Chapter 6 – Coming Home to Mom
Being sent home was the worst thing that could happen to them right now. They boarded the plane battered and scratched after their encounter with the kangaroo/albino rabbit. Lorenzo hoped to come home with a million dollars, and their parents would focus on that instead of the fact that he and Chet were soul mates. He knew Chet's mom would understand, but his dad… well, he wouldn't just disown Lorenzo for this… right?
Lorenzo started picking at the fabric of his seat. Chet had to hold his hand to get him to stop, but then regretted it, because Lorenzo's hands were sweating like crazy. After a while, Chet let go, and both of their hands were literally dripping with sweat.
"Ew, gross." Chet complained.
"Sorry, I'm just nervous." Lorenzo stated, starting to pick at the seat fabric again.
"Dude, your hand reeks, like, phwoo-ee, man!" Rock cut in.
"Thanks, Rock. That's really helpful." Lorenzo replied sarcastically.
"Why are you always so serious, dude? You really just need to relax. It probably won't be as bad as you think. Like when my parents found out that me and Spud were – ba-dum ba-dum – soul mates, they were like – wha-a-a-a-a-at? – at first, but then they were like – pssh – totally cool with it. And Spud's parents were so chill about it, they were like, "that's cool, soul mates will be soul mates, and people just need to accept that." So I don't think your parents will be too mad about it, 'cause they really can't do anything about it."
"But you and Spud are friends. You're not related." Lorenzo argued.
"But neither are you and Chet." Rock retorted.
"He's right, you know." Chet stated.
"Yeah, but-" Lorenzo began.
"Lorenzo, I think Rock's got a point. It probably won't be as bad as it could be. We know that my mom won't make a big deal out of it; it's just your dad we need to worry about. In the meantime, relax. We've got 24 hours to kill, so don't think about it, okay?" Chet kissed Lorenzo on the cheek, grabbing his hand and intertwining their fingers again. Lorenzo sighed, and rested his head on Chet's shoulder.
"Fine, I guess." He mumbled before slowly falling asleep. He was really tired.
Every step closer to home made Lorenzo more nervous, therefore making him sweat more. They had a plan, which was Rock and Spud would go with Lorenzo and Chet, and if things went really badly, the stepbrothers could crash at Rock's house. When the taxi pulled into the driveway of Lorenzo and Chet's house, Lorenzo wished he could fly straight into the sun. He was glad that Rock and Spud were there at least, supporting them. He walked up to the front door, with his three new friends standing next to him. He steeled himself, and knocked.
He heard the familiar sound of slippers shuffling on carpet, and the door opened to reveal Chet's mom, a short, plump woman in her 40's wearing a pink, fluffy dressing gown and bunny slippers. It's fair to say that Chet looked a lot like his mom. They had the same mousy brown hair, except her hair was greying a bit, the same pointy nose, and the same eye shape, but her eyes were green, while Chet's were brown.
Chet and Lorenzo just stood there awkwardly in front of her, still broken and bruised from yesterday's events, with black eyes, scratches, scrapes and cuts alike.
"Hi, mom." Chet said weakly.
She embraced both of her sons in a warm hug. Lorenzo felt especially awkward. He wasn't used to this.
"Hi, Alice." He said timidly.
"I missed you two so much! I'm so glad you're okay!" She exclaimed. She pulled away with tears welling up in her eyes, and noticed the presence of Rock and Spud. "Are these your friends?" she asked, wiping her eyes.
"Uh, yeah, hi, I'm Roderick, and this is Spud." Rock stated, gesturing to himself and Spud, holding out his hand.
"Oh, right, it's nice to meet you." She replied, shaking Rock's hand. "Come in, come in." She went back inside, and the four boys followed her to the kitchen.
"Do you boys want some orange juice?" She asked.
"Yes, please." The four of them replied simultaneously.
She poured four glasses and set them on the counter before leaving the room momentarily, coming back with her arms full of bandages and disinfectants, setting those on the counter so she could pull two ice packs out of the freezer, giving one each to Chet and Lorenzo to put over their bruised eyes. She then got to work disinfecting their cuts and putting bandages on every cut, scratch and scrape she could find. When she was finished, she gave them each a tender kiss on the forehead. Lorenzo felt a little weird. He really wasn't used to this.
"Um, Alice?" Lorenzo asked.
"Yes, sweetie?" She replied.
"Is my dad in his office?"
She nodded. Lorenzo sighed and set his ice pack and half empty glass of orange juice on the counter before standing and slowly walking towards the door.
"Lorenzo, wait." Alice walked up to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. "Do you want someone to go with you?" She asked.
"No, I'm fine. But thanks anyway." He answered. He knew that this was something he had to face on his own.
Alice gave Lorenzo another hug. Lorenzo hesitated a bit before returning the hug, and mumbled something that sounded like "thanks mom". He pulled away and went into the hallway, turning left and stopping in front of the door next to the kitchen, which was his dad's office. He steeled himself, but he would never be ready for whatever was about to happen once that door opened.
He knocked.
End Chapter 6