Chapter 4
They Just Don't Understand
...as soon as Drake returns home
He didn't have any psychic abilities, but he was able to predict it.
Not three seconds after he took his jean jacket off, did Audrey appear in full-on frantic mode.
"Drake, where the hell were you?!"
"I was sick."
"Are you sure you weren't staying over one of your girlfriend's houses?"
"I'm NOT lying, Mom. I got sick when I was at the Premiere and a new friend I met brought me
to his house, because he was sick too."
"What new friend?"
"This is un---," he stopped short of adding the 'f' word to his sentence, "unbelievable."
"Does your new friend have a name?"
"Why do you need to know who my friends are?"
"Because I am your mother, that's why."
"His name is Cameron. I'm sure you'll find fault with him being a youth minister."
Audrey's face showed concern, "Why are you seeing a youth minister?"
"I'm not seeing a youth minister, that just happens to be his profession. And what's wrong with
that? You couldn't possibly have a problem with that. Cameron told me to stand firm, but I feel I
shouldn't have to stand at all. You should just respect what I do and leave me the hell alone."
Audrey sighed, this was getting nowhere. "I don't like this attitude of yours one bit, Drake." She
went back to the kitchen to finish making dinner. This was the reward she got for a few days off
from work.
Drake walked upstairs to his room and slammed the door. He was grateful that Josh wasn't there.
He took Cameron's business card out of his pocket and went to pick up the phone, he started to
dial, but then changed his mind and hung up. He didn't want to bother the kind man.
He laid down on the sofa, but didn't feel like turning on the television. Letting his eyes close he fell
asleep until dinner time.
Dinner was quiet. Josh didn't want to brag about how excited he was to be starting school, so he
thought the whole table wanted to know about how Helen promoted him to "gold-vest" status at
the Premiere. He didn't boast about it, Josh figured his brother would hit him with a piece of corn
bread.
Walter, who didn't have to do the evening weather, took a drink from his iced-tea before opening
up the can of worms that was in front of him.
"Drake, I know it seems like we're coming down hard on you, but we're not. We only want you
to start taking your future seriously. Is that so bad?"
"You don't have to get on my case every second of the day."
"And, there will be no more twenty four hour disappearing acts without a phone call to let us know
where you were."
"I told Mom I was sick! Cameron called The Premiere because we just have to have an unlisted
phone number. Is it my fault that Helen didn't call you?"
"That's another thing," Walter continued, "Who is this Cameron person? Your mother says he's a
youth minister."
"I can't believe how cruel you two are. Maybe, he should be an axe murderer. Since when do
you have something against someone who follows The Bible and wants to help the youth?"
"We just think it's strange that a grown man should take a liking to you. And personally, yes, I do
have a problem with him being a youth minister. We do belong to a church."
Holy Spirit Catholic Church to be specific.
"A church that none of us go to on a regular basis. When was the last time? Yeah, when Aunt
Catherine got married—and all you cared about was scoring a beach house, Mom. I'll tell you
what, I'm going to find a job when I'm good and ready. That's what I'm telling the two of you."
"Drake, if you don't find a job within two months, you are going to be kicked out of this house, so
you can learn how the real world works."
Audrey shouted back
"You have got to learn responsibility. We're also getting quite tired of your smart mouth."
"This is bullshit," Drake stood up and pushed his chair harshly into the table, "I'm going to my
room. While I still have a room."
"Drake!"
"Leave it be Audrey."
Josh and Megan looked at each other, but neither one of them said a word.
2:45 a.m.
Drake found himself on the back porch on his cell phone. It was a restless night there was no use
in sleeping and he couldn't use the phone in his room with Mr. Light Sleeper present.
"I'm sorry to be calling so late, Cameron, I should let you go back to sleep."
"No, Drake, it's perfectly fine. What's the matter?"
"Nothing."
"Now come on, it's not nothing, if you are calling me at almost three in the morning."
He sat up in his bed with the soft purple flannel sheets.
"I cannot handle my folks!"
"What happened, Drake?"
"They just don't understand—they even had a problem with you. My mother doesn't like the
fact that you're a youth minister. I totally don't get that. And if I don't get a job in two months
they are going to kick me out of the house to show me how the real world works. My parent's
just don't understand!"
"I'm sorry to hear that. It's not right for them to manipulate you like that."
"Would you like to meet my parents maybe they'll leave me alone?"
Cameron smiled. This was falling into place quite nicely. Yes, he would have no trouble meeting
these two vile excuses for parents.
"Of course, I would happy to. Why don't we meet at the IHOP for breakfast around 9 a.m., my
treat."
"I can't impose on you."
"It's not an imposition. Before I meet your parents I would like to talk to you. I think it's best if
you don't say anything to them about this."
"I agree. They'd only bite my head off."
"I promise you it's going to get better, Drake. This is just a temporary road block. You cannot let
your parents win, for it is out of their hands. You are your own person. Remember that, if anyone
forces you into something you don't want to do they are not your friend. I hope that's not too
heavy to hear this early."
"No, Cameron, I understand. I'm not going to let Walter and Audrey dictate how I run my life."
"You shouldn't."
Drake covered his mouth to stop a yawn. "I better let you go. I'll meet you at the IHOP in a few
hours. If it weren't for you, I'd be totally lost. Thank you for everything Cameron. I owe you
one."
"There's no need for you to be keeping score. I take care of all the kid's. You're welcome. Now
get some sleep. Goodnight, Drake."
"Goodnight, Cameron."
The news was too joyous. It didn't happen like this all too often. Where everything just falls into
your lap. Cameron got out of bed and opened up his locked end table drawer to take out the
minicassette recorder that he kept in his room. "I'm am pleased to announce that it is going along
wonderfully. Are you surprised that I'm being modest? You will probably fill up a few thousand
pages in your medical journals on that topic alone. Which tells me all I need to know about
everything. Tomorrow Drake Parker, without any mind alteration, I might add—tomorrow, he is
going to find out the truth---God's real truth about Audrey and Walter Nichols. And then like all
my children that sweet boy will have eternal salvation. I am better than Jesus Christ. He knows
this so you scholars and law enforcement charlatans better start believing it as well. Their souls
belong to me, Lord Cameron DePalma, I will bring another child into my kingdom and save their
souls. Decipher that as I stop this tape recording to open up a nice bottle of chianti and prepare
for our new arrival to the flock. Remember this: Lord Cameron is love. Lord Cameron is light."
STOP.
Cameron put the tape recorder back in the drawer and locked it. His whole body was trembling
with excitement, he couldn't wait to see the look on Audrey and Walter's faces when
he would be taking their son away from their darkness and into his light forever.