Disturbed

Chapter Thirty :

The next morning, Brantley wakes up earlier to make some breakfast for Valerie. Brantley was texting Toby, asking if he could come over later to talk about something personal. Valerie wakes up to the smell of bacon as she smiles, stretching her arms. She then stands to slip in her slippers and brush her hair. She comes to the kitchen to see coffee being brewed, and Brantley on his phone.

Valerie : Everything looks delicious.
Brantley : Oh hey! Sorry if I woke you up too early.
Valerie : The smell of bacon woke my ass up. You plan on going to see your friends today?
Brantley : I don't know. Maybe.
Valerie : You should. Dylan said that he would take me the facility. I don't want you to be alone, I asked Dylan and your father to keep an eye out you. If you rather stay with your grandma-
Brantley : Oh no! Hehe, sorry. It's just she'll just want me to go to church with her every time.
Valerie : Yeah, I guess I know what you mean. Can I just ask something?
Brantley : What's that?
Valerie : Why don't you go to church anymore? I remember when you would ask to go to church with your grandma, but you just grew out of it? Is it because you're scared of not being accepted?
Brantley : N-No. It's.. It's nothing important mom. Let's just focus on today.

Valerie nods, as she takes a bite of the bacon and smiles softly. Brantley then pours a cup of coffee and hands it over to her. They both proceed to eat their breakfast as they talk.
Later on through the day, Dylan comes over to check Valerie in. Brantley smiles and hugs her tight as he says softly,

Brantley : You are a strong independent woman. We are rooting for you. I love you mom.
Valerie : I love you too, Brantley Bear.

Brantley smiles as she begins to tear up and wipes her tears. Valerie looks at Dylan and smiles softly,

Valerie : Just please look out for him.
Dylan : I got him. We all got him.

Brantley smiles and watches them both leave. Having the house to himself, he looks at the dirty dishes and sighs. Not knowing what to do next, Brantley grabs his phone and calls Asher. As the phone rang and rang, the call went to voicemail as he sighed with frustration. He then grabs his sweater and house key, as he leaves the house for a walk.
As it gets closer to night time, Brantley finds himself standing across Rodolfo's house. He stares at the lit up windows and house decorations. He notices a big sign, "Welcome to the Morris Family" He takes a deep breath as he steps onto the porch and rings the doorbell. Brantley begins to feel his heart beat faster than ever. He starts to regret his decision as he turns around and decided to leave. Right before he could, he hears the door unlocking and coming face to face with Hazel, his dad's wife. Brantley immediate notices the wedding ring on her finger, and starts to think in his mind,

{It's about time I get to put a face on this woman. The one who Rudy chose. She's short, not too short. I'm almost taller than her, I'm sure she has a cheerful annoying tone. Look at her, she seems so fucking perky. Her and her stupid house decorations outside totally scream COME BREAK IN AND STEAL MY CRAP. I bet she's a baker and watches Ellen give out crap on television. Her face bothers me, her nose is too- What the fuck am I doing? This is Asher's mother. I have to show some respect. She can't be that bad. God I hope not.}

As Hazel opens the door, she notices Brantley at the doorstep standing alone. Immediately, her face lights up with a smile as she goes in for a warm welcoming hug. She looks at him, up and down and tells him,

Hazel : Oh my goodness! It's you! I can't believe I'm meeting you for the first time! You look just like your father. So handsome and tall! Oh my goodness, where are my manners? I'm sorry, I'm Hazel. Your stepmom!

Brantley immediately cringes and fakes a smile as he looks at her. While hugging her, he drops his arms down and responds,

Brantley : Yeah hehe, I know who you are. I um.. was wondering if Rodolfo... if my dad was home?
Hazel : Of course he is, sweetie. Come on in. Make yourself at home! Rudy honey! You have a special visitor.
Rodolfo : Babe, I already told you to not call me if it's not impor...tant...

Rodolfo walks in the living room and sees Brantley standing. Hazel smiles and holds her hands close, excited. Standing stiff and feeling paralyzed, Brantley slowly walks toward Rodolfo giving him a warm hug. Rodolfo is caught off guard and has a puzzled look on his face, as he gives him a hug back. Hazel begins to tear up as she wipes her tears, and softly whispers into Rodolfo's ear,

Hazel : I'll be in the kitchen. I'm going to call Asher to come home and get started on some dinner.

He nods as Brantley looks up at his dad and smiles. Rodolfo locks the door behind Brantley, as he walks him towards the couch.

Rodolfo : So what brings you here, son?
Brantley : Mom...
Rodolfo : Oh that's right... did she just leave?
Brantley : Um, y-yeah. I just couldn't be there.
Rodolfo : I understand son, it's okay. That's great news to hear though, she's getting help now. H-How are you holding up? You know, your mom asked me last night to keep an eye out on you. I'm assuming she figured you would come to me.
Brantley : I'm holding up pretty good. My life is a little complicated right now, but I don't need complicated. I know I was unfair with you in the beginning, but I'm willing to let you back in my life again, dad. That's if, you're still down?

Rodolfo's face turns red as his emotions are all over the room. Trying to keep his facial expressions under control, he begins to cry and nods. He proceeds to hug Brantley again as he calms himself down.

Rodolfo : Of course son. I will not let you down. You are always welcome here. If you need a place to sleep, you can sleep in Asher's room. I'm sure he wouldn't mind spending more time with his older brother. Hazel is an excellent baker, she can make you some cookies. Uh, "P'Chip Cookies" right?

Brantley's lower lip begins to quiver as he looks at his dad. His eyes begin to get watery and holds his dad's hand.

Brantley : Wh-What?
Rodolfo : You still like those peanut butter cookies right? With chocolate chips?
Brantley : Y-Yes. How... you remembered?
Rodolfo : Remembered? Son, I ask Hazel to make me those cookies all the time. Since I left, I paint a picture in my head and remember you calling them your, "P'Chip Cookies". You refused to refer them as peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.

Brantley smiles and hugs his father as he begins to cry, then slowly giggles towards the end. Rodolfo hands him a water bottle, as they both take a sip of their water. Suddenly, the door begins to unlock as Asher walks in and notices Brantley.

Asher : Hey Brantley!
Brantley : Hey Ash.
Rodolfo : Good, you're home safe.
Asher : Wh-What are you doing here? What's going on? N-Not that I mind. I.. I... I like this.
Brantley : Well, I came to pay a visit to dad. I met Hazel, um your mom. She's really nice and sweet just like you hehe.
Asher : Thanks, hehe. Well I hope you plan on staying longer.
Brantley : Oh, I was just about to head out in a bit.
Rodolfo : Oh. You could stay son. Please, stay for dinner. I'm sure Hazel is almost done with dinner. We all love to have you over for dinner.
Brantley : Oh, I don't want to be a bother.

Hazel walks from the kitchen as she smiles and puts both hands on her hips. She then looks at Brantley and giggles, as she points at him,

Hazel : Are you kidding me? A bother? You're family. I'm sure both your brother and dad would love to have you stay for dinner. Hell, I'm sure they love for you to stay the night.
Brantley : R-Really?
Hazel : Of course, pumpkin. Plus, you don't got much of a choice. Dinners ready.

Brantley smiles at everyone as Rodolfo smiles back. He then follows Hazel to the kitchen as he is seated across Asher. Brantley can't help, but smile and enjoy the feeling of what it seems, a family dinner.