Reach Out and Slap Somebody's Hand
…One day after Drake is released from the hospital
It was delightfully strange Drake thought to himself as he stirred his homemade (by
Josh) strawberry and peach smoothie with the orange, pink, and purple striped
extra large bendy straw. He was alone in the kitchen. Mom was at her office still in
her part-time capacity, Megan was at school, Dad was at KDJY, and Josh who had
no school due to it being an in-service day, just left him alone. In fact, Josh hadn't
poked his nose into Drake's private personal matters since their heated discussion
in his hospital room a week ago over Emme's card. While Drake was grateful for
the quiet, he didn't want Josh to feel he had to walk on eggshells either. This was
his house too.
He didn't mean to let the situation linger in the air like someone in a crowded
elevator wearing a lingering overpowering scent.
Drake Parker did not know what to do. There was a support group meeting coming
up and Drake didn't know how to handle it. Emme wasn't going to attend unless all
was right. He should've picked up the phone by now and mentioned he read what
she had to say. There was still time. Drake meant it. He just didn't know how to go
about it. So, why wasn't Josh in here giving him advice on what to do next? Yes,
how odd that Drake Parker had to ask Josh Nichols for from the heart advice. It was
Drake not Josh who knew more about the opposite sex than a young boy should.
What would Josh do?
Drake took the straw out of the tall wavy glass and licked the cream off.
Josh would probably have called Emme right after reading the letter. Drake knew
the Watson's were in the book because that's where he found their house address,
but Drake wasn't Josh and he'd rather show up at her house again then risk a
phone call.
"I'm sorry to disturb you, Drake. I promised Mom I'd take the clothes out of the
dryer."
"Wait."
"What is it?"
"One you aren't disturbing me and two why are you walking on egg shells?"
"You made it clear that you want me to stay out of your business. So I'm just giving
you what you wanted."
Even when he's trying not to annoy me, he still annoys me.
"This isn't what I wanted. But, while you are standing there you can get me the phone
book."
Drake couldn't believe that Josh proceeded to give him the directory and walk to
the laundry room without a word.
"Hey!"
"What do you want, Drake?"
"Aren't you going to say something?"
"I know it's not my place."
"Just shut up, Josh. And by shutting up, I mean talk to me."
"I don't want to upset you."
"Too late for that." Drake finished his smoothie. Josh was indeed a mix of
endearing and annoying, but he was good in the kitchen.
"Okay," Josh pulled out a chair, "Are you going to call Emme?"
"I wasn't going to. I was and I hate asking you this—I was going to ask
you to give me a ride to her house. But I'd hate to go there for nothing."
"I'd call first."
Drake made a clicking noise with his tongue.
"I knew you would."
"How about I call?"
"Josh, I don't need you to make phone calls for me."
"No, Drake, you misunderstood. How about I call and see if Emme wants to see
you? I'll say you're sleeping."
"No. I'll call."
"Okay." Josh folded his hands out of nervousness.
"Josh…"
"Yes, Drake?"
"This is the part where you are supposed to say, 'See you in a bit' and scamper off
to get the clothes out of the dryer."
Josh stood up and gave Drake a nervous smile, "Good luck then."
Drake stood up and placed the phone book on the counter and went to grab the
phone.
Why did this feel like the hardest phone call he ever had to make? Drake Parker
never had any trouble talking to girls until this one entered his life.
"Okay, Parker," Drake got one last big sigh out of the way, "Just
dial the phone."
Five rings and Drake was almost ready to play the hang-up-before-someone-
actually-answers game.
What was this the fifth grade?
"Hello?" It was Emme's mother.
"Hello, Mrs. Watson. Is Emme there? It's Drake Parker."
"I'll see if she's sleeping…"
"You might want to tell her I received the card."
"Okay. Hold on, Sweetie."
Musak? The Watson's certainly had money to waste Drake thought, but
at least it was a happy but unfamiliar tune.
Mrs. Watson knocked on Emme's door before opening it. Her daughter was laying
on her side her arms snuggling with her pillows.
"Honey," She tapped her shoulder, "Are you awake?"
"I'm trying to sleep, Mother."
"Drake Parker is on the phone. And he wants you to know he received your card."
"I see."
Emme didn't wait for her mother to connect them. She had a phone in her room and
clicked on the flashing orange light to indicate there was a call on line number three.
"Hello, Drake."
Drake couldn't believe how nervous he was.
"Hi, Emme."
"You have some nerve. Do you know how long ago I sent you that card? And you're
just calling me now? Get bent."
"Emme Jessica Watson!" Her mother didn't mean to eavesdrop she just wanted to
make sure they were connected. She heard the 'click' after her daughter's rant.
Drake obviously hung up.
"I want to go to sleep, Mommy."
Emme hung up trying to not cry over this guy anymore. He had enough of her tears.
Drake slammed the phone book closed just in time for Josh to come in carrying the
white plastic laundry basket.
"It didn't go well?"
"Great observation, Josh. She said I have some nerve for waiting this long to get
back in touch with her. This is the girl you stuck up for? This is the person that you
said was frightened and needed my help? Every time, I say I'm done with her, I get
pulled back in.
You know what? I have cancer too. I know I waited a long time and you felt
compelled to open the envelope and I suppose it doesn't count that I was in the
hospital. Does she give me a fucking chance to explain? No. You know, say what
you will, brother. Butat least when I was with some of those girls you named off at
the hospital, I was shown a good time. Am I supposed to learn something? Am I
supposed to be the better one?
Well you know what? Screw that. I had my smoothie and I'm going to bed. I wish I
never took her card out of the garbage. It should've stayed there where it belonged."
Drake pushed open the swinging kitchen door with the most strength Josh had seen
him use in a long time and went to take a nap on the living room sofa. Josh was
about to follow him, but he saw his brother exhibit too much restless emotional
energy and only stayed on the sofa for about thirty seconds before kicking off the
blanket and storming upstairs to their room.
Josh looked at the phone and then the phone book. He was going to do battle with
the angel and devil on each shoulder. The plans to go into a self-debate were
making the wheels in his brain turn, but then he figured to stop thinking and in
Drake's words "just do it".
He put the laundry basket on the kitchen table and went to open up the phone book
and hoped that he wasn't making a mistake. He'd hate to sleep in a locked closet
again.
"Hello, Drake. First let me apologize for my daughter---"
"Mrs. Watson, this isn't Drake. I'm his brother Josh. I'm calling you
to try and make things right between Emme and Drake, but I don't know what to do.
Except to tell you that my brother was just released from a short hospital stay. He
had an infection and that's partly why he didn't respond to the card. The other
reason is he was stubborn and didn't open the envelope—so I had to. But he fished
it out of the garbage earlier and if only Emme knew that…." Josh decided to trail off
his words; he wanted to give Mrs. Watson a chance to respond.
The both of them heard a little click.
"I think she already knows. I appreciate your call, Josh. Drake is very
lucky to have a brother like you. Give him my best. There is something I need to take
care of."
"Thank you, Mrs. Watson."
Josh decided it was best to not tell Drake that he called Emme's mother. It would
only get him upset and he was angry enough already today. He hoped he didn't
cross a privacy line. He really wanted to do better by Drake and all Josh wanted
was his brother to be happy.
Mrs. Watson didn't know what to expect when she opened up Emme's door. She
wasn't in her bed or the bathroom. Then she noticed the white wooden French
balcony doors were open. There was a slight breeze and her daughter wasn't
wearing her robe.
She grabbed her yellow cotton robe off the bed.
Emme held on to the railing, her tears sticking to her face.
"M-Mother," She felt her robe being put over her shoulders, "I-I….don't need a
lecture."
The girl was stiff as the proverbial board. She needed a hug in the worst way and it
wasn't a mother's embrace that she required.
"No, you don't. How many times can you push Drake away without giving him a
chance? Now come on, let's put you to bed."
"He's never going to want to talk to me ever again." Emme let her mother tuck her in
bed. She wanted to be babied.
"And if that happens while its unfortunate maybe it's a lesson that you needed to
learn."
"M-mother…lecturing…"
"Sorry," she fixed her covers and kissed her on the cheek, "I know it's hard but get
some sleep. There's time to focus on you and Drake." Mrs. Watson hoped.
Emme did what she always did when her mother left the room and that was to cry
herself to sleep over her own stupidity.
Drake pounded his pillows as sulked in his bed. He totally hated the fact that he was
crying over this. The tears were automatic and steady. He emotionally felt like shit.
He didn't make any whining noises it was just a steady stream of tears.
Maybe, I am repulsive?
Stop it.
You're Drake Parker.
Emme Jessica Watson, do you even know what you want?
Stop pulling me back in.
I.Don't.Want.To.Be.Pulled.Back.In.
But, I dream about you sometimes and it feels right.
Why won't you give me a chance?
Drake heard the door open and there was no way he wanted to deal with Josh so
he made sure his back was facing him and hoped he could fake him out by
pretending to be asleep while his heart broke in a million more pieces.
All because of a girl who wouldn't stop running away and just how long
was Drake supposed to wait?
How long am I supposed to even care?
Your time is running out, Miss Priss, your time is running out.