The Ruins of Our Lives Chapter 19

Randy's POV

It's only about ten minutes after we finished taping the sixth episode of Life and Stuff, when there's a knock on my dressing room door. I just figured it was Jonathan, or maybe another one of the producers. I mean, after all, who else would it be?

When I open the door and see the people waiting outside, my heart skips about three or four beats. Then it begins pounding at a hundred miles a minute.

Jill's POV

When Randy opens the door, a look of pure terror washes over his face. He looks like a little kid who got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

Randy's POV

I can't believe that mom and Brad and Lauren are here. How did mom find out? Surely Lauren didn't tell her.

'Hello' I say, trying to sound as innocent as possible.

'Randy what the hell is the matter with you?' mom snaps.

'If you're going to yell at me, could you at least do it inside my dressing room, and not out here in front of my co-workers?' I ask, motioning towards the inside of the dressing room. After I make that request, mom, then Brad, and then Lauren all go filing into the previously spacey dressing room like three soldiers.

Once I have everyone inside, sat down, and comfortable, I hear another knock at the door. I excuse myself so I can answer it.

'Randy, you need to come with me quick' Wilson says through the small crack I left open in the door.

'Why's that?' I ask.

'Your mother and brother and girlfriend are all on their way out here to come and take you home' Wilson tells me. Now I'm standing outside the room.

'You're a tad late for that Wilson' I say, kicking back the partially opened door to reveal mom, Brad, and Lauren sitting in the dressing room.

'Yeah, you know, he's right. Wilson, you might as well just come on in, I think you need to be a part of this discussion too, since it appears you've played a part in this whole thing' mom says. He does as she says.

'So Randy, what's going on here? You can start at the beginning' mom asks.

'Well, about a year ago Brad, in one of his typical drunken rages, broke four of my ribs. That night, after Wilson here to took me to the emergency room, I left. I took the Mustang, and just kept driving until I decided where I wanted to go' I explained.

'And then what happened? How did Lauren and Wilson find out you was out here? How did you get a TV show?' mom demands.

'I called Lauren and Wilson my first night out here. After I'd been here a couple of months, I tried my hand at an amateur stand up night at a comedy club. Jonathan Taylor Thomas was there scouting out the comedians, and asked me to audition for the show then. I did, and won the part' I explain.

'And then you hopped right on the phone and told Wilson the good news, which actually turned out to be your undoing right there' mom guesses. I just look at Wilson questioningly.

'Well, your half correct Jill. Jonathan was actually the one who told me about the show and about Randy being on there. But yes Randy, I did let it slip that you was on Life and Stuff' Wilson says.

'I just have one more question. Where is Mark? Didn't he leave with you?' mom asks.

'He left the night that I left, but I...' I pause, trying to think of a way to not make Wilson look too guilty.

'I entrusted Mark in the care of one my oldest friends. I don't, however, know where he is. The last time I heard from Mark or Willie, they were stopped at a gas station in Kentucky. Most likely they're in Boston. That's where Willie used to live' Wilson says, stepping in to save me from having to squeal.

'So then go call him and find out where he is! I know my drinking and Brad's drinking got bad, but you could have said something to me! You didn't have to just up and leave!' mom shouts.

'I tried to talk to you about the drinking countless times! But you were too fucking drunk to even give a damn that Mark and I were physically and emotionally hurt! I was going to try to stick it out until I graduated high school, but I finally figured out that I might not survive to finish school!' I yell, louder than anyone has yet. Mom bursts out in tears when she hears what I have to say.

'I know that you're hurting, and believe it or not Randy, I do care' mom sobs.

'No you don't know. You don't know the half of it. You don't know what it's like to not have anyone that cares about you except for your teenage brother. You don't know what the hell it is like to lie awake at night, thinking how great it would be to just end everything. All the pain and suffering. You don't know what it's like to sit there day in and day out, just wishing that you could hurry up and die so you could improve your life!' I scream at the top of my lungs. Mom starts crying even more.

'Randy, don't you think you're being a little harsh on her?' Lauren asks, speaking for the first time.

'No. She deserves to feel the way she feels right now. After everything that she and Brad put Mark and I through, she deserves much much more than this' I answer Lauren.

I start to say more, but then I hear a knock on the door. I go over to answer it, and see that it's Jonathan.

'Hi, I hope I'm not interrupting anything. I just wanted to make sure everything is alright. I heard an awful lot of noise coming from over here' Jonathan says.

'No, we're just having a family discussion' I answer, hoping Jonathan will just go away. Unfortunately, he stays put.

'Doesn't your family live in Michigan?' Jonathan asks.

'We do. We're out here to come and take him home. See, he's only 17' mom says.

'Jonathan, this is my mom, that's one of my brothers, Brad, right there to her right, and to her left is my girlfriend Lauren. And of course, you already know Wilson' I introduce Jonathan to everyone.

'If I could just step in and say something real quick. If it changes anyone's mind, I did just find out that ABC is ordering up three more seasons of this show. I guess I'll just leave now, and let you all have your family discussion' Jonathan says before disappearing back into the hallway.

'Wow, that's fantastic!' Lauren congratulates me. Mom shoots her a look that says "Shut Up!".

'Wilson, why don't you give me that phone number, and I'll call and find out where Mark is' mom suggests/orders after Jonathan leaves.

I must say, things are not looking good. I can't believe that I'm going to have to go back to Michigan now. I don't know if I will. I mean, I do turn eighteen this February.

A/N: So now Jill is about to find out where Mark is.

It may seem like it's practically over, but I still have one last trick up my sleeve.

Please R&R.

As always, thanks for doing so.

-Yours truly, Randy Taylor