Where Life Takes Us - 9. Chapter 9 - Family Portiat

ALEX'S LIFE

Alex's Parents started as a young and happy couple. They waited until their early thirties to have a child, who became Alex Micheals.

Mr. Micheals never went to any post secondary school, instead he took over his father's small business and grew it. The store went from one local store to some branches being put up in nearby towns. With his income, he was able to sustain a likeable life style for himself and his family.

Over the years his job became very demanding. He became a workaholic, and Mrs. Micheals couldn't handle it anymore. When she filed for divorce, they began to fight for their eight year old son.

Alex, witnessing some of the fights they had, grew to be quiet and started to think they broke up because of him. When the court case settled, Alex was with his financially stable father. His mother would only see him on some occasions.

He grew up with his father at work till late at night and always having a babysitter. In his mind this meant that his father didn't love him and his mother wanted nothing to do with him.

Alex grew to hide these feelings from everyone. When he met Brett though some things changed. He had found his first crush at age ten. As they grew older they began to experiment, as most young boys do.

Little did either boy know that those experimentations were progressing them to the realization of their sexuality. Brett found another partner in Talon, a boy his own age. Alex once again felt left behind and told his friend that he didn't want to do anything anymore.

Now once again he felt left behind and unloved. Wyatt and Meagan were going out, and he was left without anyone again. Alex began to become depressed, his mind racing over his life. Little did he know how much he was enjoyed amongst his peers.

Owen's Life

“Boy, get down here!” his father screamed from down stairs.

Owen reluctantly got up from his bed and sports magazine. As he made his way downstairs, the smell of weed grew stronger. His head started to ache and he was getting queasy. “Yes Dad?”

“I need you to make these into ounces for me.” Two large Ziplocks of weed and cocaine sat on the table waiting for his packing. Owen stood there, weed now taking over his system. “What are you waiting for; pack it!”

Owen walked over to the table and began packing. Just as his father had made him do in the past, he made sure they were all a little smaller than an ounce. It took him only half an hour to complete the task.

Owen had obtained the munchies in the midst of packing. On his way back up to his room he grabbed a bag of chips from the kitchen. As he was making his way up to his room he heard his phone go off. He had obtained a text message from Wyatt.

Wyatt – Do you know why Meagan asked me out?

Owen – She's had a crush on you for a bit

Wyatt – How have I not noticed?

Owen – I don't know oblivious much?

Wyatt – Shut up! Anyways wanna go swimming tonight?

Owen – Who's all going

Wyatt – Talon, Me, Alex, Zaine and Meagan

Owen – Sur, What time?

Wyatt – 6pm sharp!

Owen glanced at the clock, 4:47. Knowing he'd get high just by going downstairs, he made the trip while still buzzed. On his way down he heard his father yelling at the TV. He was watching some kind of sport, obviously high.

“Dad, I'm going to go swimming tonight, okay?” Owen yelled from the base of the stairs.

“Whatever! What the fuck was that, ref!!” Owen rolled his eyes and returned to his bedroom. Getting his things together took mere minutes; he now had to find his cologne for before and after the pool.

Once everything was in place, he made his way downstairs and through the smoke once again. Getting outside as fast as he could, hee sprayed his cologne over himself and made his way towards the pool.

Owen arrived and paid for his entry. As he entered the changing room though, he heard two familiar voices. Wyatt and Talon had arrived early, no doubt 'cause of Wyatt. Owen had wanted to get here early so he would be in the pool before everyone else showed up.

It was seconds after he entered the changing room that everything went silent. He thought they had gone into the pool. As he turned the corner, there was Wyatt fixing his shorts.

Wyatt spotted him in the mirror, “Owen, your early!”

“It must be you rubbing off on me.” On a closer inspection Owen could see Wyatt still had underwear on. “You wear underwear swimming still?”

“Was never allowed not to. It's just a habit now I guess.” Wyatt started making his way towards the pool entrance but stopped, “You okay?”

“Ya I'm fine.” Inside Owen was worried Wyatt might have noticed.

Wyatt bit his lower lip. “It's just that your eyes are red and you have a lot more cologne on than usual.”

Owen thought quickly. “I got soap in my eyes when I was having a shower. Then my finger slipped and my Axe can decided to spray me more.”

“If you say so...” Owen knew he hadn't fooled Wyatt. Wyatt just didn't like pushing issues.

Wyatt himself hadn't told most of his friends what it was like at the orphanage. He hadn't even told Talon everything. It wasn't bad, just not the normal for everyone else. He didn't want to make them feel bad about his situation just over a year ago.

Owen was different though. It's not that he didn't want everyone to feel bad for him; it was that he couldn't tell them. If he told anyone, it would get out his father deals drugs. He would be put either in the orphanage or in the system, and he didn't want either option to happen.

So Owen got changed into his swimsuit and joined everyone for an evening filled with his friends. Forgetting everything about his life at home he just enjoyed the time he was having.

From Wyatt's Notes:

It's weird going out with Meagan. I mean, before, we were friends who hung out all the time. Now, we hold each others hands and stuff. I don't know. It just feels weird.

I don't know why it does though. I mean me imagining kissing Alex feels normal. Hell, even kissing Talon is okay in my books. Yet holding Meagan's hand is weird... So does that mean I'm gay?

I've heard a few kids in school talk about the 'gay kids' in school. I don't know any of them by name just by looks. I don't think I fit into their looks but maybe their sexuality.

Homosexuality (from Ancient Greek ὁμός, meaning "same", and Latin sexus, meaning "sex") is romantic attraction, sexual attraction or sexual behaviour between members of the same sex or gender. Or that's what is on Wikipedia... So attraction to the same gender... Am I?

Anyways, Meagan and I have went on a couple of dates but they were super awkward. We mostly just hung out at the movies like we would with everyone else, just without them. Maybe this wasn't a good idea.

Meanwhile in the Luis household bad news had hit its oldest resident. Grandpa Nicholas had gotten sick a few days back and went to the doctor's for some tests. He did not have the flu but what they found was even worse.

Around his kidneys the beginning of cancer had shown. The elderly man was at his doctor appointment alone when he heard the news. The cancer was in the early stages of it's development. The doctor believed in one surgery they could remove most of the problem. The rest would be covered in some chemotherapy.

Grandpa Nicholas organized a family dinner that night to inform them. He needed to tell them even if there was little danger at this time.

Once everyone had sat down and served, he spoke up, “I have something to tell you all. But before I do, promise me you'll let me finish before you overreact.” Everyone nodded. “At the doctor's today my tests came back and it was positive for kidney cancer.

Wyatt held back what he had to say thinking of the promise he just made. “It's still in early development and the doctor believes it can be eliminated with a single surgery and some chemotherapy. I'll be alright.”

Wyatt raise his hand as if he was in class. Talon, Caitlyn and Kayla were trying to talk over each other. Diana took her spoon and tapped her glass for their attention. “One at a time. And since Wyatt is patient, he can go first.”

He blushed and lowered his hand. “Would I be able to accompany you to the treatments? Company is always nice.”

“Of course you could, Wyatt.”

Wyatt smiled. “Thanks Grandpa!”

Even though a year has passed since he moved into the Luis household it didn't feel right to call Diana and Kenneth Mom and Dad. Grandpa Nicholas was an exception. He was 'Grandpa' to Wyatt. It wasn't that he loved him more, it was that he had established a better connection with the old man.

“I'll come too!” Talon chimed in. “Two is company, but three makes a party!”

Wyatt looked at his younger brother, “Party? Talon it's 'three's a crowd'.”

“Whatever, you know what I meant!”

The rest of dinner was uneventful. Talk of school and work surrounded the table. Wyatt remained quiet as usual unless spoken too.

After dinner was done, Wyatt stayed and helped his grandfather with the dishes. “So how come you didn't talk about school at dinner?”

Wyatt shrugged “Nothing that exciting I guess.”

“Remember what you asked me the first time we met?” Wyatt did not respond. “You asked me 'What is it like to be loved?' didn't you?”

“Yea...” Wyatt handed over another dish.

Grandpa Nicholas took the plate but his eyes never left the boy. “Do you still ask yourself if you're loved?”

“No sir...”

“That's enough dishes for now. Come sit with me.” The two sat down at the table, Wyatt refusing to make eye contact. “Why are you lying Wyatt?”

“I'm not lying.”

He shook his head, “You always call me 'sir' when you're lying.” Wyatt had been caught and he knew it. “So tell me the truth.”

Wyatt looked at his grandfather. “It still feels unreal. It feels like I'm going to wake up from the longest dream I've ever had and be back in the orphanage alone.

“I do feel loved but it feels like I'm taking it away from Kayla Talon and Caitlyn. They were here before me and now I come in and steal their parent's attention and money.”

“You're not stealing from anyone.”

“It feels like it.” Wyatt started holding back tears. “It feels like Kayla hates me and Caitlyn would rather have me not here. The only one I really feels wants me here is Talon.”

“What about Kenneth and Diana?”

“I know they love me. I just can't bring myself to call them Mom and Mad. Like I said, I feel like I'm stealing their love from their children.”

A smile spread on the man's face. “I felt the same way for a long time. You might feel this way until you move out. But you'll realize that it's not what you think it is. They love you their own way and it doesn't interfere with the others.”

“How many kids were in the house you got adopted into?”

“Twice as many.” Wyatt's eyes spread wide. “Trust me when I say I wasn't the only one that felt that way. Lots of the kids who didn't get much attention felt that way. We were a farm family after all.”

Once again, Wyatt avoided eye contact. “So I guess my situation to you is silly.”

“Not at all. In fact I think it's normal.” Wyatt looked up shyly, “It's barely been a year; you don't feel comfortable yet. You will in time, I promise you that.”

“I know... It's just gonna take time.” Wyatt and Grandpa Nicholas happily went back to washing the dishes. The conversation died there but if Wyatt knew what was going to happen in the coming weeks it wouldn't have.

Chapter end