What one can hide

Chapter seven- Home

The rest of the trip went by quickly. Tommy didn't really want to go home, but he felt so emotionally drained after the whole trip. He mentally scolded himself for letting Wilbur find out about his home life, but perhaps having someone to talk to would make things a bit easier. After all, Wilbur had handled the news better than Tommy could've imagined.

Tommy sat outside on a curb with Wilbur as he waited for his dad to come take him home. Wilbur had offered about 100 times to give him a ride home, Tommy refusing each time. He had put Wilbur through enough on this trip, he didn't have him to have to go nearly 30 minutes in the opposite direction just to give him a ride home.

Philza and Techno had both already left, saying they had a stream planned and had to get home. Tubbo had gotten picked up by his mother a few minutes after the two other boys left. Now it was just Tommy and Wilbur.

The boys sat in a comfortable silence as they waited for Tommy's dad to come. As they waited, Tommy fiddled with the ends of his sleeve, nervous to have to go home. Wilbur announced that he had to use the bathroom, so he got up and walked into a nearby store to use their public restroom.

Now that he was alone, he rolled up his sleeve, revealing his bruises. It was hotter today than it was the previous days, so Tommy was sweating in his sweater. He let out a breath of relief once a breeze came by. It wasn't much, but it definitely helped cool him down.

A familiar beaten down, blue car rolled over to where Tommy was sitting and parked, going much faster than the car was supposed to. As Tommy stood up and started throwing his bag over his shoulder, he heard the car in front of him slam its door shut. Tommy looked up, wondering why his dad had bothered to get out of the car.

Fear filled the boy as his father quickly bounded to where he stood. He felt a strong grasp on his wrist, as he was quickly tugged towards the car. What was the point of that? Tommy thought as he felt himself getting pulled to the car. Giving in, Tommy let his father practically drag him to the car. As he was being pulled, he heard a voice behind him say, "Hi, you must be Tommy's dad, nice to meet you."

Wilbur was just walking out of the store when he saw Tommy get grabbed by the wrist by someone he recognized to be his father. Wilbur remembered how the boy told him that no matter what, Tommy's father couldn't find out how much WIlbur knew. Following the boy's request, Wilbur talked to the man with much respect, not wanting to cause Tommy any trouble for when he was home.

The two exchanged a short conversation, Tommy's dad quickly dropping his wrist once he heard Wilbur's voice. It was as if Tommy's dad always knew just what to say, so everyone around him thought he was a nice person, but he was always quick to drop the act when he was alone with Tommy.

Tommy's dad put on a smile when talking to Wilbur, one that Tommy knew was nothing but a mask. Tommy was glad to hear Wilbur talking as if he didn't know what was going on behind closed doors, but Tommy couldn't help but worry that Wilbur would think he was lying. Tommy's dad was a charming man, he could easily get what he wanted, and he had convinced so many others that he was a great dad. Would he do the same to Wilbur?

The conversation ended as quickly as it started, and Tommy sat down in the front seat of his fathers car and let his bag rest down at his feet. Once Wilbur left, Tommy's dad turned to face him and ask how his trip was, if he behaved the whole time.

The smell of alcohol was very present on his dad's breath. Tommy gave a short reply saying it was fine, as he made sure to buckle his seatbelt, knowing his dad was already drunk. Obviously, Tommy hated when his dad drove while drunk. He was more worried about his father hurting other drivers than he was worried about his own safety.