Broken Home

6 | Over Again

Charles hits the snooze button to his alarm clock. He rubs his eyes and sees a pair of legs standing before him. They belong to his mother. Charles sheepishly looks up at her. He doesn't want their eyes to meet. He knows she's angry and disappointed in him.

"Hal gave me some news this morning. He told me you had this," Alice holds the Jingle Jangle up for him to see. "I don't know what to say. You broke my heart, baby."

Charles frowns. He's ashamed. He feels terrible for disappointing her. "Mom, you have to hear me out."

"I will and so will your father. You're going to tell him about you sneaking out and having drugs."

"Mom-"

"You're going to tell him when he's outside."

"Outside? I'm going to be late for school."

"That's the least of your worries right now."

"The girls are going to be late too."

"Hal's taking them."

"Why did you do what you did?"

"I'm sorry," Charles tries to apologize. "I-"

"Save it for when your father comes."

Hal takes the girls to school and takes Archie along while he's at it. Fred had to go to the site early and Mary's still waiting for FP.

FP arrives with Jellybean on time like before. "Here's one of my pride and joys." FP hands her the baby. "Thanks again, Mare. You're a lifesaver."

"It's no sweat," Mary takes Jellybean inside, so FP makes his way back to his car.

"FP!" Alice calls out his name. FP turns around to look at her. "We need to talk. Do you have some time on you?" FP looks at his watch; he has to meet Fred soon. Charles stands behind her, staring at the floor. "It's about Charles."

FP hears his name and makes his way over to them without a second thought.

"Is it about him making the team?" FP nudges his side and smiles. "Because I already told him I was proud."

Alice shakes her head. He takes note of how disappointed she actually looks.

"It's about this," Alice shows him the tube of Jingle Jangle Hal had given her. FP's eyes widen. He looks at Charles in shock. "I think we need to have a talk with our son."

Charles feels his father's disappointed eyes on him. He tries not to look him in the eye.

"Hal caught him sneaking back into the house way past curfew with this." Alice explains their situation.

"Is it true?" FP's saddened voice breaks his son's heart. Charles shamefully nods yes. "I'm very disappointed in you, boy."

"I didn't have any. I swear," Charles tells them both. "Yes, I snuck out that's true and I'm sorry, but I promise you, I didn't do drugs. You have to believe me."

"Then why do you have this?" Alice waves it around.

"Because I hid it in my jacket. The whole team was getting high and I didn't want to get branded as the team loser. I didn't want to take any, so I just pretended I was high. They were too high to even realize. I promise that that's the whole truth. You believe me, don't you? I know it looks bad."

"I believe him," FP confidently states. "I know my son. He's a good kid. He definitely did something wrong, but he's not lying."

"Thank you," Charles is very appreciative that he believes his confession.

"You're still in trouble," FP says. Charles knows that.

"Go to your room," Alice points to the staircase. "Your father and I will discuss your punishment."