I step past the wall and into the parking lot looking for Abby's car or Beth's truck only to find I have too far to walk to get there when I see a familiar black Challenger pull up. The goons have picked up on the fact that I'm probably the 'Guy' they were looking for and are quick to catch up as Mark exits his car leaving it running.
"Hey get back here," Football goon number two calls to me as Mark steps up.
Three on one isn't too good but Mark is about their size and he might know how to fight, at least he will more than I do.
"Back off my bro, now," Mark tells the three who are prepared to stand up to him.
"We're supposed to bring him to Brandon," the first and largest goon explains.
"Okay, well go get Brandon and tell him that Guy's brother is here and I'm looking for him. Better yet, go get him for me," Mark counters and now I think he confused them.
I watch the three leave quickly as Mark turns back to his car and parks. I'd like to leave in the time frame now to two minutes ago but Mark isn't budging from the hood of his car as he waits for Brandon. It takes a few minutes but Brandon shows up with the three goons from the football team and Brett, Bethany's boyfriend. Mark spots them and stands up off his hood waving me over to his side.
"Listen Guy, I just wanted to talk with you about what you said to Jenna," Brandon begins before Mark interrupts.
"No, you listen to me. Brandon right? That is my brother, you send three goons to come get him like a fucking thing," Mark asks and now everyone is confused by the hostility in Mark except me.
"I was just trying to find him," Brandon says and Mark looks away from him to Brett.
"Brett you know me right," Mark asks and Brett nods," I got you on Varsity when you needed a shot after I graduated. I helped you sneak out after you almost got caught over at the house without permission from my folks."
"Yeah, Brandon, this is Bethany's brother. They're both her brothers actually," Brett explains and Brandon looks unmoved by the news.
"Okay well I just wanted to talk to him," Brandon explains as Mark steps aside.
"Go right ahead but I don't like what I hear I'm ending your football career," Mark threatens and now I'm a little uncomfortable with all this.
"Listen Guy, Jenna was trying to be nice after everything you did for us. You were there to keep her safe while I figured things out," Brandon begins and I counter.
"You mean while you screwed other girls, that's what you were doing, screwing other girls," my argument is based in fact, facts he doesn't like.
"Listen you're a good friend to Jenna and she doesn't understand why you are so angry with her. I get that you have feelings for her but we're meant to be together," the black running back explains and I almost laugh.
"How many girls were you 'meant to be with' when you were thinking about how to get back together with Jenna? Two? Four? How many were you screwing while she was crying because her 'true love' wanted 'less expensive pussy'," I ask and now Brandon is getting a little upset.
"It wouldn't have worked between you," Brandon begins and I'm in the finishing mood.
"Yes, it wouldn't have worked because I'm a person and she's a soul sucking gold digger," I say the words and barely see the punch coming.
Brandon took his best shot but Mark is bigger and faster grabbing the arm mid flight and stopping it altogether.
"Hiding behind big brother," Brandon sneers and I smile.
"Mark let him go, it's okay," I ask Mark who releases Brandon's arm," Now let me explain something to you Brandon. I'm not a fighter, that's been proven but I am a very upset individual so I'm going to keep this in words for both our sakes. You will probably hit me, I'll fall down, and you'll feel big because you defended Jenna."
"Like a man should," Mark adds and I nod in agreement.
"Problem is that's all you can do, bolster up big and hit me but after that what? Go back to Jenna and tell her how I called her on her shit and it offended you," I ask and nod," Problem is I'll heal up after you hit me but I'll still be right. You can defend her 'honor' all you want but she's a thief and a liar."
"Fuck you," Brandon growls and I smile.
"I'm right here, hit me if you want but guess what? I'll still be right, Jenna will still be a gold digger and you'll just be the football player that completes her picture," I tell him, holding my arms out defenseless.
Okay I couldn't mount a defense to save my life without Mark here in a four on one. I'd like to think Brett would try to get them off of me but who knows. Brandon is pissed and I'm smiling as he turns and stalks off towards his car or Jenna, I don't care which. The football brigade follows him including Brett who gives me a light nod before leaving. I get in Mark's car and we leave school heading towards home.
"You're not following me around at school trying to find me are you," I ask and he laughs.
"No, Beth messaged me and said I needed to get you from school since people were looking for you," Mark explains and I have to clarify.
"Beth, Miss 'Fucking-your-life-up-for-shits-and-giggles' Beth. Your sister Beth," I ask and he nods.
"Your sister too bro, she got worried and apparently this Jenna chick was bitching about you telling her off or something and wanted Brandon to straighten you out man to man," Mark explains his message from Beth.
"Okay and I get all that but Beth," I ask and he nods," Oh what fresh hell has this got me now?"
Mark doesn't understand what I'm talking about but I figure Beth is either being nice so that Mom doesn't hate her or she wants something from me. It explains why she led me out of bed and my nothing to Mom but I'm still wondering what is going on with Mom singing to me and brushing my hair. More so why it's still sticking with me. Mark and I get in the door to the house and I don't get halfway across the foyer when I hear a voice I didn't want to hear.
"Guy, it's good to see you here. I've been hoping to have you back in the sessions so we can get to work on everything," Dr. Hill says with a light smile.
"Yeah well keep hoping because I'm not interested in sitting down and doing anything, especially if it involves you," I inform her and continue past to the stairs and hopefully my room.
"Guy please wait a moment, I understand you are upset that our last session with Beth ended abruptly and I apologize for that but we were making great headway," Dr. Hill explains and I stop to listen," You were showing Beth your actual feelings and I want to try to do the same today with your mother."
"No," I answer and turn to the stairs and head to my room.
I get my bag set down and almost get my homework out when a light knock at my door tells me Mom is outside. I get the door for her and hold it open so she can step in but she declines.
"Honey I think if you come down stairs we'll have a lot to discuss with Dr. Hill," Mom says and I shake my head.
"I don't like her and I don't think she's anything other than an overpaid bullshit artist. Also I have a week of homework to get done," I explain yet Mom looks determined.
"We had a moment yesterday and I really want to discuss that," Mom says and I am ready to invite her in so we can," With you and Dr. Hill."
"Okay explain something to me because I don't understand, she is a good doctor right? A good head shrinker or whatever right," I ask and Mom nods," Then how is it if she's so great that I don't trust a single thing she says?"
"Honey have you given her a chance," Mom asks and I sigh.
"Several, every session I'm doing all the talking and everyone just sits there as more and more questions are asked of me. When I'm not the one with the problem, I am perfectly fine to pack my shit and walk out at any time. It's everyone else that seems to have some super sized problem with my leaving," I say it and Mom looks hurt, damn it," Mom it's not like I'm just saying..."
"You're saying that you are giving too much and not getting anything," Dr. Hill answers from behind Mom and I groan," This is a good point on your perception so let's head downstairs where we can discuss this further."
I am led downstairs by Mom who is happy I'm not fighting her all the way down and once we are seated in the sitting room with the door closed Dr. Hill begins.
"I see you've changed your clothing style," Dr. Hill remarks and I shrug," Any particular reason?"
"A bitch," I keep it short since it's not family. I don't care to talk about it.
"That language has no place…," Dr. Hill begins and Mom chimes in.
"No she is a bitch, Guy spent time and money on her and she just dragged his emotions through the dirt then expected him to like where he was," Mom states and I am a little surprised at the venom in Mom.
"Seems there is a unanimous opinion about this girl among the two of you, that's good," Dr. Hill states and I shrug again," Your mother doesn't like to see you in pain and her aggression towards this female mirrors your own."
"Yay Mom we can hate on people in unison," I mock cheer and Mom smiles lightly.
"Guy when we were here last, you and I, Beth was here and we were discussing how you didn't think about hurting her back. I was speaking with your Mother before you arrived today about that and she thinks it is an admirable trait considering both she and your father are known for having vicious tempers," Dr. Hill begins and I end.
"I know she told you some… things about my Dad but I'm going to make this perfectly clear. Speak about my father at all again in any session and I walk out. I will not come back or attend any future sessions. I don't care who asks. Do you understand me," I state keeping my voice level but inside I'm boiling.
"Guy I'm simply stating," She starts and I stop her.
"Yes or no, Yes you understand and will not say a word concerning my Father or No you will continue this session and all future ones without me," I clarify and Dr. Hill pauses letting me finish.
"I'm not saying anything negative about the man, you have a great deal of love and respect for him. I'm simply stating that you don't seem to bear traits of your parent's tempers," She won't let it go.
"Dr.Hill what the hell did I just say," I ask standing up.
"Guy, sit down for a minute," Mom asks and I pause before sitting back down," Thank you. Dr. Hill I told you about my ex husband so you could understand a happier time in my son's life. He has asked you to refrain from discussing his father. I need you to respect his wishes on this."
"Mrs. Delauter I am attempting to help you and your son with your relationship and that leads back to your divorce and his father is a prime factor in that event," Dr. Hill begins and Mom stands up interrupting her," Mrs. Delauter please let me finish."
"I just did. Guy go upstairs honey and grab your coat, we're getting dinner out tonight," Mom says and I leave the room with speed.
I don't know why she had me grab a coat when it's December in Texas, which is warmer than most think. We barely get snow. I return downstairs with my old beat up winter coat to see Mom speaking with Mr. D.
"She is rude and doesn't seem to care about what happens with my son, pay her for the session and fire her ass Mark. I'll be taking Guy out to get some food for the family, his choice," Mom tells her husband while Dr. Hill stands there in a stunned state.
I follow Mom to her SUV and we're out of the driveway probably before the ink dries on Dr. Hill's final check.