Chapter 3
“Vacation,” Danny asked.
“Yeah,” his mom replied. “Your father and I thought that we’d go some where warm over summer vacation.
“Really, where are we going?” Danny inquired getting up to get a drink.
“We were thinking Florida or Hawaii,” Danny’s mom told him. “But we wanted to know what you thought first.”
“Not Hawaii,” Danny said while picking out a glass. “Florida sounds good though.”
Danny’s mom was surprised by this answer, and she made no secret of it. “But you always talk about how much you want to go to Hawaii.” She said an, incredulous look spreading across her face.
“I can change my mind if I want to,” Danny said, although he thought it strange himself. Danny had been thinking just the other day that he would jump at the chance to go to Hawaii. “Why the sudden change of heart?” he found himself asking...
“Well if you say so Honey,” Danny’s mom sighed walking over to him, and tussled Danny’s coarse black hair. “Time for a hair cut,” she said teasingly.
“But I just got it cut today,” Danny replied rolling his eyes.
“But it’s so long,” Danny’s mom replied.
“It only goes down to my ears,” Danny retorted pulling away from her.
“When did you even have time to get you hair cut?” she asked.
“After my physical,” Danny told her.
“Oh yeah how’d that go,” Danny’s mom asked.
“I’m healthy,” Danny told her then recited the specifics. “Pulse average, blood pressure normal, height six-foot five, weight two hundred and fifty-five pounds, Etcetera, etcetera.”
“Good, good,” Danny’s mom said. “Alright I’ll call you father and tell him to get the tickets to Florida. Why don’t you go get packed?”
“K.O. mom,” Danny responded; as he walked upstairs Danny heard his mom say.
“Hi Honey, yeah, I owe you twenty bucks.”
Danny smiled; he could just imagine what had happened. His mom had said something along the lines of:
“I’ll bet you any amount of money that he’ll choose Hawaii.”
In response his dad had said “Alright twenty bucks.”
Thinking about this Danny went upstairs to pack.
Laury was getting impatient; Steve had told her to wait out here for him, and said that he’d be right out but that had been hours ago, or so it felt to Laury. Inside Steve was having a very serious talk with their parents.
“I’m getting really worried about Laury,” he said.
“What do you mean Steven?” His father asked.
“Don’t act liked our therapist John, you’re not!” Steve snapped.
“Steven! You do not talk to you father that way!” Steve’s mom exclaimed.
“Just because he’s your husband doesn’t mean he my father!” Steve retorted.
“Steven! I will no-” Steve’s mom began but john cut her off.
“It’s OKAY Honey,” he said. To Steve he said “we’re not here to discuss me; we are here to talk about your sister.”
“You’re right it’s just-,” Steve started and then sighed. “Mom do you remember when dad left and Laury got so depressed?”
“God you don’t think she’s going back to that do you?” his mom asked, shock and fear spreading on her face.
“NO!” Steve shouted; the very thought of Laury going back to that sent chills own his spine. “But ever since Laury got that headache she’s taken to muttering to herself, almost as if she were carrying on a conversation with someone who’s not there.
John and Steve’s mom looked at each other and Steve’s mom said. “Alright Steven your father and I will make an appointment with Laury’s psychiatrist.”
“Thank you, but let me tell Laury you know how she can be.” Steve requested.
“OKAY you tell her then,” Steve’s mom replied “But tell her fast I’m
“What took you so long?” Laury asked.
“I had something to discuss with mom and Jonathan,” Steve replied
“Oh what about?” Laury inquired.
“About you actually and, well how shall I put this.” Steve faltered.
“What are you talking about Steve?” Laury asked beginning to get worried. “Steve what’s wrong? You’re always straight with me!”
“Laury we’ve been talking and we’re all in agreement… well you’ve been acting strangely, and we think you should see someone.” Steve tried to explain.
Laury’s eyes narrowed; “What do you mean ‘see someone?’” Laury asked darkly.
Steve hesitated; he knew he was on dangerously thin ice. Laury hardly ever got mad at him, but when she did, boy did she ever get mad! And Steve knew he was really close to royally pissing Laury off. “W-well, you remember Dr. Fitzpatrick; the one you like so much? Well we were hoping he-,” at this point Laury guessed where this was going and interrupted.
“NO!” she shouted. “I will never go back to that shrink!”
“But Laury we really thing you should go;” Steve replied shrinking back a little.
“We! Who’s we?” Laury was practically screaming now.
“Me, and Mom, and John,” Steve stammered.
“John!” Laury exclaimed pointing an accusing finger a Steve. “I thought you were on my side!”
“I am on your side Laury! But-” Steve began.
“But nothing Steve!” Laury was beginning to cry.
“Laury I am on your side that’s why I’m telling you this!” Steve replied pleadingly.
“No! I hate you!” Laury shouted practically sobbing. Steve started after her but tripped, and by the time he regained his footing, Laury was already too far ahead to catch.