Page 12 of Sail Away with Me

After giving him a few minutes to get the people out of the house, Sail made his way downstairs, where a few stragglers lingered.

“Crew!” Sail barked out.

“These are my friends,” Crew said nervously. “Mom and Dad said they could stay over.”

Sail eyed the two boys warily. They hung their heads in what Sail hoped was embarrassment.

“What in the hell were you thinking?” Sail asked his brother.

Crew’s head dropped.

Everyone in town knew the Carters. They were well respected, and Crew knew better than to throw a party with their parents gone.

“Where’s Tidal?”

“He’s at work,” Crew said.

“Did he know you were doing this?”

Crew shook his head.

“Get this house cleaned up.” Sail turned and went outside, back to his car to get more of his things. With each return trip to the house, the boys were busy cleaning. They moved as if their asses were on fire, which Sail appreciated. Unless Tidal came home and caught all of this, Sail intended to keep this between him and Crew.

On his last trip into the house, the boys sat on the couch. Sail put his stuff into his room, came downstairs and shut the front door. He walked into the living room and sat in their father’s recliner. It was odd for him to sit there, but he wanted his baby brother to see him as an authority figure.

“Does Tidal know you had a party?” He asked again, his way of introducing it would be their secret.

Crew shook his head.

“We’ll leave it that way.”

Crew’s head popped up. “Really?”

Sail nodded. “Look, I get it, but you’re a Carter. You can’t do this shit, Crew. Everyone knows Mom and Dad, and if something were to happen . . .” Sail trailed off.

“Thanks, Sail.”

He nodded.

“Not to be rude, but why are you here?”

Sail figured it would be best to tell his brother the truth rather than lie. Call it a life lesson or whatever. “Got in trouble at school and had to leave.” He watched Crew’s expression morph from a scared little brother into someone who felt sorry for the wrath his older brother was about to face. “That’s why I busted up your party. Dad’s going to kick my ass. He doesn’t need to kick yours too.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it.”

“Me too,” said the boy to Crew’s right.

“Yeah, me too,” the one on the left said. “My mom would beat me if I upset her boss.”

“His mom works at Pearl’s,” Crew explained.

Sail nodded. “Don’t be like me. It’s not worth it.” He stood and went into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. What felt like a permanent frown turned into a smile when he saw how much food his mom had stocked for the boys to eat while they were gone.

“I’m glad you’re home.” Crew’s voice startled Sail. He pulled out the glass container labeled Lasagna.

“Why’s that?” Sail went to the microwave and pushed the button to open the door. “Do you and your friends want some?”

“Yeah, please.” Crew pulled out some plates from the cabinet while Sail heated up the contents. “I missed you over the summer. Things weren’t the same around here without you home.”

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