Dusting Off A Heart

Chapter 28

           

Though from the outside it seems no one was home, Dane unlocks  the front door of his home, only to find his father sitting on one of the stool if the pantry holding a bottle of beer on his hands.

"Where have you been?" His father said with a coarse voice.

"None of your business." Dane replied shortly. Proceeding with walking to a place where he kept his car keys. Not tonight that he will deal with his father.

"Watch your mouth, boy" said his dad, getting off of the stool and walk closer to Dane. His dad is clearly intoxicated judging from the beer bottle on his hand and his breath.

He grabbed Dane's collar by Dane's surprise. "I'm your father!!" He spits into Dane's face.

"You never was!" Dane pushed his father until his grip on Dane's collar come off. Dane stormed outside with his car keys on his hands. Slamming the front door on his way out. He stormed quickly to his car. Not bothering to look back.

~~

Lauren was on her way home when she saw a red jeep parked on the side of a road. She recognize the jeep. It's Dane's.

Now why would it would be there?

It was not parked on the side of the residential home areas, its even quite far away from his home, where she dropped him earlier.

Maybe that's why he didn't come to the party with his jeep?

Or maybe...he was with a girl?

Ew. None of this was her business anyway, so she just pedaled her way back home. But something tugs in her heart. It seems like it's a greater problem than she thinks it is.

~~

He just sat in his car. He parked it a bit far away from the residential area, near a small forest that located not far from his town. Nobody would find him here. Or he thought so.

He sighed and closed his eyes.

He meeting his father never results in a peaceful situation. It's usually the contrary. Just like tonight. A very little bit part of him wishes that maybe—just maybe his father will search for him. Just like when he was a child.

One night, long ago, he was in argument with his father, with far less anger than the one he just had, he was just 5 years old. He wanted the newest helicopter toy, but his father wouldn't give him one. He cried and threatened his parents that he would ran away if they didn't bought it for him. Such a spoiled child he was back then.

But his parents just laughed. They found this little boy amusing for such a little child but can even threaten his own parents.

"Aw..Dane... don't do such things." Said his mother.

Dane was serious, though. A door slam suddenly was heard. His parent calls for his name but nobody answered. He was already running away from his house.

Little Dane ran and ran until he came across a park, and he sat on the slide. Because of his anger towards his parents, he just sulk there for a good 1 hour until he felt hunger kicking in. It was snowing outside and it's almost 6 pm, the sun already set. And his parents were nowhere to be found.

He even wonders if they even going to search for him.

When he even begins to wonder even more, suddenly he hears his father calling out his name. He decides that he will not look back and search for the person who called his name. Instead, he sulks on the swings.

A sigh was heard from behind him. A sign of relief. "Dane... come on, your mother was worried." His father said, ever so calmly.

"No!", Dane sulks again. Not caring whether his mom was worried back home.

His father lovingly stroke Dane's head despite his son's stubbornness and explains to him, lovingly, why they couldn't buy the helicopter toy he wanted yet.

Dane forgot why they couldn't buy it for him at that time, but one thing he remembers the most is his father gestures and actions that display so much love for his--even stubborn-- child.

But that version of his father is long gone now.

Ever since Dane's grandma passed away, it seems like no one matter anymore in his dad's life. Not only that, the recent bankruptcy that strikes his father company made his father even lose control on the alcohol and even on his own life.

Now Dane and his mother have to work harder to fulfill their everyday life. It's not that they're living in poverty, but they sure could be if they don't quickly get back on their feet.

That's why Dane needed the job at the bakery so bad, he even thought about 'sabotaging' Lauren's work performance. But fortunately, the bakery needed people to fill so bad, that they hire both of them.

Dane can surely let a relief breath on that. At least one of his problem--kind of--solved.

He does have a lot of things on his mind right now, but he will solve it one by one. Starting with the headache he had all night...

-------

Lauren got home with his father and his brother comfortably tucked in their beds.

A meal was served at the dinner table. Cold, but enough for to keep her stomach quiet. She brushed her teeth afterwards and prepare herself to sleep when the thought of Dane's car came up again in her head. She knows it was not her problem to think and not her business either, but there is something in her that is pushing her to get some information about Dane.

Nah, what am I to him. I got no business whatsoever with his problem. So why bother?

She pulled her blanket and get into her position to sleep, but the thought keep bugging her.

Ah, shuck it.

With the speed of almost lightning—before she could change her mind—she opens the text message icon and begin typing. She sends the message afterwards, feeling a bit uneasy, but also somewhat relieved that she had took a step to uncover more about her rival (so to say). She then got back to her sleeping position and sleeps like bears hibernating.

Sent Messages :
Lauren : hey cote, when will we do another tutoring? (01:23 am)

-—•—-
hey wow holy crap its been a year since i updated HAHAHAHAH pls don't question me on my commitment on this story.
It faded away long ago but i'll try to get it back for the sake of self-satisfaction of finishing this story yey.