Forgotten Pines: The Chronicle of the Kodnikado

TWO

TWO

Cemre (picture up above)
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"Well that was stupid". I murmered as I took a seat next to Max. His facial muscles clenched as he glared at the nurse across the room. "Next time use your head".

"I don't regret punching that bastard". He gritted under his breath.

"You will". I gestured to his wrist wrapped in the cast, "After a week".

"It's gonna drive you insane". Donny inserted as he took the seat across from us. "After the first two days you'll go nuts cuz of the dry skin".

"Shut it Donny". Max growled.

"I'm just saying". He shrugged then took a bite out of his snicker bar. (Which he got from the vendor).

"Maybe if you had punched him right you wouldn't be in this situation". I added.

"Like you would know". Max grumbled.

"I have a brown belt in Martial arts". I reminded him.

"No you don't".

"Do too".

"You came up with that story to impress Ciara".

I was about to deny it but the appearance of our dad prevented me from doing so. He came walking out of the back with the grimmest expression a man could lay eyes on. Not to mention that his left cheek was swollen and turning a light shade of vomit green.

"How'd it go dad?" Donny asked with a nervous smile.

The only response dad gave was a snap of his fingers and a "Let's go".

I dragged myself out of the waiting chair and started for the door, but stopped when I realised Max wasn't following. I turned towards him and frowned. "You coming or what?"

"I'm not in a rush to spend another twenty minutes in the cruiser". Was his bitter reply.

"Why?" Donny asked. "It's got a siren. And dad keeps his firearm in there".

"Is violence all you think about?" I asked our youngest brother.

He gave a Chesire grin. "It's exciting".

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. If Donny weren't my brother I'd probably be weirded out by his personality; or very creeped out.

Either way I'd most defiantly avoid him like most kids at our school.

"Come on Max". I sighed, "I'll let you use my earbuds since you forgot yours".

"Fine".

He shoved off his chair and stomped past me and Donny.

Donny leaned over and whispered. "Do you think it's his time of the month?"

"It's always his time of the month". I replied before walking out the door.

The moment we stepped outside Donny and I were greeted by the sound of Dad and Max shouting at each other.

"Would it be considered cruel if we just took the bus home?" Donny asked.

It was tempting, but I really didn't want to leave Max to deal with Dad's wrath. The two of them alone together, in a confined space, was not a good idea.

"Come on". I murmered. I grabbed the front of Donny's jacket and dragged him around the corner to the small parking lot.

When we were closer to the cruiser I managed to make out what the public argument was about. Of course, Dad was upset that he had to take off hours for Max's hospital visit.

"Maybe if we lock those two in a sewer and force them to get out they'd finally get along". Donny said next to me.

I scrunched my nose and shook my head. "When you say things like that Donny you tend to come off as a serial killer". I added, "That's why the girls at school avoid you like the plague".

"Maybe I am a plague".

"Your weird".

"Which rocks".

We were a few yards away from the cruiser when I pulled Donny to a stop. It was better to ride the wave out at a distance rather then endure the flames close up.

Donny seemed to get the memo. Thankfully.

"How long do you think it'll last?" He asked after a moment.

"Dunno".

"Ten bucks it goes on for 23 minutes".

"20 on 15 minutes".

He pulled out his phone and started the stopwatch. "Let the countdown to total destruction begin".

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The clock had barely reached ten minutes before Max climbed into the backseat and slammed the door. A moment of silence fell over the lot before Dad called us over.

"How much trouble do you think he's in?" Donny asked as we made our way over to the cruiser.

"Neck deep".

By the look on dad's face Max probably got a lifetime of punishment.

I wouldn't say that I hate our dad, not like Max does, but in times like these I found it hard to sympathize with the man.

Donny took the front seat and I slid into the back next to Max. Who was glaring out the window with his hood up.

I knocked our knee's together and he glanced over at me from the corner of his eye.

I pulled out my earbuds. "Want these?"

Instead of answering aloud he nodded.

I handed them over and he mouthed a "thanks". before curling into himself.

The ride home was considerably silent, minus the small talks between Dad and Donny, and the soft hums coming from Max.

The real conversation only began when we were parked infront of our house.

It started with dad saying, "I want to talk to you boys about something".

The tone of his voice told me it was nothing good. And when his eyes flashed to Max in the rearview I got this sinking feeling in my gut.

"Schools out for the summer". He went on to say, "Which means you three will have plenty of free time". There was a pause in his sentence, "And you've already convinced me that your going to use that time to get into trouble".

I sunk further into my seat to avoid eye contact with dad in the mirror.

"So this is what I'm going to do..."

I bit into my lip as I awaited our summer sentence.

"You three are going to go stay with your uncle in Washington".

"What!" Both Donny and I shouted in unison.

Donny started, "But Uncle Gavin is crazy-"

"And he lives in the woods". I finished.

"Crazy woods man". Donny said in exasperation.

"Maybe next time you go and take the van out on a joy ride to vandalize a vehicle you'll think twice about it". Dad said before climbing out of the cruiser.

I guess we did kind of bring this upon ourselves.

I let out a sigh as I slumped against the seat.

The joys of bieng a teenager.