Philips (Sequel to De Santa)

Chapter Thirty

"What the fuck happened to your head?" Dad snapped as I entered the kitchen.

"You won't believe me if I tell you." I responded as I dug a can of eCola out of the fridge.

"Try me."

"Okay, well, there I was, minding my own cheese whiz—"

"Cheese whiz?"

"—and all of a sudden this ninja came out of the woods, right?"

"A ninja, huh?" Dad smirked.

"Yeah! And he was all like 'my name is Minigo Contoya, you killed my father, prepare to die' and he came at me with this friggin' katana!"

"You don't say?"

"I know, right? So, here I am in the woods with absolutely nothing to defend myself with. So, I grabbed a tree branch and fought back the best that I could!"

"A tree branch? Sounds brutal. How'd that go?"

"Well, at first, not so well, but with one swing, he got his katana lodged into a tree and I took my chance to beat him unconscious. It worked, thankfully, and I made my escape."

"Well, I'm glad you're alright, but that doesn't explain how you got cut?"

"Oh, I tripped over my shoelace and busted it open on the ground."

"Wow, that's an amazing story, Chels. Really, I'm sure Solomon Richards would love to make a movie out of it. Now, without the bullshit, how did you hurt your head?"

"I accidentally cut it on a shelf at the store," I lied. "I knelt down to get something and when I stood up, I hit my head on the corner. I think it split more from impact though. I didn't even realize it was cut until I finished shopping. I went to the hospital and got stitched up, I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. Anyways, I hope you're in the mood for some baked ass."

"Some...what?"

"Baked ass? It's a recipe I came up with. It's a roasted pork butt. I'm making that with some mashed potatoes, green beans, and dinner rolls."

"Sounds great. What's the occasion?"

"I need an occasion to cook?"

"Not really, no."

"Good," I smiled. "How about you invite Angie over for dinner. I feel like I barely know her."

"Chels...you know I'm gonna cut it off with her when we move to Vice."

"You still wanna move to Vice?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, it's the safest place for you."

"But I don't want to move to Vice City, Dad. I like it here in LS. Besides, it's been quiet."

"For now, but how long do you think that'll last, Chels? I'm sorry, but we are moving. I'm making a trip out there next week to check the house out."

"You're what?" I exclaimed.

"I bought a ticket to go to Vice City to check out that house I told you about."

"You can't do this, Dad! You'll be leaving Jim and Tracey behind! On top of that, I don't wanna go!"

"Well, I'm sorry, but this life you're living isn't what I wanted for you! Your life is in danger and as your father, I gotta do whatever it takes to keep you safe!" I slammed the groceries onto the kitchen island and made my way for the stairs. "Where are you going?" I ignored him and stormed up to my room and grabbed my car keys. As I made my way back downstairs, Dad was continuing to shout to me. "Chels, where are you going?"