Out of Ink

Chapter 3

Zack got home from school on Friday afternoon just in time to see his parents off. His mother had gotten caught up at the hospital and was still rushing around making sure they’d packed everything. Zack's dad was in charge of making sure that the pile of stuff his mother was dumping in the foyer, was packed into the car. It looked to Zack that he was going to have a hard time making everything fit in. “George! Have you seen my sunglasses?” Elaine McKenzie called out to her husband as Zack walked in the front door. “Hi honey.” Elaine greeted her son with a kiss on the cheek.

“Hi mum. Are you sure you guys are taking enough stuff?” He eyed the three large suitcases. And the half sized, carry-on bag.

“Pfft.” Elaine made a shooing gesture with her hand. “I plan on enjoying this holiday.” She said. “I don’t want to be running all over Melbourne looking for sunscreen.” Fair enough. “Now are you sure that you’re going to be okay by yourself?” She asked him.

“I’m eighteen mum.” Zack reminded her. Barely. His birthday had only been a month ago.

“Which reminds me.” Elaine said. “No drinking, no parties, no girls. Do I make myself clear?” Zack resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

“Yes mum.” He may have technically been an adult, but he still lived under his parent’s roof, and probably would be for a little while longer. He was planning to apply to a local university. Rent was ridiculously expensive.

“Good. What about tonight? Are you all sorted?”

“I’m going to Emmett’s place tonight.” He told her.

“Oh good.” Elaine said. “Just remember to mind your manners and don’t be a bother.” Never mind that Zack was always hanging out over there. Or Emmett hanging out at their house. His mum and Emmett’s mum had been best friends since primary school. And so, their kids had grown up together. Emmett was less like a friend to Zack, and more like a brother. Serina, well that was a whole other thing. She was like the annoying little sister Zack never asked for.

“Always.” He promised. His dad came in then to grab the last suitcase.

“Hey Zack. All good?” He asked. George McKenzie was tall, thin and pale. His neat red hair was starting to thin on top, and his glasses were always trying to slip off his nose. He was dressed in cargo shorts, crocs and a white polo shirt. He really didn’t look like the kind of guy who owned several car rental services. Zack was glad the only thing he inherited from his father’s appearance was his height. The sunscreen his mother was so worried about was likely for him. She rarely burned with her darker skin tone.

“Yeah, I’m fine.” He told his father. “I’m just going to change and grab some stuff before heading over to Emmett’s.”

“He’s spending the night.” Elaine added.

“Cool.” George said. “Video games or movie night?” He asked. Zack shrugged.

“Probably both.”

“Good boy.” George and Elaine were just happy their son wasn’t out clubbing on a Friday night. But they also knew it was probably only because Emmett hadn’t turned eighteen yet and couldn’t go with him. In fact, they didn’t think that any of Zack's friends were old enough yet. His birthday had been first. “This is the last one.” George told his wife, grabbing the handle of the last large suitcase. “I’ll throw that one on the backseat.” He indicated to the carry-on. Elaine pulled up the handle for that one and placed her oversized handbag on the top, balanced against the handle.

“Come see us off.” She wrapped an arm around her son’s shoulders. Zack dumped his school backpack by the door and went outside with his mother. His parents both drove sleek black electric cars, however there was no way they were going to fit all their luggage inside one of those. So, they had gotten an SUV from one of his father’s offices. At least it wasn’t a limo. His parents loaded the last of the luggage and hugged their son. “Behave yourself.” Elaine told him.

“I will.”

“And I mean it. No parties. June will tell me if you do.” She invoked the name of their housekeeper. Zack had no doubt she would sell him out either. He wasn’t the one with the power to fire her. Elaine climbed into the passenger’s seat leaving Zack alone with his dad.

“One party.” His dad whispered. Just in case his wife had the ability to hear through a closed car door. “But in the backyard.” He winked and climbed in behind the wheel. Zack gave them a wave and a smile as they pulled out of the driveway. Then he turned back to their large, empty house and headed inside.