This update isn't up to par, I only have a few minutes..the ridiculous electric company had a power outage and it slightly fried my PC...: the world without computers is a cold, heartless world indeed.:( Thanks for the reviews! I'll thank you properly later on, when I have the time...I just got the thing fixed and now I have to help with the boring family 'grill out.' If I don't fry...lol-hugs-
:Seven:
Lucas stared into his father's grim face, that mouth pulled downward in disapproval. The way he stared at his blond son.
"You take these and get outside."
"I don't feel crazy today." Luke slung a bag under his arm. "Be my guest."
"Wait."
No snatching hold. Just wait.
Lucas froze in the doorway, not leaving. But not turning back, either.
"It's important that you take these. If-you are my son-I know what I'm talking about. And I urge you to do what Keith would want you to."
Reasoning. H-m-m-m. That was a new one.
"I'll take my medication, if you tell me what it's for."
"Keith's your daddy, not me."
"Fine."
X
Dan was not going to plead with the kid. Or bargain. What did he care if Luke keeled over, anyways? Let him kill himself.
"Your decision."
He tossed the bottle onto the newly made bed, following his eldest downstairs.
X
"Hey, man." Someone stepped away from the porch, engulfing Luke in a one-armed hug. "Don't let him get under your skin."
"How about you?"
"I get by."
"Perfect example of how money doesn't always have it's perks." Lucas cast a glance around the carefully manicured lawn, hesitating at the sight of Deb. She was waiting for him, an uncertain smile touching her lips.
"Thanks." Lucas' suitcase switched hands, uneasy under his aunt's scrutiny. Or-whatever she was.
"I wish you could stay with Nathan, have a little more time in a real home. Well, as close as we come to that...give Keith my best. And try not to fight with Dan. I think he's more confused by this than angry."
The object of their conversation strode down the steps, silencing Luke's reply. He started away before Dan could grab him, loading the few belongings he'd brought, slipping into the seat.
It was only a visit, after all.
Time to return to his old life.
X
Shortly onto the highway, the sky opened up and a flood of raindrops streaked the windshield. It was deathly silent, save the constant thud of the wipers going full speed.
Dan peered through the water, deep in thought.
Luke didn't mind the distraction. The only thing in his head was a constantly revolving image of Karen in a lunatic asylum.
Lock down joint. Sanitarium. Whatever they called those places.
Lucas' hold on the seatbelt that pressed against his chest tightened. He needed some air.
The defrost was too warm for such a humid day, but daddy didn't seem put off by it. Probably best to get the man used to hot places, Luke reflected wryly.
If only the radio were on. The silence was deafening.
"Can't hardly see more than a few feet in this storm."
So, Dan was talking to him.
"I hate to think how long it's going to hold us up."
The car braked for a stoplight, and Luke dimly recognized the shapes of buildings. This was the way they'd come, through Tree Hill before.
"Good hour."
The only answer was the throb of the motor.
"You can stare out that window all you want, but you won't find what you're looking for."
"And what is that?"
Dan laughed. "You know."
Luke shrugged, pressing farther into the space between seat-back and door. He rested his forehead on the glass, scattering the waking nightmare into bits and pieces.
He didn't even know if his mom was alive. Or even if she was unstable.
Insane.
"Deb packed some things, I'm not stopping anywhere. They're right behind you, on the floor."
Food was the farthest from his mind. Did the man ever shut up?
Lucas relaxed, allowing his thoughts to drift. It seemed so unfair, just meeting one's cousin, realizing it was probably your brother, and then saying goodbye. Almost like he'd found a family. In more ways than one.
"I hope your daddy's sober."
Oh, now he had two dads.
"Things we have to talk over."
Lucas caught sight of his companion's fingers, wrapped around the steering wheel like fists. Something cold traced it's way along his spine.
"He's never usually awake. I'll just go on in."
"No. It's time for big brother and I to settle old scores."
"Oh, right. Like raising the son you hate."
"I didn't think you'd understand."
Luke's eyes were chipped blue marble." You haven't exactly given me a reason to."
"Well, things aren't always black and white. In the real world-"
"You mean the world I've lived in?"
The blond matched Dan, stare for stare, arms across his stomach.
"I don't think-" the elder Scott groped for words.
"There's nothing to talk about."
Luke watched the rivulets outside his pane, remembering.
The nights Keith never woke up.
Trying to clean the grass stains off his jeans when the boys had beaten him up after school. A six year old didn't know too much about household chores-but he did.
Making sandwiches, peanut butter when there wasn't any jam. Jelly when the butter dish was empty. And then plain butter.
Sometimes Keith had shown up for those special days, when everyone's parents came. It wasn't just because he didn't have a mom; lots of the children came from single parent households. He was different because it was almost like having no one at all.
Yes, Luke had existed.
X
Dan spared several long glances in his passenger's direction. Lucas' face was hard. Hard, in the firm stamp of his mouth, the tightness of his control. Never breaking. Never really allowing anything or anyone past the indifferent facade.
It had never occurred to Dan how tragic this Scott son's upbringing had been. Maybe, because Luke was Keith's son, Dan had believed he deserved it. Perhaps gloated. And now it was different.
Deb said the quiet, withdrawn blond was his. His.
Uneven roadway, each mile spinning off the tires. Unraveling part of Dan's family. Taking Lucas back...to who knows what. Could a decent future be found in the city? In that environment?
X
Warm yellow lights flashed through the haze. Neon letters proclaiming "World's Biggest Burger." Dan chewed his lower lip. Was biggest a word?
Luke hadn't budged from the taut, compressed figure keeping as much distance from his driver as possible. Dan reluctantly touched the kid's sleeve.
"It's too crappy to eat in the car."
He'd anticipated a long argument, but Luke stepped into the cool drizzle without a sound.
Tired out, maybe. Emotionally drained. Dan, himself, was on auto pilot. Pocketing the keys, they ran through the rain. Into a door that jangled pleasantly...announcing their arrival to a sparsely populated room.
Soaking wet, they slid into a booth. Dan shrugged out of his coat, throwing it across the empty space.
Luke idly thumbed a menu, listlessly pouring over the meals. He shook his hair back, water sparkling across his cheek bones. Dan noticed Luke's soaked tee shirt sticking to his skin.
"Where's your jacket?"
"In the car."
What was wrong with today's youth.
"Whatever. Hey, miss, I'd like to order!"
Dan summoned the waitress. Gestured toward meal options. Lucas watched in a strangely detached state. Inside of calming down, his palms felt sweaty, prickling with discomfort. His heart thudded through the clinging fabric. Afraid that Dan would notice. Afraid to show his fear.
"Luke. Luke!"
"Oh." Everything swam before his eyes.His stomach clenched at the thought of greasy sandwiches.
"Just a water."
"Get him a coffee and a burger...same as mine."
"Mayo, double pickle?"
"Sure."
"That be all?"
"For now, it'll be fine."
"I'll be right back."
Dan tugged the plastic covered paper from under his son's elbows. The girl reached for the menu, throwing a questioning look toward Lucas.
He didn't care.
A clock on the wall stared down, gaudily painted face. Cheap, almost shoddy-nowhere near Deb's family heirloom. Luke imagined it's sonorous dong, announcing the death of another hour.
But it didn't even tick. It was plastic, an imitation.
Calm down.
He sucked in a breath of air. Another. Heavily laden with scent of ketchup and fried potatoes. It made him sick.
"Lucas!"
Dan shoved his arm.
The waitress was back, sliding a hot plate in front of him.
He had enough will power to wait until she'd disappeared in the back. Before lunging from his vinyl bench, glancing for the restroom.
Found it.
Dan's voice, angry, tossing words to his back.
Cooler, almost cold.
Lucas stared in the mirror, hands clenching the sink in a death grip.
His eyes were strained, red in the dim light.
Something wasn't right. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't...
"Oh, God. Lucas!"
Far away, hinges squeaked in his white walled world.
X
Dan shoved the door ajar, impatient with his son's rudeness. Wanting to finish here and get back on the road.
And he walked right into the blond, sightless gaze turned toward the mirror.
Caught him. Jumped forward, just pillowing the kid's head and neck before his body hit the floor.
"Hey, somebody get a doctor in here!"
X
Dan stared at his hands. They weren't entirely steady.
Just the shock. Adrenaline rush.
Surface concern.
"Okay, your son needs to take it easy."
The man-the man in med school. He'd deserted a half eaten plate of apple pie a la mode.
Luke was sitting up, knees drawn toward his chest. Holding a cold towel against his skin.
"Has he eaten lately?"
"Complaining about not being hungry."
"Has he been under a lot of stress? Pressure?"
"I guess you could say that. But he never said anything about it."
"Typical." The student removed his glasses, shaking his head. "I'd get him checked out."
"Well, thanks."
"Sure. The name's Paul. Paul Bailey."
"I appreciate your help."
Paul hesitated.
"You planning on going very far?"
"I've got about two hundred miles to cover."
"Find a room. Does your son have any medical-"
"Yes. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy."
"Ahh. And did he inherit this from you, or-"
"Me."
"Has there been a change in his medication?"
"One." Dan cast a half angry glare in the blond's direction.
"He hasn't been taking it."
"Exactly how long?"
"A couple of days. I tried to reason with him this morning-"
"As his parent, you're fully aware of the gravity of the situation"
Dan bit out a retort."Yes, thank you, I am."
"Well-" the student sighed. "I suggest you take it slow."
In other words, you're an idiot.
Dan offered to pay for the man's meal, but Paul declined with a wave of his fingers.
X
Dan was going to twig. Lucas groaned internally, unwilling to stand up. Face the man. He buried his face into the damp cloth, trying to press the spots from his eyes.
"You okay?"
Slight nod.
"Come on."
Lucas carefully laid his towel on the sink. Followed the irate uncle turned father through the dripping exit. He hunched his shoulders against the pouring wetness. Rain pounded the ground, matching tempo with the pain in his head. Luke tripped over his feet, glad to be inside.
No more questions. No looks. Just silence.
The car headed out, lights winking through the mist.
Going home. Dan Scott eased against the seat-back, trying to uncurl the knot in his stomach. There wasn't much choice in the matter. Luke was going to need his medicine, no question of that. It was probably still lying on the guest bed. He reached forward, thumbing the heat on. Remembering his son's soaked shirt.
The kid, from all appearances, was sound asleep. There was a funny little catch to his breath that Dan found all too familiar. Lucas made an impossibly small form, scrunched tightly into his habitual corner. Avoiding him.
And so he was taking his son back. Back to Deb, to Nate. To his house.
But not for long, Dan promised himself.
Just until it was safe. A few days, at the most.
Maybe all the kid ate was bologna. It couldn't be too nourishing. And clothes-Dan hadn't seen a coat. Save the ragbag affair on the first day. Maybe Lucas was too embarrassed to wear it now.
X
Lucas stirred, unable to keep up the pretense of sleep. He avoided Dan's eyes, staring instead at the dash.
"Hey."
A styrofoam container landed in his lap.
"The man said you had to eat."
Dan tore his gaze away, scowling. But not before the blond spotted the tiny spark of concern.
It was enough.
Lucas tried a tiny bite of cold hamburger. Swallowed, with an effort. He felt, rather than saw, Dan's approval.
"Save me a pickle."