mm_phreak (mm_phreak) wrote in morningstar_mnr, @ 2008-04-14 12:41:00 |
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Entry tags: | memphis, travis |
The Raines boys at T7P Monday afternoon [closed]
Memphis was working today. Productively and efficiently, to boot. He'd managed to get the routine upkeep done on the car in the bay before lunch. He was pulling the sand paper and bondo out of the cabinet to fix the rusty spots when the buzzer on the door chimed.
"Workshop" he called out, expecting Travis. Today was a day of exams and the boy was out at noon. "Grab a wrench and pick a fender while you're at it" he said as footsteps approached.
"Oh sure no problem big brother." came a voice that wasn't Travis's after the footsteps stopped. "I come all this way to see you and you want me to work."
Memphis whirled around and dropped the can in his hand. "Ty? Good God you look just like your brother." He averted his eyes to the clock on the wall. "Who is actually the person I had been expecting." As if it helped his defense any, he reached down and picked up the can of bondo, shaking his head. "You out on break then?" he asked pointedly.
Tyler nodded. "Yeah. We're out on break and doing a little bit of wandering." As if they just happened to be in the neighborhood was a logical excuse for dropping by.
Memphis didn't buy that for one second. His brother should really know better than to lie at this point. "What's the real story? Ya know, the one you told the parents?"
Tyler leaned against the car and smiled. "We're cruising the coast looking at colleges. Rutherford made our list. We went earlier today and Beth is taking a nap in the hotel room we got. Figured we would stay the night then head out again in the morning."
Memphis turned his attention back to the car. He might not have had to finish working on it immediately, but he did want to finish it soon. The sound of sandpaper grinding off deadened paint filled the shop. "Sure. We'll go out somewhere for dinner. Travis has been cooking and I'm not too sure how Beth would fare on that." He laughed. "How is she doing?"
Tyler picked up another piece of sandpaper and scratched at another chalk outlined spot to sand down. "She's doing okay I guess. Tired a lot and cranky, but we're sticking it out." He shrugged his shoulders. "I think she'd be less moody if her friends would quit suggesting diets to her. Maybe if she could talk to her Mom or somebody else too."
Memphis shook his head. "So her parents know, right but ours don't?"
Tyler nodded. "Yeah. Hers kicked her out. Ours just think she's being emotional over being kicked out and the wedding and everything. I think we're going to discuss it when we get back from our college scouting trip."
Memphis rolled his eyes. "Maybe you shoulda talked with them a couple months ago. Can't put it off too much longer now."
Tyler's shoulders sunk. He felt like a puppy that'd been scolded for peeing on the floor. "I made her promise. I told her I would make it right, Memphis. She doesn't need anything more to worry about. I don't want her to feel like it was a mistake."
Memphis stopped working and looked over at his brother. "Then maybe you should talk to her about that. Have you thought to check out family friendly colleges? Ones that offer campus housing for married students and day care for full time students?"
Tyler nodded. "Yes. I might be taking steps too big for right now but I don't plan to be behind the eight ball for the rest of my life Memphis. Just because by the time I get to college I'll be married and have a kid doesn't mean I'm not thinking of it all now. Give me a little bit of credit here and trust me."
Memphis stood, throwing the sandpaper on the floor. "You want me to trust you. You want me to treat you like an adult? Is that what it is?"
Tyler fought back just as Memphis had. "Yes. I'm a damn adult! I'm eighteen years old and regardless of your approval I am going ahead with all of this."
Memphis was angry and started shouting. "Then be an adult and take responsibility for your actions! Tell Mom and Dad about the baby like you should have last Thanksgiving!"
Travis dropped his backpack loudly on the counter. His jaw was set defiantly. "Nice to see you brother. I guess I got left out of a few things, huh?" Picking up the closest hand held item he chucked a socket at Tyler. It bounced off the car and knicked window. Tyler looked over at Memphis with a shocked expression. Memphis just shrugged. Travis walked out of the shop, slamming the door behind him.
Looking over the car, Memphis grabbed the chalk and outlined a new circle. Where the socket hit would have to be filled in. The window hadn't broken fully, just cracked. It could wait to be replaced. He picked up the socket and put it away as if nothing was out of place.
Tyler looked stumped. "You're just going to let him do that? Throw his ass and break a window then walk out?"
Memphis turned back from the tool box. "At least his expression was truthfully hurt. You've got some choices to make little brother. Get to gettin them made." He turned back to the car and continued sanding.