Chapter 5
Eddie stood in the bathroom getting ready for his date. Christopher stood beside him.
"I want Buck to watch me," Christopher said. "I like Buck."
"I know," Eddie said. "But Buck and Taylor are going on a double date with Ana and me. You'll have fun with Vince."
"I don't like Vince," Christopher said.
"You've never even met him," Eddie said.
"I want Buck," Christopher said.
The doorbell rang and Eddie looked at Christopher.
"Can you get that?" Eddie asked.
Christopher went to the door and opened it. Vince stood there smiling.
"Hello," Vince said. "Are you Christopher?"
"Yes," Christopher said.
"I'm Vince," Vince said. "I'm looking so forward to watching you tonight."
"You're not Buck," Christopher said before slamming the door.
"Christopher," Eddie said sternly as he walked out of the bathroom.
Eddie walked over and opened the door.
"Sorry about that," Eddie said. "He's usually nice."
"It's okay," Vince said walking into the house.
"Well, I better go," Eddie said. "Thank you so much."
Eddie exited the house and Vince looked at Christopher.
"I'm a few years younger than buck," Vince said. "Which means, I'm a lot more fun than him."
"How fun?" Christopher asked.
Half an hour later, Vince sat on a beach blanket while Christopher built a sandcastle. Jackson and Angie walked over to them.
"There he is," Jackson said.
"You hold him down and I'll kill him," Angie said.
"Guys," Vince said. "Before you kill me, just know that I have a witness."
Vince pointed at Christopher.
"Who's that?" Angie asked.
"That's Christopher," Vince said. "He's the son of Eddie, one of the firefighters."
Jackson walked over to Christopher and sat beside him in the sand.
"Hi, Christopher," Jackson said. "I'm Jackson, Vince's cousin."
"Hi, Jackson," Christopher said. "Your cousin is fun."
"Among other things," Jackson said, looking at Vince.
Vince smiled and waved at Jackson.
"Mostly annoying," Jackson said.
Christopher laughed.
"So your dad's a firefighter," Jackson said. "What does your mom do?"
"She died," Christopher replied. "She was hit by a car."
"Oh," Jackson said. "I'm so sorry."
"Thanks," Christopher said.
"You know, you're lucky you have your dad," Jackson said.
"Yeah," Christopher said. "What do your parents do?"
"My mom was a pharmacist and my dad was a lawyer," Jackson replied.
"What do they do now?" Christopher asked.
"They're both gone," Jackson replied.
"They died?" Christopher asked.
"Yes," Jackson replied. "Five years ago."
"How?" Christopher asked.
"Well," Jackson said. "They were in a really bad car accident. The doctor prescribed them opioids."
"What are opioids?" Christopher asked.
"It's a type of drug that can become very addictive," Jackson replied. "My parents became addicted to opioids. And being a pharmacist gave my mom access to them. She and my father overdosed. By the time I came home and found them, it was too late."
Angie gasped and put her hand over her mouth. She then looked at Vince who nodded.
"That's so sad," Christopher said. "I'm sorry."
"Thanks," Jackson said. "I don't really tell people this, but finding my parents dead is what made me want to become a 9-1-1 dispatcher."
Christopher reached over and patted Jackson on the back.
"I like you, Jackson," Christopher said.
"Thanks, Christopher," Jackson said.
Jackson stood up and Angie walked over to him.
"I'm so sorry," Angie said, hugging Jackson tightly.