Trouble (4 page)

Matt
stood by him. He took off his sweater and proffered it to him. “You
need this more than me,” he said gently.

Still
shivering and in his frustrated state of mind, Byron saw a very
muscular sun tanned teen smiling kindly. He looked like he was
concerned for him and only wanted to help. Byron resented his
carefree and happy demeanor while he seemed so miserable. He looked
at Matt and said viciously, “Look, are you coming on to
me?”

“
No!” Matt was aghast. “You were shivering.”

“
You barely sat for a few minutes out there with me and now
you’re making your move.” He was still shivering. “Next you’ll send
me an invoice for your services.”

“
You’re sick! I’m not coming on to you. Why are you so bitter
and why do you want to hurt me so much?” His face was red with
fury. Still holding the sweater Matt grabbed Byron and held
him.

“
You’re hugging me!” Byron said incredulously.”I can believe
this! If I had my gun I’d shoot you instantly.” He was angry with
his dad and taking it out on Matt. Great, he thought to himself.
Now I have a Quentin clone trying to show me some love. Next he’ll
kiss me on the cheek and say he cares for me, he though
cynically.

Matt
believed him. “I’d be happy if you did that. It would take a load
of my back and I wouldn’t have to deal with it.”

Byron
seemed taken aback by this unexpected response and calmed down
considerably.

“
I’ve never been so insulted or hurt in my life,” Matt said
with a tinge of bitterness.

Byron
realizing he had over reacted tried to make amends. “You can take
your hands off me now,” he said gently. “A lot of things have been
going on in my mind,” he said trying to justify his
tantrum.

Slowly he
took off his vest and gave it to Matt as he took his sweater. “I
know you mean well but no hugs in public. I wouldn’t be able to
live down the fame,” Byron said trying to be funny.

“
Sorry. I don’t know why I hugged you. Maybe you’re really like
a brother to me.”

They
found out that they were from single child families.

“
I’m not usually like this. Shivering and being vicious. I just
feel so lost. Today was just a terrible day for me with dad not
being home and she being assaulted by that goon of a
boyfriend.”

Byron
told him the story of Russ’s attack of another student Quentin and
of hitting Natalie who tried to help him.

Matt
understood the feeling of alienation very well. This teen was like
a mirror image of himself. Like him, he had a father who had no
time for him. It would be interesting to compare notes on how they
handled their issues.

Matt was
very impressed with Natalie. He was overwhelmed with a feeling of
wanting to hold her, defend her and tell her that it was love at
first sight. He was also perceptive enough to realize that to reach
her, he had to get past this teen wearing his sweater and feeling
much better now.

+++++

“
I see that you’ve exchanged gifts,” one of the officers said
to them. ”We’ve called your parents to come and pick you guys
up.”

“
We’ve not exchanged gifts,” Matt retorted. “Can’t you see that
he’s not feeling well?”

“
Can’t you take a joke, man?” the Officer said.

A man in
a designer suit and bleached teeth shining like the bones of a dead
animal in the Sonora desert flashed a toothy smile at him before
walking aggressively to the Officer.

Byron
groaned. He had wanted his dad to come and instead he had sent
Warren the lawyer armed with his false smile and smooth legal talk.
Realizing that Byron was doubly disappointed, he said quickly,
“Your dad couldn’t make it. He loves you. He’s on the phone.” He
passed him his pricey Iphone5.

“
Sorry I can’t make it there Byron. I miss you. I’ll be waiting
for you at home. Warren will bring you over. We need to talk. I’d
like to spend more time with you. I’ve also been chatting to your
mum. Things are looking good.”

Byron
brightened up immediately.

The last
one to show up was Matt’s grand dad.

+++++

It was
deep in the night and Matt couldn’t sleep.

His
granddad came into the room. “Matt you’re okay?”

“
Grand dad, is it hard to forgive?”

He
switched on the light and saw a boy struggling with deep emotional
battles.

“
It takes time,” he said as he sat on the bed.

“
I’m trying so hard to forgive but it’s so
difficult.”

“
On your own it may be difficult to forgive. But you need that
spiritual thing inside you to help you forgive.”

“
Why does dad hate me?”

“
I don’t think he hates you. He’s just too busy with his
career. I’m sure that with time, he’ll get to appreciate
you.”

“
I hope so.”

“
You’ve a father in heaven who loves you 24/7. He cares for you
and will never leave you nor abandon you. Never forget that
Matt.”

Matt felt
much better.

“
This father works in mysterious ways. I am sure it was his
plan for you to come to us. To let you know that you’re
loved.”

“
Grand dad I’m so terribly sorry for what happened today. I’ll
try to improve.”

“
As you process your issues you’ll let go and you’ll be
free.”

Matt knew
why he had said that. He was still in pain and he still hated his
dad for abandoning him. His preoccupation with driving at breakneck
speed was one way of overcoming his frustrations. He also had a
death wish. He however hoped that he would be able to forgive his
dad and get on with his life in a normal healthy way (before he got
seriously injured or killed.).

“
Granddad you’re the best,” Matt said as he drifted off to
sleep.

His grand
ma had come in earlier and stood quietly for a while.

“
You too granny.”

“
And you’re the best grandson God has blessed us with. Never
forget that” She came over, “And don’t tell me you’re too big to be
kissed,” she said warmly as she kissed him on the cheek. “Have a
good night’s rest.”

“
I’ll have a chat with your dad Matt,” his grand dad said
resolutely.

He felt
tears stream down into the pillow as he went to sleep feeling very
calm and at peace. Love was truly a wonderful thing and certainly
conquered all woeful feelings.

He
thought of the brave attractive girl who had defended a fellow
student and his heart almost missed a beat. “My life would just be
awesome if I could date her.”

Chapter 5: Natalie and Russ

“
Look I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hit you,” Russ said as he
leaned out of his Lexus and pleaded with Natalie to get in. (He
usually drove his Ford Ranger when he was feeling macho and only
used the Lexus for special occasions.) He looked suitably
remorseful. “Let’s work something out.”

“
It’s okay Russ,” Natalie said. “Someone’s taking me to
school.”

“
Who?” Russ’s mouth fell open involuntarily. No one would ever
dare to take his girlfriend.

Apparently someone had.

“
He’s right behind you.”

Through
the mirror he saw a young handsome muscular teen in a sports car.
He had a kindly smile.

A dark
cloud descended on his face and Natalie did not like the glint of
hatred. Russ knew he had some real competition now. The new guy was
well built and looked like someone who could defend himself very
well. He’d arrange something with his gang later in the day and
check out his weak points. These tough guys tended to break once
they were confronted with switchblades and guns. The thought gave
him a pleasant feeling.

“
This is not the end of this matter Nat. You’re my girl and I
won’t let you go so easily.”

“
Please Russ. Take the hint. It’s over. I had been meaning to
break up with you earlier. I finally came to my senses after you
what you did to Quentin.”

“
Since when have you become a fag lover?” Russ asked
testily.

“
I think it’s unhealthy to have views based on
prejudice.”

“
I won’t pick an argument with you,” he said implying that he
wouldn’t change his views. “It was Byron wasn’t it. He told you to
leave me. He’s a devious scum. He’s sending you to this guy and
then he’ll make his move soon.”

“
Byron has nothing to do with this. Russ, deep down you’re a
nice guy. Take some counseling or something like that. You can’t go
on in life bullying and hating people who aren’t like
you.”

“
Swell, now you’ve become my therapist.”

“
I’m only trying to help,” Natalie shrugged. “Maybe if you have
an internal make over I might reconsider. As of right now, I can’t
stand the guy who lives inside you.”

“
That won’t happen. This is the way I’ve always
been.”

“
Russ you’ve changed so much from the sweet guy I first
knew.”

“
Please don’t break my heart with this sentimental
bull.”

“
Fine, then we’re finished. I still have to make a
report.”

“
You wouldn’t dare.”

“
Don’t push me,” Natalie said firmly.

Russ
wanted to hurt her. “I see that you’ve hoity toady tastes. I can
see that this hunk is a driller.”

“
He’s not a miner Russ. He’s a kind, sincere, considerate guy
whose dropping me in school. What’s wrong with that?”

“
We’re going to deal with him later and you’ll be surprised at
how they chicken out.”

“
Russ don’t test him.”

“
This isn’t over yet, Nat,” Russ said. “I thought you’d give me
the benefit of the doubt to try and work something out. Apparently
you’re rushing to jump on the next wagon.”

“
I’m not rushing. Matt is dropping me in school. And we’ve been
through this Russ. I’m sorry. I can’t stand your bullying
anymore.”

She had
befriended Russ while they were still freshmen. He had started off
being nice and polite but his attitude had changed for the worse
after his parents’ bitter divorce. He became impatient, sullen,
angry and a bully. She wished Russ would go for counseling. She was
worried for him especially as it seemed he was on drugs.

Chapter 6: Natalie and Matt

Natalie
and Matt came into the school parking lot just as Byron was being
driven in. His whole body language was one of wariness as he
alighted from the Toyota LandCruiser SUV. He avoided making eye
contact with anyone and seemed embarrassed at being driven to
school. From the corner of his eyes, he saw them come into the
parking lot. ‘He’s a fast mover,’ was his first impression. ‘But
we’ll see about that!’

After
returning from the Precinct Station, he’d had a long discussion
with his dad. He was having tentative discussions with his mum and
they would look at the possibility of getting back together, if
only on a trial basis. More importantly, Byron was going to take
driving lessons. His dad had agreed to buy him a motor bike and
maybe a car later if he was on good behavior.

“
He hates that SUV,” Natalie said as he watched Byron move
hurriedly to school. “Thinks it’s a huge spread of carbon
footprints. But the real reason I think is that he hates the
special treatment. Makes him feel like the First Kid.”

“
Then why does he tolerate it?”

“
His dad works as a big shot corporate exec in the movie
business and insists on it. He’s dad’s hardly ever there for
him.”

“
How do you know so much about him?”

“
We talk a lot. You get to know everyone’s ins and outs after a
while.” He did not tell Matt that Byron was deeply rattled by his
parents’ divorce. One day they were a happy family and the next
they were very rich and the money seemed to drive them apart. Byron
had cried in her presence and had been deeply embarrassed. She had
told him that it was okay for boys to cry. Her cousin Ryan cried
from time to time and their family thought it was the most natural
thing in the world.

Byron had
made her promise not to let anyone know about it.

Thanks
for the ride,” Natalie said as she got out.

‘
Will I see you later?” Matt asked expectantly.

“
I need time to think about it,” she said apologetically. “I
don’t want to get into more trouble.”

“
I’m not like Russ,” he tried hard not to show his
irritation.

Natalie
couldn’t help thinking that in many ways Matt was like Byron. There
was the fixation to speak honestly and be upfront about feelings.
Like Byron, Matt seemed like a sincere and caring
individual.

Matt was
sweating and feeling embarrassed. “I’ve never done this before and
I realize it’s kind of crazy for me to say this especially as we’ve
just met.”

“
I don’t want to hurt your feelings.”