Friday Night, Shane's House, 7:30 P.M...
Tonight was a little different than normal. Usually; Shane would come home exhausted from football practice to either an empty home, or his dad just about ready to head out for his work. However, to Shane's surprise and delight, when he came home, he saw his father sitting on the couch watching television. When the boy walked in, all his dad had to do was look over at him, smirk and nod. Whenever that happened, it could only mean one thing. Kevin Price had the night off. Shane was absolutely ecstatic. He never really got to see his dad during the week because of football, so whenever he had the chance to spend time with Papa Price, he jumped at the opportunity. Literally. He dropped his stuff and ran toward his dad, giving him the manliest hug possible. I'm talking straight up, I'm probably trying to strangle you, manly. Kevin returned with one of his own.
"Dad! Really?!" Shane asked excited.
"You know it, buddy. Got a call when I was getting ready to leave. Boss told me that he wanted to reward me for keeping things in check for so long. Apparently, since I've been around, incidents have been very far and between each other."
"That may be on account of you literally knocking the crap out of a guy once in front of the entire club, dad. People tend not to mess with the guy who can do stuff like that." Shane said, recounting the time his dad punched an unruly club goer so hard, he legit shit himself.
"You might be right, little dude. Anyway, regardless of whatever the reason is, I'm free baby! Now, what's up with you, son? It's been a while since I've actually gotten to have a conversation with you. How's school treating you? I know you've been killing it on the gridiron. Heard you guys were undefeated."
Shane beamed.
"Yessir! Playoffs start next week Friday. We play at 6 at night against Mount Vernon. Should be a breeze."
"Don't get too cocky, boy. You go in there thinking you're untouchable, you're gonna get knocked flat on your ass. You gotta treat every game like you're the underdog. Put 110 percent into everything you do."
"You sound like one of those corny motivational speakers."
"Yeah, maybe. But still, it's the truth. But, moving on. How's your grades? I paid a lot of money for that damn school. You better not be failing." Kevin said sternly.
"Don't worry, dad. I'm on top of my schoolwork. Plus, if I was failing, you'd know. In that school, if you fail, they don't allow you to participate in any extracurricular activities. That includes football."
"Good. If you can't handle both, that's what should happen. Okay, let's see. What else? Oh! What about that little girl you've been messing around with? You guys a couple yet?"
Shane rubbed the back of his neck embarrassed.
"Nah. We're not a couple. I told you already. It's just a friendship."
He muttered the last part.
"At least I think so."
"Huh? What did you say?"
"Nothing! I ain't say nothing!"
Kevin looked at his son sideways.
"Kid, how did you grow up to be so weird?"
"I blame my parents." Shane responded.
"Nonsense! Your mother was the most normal person in the world!" Kevin said in fake outrage.
Kevin and Shane looked at each other for a few seconds before they busted out laughing.
"Mom?! Normal?! Dad, get outta here!"
"I know, I know. She was a little weirdo too. But she was awesome. Remember your 6th birthday party when she snuck up behind you and shoved your face into the cake after you blew out the candles? Shit was hilarious!"
Shane chuckled.
"Yeah, it was pretty funny. All the kids made fun of me at school the next day though."
"Oh, boo hoo. You're a boy, suck it up."
They both got quiet for a moment before Shane broke the silence.
"You know what I miss most about mama?"
"What's that son?"
"That fiery Irish accent she had. I know it kinda faded because she had been in America for over a decade, but still. I liked the way she pronounced certain words. Especially the f word."
Kevin softly laughed and Shane continued.
"She only ever used it if she was playing a sport or if she stubbed her toe or something."
"Or if the Celtics weren't doing well. She'd be all like, "Pass the fookin' ball, ya bleedin' sack of shit", or, "You were fookin wide open, you fookin jackoff! How'd ya miss?!" Kevin added.
They both lost it at this point. It took a while before they both calmed down from their hysterical laughing.
"Man. Mom was a riot. Why'd she have to go?"
"I don't know. Sometimes I ask myself the same thing. But, I know one thing. She's probably up in heaven right now, challenging Jesus to a foot race. And she's probably gonna trip him too."
"Yeah, she'd probably do something like that." Shane agreed.
Kevin's eyes lit up, as if he'd remembered something.
"Yo, um, before I forget. Something came in the mail today for you. Let me go get it."
He left the sofa, leaving Shane alone to wonder what it was. Kevin came back from his room with an envelope. He sat back down next to his son.
"I was gonna open it when I first got it, but it says, "To be opened by Shane Price only", on the front of it." He explained as he handed it to Shane.
The teenage boy examined the paper like a coroner examines a dead body. He was curious as to who sent him this and their reasons to send him it. This annoyed his father.
"Jesus Christ, kid. Just open the damn thing." He said, thinking his son was being overdramatic.
"Okay, okay. I'll open it."
He tore it open to reveal, a note. It was written too.
"Really? They mailed me a friggin later?"
"Well, what does it say?"
"Hold on, I'll read it out loud."
"Hello, Shane. It's been awhile hasn't it? I can't believe we never exchanged phone numbers. But, to be fair. We weren't exactly on the best of terms at first. I'm not going to lie, when I found out you moved, I was a little sad. You were the only one I really liked in that hellhole disguised as a school. When I found out, I kid you not, I was begging my parents to let me go back home, but they insisted I stay in America. Well, if I have to stay here, I'd like to be able to interact with the one American I actually like. I've left my number at the bottom of the paper. Give me a bell when you get the chance. Oh, wait. You probably won't understand that. Maybe you'll understand this. Call me, ya bloody tosser!😈" - Paige."
Shane couldn't wipe the smile from his face even if he wanted to. Kevin rolled his eyes and smiled as well.
"I remember Paige. She's the girl who sorted your little hard headed ass out and gave you a reality check."
"Yup! I thought I'd never hear from her again!"
"I'm guessing you wanna talk to your friend now, right?"
"Yeah, kinda."
"Alright, dude. Go on, leave your poor ol' dad alone. He just wanted to spend some time with his only son that he loves very much. Flat leaver." Kevin said with fake hurt in his eyes.
"Don't guilt trip me, father!"
"Aw, shut up. Go talk to your British friend before I punch you."
"Will do!" Shane said before running to his room to get his cellphone. He dialed the number from the letter, and waited.
"Can't wait. I missed you Paige." He said to himself.
After a few rings, a British accent came from the other side.
"Hello?"
AN: AAAAAANNNND, CLIFFHANGER! I SUCK! LOVE YOU GUYS!
