NOTE-I put myself in the story. Fishstix isn't my real last name, but it's a nickname. I don't live in California, but it's fun to pretend. I'm 17 right now. But in this story I am going to be a little older. In 2015, I'll be 28.

CHAPTER 14 (PRESENT DAY) Who's Fishstix?

I take a train to San Francisco. I say that's the farthest I'll go. I only brought a little money with me. On the train, I write in my notebook that I had brought with me also. I write: I'm feeling better now. I'm not at home, and I don't have to worry that much. I'm running away to San Francisco, because I think it's a cool and great place, even though I never been there. I don't care if I live on the streets and eat out of the trash. I don't have to worry, because I'm on my own. Maybe I will get a job somewhere, like a busboy job, and make money. I'll make a living.

I was asleep for about three hours, but then someone wakes me up. "Sorry, sir, but it this seat taken?"

I yawn. "No." They look like they are about 17 or 20.

"Thank you." They sit down. "You are?"

"Todd Gordon."

"Hi. I'm Brandy Fishstix."

"Nice to meet you," we both say.

"So, why are you on a train?" I ask.

"My parents, brother, and I are going to visit my grandma." She explains. "Why are you?"

"I'm running away."

"Why? What'd you do? I'm just wondering. I don't want to sound rude."

"Nothing. It's just..." I pause. "Nevermind. I bet you don't wanna hear it."

"Sure I do. I won't tell anyone, and I will not make fun of you."

"Well, because my friend has cancer, my girlfriend needed a break from me, my parents are fighting, and I cannot deal with it anymore. My life's a nightmare!" I explain.

"Whoa! Did you just say your friend had cancer? Is he Joseph Tuuluutoo?"

"Yes. But how did you know?" I get a weird expression on my face.

"He used to be my next door neighbor when he was five or six." she explains. "I can't believe that he had cancer. I just found out four weeks ago."

"Huh? Do you go to Midland school?" I ask.

"I did, but I graduated in 2006. Now I'm 28 and still in collage, studing film making."

"You don't look 28. You look about 19."

"Thanks. Though when I was 16, everyone thought I was 12 or 14." She laughs.

"So, do you have a boyfriend?" I ask.

"You're too young for me, kiddo."

"Darn!" I say to myself.

"Plus I do have one. His name is David Gordon."

I sit there looking shocked. Then I look out the window, "My dad's a liar!"

"Are you saying that you are his son?"

I turn around, "Yes, and guess what? He, who's my dad has a wife!"

"That's why your last name sounded so familiar. And he didn't say that he had a wife or a son. He just said that he was single."

"That's probably why he said he was going to work overtime, to see you! He is such a no-good-jerk of a liar!" I am so mad right now. I thought running away would make me feel better, not madder. "I hate him! Why and how would he do that to mom? I just hate him!"

"Now, you shouldn't hate him forever. I know you're mad at him. I am too, now. How could he say that he's not married and doesn't have a kid?!" She pauses. "The point is even though I'm going to be mad him forever, doesn't mean you should be. He's your dad and couldn't hate him forever."

"You just don't understand. They had been together for almost 15 years, and now it's going to be over, just because my dad acted like a jerk!" I can't hold back my tears so I cry. "And because of him, I bet when my new baby brother or sister is born, they won't have a father to see!"

"Now that is sad. How could men be such jerks and cheat on their wifes? Even worse, How could they cheat if they have a child and one on the way?"

I shake my head. "I don't know, but I know one thing: when I grow up, get married, and kids of my own, I will never ever cheat on my wife or make my kids mad at me. I do not want to end up like my father." I cry and stare out the window again.

"Hey, do you really want to run away, because of all of this?" she asks me.

"Yes."

"Because if you didn't, I'd be gladly to take you home when we get finished visiting my grandma for a few days."

I think for a minute. "Okay, I changed my mind. I want to go back home. I want to have a talk with my dad. I can't believe him."

"Yeah, I want to have a talk with him also."

"Thank you, Brandy."

"Your welcome, Todd."

I write in my notebook:

OKay, I changed my mind about running away. I'm so glad that I met Brandy and she talked me out of it. My dad is so busted. Why would he cheat on mom? Why would he lie to mom and me about working overtime when really he was with Fishstix? That just ain't right. I think dad was just pretending to love mom, so she wouldn't find out and be mad at him. I'm going to be mad at him for a very long time. He should be ashamed for hurting me and cheating on mom.

Four days later, I'm back in Midland with Brandy. I stay at her house for a couple of hours, to get something to eat and some rest. She has three cats: T.K, Snow, and Cheeser. She has one dog, Spud. I wish that I had a dog.

About 5:30pm, Brandy and I get in her car and are off to my house. I bet my parents are worried sick, and going to ground me. Though my dad should get in trouble. I tell Brandy how to get to my house.

As soon as we get there, I tell Brandy don't come in until I wave to her. I get out of the car, go to the front door and knock.

My mom and dad answer it, "Todd!" They hug me and cry.

Dad asks, "Where were you? We called the police and told them that you were missing. I even searched for you." He cries.

Mom says, "Yeah. We were worried sick!" She cries.

"I was in San Francisco."

"San Francisco?!" they both yell.

"For running away, you're going to be grounded for another two months! Why would you do something like that?" Mom yells.

I smile.

"What's with the smile, Todd? Are you proud to be in trouble?"

"No. But I shouldn't be in trouble; dad should!"

"What are you taking about?" he asks.

I peak my head outside the door and wave. Brandy comes inside.

I point to her, "Dad, do you know Brandy Fishstix?"

He stutters, "Uh, uh, no."

Mom folds her arms, "Gordo, who's she?"

He shrugs, "I don't know."

Brandy jumps in, "Gordo, I had enough with your lying! You lied about being single. You didn't even tell me that you had a wife, a son, and another one on the way! If I had known that, I wouldn't of went out with you in the place! That's just wrong! What's wrong with you?"

Mom's mad. "Yeah, Gordo, what's wrong with you?"

He just shrugs.

"Dad, I cannot believe you! Why would you do that to mom? Do you love her? It just makes me cry. I thought my dad wasn't like that, but turns out that he was!" I get tears in my eyes.

"Gordo, why? Did you love me? I think not. I can't believe you!" I see mom get tears in her eyes, then cry.

"Lizzie, I do love you."

"No you don't, because if you did, then you wouldn't have cheated!" Mom yells.

"Dad, I thought you were my hero, but now I know that you're not."

I see my dad get tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry. I know it's a little late for that, and everything that I've done can't be undone. But I'm truely sorry."

My mom turns away. "I'm not forgiving you! Just get out! I can't bare to look at you anymore!" Mom means it too. "I cannot..." She pause because she had a pain... "This is it."