Page 11 of Drag Me Up

Midterms are next week and my students are driving me insane. This is the second semester in a row that I have had Tobias Grady in my class, and he is a menace. Last semester, his friend Lucas kept him mostly in line, but this time it’s only him. He’s not a bad student, just horribly undisciplined. He reminds me of a puppy sometimes, but I’m not sure how a grown man would feel being compared to a dog.

Between the frustrations in class and the uptick in the online drama from Sylvia’s friends, I desperately need a break from reality. Glancing at the clock, I wonder if it’s too late to catch the show before Mr. Drag, as Ashcalls it, turns into a dance club. I’m not in a dancing mood but would love to see a show.

Seven thirty… I should probably text Clarence to find out what time the show starts.

LMB:

What time is the show tonight? I need to get out and I did promise to give it a shot.

Clarence:

Show starts at 8pm on Saturdays. Can’t guarantee it will be any good since we are between scripted and scheduled shows.

Fridays are 7-10 and Saturdays are 8-11 and second Sunday of the month is brunch from 10-2

LMB:

Do you always write an essay for a one word answer?

Clarence:

Come on down teacher man. I’m gonna do a special number for you.

I set my phone down on my cheap Amazon find, no tool assembly, coffee table and head to the bedroom to get changed. Since it’s a Saturday and not one where I needed to run errands, I didn’t bother putting on real clothes this morning. Untying the drawstring on my favorite Grinchpajama pants, I chuckle as they fall immediately to the ground. The elastic in the waistband has essentially disintegrated over the last decade plus that I have had them.

I remember the day I got them. I was seventeen and it was a couple days before Christmas. I had just gotten my first car, and Mom sent me out to do some shopping for the Mendleton’s holiday party. Their decorator had apparently forgotten to get napkins or they were the wrong color or something. Since Mom was busy cooking up a storm, I was sent to pick up the order.

Fifteen Years Ago:

Pulling out of the drive for the monstrosity of a mcmansion that the Mendletons lived in, I crank up my music. My mom hates that I listen to Eminem, but she’s a mom. I think on principle alone she has to hate it. But anything is better than hearing that Mariah Carey song for the zillionth time.

Pulling into the parking lot of the store where I need to pick up the napkin order, I realize this is going to be a lot more stressful than I expected. Now, I understand why mom and the rest of the staff chuckled when I said I’d be back in twenty minutes. It’s going to take me an hour to find a fucking parking space!

“There’s one!” Eric shouts as the little shit pops up from behind me. I slam on the breaks and turn to face the little stowaway. I’m glad I stopped in the bathroom on my way out of the house… Holy fuck…

“What the fuck are you doing back there?!”

“Get the spot, Mattie! Before that grannie beats you to it!” he ignores my question and is pointing fervently at an open spot three spaces in front of us.

Grumbling under my breath, I obediently pull into the spot, earning a glare from the aforementioned granny. Shutting off the ignition, I turn fully in my seat to look at the little shit who nearly gave me a heart attack before I even get to experience more than my hand when it comes to sex.

“You are in deep trouble, little man,” I tell him sternly. Watching his expression fall from pure joy to utter despair isn’t something I enjoy. I’ve seen it often enough over the years from the shit his parents have said and done to him. But I know I need to make sure he understands how dangerous what he did is.

“Sneaking off where no one knows where you are,” I hold up a finger for each point I make, “Going out without a coat… Hiding in a car… Riding in a car without wearing a seatbelt… Scaring the driver of the car when the car is in motion.”

He winces at every finger I raise, and I curse the fact that my mother needs her job or else I would gladly beat the fuck out of his father for what he’s done to this beautiful boy.

“This was dangerous, Eric, and I’m never going to be happy that you put yourself in danger regardless of how positive of an outcome you get.”

Climbing out of the car, I take a few calming breaths to settle my heartbeat back to normal. Once I’m certain I canhandle my emotions and not blow up at him again, I open the back door so he can get out of the car.

“You’re not gonna leave me here are you?” he whimpers and any anger I might have held onto evaporates. “I promise I’ll just stay in the car like a good boy and wait for you.”

Pulling him into a hug, I kiss the top of his head to comfort him.

“Didn’t I promise to never leave you behind?” I assure him. “First, we are going to run into the insanity that is Walmart at Christmastime to get you a coat so you’re not freezing your ass off. Then, we’re going to grab some hot chocolates at that Starbucks over there. And finally, we will get the stupid napkins for your parents’ party.”

Watching his face shine with his signature brand of effervescent joy is one of my favorite things in this world. Being surrounded by the decorations and holiday music only makes it a more beautiful sight.

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