Keepsake

Chapter 7

Marcus Evers

Friday had come and I was up early for work. Because of daylight savings time, I was there by sunrise on most days and could barely see my way around. This construction site known as San Marco was twenty-three stories high and had a great view of the city's downtown area. It overlooked a river that was famous with the locals.

So far, the air ducts that my company was putting in had reached the sixteenth floor. Whenever I wanted to see what the final look of each condo was going to look like, and dream of having my own, I would take a trip down to the lower floors and go room to room. The ones in the lower floors were already painted and had appliances installed in them. Everything was in position except for furniture.

I had my eyes on one of them. The beautiful look and style of these condos just amazed me every time I saw them. I'd never moved out on my own before, but I felt I was destined to do it in a big way. I wanted it.

Once work was out, I had to get home, shower, and pick up Alysia from the library. From there we'd go to classes and then after school, I'd drop her off. But today she and I had a date setup. Something that could end the week on a positive note. I wanted to go swimming again, but it would be close to dark by the time we got in the water. Alysia said that she wanted an indoor activity and no more dates that involved the ocean. In the end, we came to an agreement. A dance club.

Mike told me that there was one in Orange Park that had three dance clubs in one. I wasn't much of a dancer, but was willing to compromise. Plus the club we were going to was eighteen and over, and Alysia was twenty so this one was just right.

The day moved on as expected with no surprises. Classes ended and Alysia was outside waiting for me. After dropping her off at home, I head straight home to get dressed and get into the proper attire. I put on my dancing shoes and a smooth looking black and yellow collared shirt that Alysia really liked seeing me in, and some baggy jeans. I was going to need room to move. Finally, a spray of cologne.

The moment I'm all set, I get downstairs with a smile and an extra step in my walk. My parents are sitting on the couch facing forward, but the TV is off. Unusual.

"Hey, mom and dad, I'm going out with Alysia. Be back late."

I don't make it to the door before dad calls me over to him.

"Marcus." His voice sounded hurried like he was trying to catch me before I left.

"Yeah, dad?"

"Come on over here." His tone is a little harsh. That part confuses me.

I walk over to them still excited about the dance club and picking Alysia up. But that crashes when my parents ask me to sit down and talk with them. Their faces show all the news that they are about to lay on me is bad news. Michael's face is a little more wrinkled than normal like he was bothered for a long time. His eyebrows tighten at the center. Julia has trouble keeping eye contact with me for more than a half a second. She seems hesitant. Something was definitely wrong.

I take my seat on a separate couch and brace myself. "What's going on, dad?"

His hands are fiddling with each other and his voice seems dry. "You and Alysia are going out tonight?" Michael asks.

I nod. "Yeah, that's the plan."

He stands. "Your mother and I need to talk to you about you and Alysia, but also about her parents. There were suspicions about Lawrence that started with me shortly after we met at the barbecue."

My hands are moving nervously tapping thumbs together. "What suspicions?" A small list of what that could be flashes through my mind. Was Alysia being hurt?