A Fun Evening At The Lachance House.
Ever since Denny had died, dinnertimes at Gordie's house had been strained and silent. Gordie was so used to them in fact, that he rarely even attempted conversation. His mother would sometimes burst into tears while his dad pretended not to notice. Yeah it was always a laugh riot at the Lachance house. Unfortunately for him, the school had called and told his parents about his detentions. Gordie was braced for the attack.
"The school called" his dad began as soon as he sat down.
Gordie looked up. "Really? Why?" He feigned innocence.
"You know why" his father replied sharply.
Gordie took a big gulp of juice and wished fleetingly that it were something a lot stronger. "I really don't".
"Mr Bonds said you were rude in English class," Mr Lachance said coldly. "Said you and that Chambers boy caused some trouble"
Mrs Lachance looked up her eyes watery. "Chambers boy?"
"You know, that white trash our son insists on associating with." Mr Lachance took a bite of food and glared at his son.
"Chris isn't white trash." The words spilled out automatically. This was of course an old and much repeated argument.
"Why can't you have friends like Denny's?" Mr Lachance asked for the zillionth time.
Gordie didn't answer; he just glowered at his food. He seemed to be doing the whole silent and brooding act a whole lot lately. It wasn't fun, but someone had to do it.
"I thought now you've finally ditched that Duchamp kid and the Tessio idiot that maybe you were finally straightening yourself out"
Gordie looked up and just to spite his dad: "I saw Vern and Teddy today in detention. It was just like old times."
Mr Lachance's frown deepened. "Yes, your teacher mentioned you had detention. Seems to be an all too familiar event for you Gordon"
Gordie shrugged. "It's not so bad"
"I do not want my son in detention every night!" Mr Lachance shouted, "Denny would never have done this"
"Yeah well I'm not Denny okay Dad" Gordie was shouting now too. "I'm not him! I'm sorry if I'm such a fucking disappointment".
Mrs Lachance burst into tears. Mr Lachance looked furious.
"You will not speak like that in my house!" he roared.
Gordie shoved his chair back and stood up. "I'll say what I want!" he screamed.
"Watch your mouth, you may think you're grown up but this is my house and while you're under my roof you will do what I say!"
Gordie glared daggers at his father. "Maybe I don't want to be under your roof"
Mrs Lachance was sobbing now, her husband looked at her as if she were some minor interruption.
"You're upsetting your mother"
"So what?!" Gordie screamed.
"Get out. Now!"
Gordie stared at his father. He had never felt angrier, but strangely there was a part of his brain that was actually enjoying this. He stood completely still for a minute just soaking in his father's fury, it was strangely liberating.
"Fine I'm gone," he said finally and his voice was strong. "Eat my fucking dust." He turned to leave then, as an afterthought, grabbed his empty water glass and threw it to the floor. Haha, there you go. He stormed out the house slamming the door as violently as possible. He didn't quite know where he was going, but so what? He had never felt more alive.
