David laughed and Jack hit him on the arm, "Ow, what!"

"You're supposed to be on my side," muttered Jack biting into his food.

"Come on Spot, let's take off."

XXX

Anthony had been surprised that his mother hadn't said anything about him skipping out on school that day, but he figured that he'd be getting it later once Spot was gone. Even when she'd called him earlier when he'd been at Jack's, she hadn't sounded mad, but Anthony was so apt at guessing when she was ubber mad. This was like the calm before the storm. But Anthony decided he'd better make the best of this while he could and currently he was making the best of it with Spot. The very best of it if Anthony could say so himself.

Spot currently had his hand up Anthony's shirt while necking him rather passionately. Anthony was sure, that if his parents hadn't been home he'd so be willing to take it just a wee bit further then this. In the back of his mind he wondered how quiet the two of them could keep if they…….

"Oh my god, sorry!"

Anthony jolted upright and stared at his bedroom door, "Was that my dad?"

"Um….." Spot looked at the door, "if I said no, could we keep doing this?"

"No!" Anthony got up and Spot followed him out.

They went down the hallway and into the living room where his mother was currently sitting flipping threw the mail.

"Whatever you're doing, you're scaring your father, stop," she went back to looking at the mail.

"If your son could stop being gay I'm sure he would, but I'm just too hot to not want," said Spot smirking.

"Is it just me, or do you have a bit of an ego?" asked Anthony's mom, not looking up from the mail.

"I feign confidence, I am pride."

"And I'm bored," said Anthony, more to himself.

"I have no idea how you put up with him ma'am," said Spot.

"And however does your mom put up with you?"

"………She doesn't," Spot started glancing everywhere.

Anthony's mother looked up from the mail and at Spot. She noticed Spot wasn't even looking at her at that point. It was like he was trying to avoid eye contact with her. She found that to be very interesting.

"Shawn, I was thinking, maybe this weekend you and your mother should come by for dinner."

"Um, she's busy……a lot…..I don't think dinners good for her," Spot was looking at Anthony with this pleading look.

"Mom, I don't think she has much free time, that's all."

"Yeah, she's home at odd hours of the night," said Spot.

"I'm getting the feeling you don't want me to meet her. Anthony give me your cell phone," she held out her hand.

"Mom-"

"Either you can give me your cell phone, or I can bring up the question of, why is your boyfriend here when you're grounded and why did you skip school today? Which do you want?"

Anthony sighed and reached into his pocket.

"Anthony!" yelled Spot.

"What do you want me to do, say no!" yelled Anthony.

"I'm on the phone, be quiet," she hit send and waited as the phone rang.

It rang three more times before someone finally picked it up.

The sound of static played in the background, "Hello?"

"Hi, yes, I'm Anthony's Mother."

"Dear God……." Spot roughly massaged his temples.

"It's not that bad," said Anthony placing his arm around Spot's shoulder.

"Yes, I was wondering if you, by chance, could come to dinner some time this week," she was sending Spot a look Anthony thought had only been reserved for him.

"Mom say no, mom say no," Spot was crossing his fingers and his eyes were squeezed shut.

"My mom has never been denied," said Anthony.

"That's not helping," said Spot looking like he was about to start hyperventilating.

"Uh-huh, yes, he is a sweet boy. I know, had me worried for a while, much to my surprise too. Yes, well, if you're free tonight then….."

"Was she talking about you or me?" Spot sat down on the couch, taking Anthony with him.

"Don't know," Anthony shrugged.

"Ok, see you later then," she hung up the phone and handed it back to her son, "She's coming for dinner tonight."

"You'll have to excuse my language for a moment, but…….. what the fuck!"

"Shawn!"

"Your mother seems like a nice woman, and if you ever say that phrase again, you won't ever find yourself in this house again."

"Understood," Spot stood up and walked off to Anthony's room.

"Mom, couldn't you have waited to invite Shawn's mom over?"

"Nope."

"Mom!"

"Look, I met Jack and Evan's parents and they're just your friends. Shawn's your boyfriend, I think I'm entitled to meet his mother, more so then your friends parents."

"Where's dad? This isn't fair."

"I think he's hiding, what were you two doing?" she went back to flipping through the mail.

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

"I had no idea kissing Shawn was something I wasn't allowed to do," he rolled his eyes.

"Speaking of things you're not allowed to do. Your report card came in. You're getting a B in math, care to explain?"

"I don't see what I have to explain," Anthony wished he'd left the living room with Spot.

"You were getting an A, what happened?"

"Nothing, the chapter we're covering is just a little more difficult then the last, that's all. I'd like to see you try to do my math homework and try to pull off an A." Anthony knew he couldn't leave the room till the conversation was done and from his mothers tone, it wasn't done yet.

"If you need help, ask your father. He was in all the advanced classes back in high school. Anthony, if you don't ask for help, how can you expect to succeed in life?"

"Mom, it's just my grade for the week. It's not going to be my final grade. If things get too confusing I'll ask, but for right now, let me do this. Besides, someone should start dinner."

"We're talking about this later," she got up and headed for the kitchen.

Anthony made his way back to his bedroom and found Spot sitting on his bed. He looked positively stressed. Anthony wasn't sure if it was because Spot was still just getting use to being around his mother or if he really just didn't want her there. Even if neither was the case, something was bothering him.

"Shawn, are you gonna be ok?"

"I'll be fucking fine, I just, don't know quite how to act like a family," he shrugged and pulled his legs up to his chest.

"Just have fun, like earlier today.

XXX

A/N: so, um was this wait shorter? I was going to post a small piece of a later chapter, but since this one was longer I didn't want to drag the chapter on with a teaser piece. I realized that if I write the pieces out on paper first, the chapter is a bit longer. Hope it didn't come off choppy at all.

But, I still want people to hear something about this piece I wanted to post. So all I'm going to say is that Spot and Rollercoaster have an unexpected meeting that isn't all that bad.

And if anyone's wondering why David suddenly showed up in this fic……um…..don't ask, it's something I'm playing with, you'll find out later. lol