Lost Cause (Tyler Carter)

Chapter 2

I heard my parents in the hallway. I sat up in my bed and rubbed the sleep from my eyes.

I realized that it wasn't light outside and I looked at the clock. It's three in the morning, why are they awake? That question was answered when I heard what they were saying.

"Tell me where you went." My mom said.

"I told you that I had to work late." My dad said, calmy.

"It is three in the morning, you were not at work."

"Baby, I'm working extra hours to support you and the boys. You know how we've been struggling." He said in a very convincing tone.

I'm sure it's the truth, my dad would never cheat on my mom.

I got back into my bed and fell asleep.

---

I woke up and went into the living room.

My parents were sitting at the kitchen table, drinking coffee and reading the newspaper. Typical Saturday morning.

I got myself a cup of coffee and sat with them.

"Good morning." I said.

"Morning, Derek." Dad said.

"How'd ya' sleep?" Mom said.

"Fine." I said. "You guys?"

"Good." They both said.

It was silent until I decided to actually have a conversation with them.

"So," I said. "you workin' today?"

"I am, but your dad isn't." Mom said.

"That's right. No party throwing today." Dad said.

I chuckled. "May I remind you, you're talking to Tyler, not Josh? He's the party thrower."

They laughed. "True." Dad said.

"Yeah, but we don't have to worry about him anymore." Mom said.

Dad looked at her with a confused look on his face. "What do you mean?"

"Josh left last night. I told him that if he can't live under our rules, then he can leave. And he did." Mom explained.

"Do you know where he went?"

I answered before mom could say anything.

"His dad's." I said.

"Is that what he said?" Mom said.

I nodded.

"I would have guessed that he went to his girlfriend's." Dad said.

I looked at him and furrowed my eyebrows. "By girlfriend, you mean Monica?"

"Yes."

"They broke up a month ago." I said.

"Really? I didn't know that."

Wow, I thought he payed attention better than that.