Small Town Flames(BOYXBOY)

Settling In

Jack Steffano grabs a beer out of the fridge and turns on the television. As he's flipping through channels, a familiar face flashes onto the screen. His hand freezes on the remote as the headline at the bottom reads, "Teenage Model Nyxon Steffano in the hospital following suicide attempt." Jack jumps out of his recliner and races across the room, grabbing his cell phone from an end table. He calls his boss first. Jack was a foreman for a large construction company. He works six days out of a week, twelve hours a day.

"Derek, I'm going to need some time off. I got to fly to LA. I'm taking the first plane out. I'll keep you posted when I get back."

"Alright, Jack. Whatever you need." Derek said. Jack had worked for Derek for over ten years. They were good friends. Derek knew Jack wouldn't take off unless it was an emergency. He also knew Jack had family in LA and figured it must be something serious for him to fly all the way out there from Coley, TX.

Jack looks up flight times on his phone, as he goes into his room and begins packing his suitcase in a hurry. The nearest airport was just over forty-five minutes away. Jack booked the soonest flight to LA. He had to book a first-class ticket, which for an insurance agent was an arm and a leg, but money didn't matter. His first priority was getting to his nephew as soon as possible.

Two hours later, Jack was boarding a plane headed for Los Angeles, California. His luggage had been checked and he didn't bring anything else with him. He impatiently tapped on his knee as he waited for the plane to take off.

At the hospital, Nyxon was still in a foggy state in and out of consciousness. He could hear a faint beeping noise, voices of people talking around him, but he couldn't make out what they were saying or who the voices belonged to.

An elderly doctor walked into Nyxon's room, followed by a petite brunette nurse. "Angie, do you know where this kid's parents are?"

"No, sir. We've been trying to reach them, but their phones are going straight to voicemail."

"Is anybody here for this kid?"

Angie gave the doctor a doubtful look. "Not that I know of. I can go check."

"It's okay. Let's examine him first."

"Mr. Steffano? Can you hear me? I'm Dr. Warner. You're at Coley General Hospital."

Nyxon groaned but didn't open his eyes. "Can you hear me, Mr. Steffano?" The doctor's concerned voice pierced Nyxon's ear drum. Nyxon nodded ever so slightly.

"How are you feeling?"

Nyxon reaches his hand up to his head. When he tries to talk, his voice comes up weak and raspy. "My head hurts and my throat is really irritated." Dr. Warner smiles kindly at Nyxon.

"We had to pump your stomach. A maid found you with various pill bottles unconscious on your bed."

"Damnit. I should have locked the door." Dr. Warner's eyebrows knitted upon hearing Nyxon's statement.

"You did this on purpose?" He asks softly.

Nyxon nods numbly. "I hate my life. I don't want to be here anymore."

Dr. Warner pulls a chair up next to Nyxon's bed. "Do you know where your parents are?"

Nyxon shakes his head. "They drained my bank account and skipped town." Nyxon chuckles shaking his head. "Some parents, huh?"

Dr. Warner's eyes widen in surprise. "They stole your money and left town?"

Nyxon nods.

"Do you have any other family?"