Lost Cause (Tyler Carter)

Chapter 6

I walked to the ice cream place because I didn't want to bother mom. She was asleep when I left. She's been working a lot and I'd rather leave her be. I walk to and from school everyday and the ice cream place is across the street from the school.

When I got there, Rachel was sitting on a bench outside.

"Hi," She said when I reached her.

I smiled at her. "Hey," I reached my hand out for her. "let's go inside. It's too hot out here."

"Okay." She said, taking my hand.

We went inside and the air smelled like whipped cream.

"It smells like heaven in here." I said.

She giggled. "I still can't believe you've never been here."

"I barely ever get out of my house." I said.

We both got chocolate cones and we sat across from each other at a table.

"So, you said you've only lived here for half a year. What dragged you to this hell hole?" She said.

"Nothing in particular, really. I guess to get out of my old town." I said. "Parents thought this was our best bet."

"Do you like it here?"

"Sometimes. It has its disadvantages. I rarely get to see my old friends."

She nodded. "I know what that's like." She said. "While my dad was still in the picture, we were moving all over the country because his job transported him all the time."

"While he was still in the picture?" I asked.

"Yeah," She softly said. "a year ago, he had heart failure and died."

It really hit me when she said that. "I'm really sorry, Rachel."

"It's okay." She said, smiling. "Shit happens."

"Yeah," I said. "but that's just crazy."

She shrugged.

"So, you like your first Freddy's ice cream?" She said.

I hesitated because I knew that she was only trying to change the subject.

"Yeah, it's good." I said. "I'm glad you suggested this place."

She smiled.

I don't know why, but I love her smile. It's so bright and contagious.

My phone started ringing.

Her smile vanished and I felt bad because we're supposed to only be focusing on eachother.

It was my mom, though. I couldn't ignore it.

"I'm sorry, hold on. It's my mom."

I pressed the answer button and put the phone to my ear. "Hello?"

"Hey, Tyler, have you talked to your dad?"

"No, why?"

"Well, he hasn't come home and I can't get a hold of him."

I looked over and Rachel and she gave me a concerned look.

"Well, just give it a little bit. I'm sure he got caught up with something at work. You know how busy he's been lately."

"You're right, I'm sure he's fine."

"Yeah."

"Well, I'll let you go. You're with Rachel, right?"

I nodded my head even though she couldn't see me. "Yeah."

"Alright, well, love you."

"Love you too, mom. Bye."

"Bye."

I hung up the phone and set it down on the table.

"Everything all right?" Rachel asked.

I nodded. "Yeah. My mom hasn't heard from my dad and she's just worried about him."

"I see. Think he's okay?"

"Yeah, I'm sure he's fine." I said. "I think my mom is paranoid that he's cheating because this isn't the first night he's been back from work late. I don't think he is, though. They've been struggling with payments and crap lately and he said he's working extra hours to get back on track. I'm sure he's telling the truth, though. He would never cheat."

She nodded. "I would hope so."

"Me too."

I really don't think my dad would cheat because he's never been known to want to hurt anyone. We live in a tiny town right outside of Atlanta and he lived here when he was a teenager. Almost everyone that lives here knows him because he played football, and they all say how nice of a guy he is.

In this town, if you play football in highschool, everyone knows you. I don't know why, but that's how it is. That's how it's always been.