Chance Encounters

New perspective new goals

I groggily sat up. My head ringing with hazy thoughts about last night. Mark had one arm wrapped around me and the other one underneath him. His sandy hair hung in his face as he continued to drool. He must have passed out on his stomach. Larry also was still,well for lack of better terms;passed out. I wiggled out of Mark’s arms and thus made my way out of the tent.

Frank was sitting on the makeshift table we had last night. “Kidd we need to have a talk.” He said while mixing some vodka in his coffee. Of course he was doing some hair of the dog after a night of drinking. I tilted my head, “Am I fired?” Frank had an astonished look on his face. “God no.” Then he laughed out loud, “Quite the opposite kidd,you are my adopted kid if you want to be. Your mother made it very clear on how she felt about you and it broke my heart. Especially how hard you try even when it’s rough.” My eyes went wide and I looked at the ground. “When did this happen?” He shrugged throwing back his coffee grimacing as the vodka hit his throat. “Her,Larry,and I had this conversation as soon as you ran out the door.” My eyes wandered to the jacket that I was still wearing. I was hoping that it was just a nightmare,unfortunately it wasn’t. “What about my stuff and my grandparents,I’m sure that they will mind plus if my mother really did throw me out then she probably won’t give me back anything.” Frank smiled pulling Mark’s keys from his pocket. “I have this covered.” He opened the trunk revealing the last two of my boxes and my plant. “Look kidd,I just want to see you complete your goals and I know you want to go back to the U.P., however I want to try and help.” I smiled and gave Frank a hug, “You don’t have to,but I appreciate everything you are doing for me.” He smiled, “Make sure you tell your grandparents I’d like to meet them too.” I nodded.

I restarted the fire and boiled some water from my two canteens in my truck. I had three tea bags left in my box and decided to use them. Thanks dad for making me be prepared for life. My water came to a boil and I poured it from the pot into my thermos. While plain green tea wasn’t my favorite,I still will drink it. “Look Kidd why don’t you and Mark go visit your family in the U.P. You guys have been through a lot and could use the break plus I’m sure they want to see you.” I nodded and decided that when he woke up I’d ask him.

Frank and I were already in the shop working,when Mark and Larry decided to crawl from the dead and wake up. “Dude my head is killing me and my mouth is dry.” Larry said as they opened the shop door. “What the hell happened?” Mark asked Frank,who’s response was a fit of laughter and then went on explaining on about the night before and how much we drank and ate. “All of last night aside you are more than welcome to live with your grandparents,but I wouldn’t care if you stayed with me either.” Mark looked confused as Larry patted my shoulder. I nodded, “Let’s go to grandpa Lenny’s and grandma Carol’s house, grab my stuff and then I’ll move in with you Frank.” I could see the light in his hazel eyes. “Sounds like a plan.” Larry said. We piled into my truck.

It was awkward because Frank had to drive, Larry sat in the middle and I sat on Mark’s lap. Every time there was a divot in the road my head would hit the ceiling. “Goddamn it Frank!” I exclaimed after almost flying out of the window and kicking Larry in the shoulder. “I’m trying my best Kidd,it’s not my fault you have a touchy truck. Mark gripped my waist tighter. Larry chimes in, “Well it would be nice if you guys drove normal cars instead of trucks, I’m worried my nuts will be crushed by the shifter.” Frank hearing this threw my truck into overdrive and ran with it on the dirt roads. Of course Frank took every opportunity to fish tail the truck on turns. “Damn it Frank!!! I’m going to fly out the f*****g window if you keep it up!!” I heard maniac laughter coming from him. “Your truck shifts like butter, so much fun!!” He said drifting the corner and if it wasn’t for Mark holding onto my hips I would have flown out for sure. With my shoulders hanging out the window I was able to avoid kicking Larry upside his head at least. Never knew how many backroads there were,but then again I suppose when the driver has a suspended license then you learn the backroads.

After my soul finally returned to my body we pulled into the driveway. My face was beaded with sweat because well,I just almost flew out of my own truck a handful of times. I walked to the door with my pack in tow. Carol answered the door. “Why hello, come on in.” She said to all of us. I again out of sheer politeness took the floor while Frank took the chair facing the couch and Larry sat next to Carol immediately picking up her newest knitting project,and started to help on it. “I’m Frank,her boss and I wanted to discuss some things.” I walked out the door to find Lenny sitting outside smoking a joint and Mark and I joined him. “Hey kiddo,and Mark.” He winked at him. “I’m moving out if that’s ok with you.” I said bleakly. Lenny took a big hit and pondered. “I’m gonna miss the house handyman,but I know it’s best. Plus if you need to we are always here to help. I heard about your father and just know that he’s proud and watching over you now.” I hugged Lenny, while Mark opted for a handshake. “You better take care of her young man.” Lenny said with a grin, “Otherwise it really will be death.” Mark nodded. “Not a problem sir.” We walked into Frank making Carol laugh while her and Larry knitted. I grabbed the three boxes and my other plants from the spare room. It was indeed rough, moving three times in the past four months. I sighed as Mark helped me put the boxes and plants in the bed of my truck. Lenny came outside, “Carol wants y’all to stay for dinner.” I nodded,my stomach instantly became hungry as the last thing I’ve eaten were incredibly strong edibles. “Sounds good we will join ya.” He smiled and went back into the house.

Dinner was homemade macaroni and cheese,homegrown green beans and fried chicken. I scarfed down my plate as everyone looked at me. “Kidd,we had this conversation before,the chicken is dead, it’s not running away.” I glared at Frank as him and Lenny took a shot of brandy. Larry and Carol were comparing knitting techniques. I refilled my plate of macaroni and cheese. My grandparents definitely knew how to cook. Mark wasn’t shy on his servings either. Taking three more pieces. I was munching on some green beans when Lenny brought me into the conversation. “Skye I’m sure you’ll do amazing in Ohio and I’m happy to help you if you need it. Ignore your mother and keep working on your goals.” I smiled, “Thanks gramps. I’ll see ya after I get back from Ohio.” He smiled. We finished dinner and Lenny and Frank were practically brothers. Laughing and drinking a bunch of beer. We all piled back into my truck and took off.

While Mark and Larry both had work, I had to move into Frank’s house. He had two open rooms so I picked the one furthest from him all the way down the hallway. Cam,his collie was getting all the pets from me. I finished putting the boxes in the room while Cam insisted that she help me by getting in between me and the boxes. Frank did ask for 130$ for rent and I agreed to let him take it out of my check,still giving me plenty to live and save on. Frank laid down some ground rules which were. Only Mark and Larry are allowed over unless he meets my other friends; I’m allowed to grow my plants as long as the dog doesn’t eat them; and finally I don’t have a curfew,but I couldn’t disrupt the house along with Mark being able to spend the night as long as it doesn’t interfere with school or work. Pretty easy rules and I could work on any project whenever I want, with correct tools. It made it easy for me and I was super stoked about it. I dragged out my sleeping bag and blanket, tomorrow I’d go and get a bed,but it was late enough and unfortunately school was tomorrow.

Frank woke Cam and I up. “Get up Kidd! You have a half hour to get your ass out the door.” I awoke realizing where I was. I hopped in the shower and took the shortest one possible. Thank the gods above Frank had to boil water for his coffee because I poured the rest of the water into my thermos stuffing it with tea and honey. My clothes were my work uniform and I laced up my boots. “Don’t forget to come to work today,we have a few field calls.” I nodded and gave Cam some pets before I bolted out of the door. Being a crisp fall morning my truck was defiant in starting,but eventually did start. I groaned as I threw in a Led Zepplin eight track,blasting it all the way to school.

Larry and Mark were already there. No big thing to me,I had to add the extra hour it takes to get here. “Nice of you to show up babe.” Mark said planting a kiss on my cheek. I smiled still groggy. “It’s been one hell of a morning.” I said chugging my tea. “How is it at Frank’s?” Larry asked. I shrugged, “The rules he set are pretty reasonable,plus it’s peaceful there best sleep I’ve gotten since the rez or being in Mark’s arms.” I said making Mark turn a nice shade of crimson. The bell rang as we went to our home rooms.

My thoughts were scattered and it’s amazing that I made it here without any hitches. “Skye,if you want to keep daydreaming you can leave my class.” I heard the monotone voice break through my thoughts much like a brick going through a window. “Sorry bout’ that.” I said tuning my focus back on to the teacher. He was handing back SAT scores. I went up and grabbed mine. 1458/1600 it said. I nodded feeling pretty proud of myself. Not everyday you can score big on a big test. The teacher glared at me as he continued his speech on how we are allowed to pay to retake it if our scores weren’t up to what we wanted. I shrugged,just a bit longer and I’ll be in Ohio. Frank will get to watch that happen,and I’ll be with Mark as it does happen. I grinned to myself maybe it isn’t so bad here.