Homebound

Chapter 10

        "Bye, boys! Thanks for all your hard work." Mr. Mosby waves them goodbye. The boys wave back and head out. Unfortunately, the weather decides to turn on them, and rain begins its heavy downfall.

        "Great," Asher grumbles and rolls his eyes. The one day Robert refuses to pick him up, trusting him to be an independent young adult, is when Mother Nature decides to work her magic. Asher supposes the universe isn't on his side. It wants Asher to continue living his sorry life the way it always has been. There's no such thing as happiness for troublesome boys like him. Asher hates rain; there's no beauty to it. The brilliant blue sky is hidden by dreary grey clouds. Drops of rain replace sunshine which lighten the world and make it attractive. Rain is like the world's punishment to humans. Rain is a sign of impending doom. Asher sighs dejectedly; he'll just have to wait the storm out. He feels extremely stupid as he sees Isaac pull out an umbrella. He notes to himself to always carry one around. Jealousy consumes him when Joshua takes out his car keys and clicks his old mustang open. Joshua has a car? This guy can't get any more threatening. 

          Joshua turns his head slightly to see Isaac walk away with an umbrella as his protection. Asher leans against the wall protecting himself from the rain under the parasol. Should he help them? He could pretend he doesn't notice. He should play the part of the tough guy and leave. Helping takes too much energy, and he promised to play with his little sisters. They won't even be grateful. Asher would make it seem like Joshua owes him the ride, and Isaac would just stare straight ahead.   

         But you have to help them.

       Screw him and his good conscience. 

       "Hey! You two! Do you guys need a ride home?" Joshua calls out to his co-workers. Asher raises his eyebrows, and Isaac stops walking. They both seem to be contemplating his offer. Joshua doesn't think there's much to think about. It's not like he's asking them a difficult question.

       "You don't mind?" Asher asks uncertainly.

      "I wouldn't be offering if I wasn't certain." Joshua laughs. "Come on, Isaac. I'm already taking Asher home." He encourages the quiet boy. Joshua smiles triumphantly as Isaac turns back to where they are.

       "I call shotgun." Isaac closes the umbrella.

       "You can talk?" Asher asks as they all get into the car quickly.

       "Of course I can. I only choose not to." Isaac shrugs.

       "Where do you guys live?" Joshua questions as he pulls out of his parallel parking.

       "1200 NE Tulip Street." Asher recites the address Laura forced him to memorize.

       "Tulip Street? That's up at the north side." Isaac whistles. Asher feels his cheeks redden slightly.

       "Obviously. The address has north east."

      "Well, you must be living the luxurious life." Isaac pulls out a cigarette and lights it.

       "I'm not living any luxurious life. It's not my home anyway. I don't have a home." Asher defensively says.

       "Alright; don't get your panties in a twist. Isaac, your address?" Joshua intervenes before the bickering becomes worse.  

       "345 SW Serpent Parkway."

       "You live there?" Asher gasps in disbelief.

      "Yes. Sorry it's not good enough for you." Isaac puffs out a ball of smoke.