Jon's Scar

Chapter 3: Church

Chapter 3: Church.

        Dave woke up Saturday morning his usual 6 am. He was fully aware that others his age sleeps in on Saturdays, but he was in a pattern, waking at 6 without an alarm clock, then go for a run, then prepare and go to school. Saturdays and Sundays were no different, he would still wake up at six. But, on the weekends he was not in the usual rush, and had time to go slow. This morning he woke up after a dream of him and Molly, back in Atlanta. There was a yearning, but, thinking back, he realized that yearning was a selfish one. As he layed back, staring at the ceiling, he went through their relationship. Molly was the most wanted girl in his grade. She was an early developer and had a shape to die for. Dave was infatuated, but, the infatuation was of the non-caring type. He just wanted to get in her pants, he had to admit to himself. He tried by going for her well rounded and gorgeous breasts. But, she would get angry, they would argue, and she would leave. They would then go through the routine of making up again, him promising to keep his hands at bay and stick to her rules of no hands underneath any clothing. She had a religious streak in her and had made the Chastity Promise. But, inevitable, whenever they started making out, Dave's hands would eventually wander off, and the cycle would repeat it self again.

         Upon reflection, Dave had to admit to himself, that he really didn't care much about how she felt about this. In fact, he didn't care much about anything regarding Molly, except of course... He felt that his urges were absolutely normal for a young teenage boy like him. He was just driven by urge and a curiosity, and, for that matter, it could have been any other girl, except, Molly was the most desirable, and with that came the feeling of being a winner, a conqueror that could claim the beauty queen of the school. Reluctantly, he had to admit that she was just another trophy that he could put on display, one of many others already on the mantel above the fireplace.

         Now things were different. Life in Atlanta had been uncomplicated. He had known how to play the game to be on top. It was a challenge to stay a cut above the rest, but he used to be up to it, in fact he had enjoyed it. Sometimes he had displayed his superiority by just being mean to those lower in the pecking order. It used to make him feel good about himself, as if he accomplished something by showing off his superiority to his peers. In a way he yearned for that uncomplicated life. But then, he knew that everything had changed. Something inside him had snapped, and released all these conflicting emotions inside of him. Dealing with them was not easy. He was sure that coming to Michigan was the cause of this. It started with that insecure feeling when he stepped through the door of the Math class. Yes, he could pinpoint the moment when it had snapped inside him. Suddenly he was not the top dog. Then, to make things worse, he had to sit down to the Enigma itself, and, realized how complicated life could be. But, there was no turning back now. It is what it was, and he had to face this new challenge. Maybe his Dad was right, it was just growing pains, and he will be all the stronger for it once this has passed. Dave sighed, looked at his watch and saw that it was already 7:30. Mom would be up and making breakfast. If he wanted to do his run, he had better get up now. So, he got out of bed, and put on his running gear. The heck with breakfast, it can wait. He started trotting off in the opposite direction of Jon's house.

         In the kitchen, Judy was preparing bacon and eggs, their usual Saturday morning feast as she called it. During the week, there was no time for a proper breakfast, it was just get up and go, grab some cereal and jump in the car. She heard Dave closing the front door, and knew that he would not be at the breakfast table this morning. He enjoys the Saturday feast, so Judy knew that whatever was bugging him, has not departed yet. She sighed. Why was growing up so difficult? He used to be such a happy go lucky kid. Now this had to happen, but in her heart she knew Clyde was right, he would come through this being a better man. She just wished she could do something, she did not like seeing him in pain. But, then, she thought, we can not shield our children from this world forever. Then her thought turned to Jon and what Nina told her, and she wiped a tear from her eye.