"The Never Ending Past"
By Lorrie
Chapter 3 - Confrontation
Disclaimer: The following story is based on the characters of the TV Series "Drake & Josh". The characters belong to the creators and Nickelodian, but the story is mine. ALL DISCLAIMERS APPLY. (No copyright infringement is intended.)
"How did he get past us?" Audrey asked after Walter told her that Drake had already left.
Walter shrugged as he grabbed his keys from the counter. "I don't know, but we had better follow him."
Audrey picked up her purse. "Good idea. Which club is he playing?"
Walter looked at Josh, who looked at Megan, who looked back at Josh. "I don't know!" Josh shouted with concern in his voice. "He never said where they were playing, just that it was a great opportunity for the band."
Audrey let her purse slide down her arm to the couch. "He could be anywhere." She sighed, letting her hands rest on the back of the couch.
"Why don't you check with Scotty's mom, maybe he said where they'd be playing." Josh asked.
"Good idea, son." Walter replied, pulling out the phone book.
Audrey waited patiently for an answer and was then on the phone briefly.
"Well?" Walter asked.
She shook her head. "She didn't know either. I'll check with the other parents. Surely one of them must have said where they were playing."
After another few minutes on the phone, she hung up with the last parent in frustration. "Not one of us knows where our kids are. How could we all be that irresponsible?"
Walter put his hands on her shoulders. "He'll be OK honey." He kissed her cheek. "I'll find him if I have to check every club in the city."
"I'm coming with you." Josh announced.
"Me too." Megan said.
"No Megan. You're too young to get into the teen clubs and besides, you need to keep your mother company." Walter replied, staring at Audrey.
"We're coming with you." Audrey stated.
"Honey, what if he calls? What if he comes home early and finds no one here?"
She let her head drop and nodded sullenly. Her eyes closed tightly as she heard the door close behind Walter and Josh. "Please find him before its too late."
Drake drove down the main drag with the radio blaring, oblivious to the car behind him. Close to an hour later, he pulled into the parking lot of "Hot Spot" a club for teens that had just opened a few weeks earlier. He quickly looked at his watch; it was nearly 10:00 p.m. "Superb directions, my man." Drake said, tossing the directions Scotty had scribbled out for him to the side.
Scotty and the rest of the band quickly approached his car. "Where have you been, man? We were afraid you weren't going to show up."
"What and leave you guys to hog the spotlight, not a chance." Drake replied, the earlier events of the day gone from his mind, at least for the moment.
A dark sedan pulled into the parking lot and watched as Drake and the rest of the band hurried into the club. A tall, lanky man pulled himself from the driver's seat and started towards the club entrance.
He was immediately stopped by one of the bouncers. "Sorry sir, this is a teen club."
"My kid's playing in the band and I want to hear him." The tall man replied.
The bouncer stared at the man for a moment.
"Oh come on. His mom and I split up years ago and this is the first chance I've had to hear him play."
The bouncer eyed him up and down before deciding to let him in. "There's absolutely no booze. The dance floor is for teens only and if I catch you flirting with the waitresses, I'm calling the cops." The bouncer replied.
Michael nodded. "No problem. I just want to hear my kid. Once he's finished, I'm outta here."
Meanwhile, on the opposite end of the city, Walter pulled his SUV into the parking lot of another club. "I've got it dad." Josh said, opening his door. Seconds later, he returned, shaking his head.
"This is going to take all night." Walter said as he pulled out of the parking lot.
"Hey, there's a new teen club that just opened a few weeks ago, but its several miles from here. You don't think . . . Nah, that's a way long shot." Josh said.
Walter nodded. "But it makes sense. You said it was a new club. Drake is always looking for new opportunities for the band. Do you know the name?"
"Hot something. Hot Spot, maybe. I'm not really sure." Josh replied.
"OK, let's see if anyone knows where it is."
"Stop at the payphone up here. I'll give Mindy a call and see if she knows."
"Hello." Mindy answered.
"Mindy, hey, it's Josh. Listen, we think that Drake's playing at the new teen club tonight and I need to know where it is."
Mindy could hear the tension in Josh's voice. "Josh, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, we just need to find Drake right away."
"Is everyone OK. I mean, no one's sick or anything, right?" She asked.
Josh shook his head. "Mindy we're all fine, but Drake may be in serious trouble. Do you know where the club is?"
"Yeah." She replied and gave him directions.
"Thanks. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Josh, call me back tonight, no matter how late."
"I'll try." He replied. "Bye."
"Bye." Mindy said, slowly hanging up the phone.
Josh ran to the SUV. "I've got it." He said as he handed his dad the address.
"This is about an hour away." Walter said. "We had better stop by the house and let your mom know what's going on."
Audrey jumped when she saw the headlights in the driveway. "Someone's here." She announced to Megan in hushed tones.
"Who is it?" Megan asked.
"I don't know." Audrey replied as she heard Walter's key in the lock. "Oh, thank goodness, it's your dad." She watched as Walter came inside, followed by Josh. She opened the door and looked out. "Where is he?"
"We haven't found him yet." Walter said, quickly adding, "But we're pretty sure we know where he is."
After Walter and Josh told Audrey and Megan of their search and told them about the "Hot Spot" club, Audrey turned to Walter. "This time, we're coming with you."
It was nearly midnight when Drake's band wrapped up its last set. Michael Parker continued to sit at his table, staring at his son. He had finally convinced himself that he couldn't be seen from the stage due to the brightness of the footlights. As the band wrapped up, Michael snuck out and got into his car.
"Super set." The manager of the club commented as Drake was packing up his guitar. "You could really go places someday, bro."
"Thanks." Drake smiled, as he watched the other band members disappear out the door. "I'd better catch up with the guys."
"Hey, any chance you might be available next Saturday?" The manager asked.
Drake lifted his eyebrows. "Tell you what, I'll check the book and see and get back to you."
"Sounds great." The manager signed a check and handed it to him. "There's a bit of a bonus in there. You guys really are great."
Drake smiled. "Thanks again. I'll be in touch later in the week." He met Scottie just outside the door.
"Hey man, what took you so long?" Scotty asked.
"Hey, I had to collect our paycheck, right?" The band gathered around him. "I'll get it cashed tomorrow and get with you guys at practice tomorrow night." He paused. "The manager wanted to know if we're available next Saturday."
"What'd you tell him?"
"That I had to check our calendar."
"What calendar?" Scotty asked.
Drake opened his mouth to explain, then decided against it. "Never mind."
"Hey, do you want me to follow you home?" Scotty asked.
"Yeah, that'd be great." Drake started towards his car, feeling his pants pocket for his keys. "Shoot, I left my keys inside." He turned to Scotty. "Go on without me. I left my keys inside."
The parking lot was nearly empty when Drake returned. He whistled as he walked towards his car. Just as he was unlocking the door, he felt someone behind him. "Hello son, long time no see."
Drake froze with fear as he realized that the person standing behind him was his father.
To be continued . . .
