Make a deal With God

Billy

We went for a walk after lunch when I heard it. Billy's car flying past music blaring.  "Someone else decided to skip today" Eddie said. I was worried, he wouldn't ditch Max.

"Somethings wrong" I said. Eddie stopped walking. "He wouldn't leave max at school" I said. I turned and started walking back to the trailer. Once inside I called Billy's house. No answer. I called hoppers no answer. "No one's answering" I said  "Where does he go when he's angry?" Eddie asked. "There's a spot off lovers lake, he likes to drink there" I said and Eddie grabbed his keys. "Come on" he said Softly. He drove to the spot and sure enough Billy was there I motioned for Eddie to hang back.  "Billy" I called Softly and he turned around. He'd been crying. "Billy what happened" I asked approaching slowly. Billy started crying again. Body heaving with angered  sobs. "Shes back, she's back and she brought her family" he said.

His mom was back.  I wrapped Billy in my arms. "Its okay" I soothed he grabbed at my jacket clinging in his fit of emotion. "Billy look at me" I said and he looked up. I wiped his tears away. "You are not gonna let her get to you, you hear me" I said and he nodded sniffling
"She doesn't get to come back and hurt you" I said. He nodded against me. I turned back to look at Eddie.  He reached in the van into his lunchbox.

"Here man" Eddie said handing Billy a joint, "this should help" Eddie smiled Softly. Billy wiped his face trying to remain tough. "Thanks Munson" Billy replied lighting the joint. We sat there and smoked until Billy looked at his watch.  "I gotta go get Max" he said. "Can yall come to my house later? My mom's supposed to come over and I just need someone" Billy asked.

"Of course man" Eddie said patting his shoulder.  Billy lit a cigarette and climbed into his car and drove away.  Eddie and I remained looking out over the lake.

"Its gonna be a shitshow tonight hope you're ready" I told Eddie. "You get to see why Billy is the way he is" I said sadly.  "Promise me no one gets hurt Eds" I said and he nodded "no one gets hurt" he repeated.

We headed to hoppers so I could change.
Billy called and said we could head over whenever.
We stayed in the driveway for a few minuets.

We knocked and max answered smiling wide.

"Oh Louisianna nice of you to join us" Susan greeted.  "Thanks for having us, this is my boyfriend Eddie" I said smiling she lightly shook his hand.  "Is Billy in his room" I asked and she nodded. I pulled Eddie upstairs and knocked on his door.

"Hey" he said Softly shutting the door behind us.. "is Beth the only one coming" I asked and he nodded. "She said it would be easier, nothing about this is easy" he said frustrated. 

"William!" Neil yelled causing Billy to flinch,  no doubt upset that Susan let him back.

We walked downstairs and sat at the table.  I was sat between Billy and Eddie.  Max across from me.  Beth next to her and Susan and Neil on opposite ends of the table.

"So Beth what brings you to town" Susan asked.   "I want to make amends and take my boy back to California" she answered Billy gripped his fork. "I see" Susan said. "Well I think Billy is just fine here" I said "well I don't think that's your decision I'm his mother" Beth said.  "You abandoned him,  you don't get to call yourself a mother" I said.  "Its fine" Billy said Softly
"I agree with Lou" Max said.  "Billy and I are getting along finally and" she started to say but was cut off. "I don't really care about who he gets along with, he will be coming back with me" Beth said. I looked at Billy trying to read his face. Eddie sighed.

"Hes 17 he gets to decide now" Neil spoke.  "But I hardly see him leaving Lou, or this house" he continued. "I thought you weren't dating" Beth said. "Shes his best friend and has helped him more than you" Max said.  Beth slapped her. "That's it" I said standing up and pulling Beth from her chair. "We don't do that here" I yelled shoving her to the door. "You come around again or come near max or billy again and you'll wish you'd stayed away" I warned slamming the door in her face and returning to my seat. 20mins later there was a knock.