Two chapters closer to each other? I started having ideas for this one before chapter two, so that's why it's done now. This isn't the end of the book, no, but it's called 'Aftermath' for Logan's hockey accident, that a lot of people loved. And felt bad for. This one isn't as lighthearted, it gives the deets on Logan's parents and how his father has come to conclusions. Enjoy! :)
Chapter 3 - Peek into the Past
Logan sat on the Knight's living room sofa with an ice pack on his crotch, moaning softly.
"Kendall, that's it: no more hockey practice with friends," Mrs. Knight lectured, shifting pillows to make the boy in pain a little more comfortable.
"Mom, it's not like I purposely nailed him in the balls. It was an accident," Kendall pressed.
"Yeah, an accident that could permanently damage your best friend! Now go clean up outside."
Mrs. Knight cradled Logan's head. He blinked.
"Logie, I'm so sorry what Kendall did," she said, running a manicured hand down Logan's tear-stained face.
"No, it's my fault. I saw it coming, but I didn't stop it," Logan pressed, trying to sit up a little bit more. He knew once this was done, he'd have to go home. His personal hell.
"Mom! Where do the empty trashcans go?" Kendall asked, entering the living room again.
"I'll take care of it. Let's take Logan home first," Mrs. Knight said, helping Logan off of the couch.
The boys sat on both sides of a sleeping Katie, Kendall's three year old sister, in the Knight's minivan. She drooled and bubbled saliva all over her jumper set.
"Remember, try to sty comfortable as you sleep," Mrs. Knight called out the van's window. Logan tugged on his backpack straps, smiled, and entered the Mitchell's Minnesota home.
Nobody was home, which meant Logan could go to bed in peace. Most of the time, his father would go play drinking games after work and come home in a drunken stupor. Like tonight. Slowly, he walked down the hallway and up the stairs to his room. He looked at a picture on his dresser of the happier times, with him, his father, and his deceased mother, smiling under a park tree. Underneath them was a cheesy red and white checked picnic blanket. The ideal American family. Logan smiled to himself about the happier times, like sneaking into his parent's room late at night while his mother watched soaps, while they cuddled and she stroked his hair identical to hers. He wiped a hot tear off of his face and put on his pajamas. He had forgotten about what had happened today, like the hockey incident, James, and Carlos.
His mother was all he wanted. Someone to hold, someone to dance with at mother/son dances. He sobbed into his pillow but eventually fell asleep.
Logan Morgan Mitchell. The perfect son.
"Log, c'mere and play catch!" his father said as the boy was dropped off from afternoon kindergarten. He dropped his stuff and ran into his father's welcoming arms. It seemed like for hours they played catch in the Mitchell driveway, Logan forgetting about his coloring homework or his best friends. This was how it was supposed to be.
"Logan!" his mother said as she got out of the work's carpool. She was the reason he wanted to be a doctor when he grew up.
"Meredith," his father said, kissing his wife on the cheek.
"Jonathan," she said, "I'm going out tonight for Bethany's birthday. Make sure Logan does his homework and gets to bed on time."
The two males nodded, knowing both would never be done.
That evening was when everything changed. Vanished. Poofed away.
"Meredith James-Mitchell and an unknown suspect at the moment were killed in a brutal car accident at around 7:26 PM. Police are lead to a head-on collision that neither saw coming."
This was how Logan and his father found out: the seven o'clock news.
He woke up, panting. He couldn't relive it. For the past few weeks, Logan had been having flashbacks. And he couldn't get away from any of it.
Yes, and that concludes chapter 3! Don't forget to review please! :P