The Submerged

By Turtleboy
(rewritten)
 

 

            Everything in life happens for a reason; or at least, that’s what religion teaches.  The thoughts of the funeral he was forced to attend and reception afterwards, repeated themselves unmercifully throughout thirteen year old Alex Ziegler’s head.  The heart felt condolences, to the unending banter from stranger’s mouths which were always the same words only in different forms.  “Oh you poor child, I’m so sorry for your loss.  I could only imagine how you could be feeling.” That was nothing really; most of the comments were more insulting than comforting.  People grieve in different ways; show their emotions through different windows.  None of it was real though, Alex could see through their sympathetic masks.  They all blamed him; he could see it hiding deep in the backs of their eyes.  That little glimmer of shame and disgust lodged right against the darkest points of their pupils the part that the lights reflection normally would block, because the sight is just too demeaning for any person to see.  Alex however could see this, if fact that was usually all he ever saw.  Everyone’s hateful gaze upon him savagely attacked his heart ripping out his most valued pieces as their eyes seemed to burn through their eyelids, leaving wide protruding and bloodied lesions of guilt scattered across his very soul.


            It had been exactly sixteen months thirteen days and now eight hours and forty three minutes since his mother had died giving birth to his almost brother.  Alex sailed his hand just like a wave, up and down with smooth long motions outside the passenger seat window of the abomination that was supposed to be a moving truck.  He was surprised the thing was actually aloud to freely drive across the country like this.  The rust was soaking through the white paint all around its body; the thing was so old and appalling that the company hadn’t even advertised it as theirs.  Alex glared at himself through the side view mirror, with content to winning an impossible staring battle with his own reflection.  His heavy blue eyes pooled with tears from the strain he was forcing upon them and the wind that flowed harshly into the truck through the opened window which wasn’t helping one bit.  The dirty blond hair on top of his head which not too long ago had been styled and spiked with gel was now a mangled dirty blond puff.  Alex blinked fiercely than closed his eyes tight feeling the tears stroll freely down his cheeks, and waited to open them so he could recover from his failed challenge with himself.  Alex glanced up at his Dad who was straining himself to keep his focus on the road.  They had been driving all day, and two days previously as well.

 
“Hey Dad,” Alex said softly “How about we stop off somewhere?  I really need to pee.”

 
            The harsh look of annoyance spread over Bruce’s face, “Didn’t we just stop?  Honestly… You can’t hold it?  We’re almost there.”

 
“That was hours ago Dad… I’m not sure if I can hold it too much longer, you told me we were almost there two hours ago… can’t we just stop?”  Alex tapped his feet on the trucks half carpeted floor than crossed his legs tightly in order to display his needs intensity.

 
“huhhhhh”  Bruce sighed, pulled his baseball cap off of his head and rubbed his hair into his scalp. “Alright, we’ll stop at the next station.”  He promised.

 
“Thank god!” Alex screamed in celebration, raising his thin arms to the roof of the truck.

 
“Oh come on,” Bruce smiled sarcastically, “It hasn’t been that long has it?” he looked at the digital clock which may just as well have been glued to the dash, realizing they had been driving for five hours without so much as a stretch.  ‘No wonder he’s fidgeting’ Bruce thought to himself.

 
“Hey look! There’s one!”  Alex pointed out with excitement.

 
“Perfect! It’s even a chained station; we must be getting close to civilization!”  Said Bruce, feeling a strange sense of déjà-vu.

 
            Alex rolled his eyes at his dad’s comment; he had said those same words at least a thousand times by now.  Ever since they had made it into California actually; it had seemed that the I80 passed through every city and town there is in the state.  The boy was still trying to figure out if his Dad was actually that absent minded from driving so long, or if he just needed something to say in order to break the silence. “Hey Pa, can you grab me a slush while we’re in there?  It’s so hot here! See look, I’m already getting a burn!”  Alex waved his half scorched arm in front of his father’s eyes dramatically.  Back in New York he hadn’t got a lot of sunlight; they lived in a downtown high-rise condominium building, up on the fourteenth floor.  Alex’s days were from home to car to school to car to home again.  There wasn’t a whole lot of UV in his day and not a lot of places for a kid to play.

 
“Uh, yea sure… so long as we don’t have to stop again.” Bargained Bruce, “According to the map, we’re about three quarters of an inch away from our destination… in real world that’s about fifty miles or so.  See, we’re just coming up to the San Benito River.”

 
            Alex blinked in humor, he didn’t know nor care about some stupid river, he just wanted a drink and a pit stop.  “Shouldn’t you pull off here?”

 
            The wheels squealed harshly on the road as the car shot in a sudden whip like manner, which could be easily portrayed as a sharp turn.  “Phew!  Just about missed it.”  Bruce smiled nervously.  “Hope nothing broke back there.”  He nodded towards the trailer behind their cabin.

 
“Jesus Dad…”  Alex sighed with relief and loosened his grip on the seatbelt which was wrapped across his chest.

 
            The moment the truck stopped Alex jumped out of the vehicle and disappeared in the dusty cloud surrounding the truck that had escaped the limestone gravel below them.  Waving to the clerk, Alex pointed at the bathroom door to signal his intentions; the clerk complied with a smile and reached to buzz the boy in.  Several failed buzzes later Alex actually made it inside and slammed the door shut as quickly as he could.  Bruce calmly strolled inside, said hello to the clerk and continued to the dreaded drink machine.  He wasn’t sure what it was about these contraptions, but something inside of them hated his guts.  Something always went wrong; either the levers wouldn’t pull, or they would explode liquid all over the place the moment it was set free.  Nervously, Bruce grabbed a large cup and lowered it under one of the innocent looking nozzles.  It was all an act though, he could see it coming.  The moment that lever was pulled the whole machine would come alive in a hysterical giggle filled with ridicule, saved up just for him.  Slowly and carefully Bruce gripped the lever, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath he prepared himself for war.

 
            Alex bounced himself out of the washroom with obvious relief.  Scanning the convenience store he saw his old man with a drink waiting patiently in behind the clerk who was pouring his drink for Dad.  A smile took over his face when he saw the massive splatter of grape slush across his Dad’s belly.  Such a proud moment, Bruce Ziegler, his Dad a Finance Administrator who was amazing with numbers and anything related, being the only man in the world who couldn’t work out a slush machine.  The clerk looked amused though, he had a smirk across his face while he gave Bruce a tutorial on slurpee basics.  “Dad…” Alex shook his head in sarcastic shame, “Thanks.”

 
“Not another word you.”  Bruce warned while pointing out the tragic assault which was splattered tastefully up his shirt by the machine.

 
            The clerk, still smiling ran around the counter to ring up the total, “You sure you don’t need any gas?”  He asked casually, “I could do it for yea… especially if you work a gas hose like you do a drink machine.”  He chuckled watching Bruce’s face deepen in color with embarrassment.

 
“Uh… Yea might as well twenty bucks for the tank.”  Bruce decided while rubbing his hair into his scalp again.

 
“Alright, that’ll be twenty-four-eighty-seven.”  Replied the clerk.

 
            Bruce paid the man and ushered Alex back to the car.  The clerk ran out behind them and popped the cap off of the tank.  Bruce smiled back at him with a wave while he climbed back in the truck, behind the wheel, “So where you fellas headed?”  Blurted out the clerk, as he watched Alex circle around the front end of the rusted vehicle.

 
“Monterey.”  Replied Bruce, looking through the side view mirror.

 
“Monterey?  Never heard of it… That’s in Cali?”  Asked the clerk

 
“Yup, about half an hour from Salinas right against Monterey Bay.”  Bruce returned sarcastically.

 
“Oh!  Yea that’s right…”  The clerk mounted the gas hose back on its stand and closed the cap with a surprisingly loud echoed thump, “Alright, you’re good to go.  Have a good trip Fellas!”  The clerk waved as Bruce and Alex rushed out of the lot and back onto the highway as if they had to make up for lost time.  Alex watched his father remove his baseball cap yet again, bulge his eyes with a heavy sigh, gripping the steering wheel with one hand and rub the sweaty brown hair into his scalp once more.  Bruce wasn’t fooling anyone; his upbeat attitude was just a mask.  Alex could see right through it as if it were transparent.  The anxiety his father was experiencing seeped from his pores and may as well have been flowing in multicolored droplets.  The doctors back in New York had discussed with Alex the difficulties his father would have seeking out normal life again.  After his depression and suppression of emotions and grievances his body was now showing wear and tear.  The anxiety was an after math that his subconscious had created while it healed itself from all the emotional scaring.  Alex had been taught all the signs and how to deal with it, in order to help his father through the transition.

 
            Bruce had fallen into a deep depression a few months after his wife’s tragedy.  He had remained strong for Alex while his son grieved, through the month of silence, the acting out and suspensions at school; and all in understanding and assurance, which is what he knew his son needed at the time.  But paid for it dearly in the end; hiding his feelings for so long took its toll with brute force.  He lost his job, the respect of his friends and finally his very self.  Before Christmas he was committed in New York’s General Hospital, within the mental health wing.  There he remained for fifteen weeks, while Alex was sent to go live with his grandparents over in Boston.  Agreeing to continue counseling after discharge, Bruce attempted to live with his parents for a while.  But not more than three days passed that he had decided he needed to get him and his son back to normal life.  Bringing them back to their downtown condo, which in turn of course sent him back into another depression.


            Finally nearly a year and a half later, they were starting fresh; moving across the country quite literally, to the wonderful county of Monterey California.  He had received a job offer which he couldn’t for the life of him remember applying for.  Without much more than moments thought, he accepted the offer and began his preparations for the move.   No more than three weeks later, they were on their way to the beginning of their new life.

 
“Geeze Dad, chill on the led would yea?”  Alex remarked with sarcasm while fiddling with his seatbelt, which was being stubborn against the clip.

 
“Sorry Squirt, I’m just tired of driving… shouldn’t be too much longer.”  Bruce assured his son and then took a bite of beef jerky that he had bought at the gas station.

 
“Yea, I can’t wait to get rid of this heap.”  Added Alex, finally hearing the clasp click into place, “And stop calling me Squirt! I’m almost fourteen!”

 
“Alright, I’ll stop calling you Squirt… on one condition.”  A smile crossed Bruce’s face, which could only be perceived as ridicule.

 
            With a drawn out sigh Alex rolled his head and squinted lifted an eyebrow at his toward his Dad, “Which is?”

 
“Which is, you start to grow.  Simple as that.” His grin looked to come from the devil himself.

 
“I’ll start growing when I’m good and ready.  Not a moment sooner!”  Alex assured him, wishing that is really was that easy.  Truth was being barely over five feet at his age was getting embarrassing.  There were some kids in his class’ back home that were approaching six feet already, all Alex wanted to do was not be towered over; maybe a modest five foot six, he was sure that would do.  It didn’t help that he was skinny and pale as well, god was definitely a cruel prankster sometimes.  He could have at the very least given him some muscle.

 
            Finally Bruce appeared to have been right; they passed a sign welcoming them to the county of Monterey.  A sigh of relief and sudden restlessness set into them both.  The county itself seemed more than nice, lots of golf courses though.  They had just arrived and already passed two of them.  The sound of seagulls seemed to be coming from everywhere; Bruce turned down a small street just off of Del Monte avenue and slowed down.

 
“Would yea look at that.”  Bruce said softly, “We finally made it.”

 
“And about damn time!  Three days in this rust bucket with you, I hope I never have to sit in this beast again.”  Alex was reaching for his seatbelt, so that he wouldn’t have to mess around when they stopped, the drive had been too long and these last few minutes were killing him.

 
“Awe, come on.  It wasn’t all that bad was it?”  Asked Bruce attempting to sound offended.

 
“Dad, we got lost twice, we drove all day and most the evening the entire way.  Not to mention sleeping in the truck last night!  That was the worst!”  Alex’s tone almost seemed angry.

 
“You’ll take it all back, in just one moment.”  Replied Bruce with a sure smile, than pointed ahead of them to the end of the street.

 
            Passed a row of newly built houses and freshly planted trees and shrubs, beyond a field of sand and grounded seagulls, Alex felt is jaw drop in awe.  The sun was setting and the sky was a deep shade of red trailing to a heavy orange as it faded.  You could see the suns warped globe melting into a colored body of water known as the pacific; sending streaks and waves of pastel reflections.  The very sight seemed to freeze time, made you forget to breathe, until you noticed that its beauty somehow created a crisp fresh smell in the air.  Alex for the first time throughout the entire trip, found himself speechless.

 
            All of a sudden the view was removed from direct sight as the truck turned up this oddly steep road.  Alex looked ahead to find a huge brown door which belonged to a garage that was sitting directly in front of them.  The monstrosity of a truck squealed lightly to a stop, Bruce turned to his son only to hear the trucks door slamming shut.  With a satisfied sigh and a slight shake of his head Bruce shifted into park, turned off the ignition and watched his son bolt his way up the heavy looking stone stairs which lead to the front door.

 
            Alex climbed the jagged black slabs of stone with the polished tops to the front door of his new home.  Reaching for the door knob he shook it vigorously, in hopes that with some miracle it would magically unlock and let him in without question.  No luck.  Dismissing the predicted dilemma, Alex jumped off the side of the porch to go check out the back yard.  However, the house was built on a hill which had quite the dip to it off to the side.  Alex felt his feet loose grip, his eyes fluttered in sudden fright, throwing his arms in the air “AH!”  He screamed, as his rear bounced and slid several feet down the hill towards some small trees.  “Holy Crap!”  He screamed to no on in particular, on the realization that his house was right next to the beach.  The sand was maybe fifty yards from his porch.

 
            Climbing to his feet and looking back at the massive looking almond colored house that had deep brown trim and sadly (at the time) a large wooden fenced in backyard, which meant he couldn’t take a peek at it just yet.  However, he did have a deck back there, that much he could tell.  It stood about level with the top of the fence and overlooked the beach from the side.  Feeling his emotions start to consume him he was more than glad to hear his Dad calling for his return.

 
“Coming Pops!”  Alex replied and then scampered his way back up the hill and climbed his way back onto the porch.  “Let’s get this place opened up already!”

 
            A blank look crossed Bruce’s face and he began patting his chest and sides where his pockets were, “Aw shoot.”  He gasped under his breathe.  “Where did I put those keys?”  Alex had never seen his Dad look so lost before, not even when they wound up on North Dakota the other day.

 
“You’re kidding right?”  Alex smiled nervously at his fathers absent minded expressions.

 
            As if struck by lightning from the heavens above, Bruce sighed heavily and slid his hands firmly down his cheeks, causing his face to stretch and obscure.  “Check the mail box!”  He moaned.

 
“You’re not serious are you?”  Alex replied and slowly backed away to the heavy looking oversized mail box, which was mounted beside their front door.  He reaches in cautiously just like he was expecting some form of venomous creature to be awaiting his intrusion.  His fingers met with a circular object, followed by the sound of tinny metal jingling in a muffled echo.  A smile of relief and deviance crossed his face as he pulled out the silver ring of keys. “You’re so lucky Dad.”  Stated Alex in a tone of ridicule.

 
“Perfect they’re there!”  Screamed Bruce in excitement, “How about you go check out the new place and I’ll turn this bad boy around and back it up into the garage.”  Suggested Bruce and then turned himself towards the truck.

 
            Alex felt confused and found a new opportunity to tease his Dad, “Uh… So, how are you gonna do that?”  Alex pointed towards the closed garage door and with a smile showcased its down set position to his father as if he was on a television game show.  Out of no where a clunk sounded from inside the garage and a humming started to play as the garage door slowly opened.

 
“I figured I’d use the remote opener.”  Smiled Bruce cheekily.

 
“You mean…. You had the garage opener, but not the keys to the front door?”  Interrogated Alex.

 
“Well, yea.  The house was having the locks changed.  I forgot the realtor told me about the mailbox, but he gave me the door opener in case we made it before the keys were ready.”  Explained Bruce as he hopped into the truck.

 
“Geeze Dad… You scare me sometimes.”

 
“Just go look around and listen for me in a few minutes.”  Suggested Bruce once more, while he began to back out of the driveway.

 
            That was all Alex needed, he turned to the large oak door and placed his left hand on the red stained finish like he had to brace the door from falling on top of him once it was opened.  Than rubber fingering the key into its chamber and turning with a quick snap of his wrist the door was unlocked, awaiting his judgment.   Bombarding himself into the massive foyer of the entrance he peered around the darkened home, the floors all wooden the walls all white.  Flicking on the light switches and dimmers, Alex gazed upon his new home.  The entrance to what he figured to be the living room was arched and wide, with two wooden doors with paned glass throughout its entire center.  There were a couple of closed doors just before the kitchen, and in between these doors was a stair case which leads upstairs to the second level.

 
            With out so much as another thought, Alex ran for the stairs and stampeded his way upwards; exactly seven steps up the stairs turned into a landing that wrapped around to another set of stairs going in the opposite direction.  There were another seven steps, until he reached the top.  Sliding his hands up against the wall he switched on every light that was accessible from where he stood.  Before him was a long wide corridor with three doors on either side and one on the very end.  Behind him was an opened area which he figured to be a den of sorts, which overlooked the front street.  On Alex’s right side was a tiny bedroom or something, he wasn’t sure it seemed pretty small.  Across from this was a room about the same size but was a washroom, which seemed quite large as bathrooms go.  Leaving the doors and lights on he continued down the hard wood corridor to the next set of doors.  To his left was a decent sized room facing his neighbors to his right was the exact same room but facing the beach, this one wasn’t too bad at all, but he wasn’t done yet.  Running to the end of the hall and turning on more lights, he opened the door right against the end of the hall, it was a linen closet… ‘how deceiving’ thought Alex, than opened the door to his right, which was the smallest of all the room he’d seen.  What a horrible design!  What could anyone possibly use this room for?  Dismissing this, he searched the last room across the hall.  His eyes widened and he felt his heart falling in love.  The room turned in and wrapped around to the other side of the house.  It had huge bay windows on the side across from the entrance and even bigger ones in the back.  Against the wall of the far side of the room was a closed wooden door, Alex approached it expecting a closet, ‘how deceiving’ thought Alex with a huge grin; it was a huge tiled bathroom with bath and separate shower.  It was huge! Much bigger than the last the last bathroom he’d seen.

 
            With a sudden spark of reality, Alex felt his heart shatter.  This was bound to be his father’s room, no questions asked and now arguments permitted.  “AL-EX!”  Yelled Bruce in a sing song tone, “Get your butt down here!  I want to get this done!”

 
“Coming Paps!”  Replied Alex, shaking off some disappointment he ran his skinny body back down the hallway and continued down the bending stairs.  “Dad! This place is huge!”  Screamed Alex with uncontrollable excitement.

 
“AHH!”  Yelled Bruce, scaring Alex as he entered the garage through a door he hadn’t seen on his way in, which was directly behind the front door, “Don’t let that door close!  It locks automatically!  I’m guessing you the keys are still in the front door.”

 
“Uh…” Thought Alex as he patted down his pockets as a guilty smile crossed his face, “Yea, you’re probably right.”

 
“Of course I am.  ”  Winked Bruce, opening the back of the trucks trailor.

 
“How are we gonna fill all those rooms?”

 
“I’m sure we’ll manage.”  Bruce assured Alex, “We’ve got to get this done fast, I’m pooped and we gotta be up early for the delivery guys tomorrow.”  He explained.

 
“Movers?”  Asked Alex curiously.

 
“Yea, with the furniture… They should be here by ten.” Bruce grunted as he forced a huge box spring loose from the cluttered metal box. “Grab the other end will yea?”


“Oop, sorry.”  Giggled Alex as he ran for the corner of the bed that was about to fall to the ground.  “Where’s it going?”

 

“To my room of course, just follow me.”  Alex cringed slightly at the words his father said, feeling the thoughts of his dream room drift farther and farther away.

 


            Struggling up the single concrete step and through the door, Bruce turned the box spring a little too fast causing Alex to just about find his face to the floor.  Luckily he was able to find his footing before the step below him met his jaw, “Geeze Dad, careful would yea?”  Through the door into the house, they worked their way towards the stairs.  But instead of turning onto the stairs to the left of them, they continued down the hall.  “Hey Dad… uh… where are yea going?”  Asked Alex with confusion, “The rooms are upstairs.”

 
“Not my room.”  Chuckled Bruce, watching confusion and excitement crawl its way into Alex’s enthusiastic smile, “My room’s behind the kitchen.”

 
“Really?  That means there’s like six rooms in this place!”  Realized Alex just as the were crossing into the kitchen.

 
“Yup, that also means you can have that big room upstairs.”  Smiled Bruce.

 
“Haha, how’d you guess?”  Giggled Alex, nearly bumping into the kitchens island as they began to turn.

 
“That was the selling point of this place.  Two huge rooms and my favorite right on the main level near all the entrances and kitchen.”  Explained Bruce.

 
            They shimmied their way into the room and struggled to switch on the light, it was a fairly large room, a little narrower than the one soon to be Alex’s but definitely decent sized.  “I wouldn’t have guessed that this room existed.”  Said Alex as he placed the box spring down against the wall and gazing the room over.


“I was surprised myself.  When I came up here a couple weeks ago, I’d seen eight different houses; this one was the last on the list.  I wish I was shown it first.  Could have saved me a lot of trouble.”

 
“I’d imagine.  But let’s get this done, I’m tired as hell.” Struggled Alex through a yawn.

 
            A good two hours later the truck was finally empty.  Alex had just put the last box inside his closet, just outside of his very own bathroom and was about to go announce his turning in for the night.  Shuffling across several boxes and some bags, the lights in the room flickered; just like they would in a power surge.  A shiver crawled up his spine and shadows bounced against the walls as if they had a life of their own.  In the corner of his eye, Alex thought he saw a bunch of bugs crawling out from a small hole in the wall beside him.  A strange creaking sound buzzed in his ears as if someone was twisting a soaked length of rope.  “AH!” Cried Alex, jumping away from the wall and falling onto his bed, “DAD!”

 
            The thumps of footsteps were heard climbing stairs and down the hallway, “What is it?!”  Yelled Bruce, bursting in the door fearing the worst had happened.  He looked at his son, who had looked to have seen a ghost; his skin was even whiter than normal and the start of a cold sweat was emerging from the pores across his face.

 
“There!”  Alex pointed to the wall, “Bugs!  Lots of em!”  He tried to explain, but when he looked back at the wall there was nothing there, only a dark green smudge just above the baseboard.

 
“What?  Alex… it’s just… huh..”  Bruce stopped in mid speech and crouched down towards the wall to get a better look.

 
“Huh?  What does that mean?  What is it?” Begged Alex, starting to feel stupid for his recent actions.

 
“Oh, nothing.  No big deal… just some mold.”  Explained Bruce in a hallow tone.

 
“Mold? Isn’t this place new?  I thought this whole strip was just built.”  Questioned Alex as he slid himself off of the bed and next to his Dad on the floor.

 
“Yea, they’re brand new.. We’re the first people to live here… Must have been a spill or something on the paint, I’m sure we can just wash it off.”  Decided Bruce, then climbed back to his feet using the wall as support.

 
“I hope so.. But we can do it in the morning right?  I’m tired as hell.”  Admitted Alex once more.

 
“Yea, sounds like a plan.  It’s not going anywhere, have a good night Squirt.”  Smiled Bruce while strutting to the door and looking back over his shoulder with a grin spread across his face.

 
“DAD! *sigh* Never mind, good night.”  Finished Alex than jumped on his bed and snuggled into his pillow.

 
            The night was hot and humid, the only relief was the occasional breeze that swept off of the ocean and gently brushed up against the sweat rolling down Alex’s forehead.  The sound of crickets filled the air in a non stop symphony that could drive anyone to insanity.  If it wasn’t for the heat, the window would be closed, but the breeze was worth the disturbances supplied by the crickets late night charade.


            Feeling groggy and unsatisfied, Alex was awoken by the invasive sounds of banging and laughter which travelled through the house in a horrific echo.  The delivery guys must have arrived.  Forcing himself out of bed, Alex sat up and glared heavily out the window still half a sleep.  The seagulls had taken over the sky and hidden it from him, but the ocean was calm and inviting.  It was strange waking up to the ocean outside of your window, but it was a good strange.  This was definitely something Alex could get used to.

 
            Raising himself to his feet, Alex stumbled himself in the direction of his bathroom.  He had decided a quick pee and a short shower would wake him up.  Feeling bitter towards the noise below him, he made his was from the toilet to the shower; which he had hoped to enjoy his first time in there.  A nice relaxing and long shower, but the men downstairs made him feel uncomfortable and self-conscious.  ‘What if they were to come in while I was in the shower’ he thought to himself.  Settling for what he was comfortable with, he was in and out in less then two minutes; however he had forgotten to find a towel before hand.  In a moments panic he grabbed his old t-shirt and dried off with that as fast as he could.  Crouching low to the ground just like he was trying to hide, he ripped open a bag and threw on whatever he grabbed first; which ended up being his old gym shirt and tattered old baggy shorts. “Who cares, it’s not like I’m trying to impress anyone.”  He told to his own reflection in the window.

 
“Alex?  Is that you?”  Asked Bruce hearing the heavy heals hopping down the stairs.

 
“Yea Dad, Movers here huh.”  Alex pointed out feeling he needed some kind of verbal assurance to what he already knew.
 

“Yup, for about half hour now.”  Replied Bruce.

 
“Cool… uh.. there anything for breakfast around here?”  Alex’s stomach asked as well.

 
“That’s a negative.”  Bruce shrugged, “We’ll go out for a bite once we’re done here, than maybe try and grab some groceries.

 
“I’m starving!”  Pouted Alex with a hard cold sigh, disappointment consuming his belly he plopped his bottom down on a bar stool inside the kitchen, “Hey, this place aint that bad… too bad you can’t cook worth beans.”  He teased his father.

 
“You never know, I could learn.  But I agree this is nice isn’t it.” Bruce said to his son while he slid his hand over the shining surface of the black granite counter top.  The kitchen had stainless steel appliances, surrounded with black granite counters, island and bar, which opened up to the dining room where they both shared a wide glass door that lead out to the deck and then the back yard.  All the bedrooms were carpeted but the kitchen had a creamy looking marble tile; the rest of the house was finished with red stained cherry wood flooring.  “Holy Crap!” Blurted Alex, jumping from his seat and rushing over to the huge sliding door beside them, “We have a pool! … hey.. we have a pool?  Why?  The ocean’s our neighbor…”

 
“I dunno.” Shrugged Bruce, “Maybe for those lazy days, beats me Squirt.”

 
            Alex dismissed the name and ran out onto the deck.  The sound of the seagulls instantly filled his head and the smell of salt water filled his nostrils.  He stomped down the nine stairs into the back yard (which was a decent size) and explored  his new domain.  The pool was a generous size, about twenty feet wide and thirty feet long in a perfect rectangle, bordered with red brick than white concrete.  Grass filled the rest of the yard, and tall bushes were growing against the entire perimeter against the fence.  Under the deck were a couple patio chairs which were hiding in the shade, but what interested Alex the most were the two huge doors that were built at a twenty degree angle against the foundation of the house.  In sudden curiosity and excitement he rushed to open them, gripping the handles tight and pulling as hard as he could.  It was no use, they were sealed shut, locked from the inside maybe.

 
“Alex!  We can go whenever you’re ready!” Informed Bruce from directly above Alex.

 
“Kay Dad!  Coming!”  Yelled Alex while looking upwards at the souls of his fathers feet maybe three feet above him.

 
“Hehe, didn’t see you down there Squirt, come on let’s go! You’re starved remember?”  Bruce said, as he than turned back into the house with Alex running closely behind him.

 
            They hopped into the heated car, feeling a heavy curtain of moisture weigh them to their seats.  Sweat began to gather on their brows, but this was the one time the heat didn’t bother either of them, there stomachs were in control.  Rolling down the windows, Bruce opened the garage door and they were on their way.  The drive itself was quiet and uneventful, but Alex did get to soak up some scenery in case he decided to go on a walk later; so he didn’t get lost.  “Oh that’s right!  There’s your school! You start there on Monday.”  Bruce pointed to a red brick one level building to their right.

 
“Oh come on Dad, schools gonna be out soon, what’s the point?”  Whined Alex.

 
“It’s a month and a half… we can’t have you sitting at home for that long, summer will be here soon anyway and you can be board all you want.”

 
“But than I’ll have to switch schools in September, I’m going into grade nine remember?” 

 
“Yea, of course.  This school goes from Kindergarten to grade twelve.  You wont have to transfer out so chill a bit.”  Teased Bruce.

 
“Well… I guess that’s alright.” Decided Alex, turning away from the school behind them “So does that mean I’m actually going to a public school?  Mom would be appalled.”  Alex’s throat sealed instantly, he felt his heart clogging it up.  Instant regret and remorse flooded his emotions; he had tried so hard not to mention his mother in front of his Dad until his little problem had subsided a bit more.  He looked over to his silent father in fear of a sudden melt down.  “Dad, I’m sorry… I…”

 
“It’s alright Squirt… I can’t expect you to tip toe around me anymore.  It’s not fair on you, and I doubt pretending the feelings aren’t still there isn’t helping much either.”  Explained Bruce while rubbing the scalp of his head.

 
“Still.. I should be more careful, at least for a little longer.”

 
“Hey, what about this place?”  Asked Bruce, changing the subject completely.

 
“Sure.. anything, I’m too hungry to care right now.”  A quick spell of regret dawned over Alex the moment those words left his mouth.  The Diner they were pulling into looked just like one of those places on all the psycho killer movies; all run down and dingy looking.  Not to mention the name of the place was Mellow-Anne’s.  Unique was probably the best word for it, not exactly designed to draw in customers.

 
            Just as suspected the small diner was a bit depressing, the faded blue padded booths in a narrow line against the windows all had cracks and tears in the upholstery, the tables were scratched and dinged; a small row of stools that were attached to the floor in front of the counter, which Bruce referred to as “The waitress’ nightmares” socially oppressed bachelors were drawn to these kinds of seats, seeking sympathy from their server.  This normally would result in horrible jokes overpowering laughter and passes at the waitress without shame or decency.

 
“So what’ll it be fella’s?” asked a thin, middle aged woman who’s outfit matched the upholstery to a Tee.


“Ummm..” Struggled Alex, trying to speed his way across the menu in front of him.

 
“I’ll have a black coffee with a cheeseburger and fries.”  Said Bruce without the help of the Diner’s menu.

 
“Same here!”  Blurted Alex, “But can you put bacon on it too?”

 
            The waitress smiled and reached for her notepad and pencil which was tucked away in here stained white apron that was tied loosely around her waist. “Sure thing Squirt.  Anything to drink?”

 
“Uh…” Alex looked over at his Dad, who had started to chuckle under his breathe from the ladies use of nicknames, Alex’s face turned red “Yea… just a coke please.”

 
“Coming right up boys.”  Replied the waitress, spinning around on here right heel with the grace of a ballerina, “You need anything else just yell out my name.” She leaned over and pointed out a golden strip of a badge which may or may not contain the form of her name on it, it seemed to be caked in years of grease and Diner filth.

 
“Uh.. which is?” Smiled Bruce as he leaned forward and squinted his eyes toward her name tag.

 
            The women stretched out her lips and chin into the pit of her neck and lowered her icy green eyes at an awkward angle, “Oh shoot, that’s gross!”  She giggled with some embarrassment, “Megan, you boys can call me Meg.”  She then left behind the counter to complete our order and clean her name tag.

 
“Nice lady.”  Alex decided, folding his menu and putting it back on the side where he had found it.


“Yea she is, she doesn’t look like she should be working here though.”  Replied Bruce, thinking out loud and placing his blue baseball cap on the bench beside where he sat.
 

“Whatcha mean?”

 
“Dunno exactly, kinda like one of those ladies you see in those old sad movies.  Like she moved here to become a star and took up waitressing to get by while she climbed to the top.  But never made it.”  Bruce’s attention was focused on Meg who was pouring the coffee and humming some unheard tune to herself.


“Why would someone move to Monterey to become a star?  Aren’t you supposed to go to Hollywood?”  Alex said while fiddling with the salt shaker.

 
“Yea, most people do.  I dunno, she just doesn’t seem to fit here.  Like she got trapped.”

 
“Geeze Dad, do you have to see the downside to everything?  Seriously…  She seems to be happy, can’t you just take it as that?” Suggested Alex, dropping the lid of the shaker and watching it roll off the table and bounce with a sharp *ting – ting – ling* into the isle beside them.

 
“Where’s the fun in that?”  Bruce chuckled than leaned over to grab the shiny lid on the floor and watched the waitress return with their food and a wholesome smile.

 
“Here you are boys; hope it’s up to snuff.  Anything else I can do for yea?”  She continued a tidy smile while holding her hands on to her hips enthusiastically while bobbing from side to side looking at both Bruce and Alex, one at a time.

 
“Not at the moment thanks.” Replied Bruce, “Has anyone ever told you, you’ve got the most charming radiance about you?   I mean, you just seem… I dunno… familiar I guess.”  Bruce felt his face flush to a crimson red than distracted his eyes to the plate that sat neatly in front of him.

 
“You know,”  Meg gently fidgeted her legs back and forth in a semi-rocking motion, her face was also shaded a warm tone of red as she seemed to show off her perfect sparkling teeth with a smile that could melt any ones heart, not in the sense of infatuation, but more of a caring and accepting way, like that of a proud mother, “That’s defiantly a fresh one to my ears.  But now that you mention it, you seem awfully familiar as well.”  Her face faded out while she tried to place the lost portrait before her.

 
“I’m not getting anything,” giggled Bruce like a shy school boy would have done, “you?”

 
“Sorry, nothing… You boys new in town?”  Meg realized that the two were defiantly the regular town folks which would normally visit.

 
“Yea,” Alex butted in, “We just got here yesterday night.”

 
“Oh yea?  That’s great, how you liking it so far?”  She crouched and leaned her elbow on the table and rested her chin in the palm of her hand while looking Alex right into the eyes.


“So far so good,” Alex smiled and blushed at the sudden closeness.  Meg didn’t smell like she belonged here either, the deception of dirt and grease around them suggested she would be the same, but she smelt of cinnamon and lavender; which oddly mixed quite well. “We’re in those new houses near the beach just off Del Monte.”

 
“Wow they built those places fast, I didn’t even realize people were moving in yet..  They are beautiful homes; I wish I could afford to live out there.”  Meg admitted with a face that showed unsatisfied dreams.

 
“They’re alright,” started Alex, “Just my room has mold already.”

 
“Mold?”  She said with surprise.

 
            Bruce rolled his eyes and sat up in his seat, “It’s just on the surface of the paint, it was probably just a spill or something.  Not event that big, maybe four inches in diameter.”  He explained to Meg in an embarrassed and defensive manor.

 
“It’s alright, those place’s being built that close to water are just asking for trouble if you ask me.  You’d need money just to keep up with the climates damage.  They are very beautiful though.”  Meg said as if she was trying to defend herself, “Well, I should let you boys eat before it gets cold, I’ll be just behind the counter if you need me.”

 
“Oh!” Said Alex, “I’m Alex, and that’s my Dad…”

 
“Bruce.”  Finished Bruce, with a smile towards Alex’s lost looking expression as he tried to remember his Dad’s own name.

 
“Pleasure to meet you fella’s”  With a salute, Meg spun herself around the counter and began to brew some fresh coffee.

 
“Nice lady.” Alex smiled, “I think you got the hots for her.”  He giggled and dropped a fry in his mouth.

 
“Nah, but she does look familiar.. I’m sure we’ve met somewhere before.”  Replied Bruce as-a-matter-of-factly.

 
            Alex shoveled a hearty bite of his burger into his mouth and chewed greedily, “God, mom would kill us for eating this crap for breakfast.”  He pointed out, noticing his fathers head dip to the table with a strange look of guilt.

 
“Yea, you’re right.”  Was all he said in reply.  With a drawn out sigh, he reached for his burger and with a sudden smile he lifted it to his mouth and took a massive chunk out of it.  Chewing with obvious difficulty, his cheeks bulged with the contents of his mouth and slowly reddened.  His lips spread and parted into a disgusting meaty smile, soggy fragments of half chewed food fell to his lap.  Showing his teeth clamped tightly together with squinted eyes, Alex dropped his food to his plate and hissed in laughter while trying not to spray his food all over his plate he slapped his hands to against his mouth, feeling the bubble of carbonated fizz simmering in his nostrils.

 
“EWE! Dad!  That’s so gross!”  Alex chimed, struggling to swallow between giggles.  Bruce felt the sensation of liquid oozing out of his mouth and down his chin and slurped fiercely to control his possible slobber.  Alex laughed some more as the mayo and juices leaked off of his Dad’s chin and onto the table.


            Without so much as a word, Bruce chewed and swallowed his food seemingly struggling to get it down his throat.  He reached for a fry which was soaking in ketchup since its arrival and picked it up in a pinch of his thumb and pointer finger as if it were some kind of infectious disease.  Wiggling it tauntingly, he smiled over at Alex than flicked his wrist; magically the fry disappeared from his grasp.  A slap was heard and Alex flinched back against the rest of his seat in a panic.  Blinking his eyes in sudden disbelief he looked down at his shirt, as a single soggy ketchup covered fry gently slithered down his shirt almost in slow motion.


“AH!”  he screamed, then looked over at his Dad who was laughing so hard his face looked to be similar to a beet.  “YOU PIG!  That is so gross!”  Alex shouted through a hiding smile; staring at his Dad who had all of a sudden grown stiff.  Bruce’s eyes enlarged as if he was about to panic, but his purple complexion changed miraculously to a pale shade of white like he had just seen a ghost.

 
“Uh… No sir… Umm He was talking to me officer, I’m so sorry.”   Bruce stifled out with a scratchy throat.  They were too consumed in their own stupidity to notice the pair of police officers that had sat directly in behind where Alex was sitting.

 
            In curiosity Alex slowly turned his head, as if expecting something to jump out of him, only to lock eyes with a balding deputy who had one eyebrow lifted at them.  Alex didn’t know what to say, but as it turns out he didn’t have to.  The bugging brown eyes of the man staring directly at him caused the awkwardness to brew and explode in a fraction of a second.  Alex whipped his head back down to the table covering his reddened face with his hand, the sprayed sounds of sloppy uncontrolled laughter escaping between his fingers.  Bruce smirked at first in an attempt to be the mature one, but as the laughter from Alex didn’t slow and only showed signs of escalation, his will was destroyed and his humor was tickled at the upmost influence.  Like a sudden scream in fright, Bruce cackled in a high pitched tone surprisingly breaking his vocal cords limits, nearly piercing every ones drums and shattering the glass.  Alex looked up at his father in sudden shock and pride.  This in turn only urged their hysteria to a heightened level.   Bruce reached into his back pocket and tossed some cash in the center of the table and signaling Meg their departure.  Her smile was wide and her cheeks were red, even she seemed to be tempted into their void of embarrassment.  Grabbing his hat from beside him, he reached for Alex’s arm to usher him to the door.  With their heads shielded with their hands they bolted out of the Diner, only to have the fresh air fill their lungs and fuel the laughter to become louder.  Hearing their own voices echoing off the buildings around them didn’t help one bit.  Alex ran for the truck, remembering the fry on his shirt and chucked it towards his father.

 
            Getting in the cabin of the truck, they both scampered to pull on the seatbelts.  Again Alex had problems with the clasp, while Bruce struggled with the ignition; it had seemed that the keys had turned to some form of jelly.  Alex suddenly stopped, the silence grabbing Bruce’s attention, he looked towards his son who was still giggling, but pointing at his fathers chest.  Bruce looked down to find the same soggy fry oozing now down his own shirt.  Rolling down the window and grabbing the fry like it were the smelliest and dirtiest of socks he tossed it out the window.

 
            Alex’s eyes grew large and water gathered in the corners of his eyes while holding back his laughter, “Dad… uh… Those cops were parked beside us..”  Bruce turned and his eyes seemed to bulge from their sockets, gasping for air and frantically shaking his confused head from side to side; trying to remember what he was doing, then turned to the dash he fumbled the keys in the ignition and started the roaring beast.  Shifting into reverse and pressing on the ignition, they left the lonely fry to gently caress the windshield of the Police Cruiser.

 
“Dear god!  We’re never gonna be able to show our faces there again.”  Admitted Alex, feeling his lungs fill with well needed oxygen.

 
“Oh… I beg to differ, we will return, I have no shame.”  Bruce assured his son.

 
            Alex rolled his eyes and looked over to his father as he raised his eyebrows and portrayed his best enthusiastic face that he had, “You meant ‘PRIDE’ right?”  Teased Alex.

 
“Oh right.. of course.”  Giggled Bruce, “So what should we do first?   Grab groceries or a t.v?”

 
“Is that honestly a question?”

 
“You’re right,” Smiled Bruce, “What was I thinking, off to the supermarket.”  He flinched towards the door away from Alex’s reach while managing to keep the truck on the road.

 
“Dad!  Come on…”  Whined Alex sarcastically.

 
“Yea, I know.. Off to the mall than?”

 
“The Mall?  Are you mad?  Who the hell buys a t.v. at the mall?  That’s like buying a car at a toy shop.”  Explained Alex in disgust.


“Really?!  Toy stores do that now?”  Bruce commented in a serious tone.

 
“Shut up…” Whispered Alex, “Hey look!  There’s an electronics store!”  Alex pointed with sudden excitement, startling Bruce and causing him to turn suddenly in the direction his son was pointing. The tires squealed and the entire truck rocked back and forth frantically as the rear wheels fish tailed and jumped up a curb.  The vehicle lifted and dropped in a horrific thud and clunk.  Once Bruce regained control of himself and the trucks movement steadied, they were already inside the parking lot of the Electronics Galore store thanks to a little help from that curb and sidewalk in behind them.  “Wow… Just.. wow.”  Alex grinned awkwardly, unsure of how he was meant to be feeling at that exact time.

 
“Jesus Christ!” screamed Bruce as the sweat dripped past his right eye, “Never!  And I mean never!  Let me do that again!”

 
“Hehe, sorry Dad… On the bright side, this truck is apparently immortal.”

 
“Let’s hope so, I’d hate to see what damages they could blame on me if something were to happen to it.  Anyway, let’s get…”  Bruce stopped to hear the passenger slam in the middle of his sentence; Alex was already on his way through the doors of the building in front of them.

 
            It had taken a good ten minutes until Bruce went to the main desk and asked the customer service rep to page his thirteen year old son to the front.  With a blushing smile Alex emerged from the rows of DVD’s to their left, following in behind him was another rep, with a forced smile on his face.  Bruce later found out that Alex had grabbed him and had him walk around looking at televisions.  The rep wasn’t all too happy about it, well at the time.  He had originally thought that it was just some kid wasting his time, but upon meeting Bruce his attitude seemed to grow some life in to it.  The lady in behind the desk giggled at Alex’s excitement and the way he forced the man behind him to follow by pulling at his wrist.  “You wanna take over Patty?”  Whispered the man, as he was dragged in behind Alex who was now following Bruce

 
“Not a chance Ray, I’ve got my eyes on front desk.”  She smiled and went back to whatever it was she was doing.

 
“Awe come on Ray,” Giggled Alex, “It’ll be fun, besides, you gotta make sure my Dad doesn’t get a piece of crap t.v.” 

 
“Okay, but can I have my arm back?” Begged Ray.

 
“I dunno, you promise you wont try to run again?”  Snickered Alex skeptically.

 
“Promise.”  Agreed Ray, with an assuring smile.

 
“Hey, Ray right?”  Asked Bruce, “What would you think of this one?”  Bruce pointed to a fifty inch wide screen t.v.

 
            Ray looked down at Alex who was shaking his head, “Uh..” Ray began nervously, “Projections are okay, but they’re a little bulky.  I’d recommend and LCD, plasma’s are cool, but I don’t think the technology is quite right yet, best to wait for them to get all the bugs out.  The beauty with LCD’s is you don’t need to panic every time some one nears the screen and they’re just as thin and can fit just about anywhere you want them.”

 
“Alex…  Are you coaching this guy?”  Smiled Bruce with a raised eyebrow.

 
“Of course.”  Giggled Alex.

 
            It was two hours and three more staff members that finally got Bruce and Alex out of the store.  Bruce struggled with the receipts and Alex nearly grinning his face off as he watched the two guys loading up the back of the old truck with their brand new sixty-five inch LCD tv, BlueRay home theatre system and free DVD player.  Ray waved the two off and watched them until they were out of the parking lot.

 
“Hmmm Ray seemed happy to see us go.”  Said Alex.

 
“I wonder why.”  Replied Bruce, rolling his eyes, “I can’t believe how much money we just spent, that’s the last time I go anywhere with you.”

 
“And! Four professional electronics staff.”  Giggled Alex, “So, does that mean we don’t have to go grocery shopping?  Since we’re broke and all that is.”

 
“We’ve got to go either way; we’ve literally got nothing in the house that we can eat… or drink for that matter.”

 
“Oh, well… don’t panic, and no rush.. but there’s a supermarket to our right.”  Alex grabbed his seat belt and the car doors handle in order to brace himself.


“Very funny, I saw it.”  Bruce poked his tongue out, then signaled his turn.

 
            Shopping being horrible and boring normally was even more horrible and boring when two guys tried to grab things they needed to fill their cupboards completely.  That included pots, pans, plates, cutlery, most importantly food.  Other than the jam Alex had dropped and the cardboard display that Bruce used to cover the spill up, grocery shopping remained uneventful.  They had taken as little possible with them on the move and gave most of the plates and cutlery back to Bruce’s ex-in-laws because he was sure they had family history in them.  That had been very emotional for everyone, but also had been very much appreciated.

 
            Most the day had disappeared before the two finally arrived back at home, the sun was looking heavy in the sky and the sounds of crickets were beginning to start once again.  Bruce quickly unloaded everything and the two of them sat down in the living room next to the oddly placed fireplace which separated the dining room from the living room.  “I didn’t even know this was here.”  Chuckled Alex, who then slapped the side of the iron and brick giant beside him.

 
“Strange huh, I had completely forgotten about it too.  Not something one should forget, it is weird placement isn’t it.”  Decided Bruce, while tearing the wires of the speaker from its own separate bags, “Now where the hell would these go?”

 
“Dad… Blue wire goes in blue connection in the back of the console.”  Explained Alex.

 
“Nah, that’s way too easy, there’s got to be some kind of catch… Just like this house, I was wondering why it was so much cheaper than I thought it would be and now we’ve got a mold problem.”

 
“You said we could just wipe that off.”  Worried Alex, as he snatched the speaker from his Dad’s hand and plugged it into the corresponding insert in the back of the BlueRay player.

 
“Yea, well.. Make sure to use some bleach just to disinfect the wall.  Don’t want it growing back, mold can be tricky… Oh shoot, I’ve got to get this truck into the lot before they close tonight or they’ll charge us for another week.  You’ve got it under control here right?”  Assumed Bruce, already getting up off of the floor.

 
“Yea, I should be cool.  You gonna get a new car too?”  Inquired Alex while positioning the speakers around the room.

 
“Yea, but just a rental for now.  I want to try something out for a while before we buy one.”  Alex liked the way he said we, it kind of made him feel like an equal to his Dad, not like a kid anymore.

 
“Sounds cool, try not to get anything too dorky looking, you’re gonna have to drop me off at school in it…  I don’t need another shabby wagon crampin my style.”  Explained Alex, trying to look serious.

 
“If you’ve got style, than I’ve got… more ketchup!”  Bruce yelled and jumped toward Alex, poking the smear of ketchup stained on the boy’s shirt.

 
“You’re the one to talk!”  Yelled Alex in retaliation, pointing back at the smudge also on his fathers.

 
“Oh thanks, guess I should change that huh.”  Bruce maneuvered himself around the boxes and wrappings than in behind the new black leather couches and recliners and carefully tip-toed towards his bedroom in behind the kitchen.

 
            After his father had left, it had only taken Alex half hour to complete the assembly of wires and positioning of speakers.  Flicking through several fuzzy channels of nothing, he soon realized that the cable wasn’t yet connected and shut the new toy off.  After a quick trip to the strange bathroom next to the foyer he decided to take a walk to the beach.  He had been there almost twenty four hours now and had yet to admire the new location.


            The moment he was out of the house, the noise of the arguing seagulls and the harassing croaking of the crickets took over his ear drums.  But deep in the background he could hear the luring sounds of gentle ocean waves caressing the shore only a quick walk away.  Meeting the end of his yard he awkwardly hopped to the bottom of the hill that the foundation was built upon and continued towards the inviting waters before him.  There was a long row of palm trees which bordered a winding jogger’s path and connected the short rows of newly built homes along the beach.  Just as Alex crossed the path and took his first step on the soft sand, he was disappointed to what he felt.  He had this illusion built up that his first trip to the beach would be miraculous and magical.  That first step was supposed to start the epic tale and cast upon him a moment of enlightenment and greater being.  However, this was harshly over thought; the only feeling he got was the gritty dry sensation, like cotton being pressed in your ear.  Taking his second step onto the fine white sand as if it were a small step on the moon a loud yelp and a brown wispy blur scuffled with his view, this unknown force sent his world tumbling around him.  Feeling the sharp sting as his entire back side met the heated asphalt behind him, he looked up into a set of brown sad looking eyes.  But the eyes seemed to have a voice, because they were yelling at him.

 
“Awe!  Now look what you’ve done!  When a guy says to look out you’re supposed to move!” Screamed the voice in a panic, “Now we’re both gonna get it! Those guys are gonna catch us for sure!”  The voice assured him. The eyes backed away from Alex’s body revealing the rest of the person in front of him.  It was a boy, maybe a bit older than he was, with brown shaggy hair just past his ears and parted around his eyes in a cluttered uncombed mess as if he’d been swimming.  He wore a white polyester net styled muscle shirt which showed his thin chest and stomach, and finished with a pair of baggy blue swim shorts with black, loud swirls in them.

 
“Wait! ME?  What I do?”  Screamed Alex joining the panic.

 
“Snap man, we need to hide!” Said the boy, “They’re gaining on us.”

 
“Us?  Shoot!  I didn’t do anything!”  Struggled Alex, as he climbed to his feet.

 
“Sure you did, you crashed into me. Now let’s get outta here!”  He yelled sternly.

 
“Okay!  I know, follow me!”  Alex lead the boy through the trees and than the shrubs towards his house, climbing the hill he perched next to the fence and waited for the lanky looking boy to catch up.  “Here I’ll give you a boost!”

 
“Okay!”  hissed the boy, trying to whisper while looking over his shoulder, “Wait, what about you?”

 
“Never mind I can manage.”  Alex assured the tall boy, noticing the boy was worried about the physics of the Alex’s height to the size of the fence, which stood at least eight feet high.  Alex clamped his hands together on his knee and grasped against the boys soul as he forced his foot into his invitation, Alex regretting this immediately.  The boy had grinded his foot into Alex’s hand, sending sharp pains all the way up his arms. In a split second the boy was on top of the fence and over to the other side with a thud.

 
“Owe.”  The boy moaned groggily.

 
“You okay?” questioned Alex with concern, as he lowered his little body gently to the ground from the top of the fence.

 
“How the hell did you do that?”  Asked the boy in amazement.

 
“Don’t underestimate a guy because of his size.”  Smiled Alex.

 
“Anyway, thanks Squirt, you may have saved both of our lives back there.”

 
“Okay, don’t call me Squirt!  The names Alex, and you’re welcome.”  Said Alex in a demanding tone.

 
“I’m Harvey, pleased to meetcha.  So uh…  Squirt’s a bit of a sore spot for yea?”  Asked Harvey cheekily.

 
“I just don’t like it, that’s all.”  Alex shrugged.

 
“Sorry… Squirt.”

 
“I’m warning you, don’t call me that!” Warned Alex playfully.

 
“Or what?”

 
“Or I’ll send you back over that fence?”  Smiled Alex.

 
“Oh yea… how you gonna do that Squirt?”  Giggled Harvey, he than leaned over to Alex and forced him into a headlock.

 
“Okay.. okay, let go!”  Said Alex in a muffle, feeling the netted shirt scraping up against his cheek.

 
“Come on SQUIRT!” Teased Harvey.


            Alex extended his left arm and through it back has hard as he could forcing his elbow deep into the center of Harvey’s chest.  Harvey’s eyes bulged and he gasped for air in a panic.  The sound could have been mistaken for just another seagull.  Grabbing for his throat, Harvey released Alex from the grip on him.  Alex sat up and scooted a couple inches away from his breathless assaulter and smiled with pride, “I warned you.”

 
“Holy… Shiz boy… I get … the message..”  Struggling to catch his breath he leaned forward and straightened out his back so that he was kneeling in front of Alex, “So is this your place?”  He asked looking around the yard.

 
“Yea, we just moved here yesterday.”  Replied Alex, still smiling.

 
“Sweet.. But why do you guys got a pool?”  Harvey asked, gesturing his head towards the ocean.

 
“Dunno.”  Shrugged Alex, “Why not I guess.” Was all he could think to say.

 
“Good enough for me, still cool though.”  Said Harvey, “So, how old are you Alex?”

 
“Thirteen, almost fourteen.”

 
“Almost huh… I’m fourteen… barely.”  Harvey Replied, but Alex couldn’t think of anything to say beyond that and just sat silently.  “Well, guess I better get heading.  Looks like those guys are gone now.  So uh… is it cool to drop by sometime?  I mean, I know how much it sucks not knowing anyone, I could show you around.”

 
“Yea, sounds cool.  Anytime, I haven’t found anything better to do so far.  I should be here.”  Replied Alex, trying not to sound too pathetic.

 
“Cool, than guess I’ll see yea around.”  Harvey stood up and attempted to climb back over the fence, “Uh… could I get another boost?”  He smirked

 
“Hehe, yea, sure thing.”  Alex giggled, standing up and offering his hands out on his knee once again.

 
            Harvey pulled himself up to the top of the fence and looked back down at Alex with a stupid grin, “You know, I probably could have just jumped from the deck over there.”  Alex looked back at the stairs directly behind him.

 
“Oh yea, hehe” With that, Harvey dropped to the other side of the brown fence.  Alex heard a thud and a couple of muffled words followed by a series of thumps and screams.  Running up the decks stairs to see what had happened; Alex peered over the rail at his new friend who was dizzily struggling to his feet.  With an awkward wave and a wide turn, he disappeared back towards the beach.

 
            Alex had let himself in through the back sliding door and was now in the kitchen filling a bucket of hot water with a bit of bleach.  Boredom struck over him while he waited for the pail to fill, so Alex rummaged through the cupboards curiously.  Grabbing his Dad’s apron and tying it around his waist he suddenly had an idea.  Into the broom closet he went, grabbing some rubber gloves and putting them on; not enough.  He went into the cupboard and found some plastic wrap and started to wind it around his head and across his shoulders.  Grabbing the bucket from the sink he passed a box just beside the stairs right on the top was a pair of his old snorkeling goggles, “Perfect” He said out loud and put them on.  Venturing up the stairs he was startled by the sudden opening of the garage door, there stood his Dad glaring at him awkwardly.

 
“Uh… do I even want to know?”  He asked, unsure if he should smile or throw up.

 
“Mold Dad, Mold!”  Was all Alex said, as he than turned and marched himself toward his room.

 
            Dropping the heavy bucket of water beside him on the floor, Alex dropped to his knees onto the carpet with a heavy thud that echoed down the hallway outside his room.  Examining the mold which grasped the wall before him, he noticed its strange weaving design it had created.  Like a spinning star with vein like roots that looked like they were growing right into the drywall.  It had a bitter yet musky smell to it, almost like compost.  Its color was a dark green almost black in some places and looked as if it would feel fuzzy just like moss growing on a tree.  It was strange, that he knew for sure.  Readjusting his goggles, Alex dipped his hand into the hot water and fished out the yellow sponge and after wringing it out a bit, he scrubbed the wall in front of him as stiffly and fiercely as his arms would allow.  It took nearly ten minutes for the entire thing to completely disappear, but he scrubbed for almost another twenty; just in case.

 
            By the time he was satisfied that the mold would no longer be a problem, he raised to his feet and carried the bucket to the toilet and poured the tainted liquid out of his life for good.  With a quick flush, Alex ventured back to his room to admire his work.  All of a sudden he realized just how hot he was.  The plastic wrap completely sealed in the sweat that had attempted to escape head and shoulders, peeling it off as quickly and awkwardly as he could, he chucked the torn, soaked plastic into the bucket and stripped from the rest of his armor.  Feeling a sudden exhaustion from the day’s events, Alex decided to turn in a little early today.  The moment the thought crossed his mind, was the same moment his body crashed and bounced onto his bed.  The exact moment the world felt as if it were spinning and the exact moment everything went black.



Chapter 2