“You’re damn right, no. You could learn a thing or two from his work ethic, Keith.”
“I have a work ethic,” I mumbled, even though the truth was, I only worked hard getting myselfoutof trouble. Everything else was approached with half-assed efficiency.
Dad scoffed, raising a brow.
“Okay, fine,” I conceded. “Mitch is a saint. Is that what you want to hear? Let’s all rejoice.”
Looking ready to burst, my father abruptly swerved the car off to the side of the road, then clicked off his seatbelt and turned to face me. “Is that what this is all about? Mitch?”
Stunned by the rapid turn of events, I stumbled over my words. “Wh…what? I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You think I love him more, don’t you?”
Of course he loved Mitch more. Anyone in his or her right mind would love Mitch more.
“No,” I lied.
But the dumbfounded expression on my father’s face told me he was connecting the dots for the very first time. “Keith, listen to me. I’ve never shown your brother favoritism. I treat all my kids the same, and you can’t say otherwise because it’s not true.”
Oh, how I wanted to believe him! Maybe Dad didn’t treat us differently, but it was in the way he looked at Mitch. That told the real story. When my brother was around, my father was like a kid meeting his idol for the first time. With me, there was no excitement. I was just a problem that constantly needed fixing.
It was an injustice I’d watched my whole life, so he could say what he wanted, but I knew the truth. Anger simmered just below the surface, and if my father continued down this treacherous path, I wasn’t sure I could prevent an explosion. “Drop it!” I warned.
Maybe Dad sensed my instability because he backed off immediately. We sat in silence for a minute, neither one of us knowing what to say.
Finally, he lowered his voice to barely more than a whisper. “You’re in trouble, kid. Big trouble. At this point, I’m not sure if they’ll let you stay in school or even graduate.”
I scoffed. “I’ll graduate, Dad. Jesus. In California, even the biggest idiots earn a high school diploma.”
“Yeah, well, California hasn’t metyouyet.”
The diss was so unexpected and hilarious that it had us both in stitches and allowed us to bury the hatchet, if only for a short time. Sadly, the lighthearted moment didn’t linger.
“I’m being serious now, Keith. Have you even thought about what you want to do with your life after high school? And don’t say pirate. That’s not an actual profession.”
“It is in Somalia.”
“Yes, well you live in America, where pirating is frowned upon.”
Dad’s eyes sharpened on me as he reached over and gripped my shoulder. “Look, kid, we need to turn this sinking ship around before it’s too late. This is your last year in high school, and you’ve already missed nearly every day. And if you do miraculously show up to class, you’re stoned. I’m worried about you. I’m afraid you’re going to get lost. There’s a big, wide world out there ready and willing to swallow you whole.”
I knew that. Of course I did. Seeing my father look so troubled pained me. We’d always been close, and even though he didn’t approve of my lifestyle, my father had always stuck by my side. During those tough middle school years, he was there. Through my ice-skating rink arrest, he was there. But the fact remained that I was my father’s greatest disappointment.
“I’m not going to get lost,” I whispered. “I’ve got it all under control.”
“No, you don’t. Skating by just isn’t going to cut it anymore. You’re turning eighteen in a few of months, and once that happens, nothing I say or do will protect you. Don’t think I don’t know you’re dealing, Keith. Mom and I, we don’t know how to help you any more, and we’re both terrified. If you continue down this path, there’s a real good chance you’ll end up in prison.”
I shifted my gaze out the window, shame coloring my cheeks. It was a fear, for sure. I wasn’t strong enough to survive behind bars. “I know.”
“It’s not too late. Mom and I can get you through this, but you have to do your part too. No more skipping school. You have to pass all your classes and get a high school diploma. And, Keith – no more drugs. No more dealing.”
That last one was a taller order. Ridding myself of whatever leftover drugs I had was one thing, but there was also the matter of my side business. Not only were the students at Pearl Beach not going to be happy with a hiatus, neither was my supplier. I’d been making us both good money as of late, and separating myself from the trade wouldn’t be as easy as just stepping away. But I had to try… for him.
“Okay.”
“Okay?” He flared like a freshly struck match. “Are you saying no more drugs?”
“Yes. I’ll clean up my act, for you.”
