My Brother's Best Friend (Shay Mooney)

Chapter 14

I hear muffled screaming coming from Dan's room. Mom and Dad must have heard him singing and playing guitar. I only catch bits and pieces of their argument. 

"You should be doing homework instead of wasting your time with that stupid guitar!" my dad screams.

I don't understand what they say next, but I understand Dan scream, "Stay out of my life!"

There's more noise before the door slams shut. Once again, I try to force myself to sleep. I'm interrupted by my door being flung open. Dan appears in my doorway, his face red and stained with tears and his hair stuck to his forehead. He has a large suitcase in one hand, his backpack in the other, and his guitar slung across his back.

"Em, I'm leaving. I don't know where I'm going but I know I can't stay here. I'll call you once I get wherever I'm going and let you know where I am and what's going on. I'll probably check into a hotel somewhere. I can't live here anymore and I'm not sure I'll be back," he breathes.

"Dan, oh my God, please be safe," is all I can manage to say.

"Do you need a ride for school? I can pick you up in the morning-"

"It's fine. I can call Jason to take me. Plus, I'm taking my driving test again tomorrow. Don't worry about me."

"Let me know how it goes. I really hope you don't fail. I'm tired of dragging you all over town," he jokes. I throw a pillow at Dan as he laughs. He closes the door and steps farther into the room. He takes a seat on the edge of my bed. "I love you so much," he whispers. "I'm so sorry for just leaving like this. Just because I won't be in the house anymore doesn't mean I won't still be around. Once I find out where I'm going, come visit me any time. I'll still be at school. And I'm always just a phone call away," Dan states, his tone growing to be more serious.

I try to control my tears but I can't help them. Tears begin streaming down my face. Dan and I aren't supposed to say goodbye until he leaves in a few months. He's not supposed to leave home yet. "I love you too. Thank you for everything Dan," I say through tears. He hugs me and presses his lips to my forehead.

My  brother and I are really close. He's always been like my built-in best friend. We rarely fight, which makes us closer. I can't remember a time when Dan wasn't there for me. He's always supported me, so now it's my turn to support him. He wants to leave home and he has valid reasons. He's not leaving for college yet. I shouldn't be this upset, but I am.

"I need to go," Dan whispers. "I'll call you when I get settled. I love you."

"I love you too," I respond. "Bye."

"Bye," he says, exiting my room.

I crawl back under the covers of my bed and lay my head on the soft pillow. My phone is next to me, just in case Dan calls. I slowly drift off into a peaceful sleep, escaping the reality of today. 

~ ~ ~

In what feels like hours later, my cell phone rings. I check the time before answering. I've been sleeping for an hour and a half. "Hello?" I answer the unknown number.

"Em, it's Dan."

"Dan!"

"I'm at the Holiday Inn, room number 476. I'm calling you from the phone in the room. I figured you should have it since it'll serve as my home phone number for a while," Dan says.

"Thank you so much for calling. I'm glad you're safe. Please be careful."

"I will be careful. Dude, I should have moved out ages ago. I can have pizza every night and not have to worry about keeping my room clean like Mom always nagged me to do. I can live how I want and do things the way I want to do them."

I laugh. "That's exactly why you shouldn't move out. You'll be living in your own filth," I joke.

"Ah, shut up." Dan pauses. "Will you do me a favor?"

"Depends on what it is."

"Please don't tell Mom and Dad where I am. Not that they care or even notice I'm gone. But if they ask, don't tell them."

"Dan, I'm not sure I can do that. I may have to tell them. They'll be worried about you."

"I'll call and tell them tomorrow. Or I'll come and get the rest of my stuff tomorrow and tell them then. Whatever. Just please don't say anything."

"Okay, I won't," I say. "I need to go. We're about to eat. I'll see you tomorrow. I love you."

"Okay. I love you too, Em. Bye."

"Bye."