Will & Indie

12.

Some storms upon the ocean of your mind

Prove strong enough to sink the ships of thought

After showering and grabbing a purple flannel and cargo pants from his closet, Will was ready to start his day. His mind thrummed with excitement: thoughts of he and Indie's date as star-crossed lovers the evening prior, the technicolor world of La La Land, the smell of buttery popcorn, the squeaky movie theater seats, and a rush of ideas for future dates he could take Indie on to make her feel like the most important girl in the world.

October had finally arrived in a windy, blustery fashion, with some leaves still hanging onto tree branches for dear life. Will had always enjoyed the chilly tranquility that autumn brought about—to him, it signified change and always seemed to get him in the writing mood.

All of a sudden, Will heard a loud crash from the kitchen. He threw his glasses on his face, grabbed his backpack and walked out of his room.

To his surprise, Alice was sitting on the stairs, her demeanor somber. Will sat next to her, confused. Before he was able to ask his sister what was going on, he heard voices emerge from the kitchen.

"Clyde, I don't think I can do this anymore." Betty huffed, her voice breaking.

"What, Betty? What?" Clyde asked. He sounded like he was already slurring. Will deduced that he was most likely hungover from the night before; he had walked into the living room to find him sleeping on the couch with a cascade of empty beer bottles on the table beside him. "I already know that I don't live up to your high standards, I don't need to hear you rip my head off about that again."

Will bit his tongue. He couldn't help but wonder what his father had been like when he and his mother had just gotten married; had he merely put up a "husband material" front during their honeymoon phase that slowly turned back into the drinking, partying man he'd been in college?

"Clyde, this isn't about my 'high standards,' this is about human decency." Betty replied. "I don't even recognize you anymore..."

She was met with silence. Will and Alice looked at one another, nervousness in their eyes.

"The man I used to know has been replaced with this... this... well, for lack of a better word... slob."

Clyde frowned at this comment. "I'm the only one trying to better our kids' lives."

"That couldn't be any further from the truth!" Betty retorted. "Why do you think our kids never bring their friends here? Hm?" She paused, putting her hand against her forehead. "Or why Alice always has her nose in a book? Or why Will hasn't introduced us to his girlfriend yet?"

"Will has a...?" Clyde mumbled. He cleared his throat. "Never mind."

"Yeah, you're just proving my point." Betty sighed. "I wasn't strong enough to stand up for myself and my kids, but now I'm going to be. I do love you, Clyde, but... if you don't change the way you treat others... the way you treat your own family... I'm going to kick you out."

Alice gasped softly, slapping a hand over her mouth. Will blinked. He couldn't believe his mom had actually said what they were all thinking.

Clyde was quiet for a while. Finally, he spoke again. "You can't expect me to turn back into the person I used to be. That's an unrealistic standard."

"I'm not telling you to turn back into the man you used to be, I'm telling you to change into a new man."

"And how do you expect me to do that?" Clyde spat.

"Try!" Betty yelled, slamming her fist on the nearest counter. "Actually act like you give a shit about the people you claim to love!"

Will and Alice's eyes widened as they exchanged another nervous glance.

"I'm not going to force you to become a different person, but I'm also not gonna take anymore crap from you. I've had it, and I'm sure Will and Alice have, too."

Alice nodded despite knowing her mother couldn't see her.

"If something doesn't change soon, I..." Betty trailed off. Her voice broke. "I think it would be best if we got a divorce." She managed to squeak out.

Clyde's mouth hung open for a moment before he looked at the time. "I'm..." he cleared his throat nervously. "I've gotta go to work. See you later."

He slammed the door.

Will and Alice waited for a moment or two, listening closely as Betty broke down in tears. They crept down the stairs and into the kitchen, trying their best to act like they hadn't overheard their parents' entire argument, but it proved a bit difficult.

When Betty realized her kids had come downstairs, she wiped the tears from her face and plastered a fake smile on her face. "Hey, guys."

"Hi, mom." Alice bit her lip. "Are you... are you ok?"

Betty sniffled a bit, taking a deep breath in. "I'm fine."

Will walked over and wrapped his mom in a hug, Alice following his lead. Betty graciously accepted their embrace, trying not to burst into tears all over again.

"Thanks, kiddos. You two are a mother's dream." She squoze them both a bit tighter before letting them go. "I can't believe how lucky I am."

Alice smiled. "Us too, mom."

Betty let out a long sigh of relief before she caught a glimpse of the clock. "Oh, sugar- I'm gonna be late. Ok, mwah, mwah, I love you both, have a great day at school!"

Betty left in a flash, leaving Will and Alice alone in the kitchen. They looked at each other.

Will grabbed his car keys and scratched the back of his neck. "I'll, uh... I'll go start the car." He offered.

Alice nodded as she watched her brother speed out the door. She sat down in the nearest chair and hid her head in her hands.

As Alice and Will got into the car to go to school, Will glanced at Alice quickly.

"Don't worry. I know what'll cheer you up."