drummer boy (boyxboy)

Chapter Seventeen

It'd been a couple months after the Justin incident and he was no where to be seen. It took a while for Josh to actually be okay with the thought of him not coming suddenly one day. Tyler was happy. Josh was happy. They were happy.

"Josh, I think you should keep playing the drums." Tyler said as he lied on Josh's chest. They were on a date and Josh had taken them to he beach again so now they were just sitting under the stars.

"Why do you think that, baby?" He asked, curious. He hadn't played in about four months.

"Because you're really good at it and you haven't done it in a really long time."

"I've been preoccupied with you, you know."

"I know but, I think you should." Tyler looked up at Josh.

"Alright, we'll see. Let's head home though, alright?" Josh said, sitting up. Tyler nodded and the two got up, beginning to walk home.

When they both go home they saw a car outside the house and Tyler immediately stopped, looking at the vehicle with wide eyes.

"What?" Josh asked, stopping with him. Tyler just shook his head, not speaking, just looking. "What's the matter, Ty?" He asked again. Tyler looked down at the ground.

"T-That's... That's my parents' car..." He finally choked, dropping Josh's hand as well. Josh's heart dropped and a million questions ran through his mind all at the same time. What were Tyler's parents doing home? Were they going to take him away? Why did they come back?

"I don't want to go in there, Josh. I really don't." Tyler said, frantically. His fear showed and although Josh was scared too, he knew he had to keep his cool for Tyler.

"I know you don't, Ty. But it's okay, I'm right here, alright?" Tyler nodded and reluctantly moved towards the front door of the house. When they walked in the house, they heard arguments between familiar voices in the kitchen.

"Hello?" Josh called out. The voices immediately stopped and everyone cane to the hallway.

"Oh, hello, Josh." Jennifer said, crossing her arms. Josh looked at her and dismissed her greeting, going straight to his mom.

"Mom, what's going on?" He asked. Jennifer scoffed.

"Looks like you still haven't learned your respect for elders in the year and a half I've been gone..." She muttered.

"Only certain people deserve respect and adults who disown their child and leave aren't even close to getting it. Suck it up." He shot back. Jennifer looked hurt but she kept her cool.

"Josh..."Joan warned. She didn't need any more conflict right now. Josh mouthed a quick 'sorry' and moved on.

"You know, Tyler, you've been awfully quiet. Aren't you going to hug me and greet me?" She said like it was something he was expected to do. Surely she didn't forget what went down after they packed up and left.

"Uh, no.." Tyler spoke softly. He was clinging onto Josh's hand and just wanted to get away from the situation. "No, you left me so what are you doing here?"

"Well, your father and I split up," Tyler cringed at the mention. "And I came to see if you wanted to come live with me before I moved to Pennsylvania. Of course you'd have to choose to live the normal life style-"

"Alright, stop." Tyler spoke up. He'd been quiet this whole time but now it was like he was exploding with emotion. "I don't want to move with you to some state and 'live the normal life style' with a simple minded person like yourself." Tyler motioned for Josh to leave the room so he and Jennifer could deal with each other alone. As they left, Jennifer shot Joan a rude look.

"Now, I don't know what your stupid little boyfriend and his dead beat mom have taught you, but you are not to speak to me like some kid on the street." She scolded. "I am your mother and you need to treat me with the respect I deserve."

"Yeah, you and Tom made it perfectly clear that I wasn't your son anymore when you disowned me and left. Besides, you don't deserve a god damned thing. Just get out, Jennifer." He spat, looking at her with disgust. Jennifer was fuming with anger and the hatred she had for the way her son had changed. She readied her hand and slapped her son right across the face, too mad to say anything else. Tyler held his cheek and didn't speak. After a minute or two he let go and sighed.

"You're not worth my tears or time. Get the fuck out and have fun in Pennsylvania by yourself." Tyler said, pointing to the door. She was a bout to say something else but Tyler stopped her. "Get out!" Jennifer accepted, though she was furious and left. She'd given up on trying to do the "right" thing, whatever that was to her. That was the last she'd be seeing of the horrible Duns.

Tyler walked into the kitchen where Joan an Josh remained anxious. As soon as Tyler stepped in the room, Josh shot up.

"Is everything okay, Ty?" Tyler nodded and sat down next to him.

"Is she gone for good? Joan asked next.

"Yeah. I told her to leave so now I guess she's leaving for good. She got in a good slap before she left though." Tyler sadly chuckled. He seemed blue but he was actually kind of relieved. He could finally be in peace with the people that cared for him. So much had happened in the past year and it was all so tedious.

"It's fine though." He added.

"Alright.. I love you." Josh said, pulling Tyler closer so he could rest his head on his shoulder.

"I love you too." He said, kissing Josh's cheek. Joan cooed a nice, "aw" and sat down with them. "I'm just glad it's all over, you know?"

"Yeah, I am too." Josh said. Joan nodded.

"Look, why don't you two head upstairs and relax. It's been a long night. I'll have breakfast in the morning." Joan said, sending the two boys upstairs. She was glad those two got together.

The boys and Joan went to bed thinking everything was okay. Justin was long gone, Jennifer would be leaving them alone... hopefully and life was good. They were okay for the time being.

***

lol you're welcome. it's been two days. jennifer? yee she's not gone. 

later skaters *