Reaper's Lullaby

Lucas: Gone

"The turning point in the process of growing up is when you discover the core of strength within you that survives all hurt."
– Max Lerner

Lucas told no one about his upcoming disappearance. Not even Nora. He knew exactly what she would say. She would drop everything to go with him, just months from graduating high school. All of her hard work would go to waste, and she'd end up regretting it or worse, resenting him. As for himself, he figured he could get his GED at his cousin's place and work in the meantime to help pay the bills.

He and Nora hadn't found an NA group like they'd promised Jeff, and Lucas wasn't trying very hard. He decided he'd find one in Chicago.

Likewise, Nora hadn't confronted her parents though she kept telling him she needed to. They told each other, and themselves, that they were just easing back into things.

It was just days before Lucas's birthday now. His cousin, Marcus, had already set up a guest room for him in his downtown Chicago apartment. Lucas had written two goodbye letters, one to Nora and one to his mother. Brian would tell Sarah whatever he wanted in the end, but Lucas would make sure and let her know he was still clean. Hopefully she would believe him and not spend her nights worrying about him buying dope in the slums.

On the day before his birthday, Lucas received a call with a weird area code. He didn't usually answer those, but something told him to pick this one up. He slipped through the crowded school hallway and out to his hiding spot near the courtyard.

"Hello?" he answered quietly once he was hidden behind the familiar brick wall.

"Guess who, motherfucker!" exclaimed the familiar voice on the other end.

Lucas laughed. "Gus. Hey what's up, man?"

"I'm still here. Bored. All the new people suck just like I knew they would. Nobody interesting or even hot. What's up with you? How's Nora?"

"She's good. Everything's good."

"Good? You're boring as shit too. Oh guess what!"

Lucas was smiling, imagining Gus drumming on the wall or bobbing up and down on his toes, hyped up on his own energy like always.

"What?"

"I decided I'm gonna stay clean when I get out!"

"Really?" Lucas asked, surprised.

"Yeah well, I'll give it a try. Maybe I can keep a job and rent a place when it gets cold."

"I'm happy for you. I had my doubts about you staying sober."

"Me too, but the winters there are a real bitch. You have no idea, Snowflake."

"Huh?"

"You're a sheltered little suburban bitch. I don't hold that against you though," Gus said.

"Wow. Fuck you, man!"

Gus was laughing. "Don't worry. Chicago's a dirty slut whose streets'll make you harder than a lap dance. Only a matter of time."

"Right. So here's the thing. I'll actually be headed up there tomorrow, much earlier than I thought... and without Nora," Lucas said, picking at a clod of dirt stuck to one of the bricks.

He went on to explain everything that had happened since he'd left the ranch.

"Wow, your stepfather sounds like the biggest douche on the planet. Brian. What a fuckin' douche name. What is he- a forty five year old frat boy?"

Lucas laughed. "He has the maturity level of one."

"Well that's not fair, asshole! I'm stuck here singin' Kumbaya 'till March! This sucks. I should just run," Gus grumbled.