10/17

Episode 7, Chapter 30

"That's crazy," Laney said, as Parker filled her in on his day. "Penny and Peyton are okay though, right?"

"Yeah, Penny has huge bruise on her cheek and her hand hurts but I guess the school nurse told her nothing was broken, just sore. Actually, they're both sore all over," Parker told her. "You should have seen it. They passed out almost as soon as we got home. Mom had to wake them up to take showers, and get some food and Advil in'em. Then they just went right back to bed."

"Makes sense after that kind of emotional and physical drain," said Laney. "How did that TJ kid know anything about you?"

"I did some digging after I got home. Turns out, Lance Johnson in my ROTC group is his older brother."

"Lance Johnson," Laney said, searching her memory for a face to go with the name. "Football kid?"

"Yeah, that's the one. You know him?"

"Not really. I just remember hearing his name at the pep rally, but I couldn't pick him out of a lineup."

"Well, you aren't missing much. The guy's a dick. Now that's I've met his parents, I'm not surprised. I was seriously ready to tear that guy apart if he took another freaking step toward my mom," Parker growled.

"Hey, calm down dude. It's done already," Laney said, "Don't rehash it and get your panties in a twist again for no reason." Parker cracked up laughing at the blistering level of impatience Laney was projecting. He had learned she had no tolerance for needless emotion. In her words, she preferred her drama on the stage, not in her life. Laney looked at the clock, it was almost nine thirty. "Let me guess, you spent the rest of the night blowing up alien hordes or stealing space ships or whatever you do on that game you're obsessed with?"

Parker chuckled and shook his head at Laney's flippant attitude. That was something else he was beginning to appreciate about his fellow Altered. She could make him laugh, even when he was upset, just by being herself. With Casey still not talking to him and Bannah keeping her distance for the good of everyone, he was desperately glad to have found such a solid friend. "I did wonder why I hadn't heard form you sooner today beyond the few texts. Especially, after I told I wanted to talk tonight. "

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure we'll have a family meeting about it tomorrow, but today we all needed a chance to decompress. Mom, called Dad right after we got home and it was all she could do to keep him from hunting Mr. Johnson down and explaining proper manners to him. She should have let him, but whatever."

"Parker," Laney admonished, her face over their video chat was comical. "That would only make things worse. It wouldn't be worth it."

"That's what Mom said, but it's just how I feel." Parker ducked his head a moment, hiding his half smile as he remembered his father's words that evening. Shortly after the older man came home form work he came to Parker's room.

"Your mother told me what happened earlier," Mr. Carlisle said. His father clapped Parker on the shoulder with his left hand and took his right hand in a firm handshake.

"You did good, Son. I'm proud of you." Parker had nodded. His dad pulled him in for a quick hug, then nodded and left the teenager alone again. That was it. The moment passed, but it would forever be one of the best memories of Parker's life. Neither his mother nor Laney knew about that part, however. It was a private moment between father and son.

"So yeah, we were all pretty chill for the rest of the night," he told her instead.

She bobbed her head.

"I imagine, well let me tell you about my day. It wasn't as eventful as yours, but I do have some news." For a moment it looked as though she were going to keep talking, but her mouth snapped shut and her forehead scrunched. "But, first, you have to promise not to jump to conclusions. I don't want to argue with you again." Parker groaned.