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'The Father I Never wanted'

Cody sits up and looks around. The dust dances around in the dim lit room. He yawns and stretches his arms upwards, "Damn. Why am I so sore?" He pulls the blanket off of his body and stands up. He then turns around and folds the blanket and neatly sits it down on the couch. Cody walks down the hallway and knocks on Lance's door, "Are you still out partying?" "No." Lance says in a groggy voice. "In fact, I regret it entirely." Cody chuckles softly, "What, did partying last year kill the football star?" Lance opens the door and throws a pillow at Cody's face, "Don't be a smart ass." Cody laughs, "Hey, I'm going to head out. Tell Sarah that I'll be picking her up for school." Lance tilts his head to the side and presses his brows together, "Where are you off to at 6:21?" Cody looks down, "I've gotta head home and face my old man." Lance gives Cody a wide-eyed look, "Would you prefer me to go with you?" Cody shakes his head, "No thanks. Last time he threw you into the coffee table." Lance rolls his eyes, "Don't remind me. I had to get about 35 stitches because of it." "I'm sorry that you had to experience that." Cody sighs, "No one should have to go through that but me. He's my father." Lance puts his hand on Cody's shoulder, "Don't think like that. No one should ever have to go through that. I'm honestly amazed that you have stayed with him for so long. But now that you have the opportunity to leave, you refuse to do so. I get that you want to be here for Sarah, but don't kill yourself in the process." Cody nods and pulls out his pack of cigarettes and opens it, "Dammit." Lance cracks a smile, "All out?" Cody nods, "Yup." Lance grins, "Good. Maybe now you'll quit that shit." Cody shakes his head, "Don't count on it. It helps me. Okay? It keeps me from breaking down every five minutes." Lance looks down, "Look, I know that you're going through shit and that life isn't your best friend right now... But that doesn't mean you need to smoke yourself into a coma." Cody looks down, "I guess. Look, I've got to run if I'm going to be back in time to get Sarah." Cody bends down and picks up the pillow that Lance threw at him, "Just drink some coffee and rest." Lance rolls his eyes and grabs the pillow from Cody, "I know how to treat a hangover kid." Cody smiles slightly, "I forget that you were a major party animal back when you were in school." Lance rolls his eyes, "Shut up. I was never that bad." Cody looks at Lance and raises his eyebrows, "Seriously?" Lance turn his head, trying to fight off a smile. "Okay, so maybe I liked to party." Cody nods, "That's what I thought." Cody turns around and starts heading down the hallway.

Cody walks up the steps to the small shack like house. He inhales deeply, "It's going to be fine. There's nothing to worry about. He's probably passed out drunk." Cody's hand shakes as he goes to open the door. He slowly steps inside. The room is dark and the smell of whiskey burns his nose. Cody holds his breath as he quietly walks down the stairs into his "bedroom". He slowly closes the door and locks it behind him. The house is silent. The sound of Cody's breathing echoes through the small house. He walks over to small dresser by the garage door and shivers as he opens it. His breath is now visible as the temperature in the basement drops lower and lower. Cody pulls out jeans and a hoodie and throws them into his backpack. "This will have to do until tonight." Cody slings his backpack over his shoulder and opens the garage door. "Cody? Are you there you little shit?" Cody freezes and turns around, "Yes sir." "Get your ass up stairs right now!" His father's voice demands. Cody sighs and throws his bag down. He pulls down the garage door and walks to the stairs, "Yes sir." Cody walks up the steps and looks up at his father. His father is a 6'5" man who has no hair and obviously pumps a lot of iron. "What did I tell you about staying out late without bringing home any booze?" "Sir, I'm legally not allowed to buy alcohol." Cody's father socks him on his jaw, "Don't sass me boy. I asked you a question." Cody looks down, trying not to focus on the pain in his mouth. "You told me that if I choose to stay out late that I must come home with enough alcohol to make you forget that I was even gone." His father stands up straighter, "Maybe you aren't as stupid as I thought. Now get your shit and go to school. And you better be home when I get back from work." Cody nods, "Yes sir." Cody runs downstairs and grabs his backpack. He opens the garage door and runs down the street in the direction of Sarah's house. "So much for a good day."