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Chapter Two
Dane
“Dane!”Mason yells from the kitchen.
I was walking toward the stairs, but I turn on my heels and lean against the island, watching as he moves about the kitchen.
“Dinner’s done,” he says, handing me a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast.
I take the plate and roll my eyes. “Eggs again?”
He throws his hands up in the air. “What do you want from me, Dane? I don’t know how to cook anything else!”
I laugh. “Alright, it’s fine. Let’s eat.”
We both take our plates to the living room. I plop down on the couch and grab the remote. I flip through a dozen static-filled channels before finally stopping on an old football game.
“We seriously need to get cable,” Mason complains.
“Yeah well, that’ll never happen.”
He looks at me with his fork raised, mid-bite. “Why not?”
“Because Dad is a cheapskate, and he knows if he gets cable, we’ll end up parked in front of the TV instead of doing his work.” I scoop my eggs and bacon up on my toast and eat it like a sandwich.
He shakes his head and groans, “Dad’s not that bad, Dane.”
“What do you call making us re-build this house and work at the shop?”
He shrugs. “Helping out. He’s only one person. He can’t do it all on his own.”
“Yeah, I guess. It’d be nice to get to be a kid once in a while though. When’s the last time you hung out with your friends after school?”
“I don’t ever remember doing that. I’ve always had soccer or work.”
“My point exactly. You’re fourteen, you should be out causing trouble, not working on boats.”
“I’m fine with my life, Dane. My plan is to work hard and get out of this town. I want to play soccer for Notre Dame.”
I laugh. “Good luck with that. Dad will probably guilt you into running his shop.” I roll my eyes.
He shrugs. “Why will he need me? We all know you ain’t going anywhere.” He laughs.
I punch him on the arm. “Fuck that. He doesn’t own me. I’ll pack up my guitar and play on street corners before I take over business for him.”
Mason gets quiet and focuses on the TV. I can’t keep my mind from wondering though. Is he right? Will I be stuck in this small town forever? Will I get stuck running Dad’s business, never getting out or making a life for myself?
Suddenly, my appetite is gone. I shove off the couch and toss my food in the trash before setting the plate in the sink. It’s starting to get dark, and I know my dad will be home soon, but I need to get out of the house and his strict rules. Grabbing my keys, I tell Mason I’ll be back.
An hour later, I’m in town and the sun has set. When I drive by the shop, my dad’s truck is still there. I’m sure he’s watching the construction crew build the new bar and grill. Pressing the gas, I pass it by and stop at the arcade. Inside I find Sean.
“What’s going on?”
“Whoa, how’d you escape?”
I shrug and rest against the wall. “He doesn’t know I’m gone.” Chuckling, I look over the place to see who’s here.
Several people I know from school are here, but none that I want to talk to, and not the one person I was actually hoping to see.
