3
When Ariel got home, he was in a surprisingly good mood; Eric noticed and raised an eyebrow as he walked into the living room.
‘Anything interesting happen at school today?’ he asked curiously.
Ariel paused and turned around to look at his father, ‘Weird,’ he said sarcastically, ‘now you’re going to turn back into a father again?’
‘No sassing me,’ warned Eric and Ariel rolled his eyes.
‘How was school today?’ tried Eric again.
‘Fine,’ Ariel replied easily.
‘Do you ever have a day where something goes swell?’ asked Eric exasperatedly, ‘you say fine every day.’
‘So leave it at that,’ he settled on the couch and looked at his father, ‘you know, you should be happy, I don’t give you as much trouble as the average teenage boy, but oh wait,’ he snapped his fingers, ‘I almost forgot, I’m not average.’
Eric raised an eyebrow, ‘You know you don’t have to be this way with me, Ariel,’ he said, ‘we can talk out whatever’s bothering you.’
‘On the contrary, I’m filled with joy,’ he shook his head wondering if his father was completely clueless.
‘Ok, have it your way then, we won’t talk,’ Eric turned and went up the stairs.’ Ariel stifled the urge to throw the vase on the table at his head, to stop himself from screaming, he counted to five. On five, the doorbell rang, and he looked up.
‘Ariel, could you get that please?’ Eric shouted from upstairs.
‘No!’ he yelled back and added in his most insolent voice, ‘make me!’
‘Ariel…’ Eric began in a voice that said he was beginning to lose patience and Ariel smiled to himself, pleased that he had annoyed his father in turn.
‘Keep it down man,’ he snorted, ‘I’m going, OK?’ he went to the door and yanked it open. A tall, curvy brunette stood on the doorstep. She ran her eyes over him in a suggestive way that made him want to barf up blood. In an attempt to be snotty he grinned, ‘Your house is way over there,’ he pointed over her shoulder, ‘you got the wrong number.’
Irene LeBeck laughed her trilling laugh, ‘Little Ariel,’ she giggled, ‘but oh wait, you’re not a little boy anymore, all grown up and strong,’ she ran her eyes over him again and he raised an eyebrow.
‘Are you for real?’ he asked, he didn’t ask her to come in even though he knew Eric would be expecting her, ‘Seriously?’
She giggled again and reached out to caress his shoulders, ‘You’re just no fun are you?’
‘Don’t touch, Irene,’ he warned, ‘I bite and I don’t mind females.’
‘Ooh, tough guy huh,’ she joked and removed her hand.
‘You need something?’ he snapped.
‘Is Eric home?’ she asked. ‘He’s expecting me.’
Ariel let his eyes go as big as saucers in faux surprise, ‘Really? He said he was expecting this other…babe?’ Irene raised an eyebrow and he continued, ‘S- L- U- T,’ he spelled with a frown, then smiled and looked at her, ‘That’s you, isn’t it?’
‘Ouch,’ smiled Irene coolly.
‘Aw, don’t pout,’ he replied sardonically, ‘its not attractive on a woman your age.’
‘Ariel, leave Irene alone,’ Eric ordered coming down the stairs, ‘Irene, come in honey.’
Irene smirked at him and he let her pass, holding his breath against her perfume. He watched in disgust as she went to his father and kissed him full on the lips.
