The Quick Silver Moving Company
After Sunday breakfast
Drake Parker thought he was angry over the senseless death of his biological father
but it was almost nothing in comparison to the anger he felt over one just recently
disowned stepbrother Josh Nichols. It might have had something to do with his father
being actually dead and buried whereas Josh was alive and causing disruption in the
family.
And the authority figures thought it was boys (and girls) with loud instruments that
caused all the trouble. His face was all red with anger and he was glad that Josh
wasn't here because at that moment he could have taken his electric guitar and broke
it over his giant head. He sat on his bed trying not to think. Mom and Dad weren't
going to church. Megan once she got a hug and positive feedback from Audrey went
outside to play with her friends.
Drake had two thoughts as he threw his ink pen on the floor in frustration for not being
able to write a single lyric. Sometimes the songs just aren't there even if you want them
to be. He wanted to be with Torey, but knew she was working until about three o'clock
and two he wanted his room back. This was his room and it always was going to be
his room. Even when he moved away and had a house of his very own, this room was
still going to be his.
Drake got out of his bed to find the telephone book that was on Josh's (no, his) desk
and flipped to the letter "M" category—movers.
Audrey had one credit card that he, Megan, and Josh were able to use for
emergencies only.
Well when he was thirteen years old Drake did try to justify a 1977 black Fender strat
as an emergency purchase, but his mother cancelled the charge. Can't blame a
teenage boy with rock and roll music in his heart for trying.
Drake was surprised at his calmness over the telephone.
"Really? Today would be great."
Someone's cancelled appointment is another person's blessing.
"Is three o'clock fine?"
"Yeah."
He had to make a second phone call and hoped that Torey would understand.
Sometimes he felt that he was still a lousy boyfriend.
"You aren't mad at me?" Drake asked Torey after he finished talking with the Quick
Silver Moving Company.
"Why would I be?"
Torey could always walk home by herself especially when it was still light outside and
even if it were nighttime she could always call for a taxi. She was more concerned
about Drake and Josh's relationship. They've had many ups and downs in the past few
months and this one seemed more serious than the rest.
"You're great."
"I wouldn't say that."
"That's why I'm in your life, babe."
She smiled. "Um—Drake, have you given thought to—I mean---you and Josh have
always come through your differences. I'm sure he didn't mean what he said in the heat
of the moment." She couldn't think of the right words to say. Because not only did
Torey love Drake, but she loved Josh like a brother and hated to see their relationship
crumble like this.
"I thought he loved my Mom and considered her his Mother too, but he made her cry.
How can I forgive that?"
"I forgave you."
"That's different."
"How so, Drake?"
"Romantic relationships are different than parental ones."
"If it's in your best interest to have different rooms I think that's a good thing. I just hate
seeing you guys not speaking."
"It's better for everyone involved."
They were able to talk for a little while longer until Torey's college age supervisor
tapped on his watch to remind her that she took this call when it wasn't a scheduled
break time.
"I have to go my supervisor is giving me looks. I'll see you later."
"Okay. I love you."
"I love you, Drake. Be careful. Promise?"
"I promise."
Drake hung up the phone. His phone.
He was glad that he had a compassionate girlfriend who actually cared about the state
of him and his family, but he still didn't want Josh in his life anymore.
Josh made his bed now he had to lie in it.
Hours laterWalter took Audrey out for a Sunday drive so Megan was the only one home with
Drake when the movers came by to put all of Josh's things in the guestroom and put
anything else that didn't fit in the attic. Or bring things from the attic back to his room
where they belonged.
"Drake, I don't believe it." Megan twisted the stem off the top of an apple.
"What don't you believe?"
"You kicked Josh out of your room!"
"Don't tell me you are going to start going soft? That'd be a very sad day for the
universe." He strummed his acoustic guitar
"I'm not. But I do feel sorry for the Boob. He really doesn't know from which he speaks."
"I have to find a padlock."
"Why?"
"Do you think I trust Josh?"
"I don't think he'd demand to come back here."
"Still, I don't want him thinking that he can just come back. Notice the drum set back
where it's supposed to be."
Drake found a package of alphabet stickers in the second side drawer of his desk.
There were no "K's" left, but he could break the "L" and make a "K" out of it.
"What are you going to do with those stickers?"
"Put a message on the door."
Drake spelled out 'Drake's Room' with a broken "L" to form the "K" in Drake and all.
"Are you going to be here when Josh comes home?"
"Nope. That's why I'm going to put a lock on the door."
Megan wasn't excited about this as she thought she would be. After all it was funny
right? Things like this were funny? She thought the Boob was well a Boob and Drake
could be one too. Still this brought to the surface things she didn't like to talk about and
Josh made their Mom cry.
It just wasn't funny.
She was old enough to know the difference.
"Are you going out with Torey tonight?"
"Of course."
"See ya, Drake."
"Where are you going?"
"I've got something to do." She said with a raised eyebrow that made Drake hope that
someone would hide the kitchen knives.
He was beginning to worry about what kind of adult she was going to grow up to be
and if Josh was even one ounce responsible for making Megan a literal demon
instead of just one that likes to play overblown jokes if it was possible he would hate
him even more.
Love grew so the opposite had to be true.
12:01 AM
Drake was one minute late past curfew but today wasn't a school day so he didn't think
he'd get in trouble as there was an administrative meeting tomorrow closing Belleview
High for the day. It was amazing how a soft and wonderful night making out with one's
girlfriend on her living room sofa could turn into a dreadful feeling in a house that was
supposed to be your home.
Why were they yelling at this hour?
Sure doors were closed and he was downstairs but that didn't mean he didn't hear
their muffed sounds.
He took off his jean jacket and threw it across the couch. He didn't want to go up there.
"Hey, you missed a lot!"
Drake turned around, "Megan! You scared the Hell out of me."
"Mom's quite angry that you used the emergency credit card."
Drake didn't want to add to Audrey's stress. It was the last thing he wanted to do. Not
only did he feel he was a lousy boyfriend but a terrible son as well.
"That's not what they're fighting about is it?" He walked into the kitchen.
"No. They're fighting over sending Josh to Garfield High. Dad thinks it might be a good
idea after all. Mom is dead sent against it."
"Oh, I'd like to break Josh's neck," Drake took a bottle of soda out of the fridge, "He's
pitted them against each other."
"Josh came home and went into the guest—now his room. He didn't say a word. He
just locked the door."
"Maybe he'll kill himself and be successful this time."
"Drake!"
"I'm not sorry, Megan, I'm not."
Oh no. Drake almost dropped the bottle when Walter came in the kitchen carrying a
suitcase. A suitcase for emphasis.
Fuck.
"What are you still doing up, Megan?" She was a smart cookie; you couldn't sugarcoat
anything with her. She'd see right through it.
"You're leaving, Dad?"
Just when I….
"Just for a few days. Your Mother and I agreed this was the right thing to do."
He hugged her. She'd cry later.
You could hide your emotions over the dead ones, but it was much more difficult when
the living ones were still here. You can see them on park benches feeding the birds
knowing they weren't going to be home for supper.
"See ya." She replied with no emotion and ran off.
"D—"
"Drake, I don't want you blaming Josh for this."
"Were you going to leave before this?"
"Well—you can never tell in a marriage."
"That means no. Why don't you sleep on the sofa? Mom can be stubborn. In the
morning she may not have meant to throw you out."
"Audrey meant it. She's not indecisive like Josie."
"Still you should," Drake looked out the kitchen window, "It looks like it's going to pour,
Dad. I mean Mom loves you, Megan loves you, and I love you." Even though the last
part came out of his mouth mumbled.
"I love you too, Drake," Walter hugged him, "I'm happy that you feel the same way. It
means a lot."
"Will you be back?"
"Of course. Your Mother and I have a lot to discuss. She just needs a breather. So I'm
giving her one."
A lot to discuss…does this involve for each calling a lawyer?
"Still do you have to leave so late at night? I'm sure Mom didn't mean leave right now."
"She used the words 'right now'. I'll see you, Drake," Walter squeezed his shoulder.
The urge to cry was out of this world but it was the anger emotion that was most
prevalent in Drake's heart and soul.
Drake banged on Josh's door. "IF YOU DON'T OPEN THIS DOOR SO HELP ME I
WILL BREAK IT DOWN!"
"Drake, what are you doing?" Megan came out of her room.
Her eyes were tear stained.
Josh opened the door ready for Drake's fist to meet his jaw.
"I just want to get a GOOD look at the person who broke up MY FAMILY! Mom and
Dad had a fight OVER YOU and now Dad's gone. They might get a divorce and it's
ALL YOUR FAULT!"
"Drake—"
"No, I DON'T want to hear it! GO TO HELL, JOSH!"
Drake went into his room, slammed his door, and locked it.
He'd have snuck out to Torey's house but her mother probably just came home from
her job right about now and he also wanted to be there for his own mother.
How could this be happening? Spidey Parker dies in one of God's most cruel ways.
Audrey finds another chance at happiness and the ungrateful son of the man she falls
for is the one responsible for the whole thing crumbling? Drake finally starts to accept
Walter Nichols as a real father and now it's all over? Because of the actions of one
idiot their family might not make it?
Oh, Josh should burn in Hell all right!
Drake kicked off his shoes and climbed into his bed. He took his cell phone out of his
jeans pocket.
Voice mail.
"Hey, Torey, it's me. I figured your Mom prob—"
Drake heard some buttons being pushed from the other end of the phone line.
"Drake, are you all right? You don't sound good."
"I'm not," he sniffed, "Dad left and if he and Mom don't work things out, they might
divorce."
"Oh, Drake—I'm so sorry. Why don't you tell me what happened?"
She wished that she could be there to hold him.
"It all started when Josh Nichols was born."