Discordant Hearts

Twenty-Five.

Jerry tapped his fingers against the armrest, trying his best to be patient. He couldn't wait to leave his house. On his right, his parents and Jack chuckled at the wild antics of the competitors on the game show, Go for the Green. One of the contestants, Sylvia put up a peace sign and gave the camera a wink. Sylvia was his favorite contestant for season four, and it had nothing to do with her gorgeous features. Maybe it had a little to do with her beautiful features.

The shrill sound of a doorbell caught Jerry's attention. He leaped from the couch and bolted to the door. He greeted Carson with a broad smile. His friend raised his eyebrows, lips formed into an amused grin. Carson entered his house, a mocking grin on his face. Jerry ignored the look on his friend's face. He hadn't been able to hang out so freely in a long time. There were so many reasons to be happy.

"Be home by 6:30 p.m., Jerry," his mother said, voice laced with concern. "And call when you get there."

"6:30 p.m.?" Jerry asked, arms crossed. "But it is almost 5p? That is no time at all."

"All you are doing is bowling," Jack said. "One game shouldn't take that long."

"Why can't you ever be on my side, Jack?" Jerry questioned, brows furrowed.

Carson crossed his arms, resting against the door. "Don't worry, Mr. and Mrs. Brewer. I'll have Jerry home by at least 7 if that isn't a problem."

His father looked up from the television screen, eyes sweeping over Carson. A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he nodded. His mother looked to him. She opened her mouth to protest, but his father raised a single hand to stop her.

"We have to compromise. An extra thirty minutes should be just fine," Jerry's dad said.

"Thanks, dad, we'll be back by 7:30p.m.," Jerry said.

"I said 7 p.m., Jerry," his father replied, voice stern. "No funny business. I mean it."

He gave his parents and Jack a lazy wave as he headed out the door with Carson. He couldn't believe he finally was heading out on his own. It seemed like it had been years since he was able to do what he wanted. He couldn't wait to get away from his house.

"Hey, maybe we don't have to go to Phil's," Jerry said, leaning his head out the open window.

Carson's lips quirked at the comment, voice at ease as he replied. "I'm way ahead of you."

Jerry glanced at his friend's side profile and smiled. He was super grateful. Carson helped him through so much over the past few months. He wished he knew how to repay him. A simple 'thank you' wouldn't be enough. Before his friend could question him for staring, he returned his gaze toward the scenery outside.

Palm trees shot past as the car gained speed, breezing through green lights. Soon Carson made a right, merging onto the highway. He guessed they weren't heading to Carson's place. It didn't matter in the long run. If he could take a break from the stuffiness at home, he would go anywhere. As he pondered the possibilities, his eyelids drooped, and he drifted to sleep.

He arose from his slouched sleeping position as they pulled into an open parking lot. He surveyed his surroundings and noticed a sign pointing to the beach. He knew the beaches closer to Seaford, but anything further than that was foreign to him. It was clear the beach must have been outside of Seaford.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Carson asked, pulling off his sneakers and socks. "Come on."

"What are we doing here?"

Carson raised a brow in his direction and then proceeded toward the smooth sands. Jerry pulled his own shoes off and then hurried after his taller friend. Carson plopped down in the sands, knees scrunched to his chest. Jerry towered over him as he looked out into the crystal ocean waters.

"Are you going to hover or have a seat?" Carson asked.

"This is kind of weird," Jerry stated, analyzing the other beach dwellers.

Carson sighed, scratching his knees. Jerry took a seat nearby, eager for an answer. It was strange that their destination was the beach. Although, he didn't mind. The beach had a tranquil atmosphere that he appreciated.

"I do my best thinking out here," Carson shared.

"I thought that was Phil's."

Carson shook his head. "I'm not there all the time. You just think I am because you were practically stalking me in the beginning."

"Me? You were stalking me!" Jerry retorted. "I always go to Phil's. I used to work there before everything got weird."

Carson nodded, eyes focused on the crashing waves. "By the way, what's going on with you?"

Jerry paused for a second, shocked by the sudden question. He tried to find the best way to tell Carson, but couldn't come up with anything. Instead, Jerry launched into a rushed explanation of the upcoming trial and the most recent family session. There were so many other things he wanted to add. Instead, he stopped and waited for Carson to reply.

"And what do you think? Do you still want to drop charges?" Carson asked.

Jerry grabbed a fist full of sand and watched the tiny grains run through his fingers. The action calmed his nerves as he thought about the question. There should have been a simple answer, but there wasn't. All he could think about was his family. He wished he could get them to stop looking so worried. He hoped they would stop stressing out about him.

"Well, I really don't want to stress out my family," Jerry said.

"No, what do you want, Jerry?" Carson asked. "I don't care what your family thinks or feels. And you shouldn't care either, really. This is about you."

Jerry glared at Carson. "Hey, it is about them too!"

Carson smiled.

"Did you do that on purpose?" Jerry asked. "Like, so I think or something."

Carson shrugged his shoulders. "Not really, I just like annoying you."

Jerry shook his head. "Why are we friends?"

"I have no idea. There are a lot less strange people I could be talking to right now."

Jerry looked to him. "I'm pretty great. Being my friend is a no-brainer."

"Yea, no-brainer alright," Carson commented, eying him. "As in, you have no brain."

Jerry opened his mouth to protest, but the vibration of his cell phone distracted him. He reached into his pocket and looked at Jack's picture as it flashed on the screen. He frowned. Jack shouldn't be calling him so early. Carson snatched his phone from his grasp and proceed to answer the phone.

"Long time no see Jackie," Carson said. "Yes, Jerry is with me. Where are we? Hold on a second, let me ask Jerry. He is the one driving. What did you say? He doesn't have a license? That is weird. Anyway, Jerry says we are a few hours from Las Vegas. We are making good time too. We should probably stop at the rest stop coming up. I think—"

Jerry grabbed his phone from Carson and waited for Jack's shouting to stop. He should have never let Carson answer the phone. Carson cackled in the background as Jerry tried to calm Jack down with half of the truth. He may have lied about how far they were, but it wasn't something his family had to know. If his brother told his parents he was okay, then everything would be fine.

"Yes, Jack. Let mom and dad know I'll be home in an hour. I am eating out here. Right, bye."

He tucked his phone into his pocket and arose from the ground. He dusted sand off his pants and started to walk. He glanced at Carson's immobile form. He gestured toward the pier, eyes on Carson. He wondered why his friend was taking so long.

"What?" Carson asked.

"You are buying me food."

"Says who?"

"Says me. I'm broke," Jerry said.

Carson's eyes narrowed as he walked toward Jerry. "Hey, I'm no billionaire. You should have brought money."

"How can I bring money when I don't have money? Don't be stupid."

Carson nodded, walking alongside him. Jerry eyed the other and grinned. Once again, Jerry had won. He tripped, his knees landing in the sand. Carson laughed at him. He was shocked.

"Did you trip me?"

Carson shrugged, hands in his pocket.

"Isn't that immature?" Jerry asked.

Carson continued to walk along the beach without a response. Jerry narrowed his eyes, running toward the ocean. He cupped his hands in the water and ran toward his target. Carson saw him and ran ahead. Jerry shouted, dropping the small amount of water onto the sand. Jerry couldn't help but smile. He was lucky to have such a good friend.

Once they reached the pier, they decided to eat at a seafood place. Jerry ordered some fried shrimp and fries while Carson tried out a fish platter. Around them, the loud chatter of the other patrons increased in volume. Carson brought up the topic of upcoming finals and soon they began to talk about the end of the year.

"Hey, it is almost 7, hurry up," Carson stated, pointing at Jerry's fries. "I'll eat those for you if you are going to waste time."

Jerry threw his arms around his plate, eyes narrowed. "Don't even think about it."

Jerry relaxed once his fries were safe. Carson had a habit of stealing his food any time they had lunch together. His friend shuffled broccoli around on his platter. Jerry took a long sip of his soda. Carson reached forward with his fork and stabbed a couple of fries on his plate.

"Hey!"

"Gripe all you want. I'm probably going to spend close to forty dollars on all this. I get some fries."

"I guess," Jerry stated, shoving the rest of the ketchup covered fries in his mouth.

The bill came after they finished their meals. Jerry felt terrible when Carson looked at the 50-dollar check. Maybe they shouldn't have chosen an expensive seafood place. Despite the obvious annoyance in his friend's eyes, Carson paid without further complaint. They left the restaurant and headed toward the parking lot.

"Hey, you know I'm here for you man," Carson stated, as they headed over to his car. "I mean I know I'm not very good with all this, but know that you can talk to me."

Jerry didn't respond, stomach churning at Carson's words. He wanted to talk more about the court situation, but he kept himself under control. There was so much the other boy had to worry about. He didn't want to add his own problems to his friend's worries. Jerry knew things would be alright.

Carson retrieved his keys from his pocket. Before he could open the door, Jerry grabbed his right arm. Carson looked down at the contact, and then searched his face. There was a swirling in Jerry's stomach as he opened his mouth a couple times, but failed to explain. His heart thumped within his chest.

"Jerry?"

"I'm scared," Jerry said, releasing the grip on Carson's arm.

Carson sighed, leaning against the car.

"I mean I won't have to say much because I was young when it happened, but—"

"You'll have to come face to face with them after close to a year," Carson said, eyes soft.

Jerry nodded. "I'm afraid of what I'll see on their faces. I haven't heard from them since I left. And I guess it makes sense because the police would be after them if they contacted me. I never thought I'd see them again in court, you know? What am I supposed to do?"

"Tell the truth and move on," Carson said.

Jerry paused, eyes wide. In court, he would have to tell them everything. The child psychologist probably caught on to his lies. There was nowhere for him to hide. He was worried.

Carson rested a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, Jerry, you okay?"

Jerry replied with a firm nod as his heart pounded in his chest. The loud hip-hop beat of his ringtone interrupted the silence. He retrieved his phone from his pocket and answered his mom. He told her they were on their way and headed into Carson's car. Jerry took one look at his friend and then he looked out the passenger's window.

"They raised me," Jerry said, voice wavering.

"And they kidnapped you," Carson said, turning onto the highway. "But I get it. I can't even imagine how confusing that may all be. But it'll be fine. And if it isn't fine – well, remember I'm here."

Jerry reclined in the passenger's seat, watching the sunset on the horizon. "Thanks."

Carson shrugged his shoulders as they continued down the highway. When they pulled into Jerry's driveway, he sighed. The front door opened. Jack stood at the door, eyes searching the darkness for them. Jerry smiled as he opened the door and got out of the car.

Carson stuck his head out the window. "Get back inside, Jackie. Jerry is safe and sound. You can call off the search party."

Jack narrowed his eyes, arms crossed. "Just know I don't trust you again. It shouldn't take this long to get back from Phil's."

Carson shrugged. "Doesn't matter to me. See you later, Jerry."

Jerry bid his friend a farewell, and he headed toward his house. Jack moved out of the way, allowing him access. He sighed as he spotted his parents in the same spot he left them. A bowl of popcorn rested on the coffee table, and he gathered a generous amount in his right palm.

"You don't need to wait up for me all the time I leave the house," Jerry said, eyes on Jack.

"I wasn't waiting up for you. I have homework. Mom and Dad were watching television."

After hugging and calming his parents, he bid them good night. Jerry followed Jack up the stairs. They arrived in front of their doors in silence. Jack turned to him a question in his eyes. Jerry returned his questioning gaze with a small grin.

"Have a goodnight, Jack."

"Night, Jay," Jack said. "Hey, Jay?"

Jerry paused and looked over his shoulder at Jack.

Jack's eyes widened. "Never mind."

Jerry frowned as his older brother disappeared into his room. For a second, he kept staring at the other's door. Maybe Jack would tell him later. As he headed to bed, the upcoming trial weighed down his heart. If he had a say, things would magically be okay. But sadly, it wasn't up to him. He switched off his lamp and then drifted to sleep. He would worry about things in the morning.

Hey everyone! Here is another update. Hope you all liked it.

Special thanks to reviewers:

nhemmick, thanks for the reviews. I am glad you see that there is some change happening with the parents that was what I was going for. Yes, it is taking time for them to get back to normal, which I feel is how things really should be. No one magically becomes okay. How many chapters? That is hard to answer, I want to say three, but we will see. Ha-ha, I will try not to hurt them. I am glad you liked the banter. Thanks again for the support.

Thanks again to everyone still reading, reviewing, following, and leaving favorites. I appreciate all the support for this story.

Until Next Chapter,

Bye