Peaked in High School

The Old Man

The bright rays of the sun shining through the Coleman's window in the family room is what finally wakes Everett at around ten in the morning.

He stares at the ceiling willing himself to get up and prepare for the day, but his body and heart feel too heavy to rise. Memories of his conversation with Finn flood his mind making him want to cry again even though he's pretty sure his tears ducts are all dried up from the last couple of hours.

What ends up convincing Everett to leave the comfort of the cocoon he created on the slightly deflated air mattress is the smell of coffee that wafts in from the kitchen. He throws on the same sweatshirt from last night and shuffles into the quaint kitchen where he spots Mrs. Coleman pouring herself a cup of coffee. "Good morning," he says to her in a quiet voice, not wanting to disturb the silent atmosphere emanating throughout the apartment.

"Morning, Everett," she speaks softly so she doesn't disturb the calm either. Mrs. Coleman gives him a warm smile, but the bags under her eyes seem more prominent today than they did yesterday. "Would you like some coffee?" She asks him.

"I would love some, thanks." Everett accepts her offer.

She pours some coffee into a ceramic mug that has pig ears on the rim and a twirly tail down low on the backside. He laughs lightly as she hands it over and sits across from him at the wooden, circular table. "That was Beau's favorite mug when he was a kid. I would've given it to him if he had woken up at a decent time and if he'd been nicer to his friend yesterday."

Everett strategically sips from the mug at an angle where he can avoid the ears and tail bumping into his face. Looking back at Mrs. Coleman he says, "I'm fine, ma'am. We're all adults—there are no problems here."

"Mhm," she hums clearly not convinced. After taking a sip from her own mug she states, "You can believe that all you want, but I think what he did was rude. It was very kind of you to open your home to him and accompany him here under such difficult circumstances. You have been a great friend to him, Everett. I just wish he would mature a little and show you the same kindness that you've been showing him."

Looking down at the mug clasped in his hands, Everett takes a deep breath. "Beau is kind to me. I think he was just excited to see some old friends yesterday. It's really no big deal."

Mrs. Coleman stares at him and is about to respond when they hear a commotion coming from the family room.

"WHAT THE FUCK!"

"It's time to wake up, bitch!"

"WHY THE FUCK DID YOU DUMP WATER ON ME?"

Everett and Mrs. Coleman briefly stare at each other with the same exhausted expressions as the two men barge into the kitchen. Finn, dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, takes cover behind his mom while Beau, wearing only his boxers, seethes at him from where he stands next to Everett's chair. His face and part of his hair are soaking wet and dripping down onto his chest.

"Look, I was just leaning over to wake you up and some of the water from my cup must've accidentally spilled on you in the process," Finn explains cheekily.

"Bullshit! Get over here—I'm gonna kill you!" Beau strides over to the other side of the table causing Finn to jump away and take cover behind Everett instead.

Both Everett and Mrs. Coleman mirror each other once more as they roll their eyes at the childish behavior of the two brothers.

"Boys! Cut it out right now!" Mrs. Coleman raises her voice and looks disapprovingly at the grown men glaring at each other.

The yelling seems to do the trick considering Beau is no longer advancing on his younger brother and Finn slowly begins to stand up from crouch that he was in previously behind Everett's chair. Finn looks away first and smiles at his mom. "Sorry about that, ma. I think we all forgot how testy Beau is in the morning."