What Comes Next

Chapter 25: Leonardo

Chapter 25: Leonardo

"I'm sorry that my present was a blow-out, and Max is going to get it, but since I couldn't share a special place of yours, I wanted to share a special place of mine." It had been two days since Christmas and I felt like I needed to make-up for my present.

"I guess. Where are we-" I grabbed her arm, dragging her to the truck. "Not another surprise."

I smirked. "It's a surprise, but you won't be blindfolded." She pouted. "Pouting only makes you look cuter." She frowned and said, "I'd rather wear fundies than go on another surprise date with you."

I raised my eyebrows and pinned her against the truck. "That can be arranged." I kissed her and she shoved me off of her. "Looks like we're going for a drive," she said. I hopped in and she cranked up the heat. "You have two options. One is pretty, but not as personal. It's outdoors. The other is depressing and very personal, but its indoors." She looked cautious, worried about rather she should push it. "One. I mean two, if you don't mind." I started up the car. "No. I don't mind at all."

~

"Ta Da." I said opening the door and flipping on a few lights. She stepped through the doorway, mouth slightly ajar. "Where are we?" I understand her shock. I brought her to a place I haven't been since the week of my parents death. "My childhood." I said, following her with my eyes. "This is where I grew up. Lots of great memories were had here." I took a deep breath, "And then some."

She ran her hand across the walls and over picture frames, clearly stunned. There's something about visiting the places we once stood as different people. I gave her a tour of the downstairs. The kitchen overlooked the living area and there were windows, rather than walls, that provided a view of the deck and the water in the distance. There was an office and a bathroom downstairs, but the bedrooms were upstairs.

She followed me to the upper level and down a hallway. "It looked smaller from the outside." I stopped and she bumped into me. "That one at the end of the hall was my parents. And this-" I said, opening the wooden door, "-was mine." I walked in and sat on the edge of my full size bed to let her know it was okay to enter. She entered slowly and took in every detail, from the framed hockey jerseys to the corkboard overflowing with postcards my parents would send when away on business.

She smiled and took my hand, pulling me out of the bedroom and closing the door behind me. No words were spoken. We slowly made our way downstairs, and Antoinelle peeked into every room, briefly examining family photos. She stopped to look at one on the stairway wall. "What?" I asked. She turned to me. "Your mom. She was pregnant in this picture. I thought you were an only child."

I swallowed. "I am. Now. He was born with disabilities. Died at six months. I don't talk much about him." She bit her lip. "What was his name?" she asked quietly.

"Jaxon. Jaxon Shane Spencer."

I didn't look at her when I answered. I paused for a moment, knowing there's worse topics to come.

I led her to one last place. The basement. "This was my safehaven. Most days after school Amber, Sam, and I would come hang out here. Many dollars were won and lost on this here pool table." I said, running my hand over the green felt."

I went back upstairs and she followed. Sitting on the couch she joined me and we sat in silence, until, "Leonardo, tell me how you got here." I let out a sigh.

"Well, you know I attended private school at first. And that my parents used to throw all of these mixers, which is how I met Amber and Sam. But my parents weren't home very often, away on business most of the time. When they were gone I would stay with Sam and his family. That's why I'm so close with Marty. He's Sam's dad." I paused to look at Antoinelle.

Knowing if I stopped now I may never be able to get through it, I picked back up. "Amber's parents didn't get along with mine, but our parents loved us so they just pretended to like each other. The mutual hatred was still pretty obvious, though it didn't come out until they discovered our game. Anyway, Amber was right about Sam acting differently. He was always outgoing and adventurous, but not so...irrational. I was still mad when I found out she told Marty to put Sam in rehab, they pulled him out of college and everything. Six months. Five of which I wouldn't even look at Amber. I didn't drink with him after though. I messed around a lot but not like that. When he got diagnosed it was just easier to blame her. And the other way around, I don't think our parents helped the situation.

"He died when I was twenty, the funeral was the last time I saw Amber. I had taken a gap year after high school but decided I didn't want to go to college. Marty quit his job and started the restaurant, hired me right on the spot. After everything, my parents were just happy to see me doing something. As absent as they were, I know they cared about me. They never let me forget that." I inhaled, It's almost over. "Everything was fine, and then last year my parents got in a car crash. Dead on impact. It didn't feel real.

"But, it turns out most people don't become superheroes when their parents died, and you just get really depressed. Marty's helped though, especially with the legal stuff. Insurance companies apparently don't have a soft spot for orphans." I forced a laugh but Antoinelle just took my hand. After a moment I took her other hand in mine.

 "Antoinelle, it's almost the new year. I wanted to tell you all of this, but I also want to leave it in the past. This is our time to come clean, and start new."

Mixed-emotions were plastered on her face. "But I haven't told you everything."

"That's okay. We'll break into your childhood home one day." She laughed but straightened up quickly, "No not like that. My dad is coming for New Year's, he couldn't make it for Christmas. I want you to meet him." My heart-pounded. "When?" I managed to say.

"He arrives New Years Day."

"Okay. Well, I am here, and I will always be here. So whatever happens don't forget that, okay? She gave me an appreciative smile. "And now that everything is out in the open, I think it's time I relive the happy memories. Stay here." I jumped over the couch and ran into the office to dig through my old CDs.

Running back into the living room, I turned up the stereo.

Coming out of my cage and I've been doing just fine

Gotta gotta be down because I want it all

It started out with a kiss, how did it end up like this?

It was only a kiss, it was only a kiss

She laughed and I pulled her off of the couch into my terrible lip-sync dance party. When the chorus came around we shouted it at the top of our lungs, collapsing on the carpet at the end, I had an idea.

"Hey Nel?"

"Yeah?"

"What do you think about throwing a New Year's party here? Like a house welcoming party but instead we're saying goodbye? I don't know, maybe that's stupid." She propped herself up on one elbow.

"No. I think that's a great idea."

**********

That is what I call an informational chapter. Don't change the channel. We'll be right back.

~ Mr. Brightside (J)

Fun as a can of worms. ~L