But I am sending a smile ( : and it is for each of you, to brighten your day.
:Six:
Deb watched her husband silently. Eating his dinner. The girl, Haley, passed with flying colors. She'd asked to make dinner before the interview was over, and her employer agreed.
Not that Deb usually would take that kind of an offer.
"No, thanks. I have it all planned out."
It was stew. The unsteadiness of her fingers might accidentally slice more than a carrot.
Deb set a cake in the center of the table, nervously clearing her throat.
The thought of telling Dan about the birth certificate made her shaky. He was looking at Deb strangely, that unpleasant gleam in his eyes. Probably chortling over the supposed insult's his brother's son had committed during his absence.
"What kind is that?"
He reached across, prodding the dessert with a fork.
"Dan."
"Chocolate." He licked the tine.
"I'm glad you approve." Deb slid the plate toward her, cutting a thick wedge.
"Dan-."
"What."
"Could you at least pay attention to me?"
The dark haired Scott mockingly nodded.
"Yes, Deb. Anything you want."
"Do you always have to make everything so difficult?"
"Hey. Don't take your frustration with Lucas out on me."
"This isn't about Luke."
"Right. He's done nothing but stir things up since he got here."
"That's not true."
"It isn't? That little son of Keith's is going to get what's coming to him."
"You really hate your brother that much?"
"What did you expect?"
Deb shook her head. "I don't know, Dan. I don't know why I expect anything from you anymore."
"I hate to disappoint people." He chewed a large mouthful.
"That girl really can cook. I guess it comes naturally to some people."
"That's why I hired her. Dan. I need to know how you think of Lucas. For real."
"Someone needs to put that little bastard in his place."
"You don't know how close you are."
Dan pushed his cake aside, leaning into her words.
"You mean Keith? Wait, Lucas isn't even Karen's son. Do you mean-"
"No, I don't. I mean that-"
"Oh, something's got you worked up. Please don't even try. So who's son is he? Does big brother even know who the mother is?"
"Yes, Keith knows. I'm surprised you didn't notice."
"He doesn't look much like Karen. Now that I think back-"
Both adults turned as the boys straggled into the kitchen.
X
Deb's hand crept involuntarily to her mouth. She hadn't really laid eyes on Luke since the evening before. Her gaze seemed to take him apart, trying to piece together a resemblance she knew must be there. Lucas' mild stare turned dark when he ran up against Dan. Sitting, smirking. He avoided Deb's face, a mixture of unease and anger playing across his features.
"Look who's here. Does he know, Deb? I don't think he does. Why don't you share your little revelation with him?"
"Dan, we need to talk about this-"
"Exactly. Why not right here? We're all together. And if Keith didn't even bother to fill Lucas in for sixteen years, I guess we can let him know now."
Luke blinked "It won't work. I know how you feel about me. It's not going to happen twice."
Deb looked confused. "What happened twice?"
"Oh, just writing in some of Lucas' history. There's large blank spots someone forgot to fill in."
The blond's rigid stance didn't dissolve. It grew stonier, if possible.
"I'm not interested in the past."
"Oh, but you might be." Dan tapped the table. "What do you know about your parents?"
"I know they love me."
"Oh, please. The only thing big brother has going for him is a remarkable capacity for booze."
"And you have a remarkable $$ of a personality."
Dan's chair slid back wards, into the sink.
"So, you finally decided to grow up."
"Descending to your level isn't what I'd call growth."
"Cute. But I remind you, who's putting the food in your mouth? And where did you come from?"
"Somewhere I was respected. Kids that had to make something for themselves. My background may be plain, and poor; maybe not so classy; but it's made me a better person."
"You sure? Because I don't think you're holding all the cards."
Dan's larger frame paused inches from Lucas' face.
"Now, why don't you tell me again what a great life you've had."
Lucas' jaw tightened.
"You're missing the point."
Dan flicked a piece of lint from his shirt.
"It's really quite obvious. Trust me."
"Enough. Enough."
Deb pushed her husband's chair aside. It collided with the table, cracking like a whip.
Lucas felt the impact clear through his shoes. He reluctantly tore his gaze from Dan's, effectively forfeiting the staring game.
"Nathan, outside. I have to talk with your father."
Nate complied, startled at the venom in his mom's voice.
X
Dan's anger melted to shock.
"You know who Lucas' mother is?"
"Karen. She's Luke's mom."
"Then what is this about?" Dan walked toward the door.
"The father."
Deb waited for the outburst, but none came.
Water dripped steadily in the background. Low hum of the refrigerator.
"I-I read Luke's birth certificate today. It-"
"It what, Deb?"
"Luke's your son."
Emphasis on the pronoun.
"What kind of lie is Keith feeding you?"
"He's yours. I-I hate it almost as much as you. I mean, he's Karen's son, and you two had a child before I ever gave you Nathan. It hurts me, too."
"No. I don't believe it."
"We'll get a test-"
"No. I don't care who's he is. Keith took him, Luke's his son."
"You can't mean that. Lucas is your first child."
"Not legally. He isn't entitled to anything."
"Dan, as much as I dislike to say it, Luke deserves something. A little part of what Nathan has."
"I've given that bastard a roof over his head. In spite of the all the things I've had to put up with. You're in this too, you know."
"Not that way. As much as I want to, I can't deny Karen's son a place in this family. He's had enough to live through."
"Oh, now it's my fault because Keith steals my wife and child?"
"It is if you have a chance to make things right and you don't."
X
Lucas watched Nate's face, edging across the asphalt. Turning the ball in his hands.
"Come on. You know I'm going to take it."
"Maybe."
"Please." Nathan bent forward, adjusting his shirt.
"You know-" Lucas moved suddenly, the ball clearing the net.
"Nate, real impressive-" Lucas' laughter was cut short. He glanced over his shoulder, to see what held Nathan's attention.
Dan swooped upon them at almost the same instant. Lucas felt something slam into him.
Scott gripped the blond's shoulder, forcing him back a pace.
"You knew. You put Keith up to this. Trying to worm your way into my life-"
Luke tried to shake the grip off, voice taut with anger.
"Get off me."
"Big brother probably came up with it all on his own. You couldn't lie to my face. You haven't got the nerve."
Lucas twisted, trying to remove the pressure on his arms.
"Dad, what's going on?"
"Shut up, Nathan. You really messed up this time."
"I don't want to do your stupid work. I don't have to hate him."
Dan's focus shifted toward the son in his hands.
"You really don't know? Let's see if Keith filled this in. He was never your dad."
The struggling ceased as rapidly as it began.
"I don't believe you."
"Let's see you sneer now. I'm your father."
"That's not true."
"Unfortunately it is." Dan threw his eldest aside.
"Pack your things. What little you have. You're leaving. Tonight."
"Fine!" Lucas' chest heaved.
X
The worn clothing seemed to purposely jumble, despite Lucas' efforts. He carefully began refolding, each gesture neat and precise.
This couldn't be happening. It was only another of Dan's mind tricks.
He resisted the urge to throw himself across the bed and pound it. Break something.
Downstairs, a door slammed. Voices wafted up the stairs. The sound of Deb clearing the dishes.
"Make sure you get all that trash." Dan.
Maneuvering his body with an almost feline grace.
Lucas jumped at the sound, but covered it up.
"I'd just send you home on the bus, but I want to see Keith's face."
"Kills you, doesn't it?" Luke stuffed socks into his suitcase. "I could be your son."
"I'm glad you understand me." Dan glanced over Lucas' possessions, smiling in distaste. The sooner this kid was gone, the better. Deal or no deal.
"You can't stand that Keith put one over on you."
"Oh, it's definitely round two for betrayals."
Luke crushed his jeans. "I hate the thought I might be-yours-even more than you do."
"No. I don't think that's possible."
Dan's perusal wandered over the bruising on Lucas' arms.
"Wear something over that. I don't want any trouble."
His son merely smiled, an irritating gesture that privately irked Dan. He wanted to grab the kid and shake him into silence.
"Hurry up."
"I can finish on my own." Lucas purposely turned his back on him.
"I want to see what's going in your bags."
Luke cast a dark look from under his lashes. He refused to acknowledge the comment.
Dan tapped his watch. The bed was neatly made, curtains closed. The room had already assumed it's empty look. His perusal took in the carpet, absently placing the valuables. Scott Doorstop. Part of the wedding set. Throws. Wastebasket.
Wastebasket.
Several tiny pills caught Dan's attention. He retrieved one, holding it between thumb and forefinger.
Curiously like-
"How long have you been off these?"
Lucas ignored him. Dan, forgetting his resolution, turned his son around.
"How long?"
"What do you care?"
Dan's grip bit down.
"How long?"
"A couple of days."
X
"Where are the others?"
Lucas jerked his arm aside. "Why?"
Dan leaned forward, adding pressure. "Find them. And take one."
The blond twitched his shirt into place, furiously fumbling through toiletries-toothpaste, comb, container.
The elder Scott reached across, snatching it from Lucas' fingers. Examining the label. It was blurred.
But he recognized it, none the less.
He had an identical cylinder in the bathroom downstairs; another next to his bed.
X