Rollercoaster (The Circle Series - Part 3)

Chapter 9

Leesha and David sat together in the lounge, the quiet ticking of the grandfather clock counting down the slow agonizing minutes. David's phone rang and he picked it up quickly. "Hello...Yes, it is...when? Okay, thank you very much." He hung up and rubbed his tired eyes.

"Who was that?" Leesha asked, reaching over to massage her husband's stiff neck.

"Onstar. They said the car just passed into Colts Neck," David replied, letting his head hang forward. "He's gotten into shit before but stealing the car...fuck babe, he's never done that..."

"That you know of," she whispered. "This is the first time it's been your best friend's daughter involved."

David groaned and slid sideways into his wife's arms. "Is it bad I'm not even angry? Just a bit disappointed?"

Leesha tangled her fingers in David's blonde curls and kissed his forehead. "It's not bad. You've got control over your temper which I'm very proud of...even though I could whack his little ass right now."

They sat and talked quietly until they saw movement on the security monitor. "Looks like our little jailbird is home," David commented lamely. Leesha slapped his arm lightly and they shared a kiss as the garage door could be heard.

The door opened silently and Ethan stopped dead when he saw his parents on the couch. "Mom...Dad. What brings you two down here so late?" He asked with an innocent smile.

"Funny...we were gonna ask you the same thing," Leesha said, crossing her legs and arms. "Come in. Sit down...relax..."

"I would but school tomorrow...don't wanna be late for--"

"I said...sit...now." Ethan noticed his mom had taken on the same tone she had with David, and it was a tone he wasn't about to argue with. "Give the keys to Daddy."

Ethan handed David the Navigator keys and sunk into the couch opposite. "Have a nice drive to the Highlands?" David asked, reaching hold Leesha's hand. "...and keep in mind I already know where it was, so you may wanna think your next words over carefully."

"Dad, can I just start by saying I'm sorry for taking your car?" Ethan took a deep breath and slid down the sofa closer to his parents. "I know I should have asked but Scooby was really upset and needed someone. I didn't have the heart to say no."

Leesha and David exchanged a look of curiosity and doubt. "D, will you get me more wine please?" Leesha asked and watched her husband disappear into the kitchen. "Ethan, as sweet as that sentiment is, there's still no excuse for sneaking out of the house and taking the car." She glanced up as David slipped out the door into the garage, presumably to check for anything out of the usual.

"I know, Mom. I'm prepared to take any punishment you and Dad see fit," Ethan replied, a little too eagerly.

David came back in and gave his wife a perked eyebrow, waving his hand in front of his face. "Add on another week to your grounding and 6 pm curfew. Plus...zero car privileges. You'll take the bus to school for the next month," Leesha laid out.

"The bus? C'mon, Mom. Only nerds ride the bus. Can I at least ride with Dan?" Ethan asked, attempting to negotiate.

"You heard your Mom," David interjected, "and that's final. Now go to bed."

Ethan growled to himself and stormed upstairs, slammed his door shut. Leesha sighed then turned to David. "Babe, what was with that face earlier? You acted like someone had just farted," she said with a small chuckle.

"Come with me, darlin', and allow me to show you," David replied with a bow and held out his hand. He led Leesha out into their garage and unlocked the Navigator. "Open the door. What's the first thing that hits you?"