The Firebirds

Chapter Two

The moment he stepped inside the Blairs' home, there was chaos. Six children had blessed Mort and Barbie and Chukfi wondered how the hell six noisy kids were a blessing. At least two out of six had moved out and Holoce was on his way to college. So the house wasn't as cramped at the moment, but those twins, Kim and Will, never stopped fighting and the teenager, Marcus, played his guitar at high volume while his white buddy sang poorly into a mic. He'd need to listen to the real song they covered just to cleanse himself of what he was forced to listen to.

Growing up, it was only Shane and himself. They would have had a sister, had she not died shortly after birth. The ranch had always provided the peace and solitude he craved and now as the house shook from Marcus' band jamming it out he missed it all the more.

Barbie Blair just smiled as she stirred the pot of spaghetti sauce and said: "My baby is gonna be a rock star."

Chukfi wasn't sure about that.

Barbie drained the spaghetti while she let the sauce simmer. Steam wafted up as the pasta came tumbling out of the pot. He wanted to help in some way, but she wouldn't hear of it. He was their guest and he shouldn't have to lift a finger. Barbie was a short and chubby half Cherokee, half Irish woman from Arkansas and it was obvious in her accent. With her hazel eyes and her hair, short and dark, he found her name funny as she was the exact opposite of the doll.

In the living room, Kim and Will, played Super Mario Bros at high volume. If the music Marcus played wasn't bad enough, now the game's theme would become stuck in his head.

"Ha ha, you died, now it's my turn!" Kim cheered.

"I only died because you distracted me!" Will replied.

"Just admit that you can't play worth a shit!"

Chukfi was shocked by the child's language. He looked to Mort, who was sipping tea and reading the paper, then watch Barbie for her reaction, but nothing. Neither of them seemed to care that their daughter cursed.

If Mom caught me talking like that, she'd whoop my ass for sure. Hell, just being noisy alone was grounds for a beating...

Although Chukfi planned on having children someday, he made a vow to get snipped after two and listening to these little shits cemented his decision.

"Where is that girl?" Barbie said as she stirred olive oil into the noodles. "Mort, didn't you invite Josie over?"

"I did. She said she wanted to clean up before coming by."

"Oh good, I'm hoping she stays for dinner. I made enough to feed an army."

Barbie scooped out healthy portions onto each plate.

"Dinner time!" she bellowed.

"Hompvke'ce!" Mort added.

Kim and Will paused their game and came running into the kitchen, Will almost tripping over a toy. Mort's bulk rose from the chair and he made his way over to the garage door. Opening it, he yelled for Marcus to turn that racket off and come inside. Marcus' friend bid their guitarist goodbye before leaving.

The sixteen-year-old came shuffling into the kitchen, his long black hair covering his face. His black band shirt wrinkled and holey, as were his acid-washed jeans. Spiky bands cover the kid's wrists, one ear pierced, and a beaded necklace hung around his neck. He flopped down in his chair and looked around the table with dull brown eyes.

"How did your playing session go?" Mort asked.

The boy shrugged. "Okay."

"Good to hear."