Starting Over

Chapter 3- The Lectures

Jason and I have almost picked up the entire living room within an hour. I guess you could say that we just emptied it. We took everything out and moved it out to the garage just to hide the destruction from momma. As we were putting the last bags of stuffing from the furniture in the garage Jason decided to question what happened.

“Luke, what the hell happened last night?” Jason asked.

“Man, it was hell. I had went to see the boys at momma’s and when I left I went down to Leona’s Café to get something to eat. I came home and assumed I was alone, grabbed a bottle of Jack Daniel’s,” Luke paused as Jason listened. “I came into the living room and sat down on the couch. The more I drank and looked around the more I got pissed about everything.”

“You did all of this because you were pissed?” Jason questioned.

Luke nodded, “I just thought of how perfect everything looked. And knowing Caroline designed this entire house. It just set me off. I shattered the coffee table, cut the fuck out of the furniture, ripped the stuffing out and threw it everywhere. And about the time Bridget walked in I threw the empty bottle of Jack through the window.”

“You did this with Bridget here? Man, what the hell were you thinking? You could have really hurt her. You know how you get when you start drinking that shit,” Jason exclaimed.

“But I didn’t!” I told Jason, but he cut me off.

“But you could have Luke! What would you have done if you would have hurt her? Or what if your mom would have gotten that call last night and the kids were here? Luke you are a father! You’ve got to start acting like it! Do you think I would ever act that way when there is a chance my girls would be around? Not a chance in hell! Sure there are times you just want to completely lose it, but you can’t just do it whenever! Luke, man up dammit! Be the dad your kids need! Bridget don’t need to have to worry about being the dad to your kids too! She already has her hands full being mom and dad to Kenzie! Don’t make this hell for her! I’ll tell you right now, if she asks me to testify about getting custody of the boys, I won’t think twice about it! You have been out of control for months now! I know it’s hard, but damn Luke! Caroline is gone! She’s not coming back no matter how much you want her to! It’s time for you to pick up the damn pieces and fucking move on!” Jason screamed at me.

“You are my one of my oldest friends and you would turn on me like that? That’s fucked up Jason!” I yelled as I shoved Jason.

“What the fuck, man? Don’t like what I’m saying so you’re picking a fight?” Jason questioned me. I was pissed. No I was beyond pissed. How the fuck could he take her side?

“I just can’t fucking believe you would do this!” I shouted back as I shoved him again.

“I’m not going to fight you, Luke! And yes I would turn on you like that! Luke, right now you are not fit to be taking care of them boys and you damn well know it too!” Jason exclaimed.

As I went to draw my arm back a soft hand grabbed it. I didn’t have time to think before I heard her speak.

“Thomas Luther Bryan! I have raised you better than that! What do you think you are doing?” my momma, LeClaire asked.

“Ummm…” was all I could muster out.

“You apologize right now,” momma demanded of me.

“Momma, you have no clue what this is about!” I yelled at her. I regretted speaking the instant the words came out of my mouth. She looked at me in shock. Honestly, I was shocked myself.

“Well, just enlighten me then, Luke,” Momma stated in a calmed tone.

I knew I was in trouble right then. Don’t get me wrong, I know I’m a grown man, but my momma still knows how to the shit out of me. I just stared at her. I was speechless. I didn’t know what to say. I hear the kids running through the house and prayed that Bridget would catch them before they got to the garage. I didn’t want them to witness this.