Like Romeo & Juliet

Chapter 18

*Cavanaugh*

Toby took an extra long shower that morning to put off going downstairs for breakfast. He knew his parents were down there. His stepmother already shared her unwanted opinion on his life choices. He feared what his father would have to say about it. After getting dressed, he found the courage to join the rest of his family for breakfast. His stepmother and father were having a pleasant conversation. They went silent once they saw him. Toby made eye contact with his father hoping he would say something to him. Instead, Mr. Cavanaugh looked down and paid attention to his coffee. His stepmother gave him a little disapproving eyebrow raise then went back to her tea.

"Good morning," said Toby, pleasantly.

Mr. Cavanaugh cleared his throat and muttered, "morning."

There was cold silence between them. Toby got his own bowl down for cereal along with a piece of whole wheat toast. The coffee pot was empty, so he made a fresh batch. It was stronger than the first. Spencer somehow managed to convert him to the strong coffee drinker's side. He's not quite sure when it happened. He knew the rest of his family wouldn't like it like this, so he filled up his paper cup. To make the atmosphere even worse, Jenna walked into the kitchen looking bright and bouncy about something.

"Good morning, mother," she said, sweetly. "Morning, father."

Mr. Cavanaugh did his best to smile and said, "morning."

Jenna took a seat at the table with her fresh glass of orange juice and bagel.

"Why are you so happy this morning?" Stepmother asked.

Jenna shrugged, smiled, and said, "oh, I don't know. The sun is shining. It's up to 40 degrees for the first time in a month. I just feel like I'm off to a good day."

Toby scuffed and rolled his eyes. Of course, she was happy. Only a Pyscho could smile like that after raising hell for someone else.

"Pamela," said Mr. Cavanaugh. "I'm taking my car into the shop today, so I will have to use yours today."

"Okay," she said, softly.

"Dad, you could take my truck today," Toby offered.

"That's okay," he said, without looking at him. Mr. Cavanaugh swallowed the last of his breakfast then stood up. "I gotta go."

"Already?" Toby turned around to try talking to his father. "I was hoping we could talk..."

"I'm going to be late," he said, then walked out of the kitchen.

Toby heard his father walk out the front door. He looked at the clock on the wall and saw it was only 8:45 A.M. and his father doesn't start work until 10 A.M. Toby looked down at his half empty plate and sighed. He didn't feel hungry anymore. His stepmother finished the rest of her tea and got up from the table as well. Finally, Toby threw the rest of his breakfast away then left the kitchen.

He had no work today. No girlfriend to sneak off to see. He felt like an outsider in his own house. Toby sat on his front porch steps just looking out onto the empty street. He shivered as a cool breeze blew through his hair. The sun was shining today, but he felt cloudy inside. There was no snow on the ground. Just plain gray empty streets and yellow grass. How did things get so screwed up? His father won't speak to him. He thinks Spencer just broke up with him over voicemail. He hated winter. Jenna is a controlling bitch. Toby clamped his hands over his eyes when he felt the threat of tears coming.

"Hey," a voice broke him from his silent thoughts.

He looked up to see Caleb standing a couple feet away from him. His hands were in the pockets of his dark blue hoodie. Toby sniffled as he wiped his tears away with the ball of his hand.