This is a work of fiction. It is straight out of my imagination, except for most of the pagan practices mentioned. This is written for adults and if you are not supposed to read this where you live, then please don't.
Part 9
Mom was in the kitchen putting the food away. When she saw me she ran to me and hugged me close. She cried against my chest and didn't let go until her sobbing let up. She looked at me with bloodshot eyes, filled with guilt and pain. She turned towards the sink and looked out the window, wiping her eyes with a dishtowel.
"I am so sorry. I asked him to behave, but I had no idea he felt like that. He holds everything in until he bursts. I don't know what more to say than I am sorry." She began sobbing again and I moved to hold her.
"You have nothing to be sorry about," I said as I massaged her shoulders.
"I shouldn't have let him talk like that."
"You can't control him. He has his own opinions and he voiced them. I will deal with it. We have always known how he felt. The only difference is we have heard it now."
"I guess you are going to go now." Mom turned and looked up into my eyes.
"We figured it would be the best thing. Where is Dad?"
"He took off to the bar for a drink. I hate to think of him sitting in a grungy old bar, drinking his Thanksgiving dinner." She returned to putting away the food. "He will be home after a while and he will go to bed. He will be okay in the morning." I turned and looked at Ryan. I had a fleeting thought. We are already in Florida and we have a few days off. We could go to Ft. Lauderdale and have a blast. We couldn't swim, but there is a lot to do.
"What are you up to," Ryan asked, looking curious.
"How about we make the best of this and go to Ft. Lauderdale?"
"No, you need to go home and have a little time to think." He stepped closer and put his hand on my arm. I looked down at his hand and he pulled it away.
"I am... I will be fine. Stewing in my studio will only make things worse. Let's have a bit of fun." Mom turned and stepped next to me.
"Maybe you're right. Go out and have a good time and put this behind you. It is what I'd do." She pulled me into a sideways hug.
"Ok, well, I guess so, we have clothes and all weekend. Do you think we can get a room" Ryan turned and started helping Mom put up the food.
"I think I can. Mom, can I borrow your computer?"
"Of course you can darling," she said and handed the plastic wrap to Ryan.
"I will see if I can get us a double room near the beach and around some clubs." I turned and walked down the hall to the office. I found a relatively inexpensive room for the weekend and reserved it with my credit card. I checked my email and looked to see if any friends were online. The very person I hoped to see was there.
"Hey, Sal, what's up," I typed.
"Lots. We are having an opening tonight," he typed in return.
"Great! Do you think I can get a couple of invites?"
"Are you joking, you would be an honored guest. Right up there with the featured artist, lol." I thanked him and got the details. I signed off and went to tell Ryan the good news.
Mom put together some food for us to take with us. It was still early in the day but it would be after dark when we got there. I started out driving with Ryan looking out the window at the passing scenery. I couldn't help but think of the fight with my Dad. I was lost in thought when I heard someone calling my name.
"Caison. Caison, are you ok?" Ryan touched my shoulder and I popped back into the here and now.
"Yeah," I said. "Just thinking of what happened earlier."
" Are you sure you are ok?" Ryan's eyes searched my face.
"I suppose I will be. I knew how he felt, but hearing it, and him being so belligerent. That really sent it home. I don't know how to react. Should I be rolled up in a ball crying, or should I go back and punch him in the nose?"
"I don't think either is a good idea. I think you and Mrs. Smithwick are right. This is exactly what you need. It is what we both need."
"Are you ok? You looked very upset back there." I looked over at Ryan and saw he was staring down at the floorboard.
"It brought back some painful memories. I had a few bad rows with my dad. It reminded me of dinner at home. We didn't get along very well as I got older. I think he felt he had lost the son he always thought he knew. I grew up and he grew cold."
"Is that a reason you are living out here?" I was trying my mom's technique.
"One reason," he said and looked back out the window. I decided not to push it. We were getting close, but I didn't want to make him uncomfortable.
The rest of the way to Ft. Lauderdale, we just watched the scenery pass or listened to the radio. I tried to keep my mind off of what happened with Dad. When my mind was not on that subject, it wandered over to dwell on the feelings of loss of Ward. I tried to shake that off and thought of my unwise feelings for Ryan. It seemed that I could only think of painful things.
Ryan was unresponsive, and I worried about how he was feeling. He seemed caught up in his own thoughts, and I worried that we were not going to have a good time. I was very nervous at the thought of having to share a room with him. I hoped I would be able to control my feelings. I vowed to not drink too much. I knew I would say something I would regret.
We passed a sign stating that we were entering Ft. Lauderdale. We made it to the beach area and started looking for our hotel. It was a typical hotel, with little visual interest. I suppose it didn't matter with all the visual interest walking down the sidewalks. Even though it was not summer, there were a lot of tourists. We parked and got our bags and quickly blended in with the out-of-towners.
"So, read y for a good time," I asked.
"About as much as you are," Ryan answered with a half smile that attempted to cut the gloom, but added to the effect..
"I was afraid of that," I returned.
(To be continued)
The next chapter will be submitted soon.
I welcome comments, twinkchaser@excite.com