In These Walls

Chapter 4

Honestly, I thought the whole story was awesome.

From the beginning to end, it was captured me, an inspiring and mysterious tale about a secret agent and the Pentagon's plans to keep all secrets in the open.

Caleb, on the other hand, was freaking out.

I could see his face tighten, hand fidgeting, never staying still in his lap.

About halfway through the car ride home, I couldn't stop from saying anything any longer. Quickly, I leaned over and whispered, "Wasn't that awesome?"

I know I keep saying that word, but there was no other way to describe Grandpa's story.

Caleb turned to be, shock in his eyes.

"Awesome?" he whispered, incredulous and horrified at the same time. "Awesome!?" he whisper-hissed. "Melissa! We could die because of this! Don't you see how dangerous this is?! Plus, this is a huge responsibility! We have to decide between either leaving the world as it is or changing it-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," I whispered back. "Let's chill for a second. All we heard was an awesome story of awesomeness from a grandpa who never tells awesome stories. Just enjoy it!"

"I wish I could," Caleb muttered unhappily, crossing his arms and slumping in his seat.

Once we pulled into our driveway, Caleb turned to me.

"Can we talk about this is the book nook?" he asked, referring to a secret room in our library, decorated appropriately with couches, bean bags, posters, books, pens, notebooks, and an assortment of candy (don't ask where we got it from.)

"Okay," I whispered back, curious as to why he would ask to talk. Murdering each other with pillows was pretty much as close as we got to one on one bonding time.

Mom started her rant as soon as she got into the kitchen.

"I just can't believe people online these days! Seriously, they have issues. And instead of going to proper therapy, like they need, they just run willy-nilly in society! How stupid!" she claimed, putting noodles into a pot.

My mom ranted constantly. I feel like that's how she dealt with the whole "no lies" thing – just smiled and nodded when with people, and then complained once she was a home. Some of her rants were valid, but with others, I honestly just didn't care about it.

"I'm home!" my dad sung from the doorway. He came in with his neat button up shirt and a tie, holding a crazy science experiment. His chestnut brown hair was frazzled, his cheeks flushed and wild excitement lit up his green eyes.

"Hi honey!" my mom smiled.

"Hi Dad," I replied. "Nice timing, we just got home!" Looking around, I realized Caleb had already left to go to the library.

"Caleb left to read another book huh?" Dad asked.

"He reads way too many," I muttered. Dad laughed, understanding my more straight-forward way of joking around. Unlike mom, he seemed to have a better understanding of how the modern world worked, sometimes even explaining super modern stuff to me!

I guess being a science teacher really prepares you for constantly understanding what's going on in the world.

Unable to help myself, I asked, "Dad, do you think that calling your friends 'losers' is mean? Like, if you say it jokingly, is it okay?"

Dad pondered my question for a moment, before answering.

"This sounds like a fight between you and your mother. Honestly, I think if your friends don't take offense in it, then it is okay."