Thank you to tardychick, anna, jade, Laine7727, BlueSilverLining, Nat, and GIFFY! Giffy, your review was really encouraging! ( ; Thanks to each and every one of you for bothering to leave feedback!This chapter is a little boring, but I have a good plot for the next. I always find it easy to get enthused on Tuesday's!
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:Thirteen:
Keith glanced up, slumped over the kitchen counter top. He was holding his wrist under the faucet when Lucas padded in.
"Hey, Luke." Straightening with a grimace. "Got your things ready?"
The blond's voice was gentle.
"Not this time."
"What?"
"I think it's time to see what's out there."
"Luke, you aren't serious? I mean, you've seen what Dan is capable of."
"I'm going to give him a chance."
"It isn't worth it!"
"I have to figure that out for myself."
"You're making a mistake, Luke. A big one."
"I can always come home, right?"
"Sure. I just don't want to see you get hurt-"
The blond avoided the elder Scott's eyes.
Keith nodded. "Right. And look who's talking. I'm sorry. I understand, you need some time with him. He is your dad. Just be careful, okay?"
"I will be." Luke wrapped his arms around the man.
Keith back stepped, growing embarrassed.
"We've never wasted time on this, let's not start now."
"I'll miss you."
"Ya. What little there is."
"I love you, dad." Lucas pressed close, accepting the other's clumsy, one armed hug.
"Thanks. Better get out of here."
Keith didn't ask about the phone call. Didn't want Luke to walk him out. Just strode by without a backward glance.
Lucas knew it was his fault. His "dad" was hurting, and there was no one to blame but himself. He still couldn't believe that Keith was sober, that he'd come for him. The thin, hollow eyed man was a physical shell of what had been. Long before Lucas could remember anything else.
Resting against the porch rail, cold stone underfoot. Luke lifted his fingers in farewell, the hot sting of tears burning his throat.
X
Boozy wasn't past the house before Dan's phone jangled sharply. Cutting the silence. The dark haired Scott couldn't repress the grin that creased his face.
"Hello?"
"It's me. I just thought I should tell you something."
Silence on the other end.
"Try playing games with me all you like. But don't bring Lucas into this. If I find out you've hurt him-"
"What, big brother? You threatening me?"
"You better well believe it."
A busy signal interrupted Dan's retort. Who cared. Tossing the phone down.
He'd won.
X
Nathan poked his head through the doorway, the light tinkle of glass arresting his attention.
"What?" Lucas looked up from his position on the floor. Gingerly dropping refuse into a bowl.
"You aren't what I was expecting. How do you like my shirt?"
"It's-yellow."
"That compliment warms my heart. Whattcha doing?"
"Trying to get this mess cleaned up. Before Deb sees it."
"Just don't hang around if she comes in."
"Thanks." Dryly.
"Could you toss me a banana?"
Lucas sighed. The soles of his sneakers squished some form of debris with every step. "Heads up."
Nathan bit the fruit in half, wadding it into his cheek. "So, you planning on staying?"
"For now, anyways."
"There's a party tomorrow night."
"On a Monday?"
"Nothing crazy." He leaned in, teasing. "Brooke might be there."
"I don't think I'll be in the mood. But thanks."
"You're way uptight, man."
Lucas frowned. "Thanks again."
X
"Let me have that."
Dan's step was so light that Luke barely had time to gather his thoughts. Flustered, the blond relinquished the broom without an argument.
"I'll get this cleaned up."
His son cast about for something to do. Began righting the chairs.
"You made a good decision today, son. I knew you would." Watching the kid with a thoughtful expression.
"I wasn't sure of it myself."
"Maybe I know you better than you think."
Cerulean eyes set in a stressed face. Dan's first born.
"Maybe we can catch a movie tonight. I have the James Bond Collection, the Godfather Trilogy, what are you in to?"
"Thanks." Luke looked up, tucking the seat into place. "I'm not much for family time."
"Come on. You're in a real home now."
"I'd like to borrow some books."
Dan's brows went up. "Books?"
"If I could."
"Sure."
When Dan turned around, the kid had slipped away.
X
Both windows were open, sheer curtains billowing softly. The day was cool for May; Luke couldn't stand the thought of closing the door and shutting himself into that pale cubicle. He flopped onto the bed, stretching his arms and legs. There was so much room, he barely touched the edge.
A pile of books lie next to him. Lucas shuffled through the dusty volumes, intent on the selection process.
The wind picked up, stirring the branches outside his room. A chill finger caught Tennyson, flipping through the chapters. Luke pressed a palm against the fluttering page, staring. Grabbing the novel as Dan's voice shattered his solitude.
X
"Come in."
Lucas was curled onto the mattress, a vivid collection of colors. Gray shirt, scarlet stained cheeks. Mussed golden hair and that brooding china stare...
The kid acted flustered.
"Thought I'd check on you. How's the heart?"
Dan tapped his chest.
"Alright."
"Find anything good?"
"A little." Luke shrugged.
"Who'd have thought you were into books. Nathan barely reads his assignments. I doubt you picked it up from Keith-"
"David Balfour was one of my best friends." The blond selected a story. " Dartagnian, Friday. I guess it was my way of escape."
"Used to be mine." Dan studied his son's face. Imprinting it, just like it was. Karen's son.
"Did you want something?"
"Uh-no, no. I was after Nate."
"He's in his room." Lucas waited.
"See you later." Dan hesitated. The blond was up to something. "What else you got there?"
Luke bit his lip, then thought better of it.
"Good choices, son." Turning away. Lucas breathed a silent sigh of relief.
"You didn't happen to see my Tennyson, did you? It's a rare edition, I wouldn't want it leaving the study-"
"Um, no."
"Okay." This time, the man left, closing the door behind him.
Luke listened, imagining his father's eyes watching him through a crack in the paneling. Cautiously rising, pulling the book from underneath his stomach. His fingers weren't quite steady as he flipped through the yellowed pages. One by one, careful not to tear the corners.
A slim white envelope fluttered to the blankets.
Time seemed to freeze. Like a still frame; Lucas turned the hidden paper in his hands, over and over. Almost afraid to open it. His heart quickened, the pace thumping against his chest. Better not to prolong this.
"Dear Dan," it began. Some form of feminine handwriting. Skipping to the signature, Lucas struggled with his emotions.
'Karen.'
X
Picking his way through the manicured shrubbery. Rain-washed the night before, the outdoors glistened with an emerald glow. Each step, springy grass a cushion to his feet. So well did it conceal Lucas' approach, the quiet spoken "Dan" caused the dark haired Scott to whirl in confusion.
"Still creeping around?"
The tone didn't leave much room for doubt. So, he was aware of Lucas' omission.
"When were you going to tell me?" Accusation for accusation.
"Sneaking through my things doesn't exactly give you the upper hand. I asked if you had that book."
"What if I lied?"
"Return every volume to my study. I have to seriously rethink your position here."
The blond stood his ground, words raw edged."I should have listened to Keith."
"You crossed a line."
"Good. Why don't you kick me out? I'll save you the trouble. I'm leaving."
Dan caught up, reaching for the blond's arm.
"Don't touch me. This time, I mean it."
"You'd better settle down."
"Make me."
"Luke."
"If you were so concerned, you could have told me about that stupid letter!"
"The time wasn't right."
"Keep saying that." Dan's eldest waved a hand.
"Alright. I should have told you. I didn't know how."
"It's fairly simple."
The blond's furious stride had taken him to the house. He wrapped his fingers around the door handle, too upset to listen to Dan's explanation. Excuses.
Dan anticipated him, his own hand closing over Lucas'. It was an iron vise, effectively crushing escape.
"Karen was crazy, Lucas. She was crazy. Do you need it spelled out?"
"How? How crazy? And that doesn't clear things." The blond shoved, but his father shoved back.
"Keith had to eventually place her in a-facility that could handle your mother."
"Facility?"
"I don't know, Luke. What did you expect? Disneyland? A sanitarium."
"What about the letter she wrote you-"
"Right before."
"She asked you to find a place for me."
"Karen was lucid part of the time. She must of known about Keith's little alcohol problems even then."
"He wasn't always a drunk-"
Dan was tempted to fib. The hopeful light in his son's gaze gave him a moment's pause.
"No. My guess, he couldn't handle Karen deteriorating."
"Did you talk to him? About me?"
The elder Scott sighed.
"No."
"So you didn't even bother replying."
"I didn't know you were mine."
"That doesn't make much difference."
"It was all a long time ago."
"Is she alive?"
Dan removed his fist.
"Is she?"
"Even if Karen were, you couldn't see her."
"Why?"
"For the same reason big brother didn't mention her name to you."
Lucas' jaw tightened stubbornly. "I have a right to see her."
"Right, perhaps. But the means-no. And I doubt you'll get it out of Keith."
Dan held the door open. "Come on, you've got to be hungry."
"No." Luke stepped down, mind a million miles away.
"I'm sorry, I wasn't asking." Firm grasp on the blond's elbow.
Lucas allowed himself to be led toward the kitchen, wondering why he spent most of his time there."You know what I like?" Dan rummaged through the cupboards."Thick sandwiches. Ham on rye, a little swiss-"
Droning on and on in that fake cheerful manner adults have. Lucas let his arms slide down to the table, supporting his head across them. Idly nothing the creak of the front door.
"Hi. I'm Haley. Sorry I'm late-oh, was that your foot?"
Nathan must have let her in. Lucas almost grinned, belatedly schooling his features to a more subdued smile.
"Oh-hello. I'm Haley."
"Lucas."
"What happened to you?"
Dan intervened, placing himself between the two. "You're just in time. How about fixing us up some sandwiches? Nathan can show you where things are."
"Are sure he's all right, Mr. Scott?"
"Oh, Luke just tends to brawl." Nathan nudged his half brother.
"Okay. I guess I should be used to black eyes and bloody noses. It's not like my brother's didn't constantly beat on each other. Can I put this purse somewhere?"