A little while later, Steven walked into the kitchen.
"Hi Elyse." She turned around from the stove.
"Steven!" She exclaimed. "I'm glad to see you." She fell into his arms and he patted her back.
"It's nice to see you too, Elyse."
"No, Alex is missing."
"What?" Steven looked into her eyes. "He's missing?"
"He ran off because he didn't get into the college he wanted to."
"How could he not get in? He was the perfect applicant." He paused. "How'd he find out already?" Elyse shrugged.
"I guess rejections come sooner than acceptance letters. He showed it to me."
"Poor Alex. He must be devastated." Steven responded. He turned around. "Where would he be?" Elyse shrugged.
"I'm not sure right now. He could be anywhere. I don't feel like I know our son anymore." Elyse responded.
"I'll go look for him." Steven said.
'What about dinner? You have to eat Steven." Elyse said. She pulled the hair away from her mouth that stuck to the corner.
"Elyse! Alex is out in the middle of nowhere. We've got to find him."
"Let's go." Elyse walked towards the door. Steven touched her shoulder.
"I think it'd be better if you stayed here with Mallory and Jennifer."
"Mallory can take care of-" Elyse started.
"You need to be here in case he calls or comes home. I'm not sure what state of mind he'll be in. I want to spare you of that." Elyse nodded.
"Alright." Steven kissed her.
'I won't come back without Alex." Elyse nodded. Her eyes started to mist and Steven walked out the door.
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Meanwhile
Alex was sitting at the bar.
"Give me the strongest thing you have." Alex said to the bartender. He looked at Alex.
"You twenty-one?" He asked. Alex sighed.
"Just give me the drink." Alex exasperated.
"No way. I could lose my liquor license. Then where would I be?" A guy a few seats down from Alex coughed.
"Give him the drink. I'll pay for it." He slurred.
"I don't care who pays for it. I'm not giving somebody who isn't twenty-one." He raised his voice.
"Fine, give me two beers."
"Are you sure-"
"Give me the beer. I fought in the war. I've earned my right to enjoy a beer." The bartender rolled his eyes, but slid the beer over to the guy after he poured it. "Hey kid." Alex looked over at him. He slid the glass down the bar and Alex stopped it from falling off. Alex took a drink.
"Hey!"
"Look, you gave it to me. Who cares who I give it to?"
"I'll pay you back." Alex coughed. He waved it off.
"Don't worry about it kid." He paused. "You look like you've had a rough day." Alex nodded.
"I didn't get into the college I tried to."
"That stinks man."
'Yeah, I had everything I thought they wanted, but they still rejected me."
"Drink up." He paused. "I'm sorry."
"It's no big deal." Alex replied. He and the drinker continued to talk as they shared beer after beer.
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Steven had driven all over Columbus. He had been everywhere Alex could have gone. He was about to go home when he got an idea. Steven drove past Alex's school for Economics. He drove slowly when he saw something in front of the bar across the street.
"Alex? Is that Alex's car?" Steven said aloud. He parked his car and dashed towards the bar. When he went inside, he found his worst nightmare come true. Alex sat at the bar. "Alex! What are you doing here?" He looked at his father. Alex's eyes were glassy and rolled around.
"Hey." He turned away.
"How'd you get in here?" He paused. "How'd you get a drink Alex?" Steven demanded. "You aren't old enough to buy them!" He looked at the bartender who motioned towards Alex's drinking buddy who was asleep, snoring loudly. "Come on Alex." Steven tried to pick up Alex, while he was of no help getting outside. Eventually, Steven got Alex to his car and drove him home in silence. There wasn't' anything to say right now. Hit wouldn't help trying anyway. He'd talk to Alex in the morning when he was reaping the benefits of his night of drinking. He just hoped Alex would regret it.