He's Back For Josh
Summary: Josh's uncle comes home for a visit and methodically tears his nephew's life apart.
Disclaimer: Do I really still need to stick these on? They're like those blaringly pink Post-It notes (nope, don't own those either!) that catch your eye right away, and are annoying to stick onto everywhere...
Chapter 14 – Anything's Possible
His mind had been whirling so hard he didn't know how he managed to arrive home safely. He sat in his car for moments staring dizzily at a wavering figure at the door before he realized that it was his uncle. Josh yanked the keys out, and steeled himself for the inevitable.
He shut the door cautiously, fighting off a nauseated feeling churning in his stomach. He just wanted him to go away, he thought hopelessly. But he knew that was not going to happen. He saw his uncle fiddle with something in his hands, but it had become too dark to discern what it could be. What was he doing outside? Was he waiting, Josh thought, absolutely frightened, for me? Oh, please, I hope not.
He tried not to show how tired he actually was, but could not help but stumble as he walked on the path. He fumbled with his keys, and accidentally dropped them at his uncle's feet. Suddenly, William grasped his neck, and brought his head upwards. Josh couldn't think. What was his uncle doing to him—and why?
But would someone outside see in the fading light? His uncle wrenched his jaws apart and splashed into his mouth, and on his clothes. It smelled horribly familiar and tasted terrible, but he couldn't place it in his dazed mind. Just as quickly as his uncle had grabbed him, he let go and disappeared into the side of the house. Josh felt dizzier after he lost contact; his head spun in different directions. What had he given Josh that made his head spin even more? Josh quickly spat it out.
He saw a flash of light, and felt long, thin arms grasp him at the waist as he continued to stagger up the walk. He could still process what was happening, but was too tired to do anything about it.
"Josh?" he heard a voice ask. He turned his head slightly, and saw that it was Susan who had steadied him. He leaned towards her as a wave of lightheadedness hit him. Before he could straighten, the front door opened. He heard more than a single person gasp from inside.
"Josh, are you drunk?" exclaimed his father disbelievingly. At first, he had thought that Josh was injured again, for he clung onto Drake's girlfriend. But after Josh stepped inside, Walter could distinctly smell the beer floating from his son's open mouth.
Walter could not believe the sudden turn of events—his own son, who watched Oprah devotedly, and who had scoffed at drinking—had come home after doing just that. He never thought his heart could shatter in such a way. Josh had broken his trust, and for that, he could never forgive him.
Walter's face turned an ugly shade of red as he continued to yell at Josh; everything he said cut him deeply, especially as Walter, who was utterly disgusted, spat "How could you? How could you be so idiotically irresponsible? I can never, ever trust you again!"
Suddenly, Walter lunged at Josh, but just as he was about to strike him, Audrey caught his arm.
"Lemme go!" he roared. No one, especially not Josh—who had flinched visibly—had seen his father so violently angry. Walter wrenched his arm from Audrey's grip, and breathed heavily, as though he had just run a marathon.
Terrible thoughts spun around Josh's mind. My own dad tried to hit me. He doesn't trust me, and will never again… he thought hollowly. He stared blankly at the wall next to his father's face. He couldn't face his dad. He swallowed as the barrage continued, this time, from Audrey.
"…you were always such a sweet boy! What did you do?" Nothing, Josh thought bitterly. "How could you do this to us? You know that drinking is dangerous…" I didn't do anything. I would never want to hurt you guys.
Audrey had instantly loved Josh as one of her own the first time she had met him. But tonight's events hurt her deeply. She was furious at Josh. How could he act so recklessly—he, who was always so level-headed? Even Drake had the sense of mind not to drink. How dared Josh? She fumed. But she couldn't help but think if she'd done anything wrong as she continued yelling at Josh.
Josh tried not to tremble as both his parents roared at him. He stared at the ground, dejectedly, not willing to believe the sudden turn of events although his ears were being bombarded. How was he going to explain this? And would they even believe him? They didn't trust him anymore...The thought whirled incessantly around in his mind, each spin sending a punch to his gut.
"Josh, how could you?" Two new voices, which he knew and loved dearly, were added to the din. Not them, he wistfully thought, I wish they wouldn't see this. He looked over at Drake and Mindy, who were striding towards them from the living room.
Great, he thought, they saw everything… But just as he opened his mouth to retort, he could not. He knew it would be useless—no one would believe that his uncle had slipped him something, and caused this. As usual, he was blamed for something he had not done, but this was one of the direst situations he had been placed in.
"Is that why you've been acting so strange lately? Because you've been seeing her?" Mindy shrieked shrilly. He had never seen her so mad. She, too, had turned livid with anger. Her hands were on her hips, and she pursed her lips tightly in disgust. She breathed heavily, and was fighting herself from crying. Josh tried to say anything, but still couldn't.
"We had a date tonight, but I guess you conveniently forgot." Josh, in fact, had not even known about the date. He had merely nodded distractedly at whatever Mindy had said during his break.
Suddenly, Mindy strode straight towards him, and slapped him in the face—hard. His cheek and eyes stung at the contact. This was so unfair. Silence reigned.
"Mindy, it's not what you think," Susan tried to explain.
"Get out," Drake growled, pointing to the door. Josh's gazed flicked over to his brother, who was barely suppressing his ire. His eyes glinted with anger, and his arm shook. Josh couldn't blame Susan when she left, following another outburst from Mindy.
"How could you? You're my best friend!" she cried, tears streaming down her face. She couldn't believe what her boyfriend and best friend had done behind her back. She had been doubly betrayed. She couldn't stay at his house a minute longer. But she did jam a finger at Josh's chest and whisper harshly, choking back tears, "And I loathe you!"
Josh turned as she slammed the door in his face. He hung his head, defeated. He lost his parents' trust and his girlfriend just because of his uncle—and there was nothing he could do…
Josh slowly turned back to face his parents—who rattled off a series of punishments that included telling Helen to suspend Josh in addition to grounding indefinitely—and Drake.
Josh stupidly hoped that there was some hope that Drake would see reason, that he would see nothing had really happened no matter how bad the situation actually looked, that he would see that he was not drunk. But he couldn't help but back up slightly as Drake walked up to him until their noses almost touched.
Drake's nostrils flared and his eyes shone coldly. His face was contorted in fury as he stared at Josh, who suppressed a gasp at Drake's anger.
He stared at Josh for a few moments before declaring with an almost trembling voice, "I trusted you." He bolted upstairs, leaving a completely devastated Josh behind.
Tears stung Josh's eyes again. He couldn't believe the unfairness of it all. No one trusted him—but of course they wouldn't…he thought bitterly, as his parents continued railing at him. Everyone had turned on him, everyone who he had relied on and who he had supported in turn. Everyone, in short, who he loved with his very life.
Everyone hated him now, though, and wanted nothing to do with him. They all believed what they saw, and did not even let Josh justify himself. Although, he thought, how would he have been able to explain what happened to him?
He couldn't stand it. He could not stand not having his family's support. He had depended on them so much—even they could not even fathom how much. He thrived in their words of support and love, like a starving pup. He had never known what it was like to have a family so caring; although his father did love him, he had not been there when he needed him most. Drake—he was a best friend and brother all rolled into one.
He had always helped him whenever he needed it—like when he bought tickets to see Oprah, and when he let him take care of his Little Brother. He always gave him advice, and tried his best to be a good brother, just like Josh. They had a special relationship, one which only siblings could understand. And now that was blown to smithereens, just like all his other relationships. He wished he could make it up to him, and he wished this had never happened.
And his mother Audrey, she had loved him so much although he was her step-son. She had never let him feel loved unequally from Megan or Drake. She had made him soup whenever he was sick; she had praised him whenever he brought home a trophy; she had helped him win the contest against Drake; she had always told him to trust his heart.
She is an awesome Mom, but now she thinks I'm the worst son ever…And Mindy—she was as loving and comforting as she was competitive. And she was Josh's first girlfriend. He felt special when he hung out with her, like he was actually likeable. He knew he could act like himself, and that would be enough for her. Although he had refrained from saying so a few months ago, he knew he loved her.
Their words pierced and shattered his heart into millions of tiny shards, littering a once hopeful, but now empty chamber with anguish. He blinked rapidly, refusing to let his uncle see him cry—he knew he was close by.
He muffled a sob as his parents left him at the door, alone. He was alone again. Alone with his thoughts. He cracked open his wallet, and stared at the photo of an auburn haired woman standing next to a short chubby boy, and sobbed freely.
-.-
He was rudely awoken by a scream of fury and a thump of some sort on his head.
"Josh!" Drake raced to the living room, pale-faced with frustration and anger. "Wake up!" He threw a tissue box that was lying half empty on the coffee table at Josh's head. He couldn't believe it. Josh had re-mixed his songs—even though he knew Drake hated anyone but him touching his songs. He trembled with anger as he talked to Spin City Records, who had called just moments ago.
Nick had listened to the music and expressed his distaste in the clearest way possible; it sucked. Drake couldn't believe his ears—he had put weeks of effort into the making of that CD. He had forced his band to practice extra hours—his music had to be perfect.
After putting the finishing touches on the editing—which Drake did himself—he ad packaged the CD and left it on the counter, feeling satisfied yet anxious. He would never admit it, but he was always nervous whenever he mailed in his songs. He knew that he tried his best, and could only hope Spin City would appreciate his work.
But now, what would he do? What would he tell his band? No, Drake thought, I'll just send them another CD, this time, with the right music. Although the damage was not permanent, his anger did not abate. First Josh had stolen his girlfriend, and then messed with his music. Why is Josh so bent on ruining my life?
Drake wasn't thinking rationally—he just wanted to throttle Josh and demand answers from him. Although a distant part of his mind believed Josh to be innocent, he squashed that thought, and began yelling at Josh.
Josh slowly stood, not understanding what Drake was so upset about. Then, last night's events came flooding back to him.
"Drake! Drake! Just listen to me for a sec—" Josh began.
But Drake held up his hand. "No! You know what? I've listened to you enough. Now you listen to me! How could you have done that? How?" Drake shoved Josh backwards. Josh flung his hand back to prevent himself from falling over the sofa.
"Drake, I swear I wasn't drunk! I just met Susan at the door. I think someone slipped something on me!" Josh tried to explain.
"Stop it already with your pathetic lies! And I'm still angry at that! Why did you do that to me, Josh? You knew how important that CD was!" Drake bellowed.
Josh started. What was this about his CD? He thought, perplexed.
"I mailed it on time!" he retorted angrily.
"Yeah, after messing with my songs!" Drake yelled acidly after shoving Josh backwards again. This time, Josh fell on the couch, with his mouth agape.
"What?"
"Don't pretend, Josh," Drake sneered. "Who else could have touched it?"
"I don't know! Just listen to me!" Josh asked. He knew instantly who it could have been, but could not say. No, that would raise too many questions. But this situation was so wrong. This never should have happened.
No way man! I just…I hate you!" Drake pointed at Josh, fuming, and backed away slowly.
"Drake, just listen—" Josh begged, standing and following Drake.
"No Josh." Flames of cold fury danced menacingly in Drake's eyes.
"Please—" Josh held out his hand in supplication.
"I hate you. I wish I'd never known you," Drake hissed recklessly, walking to the front door.
Josh still followed. Confusion and pain clouded his eyes.
"But—" he tried.
"I'm done Josh. I'm done." Drake whirled and slammed the door in Josh's shocked face.
"I need you," he whispered softly as he heard the car tires squeal out of the driveway.
Ouch! How'd'ya like that one? Who expected that to happen? Come on guys, show of reviews!
Hugs,
Mersedes