Amber Waves of Angst

Chapter 2

Erik ran up to the house, barely registering the fact that he was not close to out of breath and had made the trip in record time. His hearing, always excellent, was now feeding him a telephone conversation his father was having with Grandpa Stilinski.

"Yeah, Dad. The kids are fine, you know they can't get sick. We're giving them the 'Talk' today. Derek's been all over me about it, and I can't blame him...I think I may have screwed up holding it back for so long. Erik's been showing some signs, and Laurie's been really aggressive lately...moreso than usual. You know, I just wanted to let them have fun and be kids without all of this horror movie stuff. Yes, I remember how difficult it was being a teenager, it wasn't that long ago, Dad. You did a great job with me, and I don't think I ever told you how much I love and appreciate everything you did for me."

Stiles was quiet for a second, and Erik was surprised to hear his father crying.

"Dad... I am so scared they're going to hate us... hate me! These kids are my whole life, I would go crazy if anything ever happened to them. They've gotten so big, and I just can't ground them or take them out for ice cream anymore...Laurie is so bonded to Derek, they are exactly alike except for the hyperactive part, it's a good thing Derek's perpetually 25 ...Erik, well he's 'research guy', like I was, but Christ knows what he's researching, he keeps to himself. I wish he'd just have a hidden porn collection like I did...oh, sorry Dad, I forgot what that did to you when you found it...well I don't go snooping in my son's room like some people! Dad... I feel like I'm losing them, that I don't understand them and...that I can't protect them. I would give my life for them to be happy...and Derek, well you could imagine what he'd do for them. I don't know. All I know is that I love them so much it hurts."

Silence for about three minutes.

"Yeah, I guess that's what it means to be a parent. No, I wouldn't give it up no matter how crazy it makes me. I feel like they're the best thing Derek and I ever did. Thanks for listening, Dad. I love you. Bye."

Erik peeked in the window and watched his father rest his face in his hands. Then he grabbed a tissue, wiped his eyes, and walked off into the kitchen.

Erik sat on their porch swing and contemplated what he had just heard.

#1. The parental units were about to lay a bombshell on them.

#2. It was serious enough for his father to have a nervous breakdown over it.

#3. Erik had no desire to be a parent anytime soon.

#4. Whatever was going to happen...he needed to let his father know he was doing a great job.

Erik felt a little guilty about that last part. They didn't know it, but he spent long hours on the phone with his 'Aunt' Lydia, discussing topics ranging from philosophy to quantum physics. She was the only person in their extended family that could keep up with his intellect...Erik just sort of...took his parents for granted, behaving as if they had nothing to offer him besides food and shelter, and maybe money when he needed it. Guilt ate away at him...he felt like a spoiled child. He couldn't remember the last instance of quality time they had together...and when they never pushed the matter, he assumed they were satisfied with the status quo. His parents loved each other, and loved their children...he and Laurie were very lucky compared to some other kids at school. He resolved to turn over a new leaf and be a better son, no matter what news they had to tell him.

Erik unlocked the door with his key. "Pop! I'm home!"

He kicked his shoes into the hall closet in unconscious imitation of Derek and walked into the kitchen. Stiles was pretending to be busy pulling out ingredients for cooking (and from the haphazard collection of items, it would likely have been the last thing they ate), all the while dabbing at his eyes to hide evidence of his tears. Erik cursed himself for not giving him a few more minutes. He decided he would pretend not to notice. He seemed to be good at that.