Episode 17

"So gladiators fought mostly in the city of Rome," Eric whispered under his breath, "And it is said the last fight was January 1st. What year was it against?"

"Eric, can you please listen for three seconds?"

"Okay fine, so how are we supposed to fix this?" Eric said with worry, staring up from his books. We were at the library, and he had finished early, but needed to study. I decided to stay with him for some company, since my mind had been tumbling with thoughts these past few days. It had been a week ever since Mr. Hawk left the house, and left my mother by herself. Mother had not been the same either; she remained enclosed in her bedroom, and William and I acted as if everything was alright, and we did not notice a change. William headed to school by himself every morning, and found every way possible to take care of himself, rather than ask my mother, since he knew she was in the wrong state. Mr. Hawk had not made any effort to contact my mother after the incident in which he accidentally hit her, and Mike had also departed from the home a few days ago.

I had sprinted barefoot outside and reached him by his car, as he was throwing a bag in his car. "You're really leaving?"

"Yes, August," he spat as if I had never mattered to him, "If I'm really a mistake then I should not fucking be here."

"You almost had sex with me to make me stay, and you now decide to leave?"

"Mind your fucking business, okay? It's not about you," he retorted without concern, and jumped within the driver's seat and drifted off before I could even move back from the car. The house had been awfully quiet, and I felt strange about it. However, I played along the days in hopes that the situation would resolve itself. After a week, Eric and I decided to take matters into our own hands.

I shrugged my shoulders, staring at him shake his head and return his eyes onto his books. "I thought you would have a plan, at least today," he commented with annoyance.

"You can think of one with me."

"I'm sorry I don't know how to get your mother to cut off your Dad from her life, and sign the divorce papers."

"That's not the issue," I spat, and when Eric met my gaze with a side tilt, I sighed and turned away. "Maybe it is the issue, but still."

"Still what?" He chuckled, "Mrs. Devinez fucked it up, for all of us actually."

"Mike decided to leave on his own," I attempted to defend my mother.

Eric scoffed, rolling his eyes, "Yea after they fought over your mother."

"Okay let's stop blaming my mom, and let's figure out solutions."

Eric shrugged his shoulders, closed his books and turned to me with a tired stare. "Right now, I just want to nap. You ready to go home?" I nodded my head, and we both stood up and began marching outside the building. When we reached the parking lot, we were surprised to see Alyssa's vehicle behind Eric's car. As we approached the car, the driver rolled down the window, and my eyes widened.

Mike pulled the blunt from his mouth and blew the smoke into the atmosphere. "I thought I was supposed to pick you up today," he said, staring at me. His nose was bruised, and the side of his face was as well. His hair was a mess, and he appeared to not have slept for a few days.

He waved a hand towards Eric, who nodded his head in greeting. We both approached the car, my fingers squeezing the straps of my bag nervously.

"I waited with Eric."

Mike furrowed his eyebrows, "Why, you're scared of me now or something?" He muffled while inhaling his blunt.

I rapidly shook my head, "No, that's not it."

"So something is it?"

I turned towards Eric, "We were trying to find a solution."

"Solution for what?" Mike asked with a raised eyebrow.

I paused for a moment before saying, "Bringing the family back together."

Mike began laughing, and Eric chuckled nervously. I was unsure what to do, therefore I shuffled in my stance, waiting until he finished. When his laughter diminished, turned into a chuckle until he finally stopped, he handed his blunt to Eric who took a few hits, "There's no way I'm going back there August. All I did was try to help him." He shook his head; he was still mad about it. As Eric attempted to hand back the blunt, he shook his head and pulled a second one from his ear. He began lighting it and muffled, "And your mother's stupid."

"How's Alyssa's treating you?" Eric asked quickly before I could answer him the comment about my mom.

Mike shrugged his shoulders, "They have their moments. Her Dad still hates me, but I work my way around it."

Eric nodded his head, "You've been continuing the business?"

"Dad's business?" He scoffed, "I've been selling them for free."

His brother's eyes widened, "Dude, you can't be doing that type of shit, even if you're mad."

Mike nodded his head in agreement, "I know I was being childish. I'll wait until I get my next cut, then I'll leave." His younger brother sighed, and Mike placed a palm on his shoulder. "Call me if anything happens?"

Eric nodded, a disappointed look distorting his features. "You really not coming back Mike?"

"You heard what Dad said, how I'm a fucking mistake."

"Dad is exactly like you when he's mad. I promise you, he didn't mean it Mike. He probably feels horrible right now." When Eric paused for a moment, Mike noticed Eric's look continue to gloom, and he bit his bottom lip. His pride was terribly strong, but his younger brother was much more important. From birth, they had always been close together, and although Eric did not express it, he did miss Mike being home.

Mike took another hit, "I'll see what I can do." Eric's visage instantly brightened, and he rapidly nodded his head. I watched as Mike began chuckling, pushing his brother's face, "You're such a fucking kid sometimes." Eric grinned, and Mike patted his head. "Take care okay? Let me know if anything happens?"

"I will," Eric replied, and Mike nodded his head.

He then turned to me, "You alright?"

"I've been better," I sighed.

"How about next time you tell me you don't need a ride so I don't need to drive all this fucking way, damn," he hissed. "One thing I don't miss is your dumb ass."

I raised my eyebrows, "Did you have to insult me there?"

He shook his head with a snicker, and sped down the parking lot, exiting the University campus and headed to Alyssa's home. I sighed, following in Eric's footsteps and entering his car. There were things I wanted to ask, but was not sure how to. The revelations that occurred last week still tumbled around in my mind, but there was one thing I could not let go.

While we drove, I finally decided to ask. "Prostitution?" That was the only thing I could say, since there was no other way I knew how to bring it up.

Instantly, I noticed Eric's muscles tense, and he turned the other way, shaking his head. "Dad had no right to bring that up."

"Can you tell me what it's about?"

"Only Mike can," Eric declined, "I don't want to get in the middle of whatever you guys got going on. Mike would be overly pissed if I told you the story."

"Is it bad?"

"Did you not see the way he raged after Dad brought it up?" I nodded my head. "Mike has been through a lot. I'm surprised he's still standing."

I guess I never really took the chance to learn what had happened in Mike's life to make him that way. I judged him based on his behaviour, and that was my mistake. As we drove home in a peaceful silence, we were surprised to find an unfamiliar vehicle in our driveway. At least it was familiar to Eric, but he instantly descended from the vehicle without saying anything. He headed towards the front door where a man stood, and I followed late behind him.

"Uncle Chris?" Eric called out, and the man turned around. The man had familiar features to Mr. Hawk, and I assumed it was a brother. Uncle Chris grinned warmly, and wrapped his arms around Eric, who returned the hug. "What are you doing here? How's Dad?"

"He's fucking annoying," Uncle Chris rolled his eyes, all the comments Mr. Hawk had made replaying in his brain. "He keeps bitching about the situation as if I'm Olivia."

"Is that the reason you're here?" Eric asked.

Uncle Chris nodded, "I wish I came with better news. I came to grab the engagement ring back from Olivia. He wants Olivia, William and August to leave the house by tomorrow night."

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