Page 14 of Alex
“Sure,”he scoffs. “After I hit the lottery and marry Mila Kunis.”
“Don’tbe a smart ass. You can be anything you want to be. If drawing is something youenjoy…”
“It’swhat I love best, but my dad always said there’s no money in it. Plus, hedidn’t want a fruity artist for a son.”
Alexshakes his head. “Fuck what your dad said. What do you want?”
Kyleconsiders it a moment. “I don’t know. I love to draw, but I’ve never really gotto try anything else.”
“Youwill. You’ll get a chance to try lots of new things. Don’t let your dad’s oranyone else’s opinions sway you. Just think about it, okay?”
“Sure.I have like five months before I can go to school anyway, right?”
“Yeah,”Alex agrees. “Time to look around and see what interests you.” The expressionon Alex’s face is telling. He’s up to something, but lets the subject drop, andKyle returns his attention to the game.
Thenext morning, a bleary eyed Kyle shuffles through the living room to thekitchen to grab a pack of toaster pastries and juice. “I never thought I’d meeta worse morning person than Alex,” I remark as he flops on the couch beside me.
“Nothingto do today,” he mumbles. “I could go back to bed.”
“Oryou can come with me. You need to learn to drive. Just because you can’t getyour license until you’re eighteen doesn’t mean you can’t learn.”
Hiseyes brighten. “What if we get pulled over?”
“We’llgo out by the new S.B. shelter and practice on the country roads. Unless, youknow, you’d rather go back to sleep.”
He’sawake now. “Give me ten minutes. Is Alex going?”
“No,he has something to do on Saturdays.”
“Oh,yeah, he visits his dad in prison.”
I’ma little surprised he told Kyle, but I’m sure he didn’t tell him why he goes.“Yep, we’ll meet him at Mason’s later. If we survive.”
Swallowingthe last bite, he scoffs, “Please, you’ve seen me play Grand Theft Auto. I’m agreat driver.”
“Aslong as you don’t run anyone over or pick up any hookers.”
Itturns out, he isn’t a complete terror behind the wheel. Extremely cautious anda little jumpy, but for his first time driving, I imagine that’s normal. Aftercruising up and down the twisting road that surrounds the new Striking Backgrounds, I motion for him to take a right. “Head back toward Mason’s. Everlyinvited us to lunch and Alex will be there soon.”
“Canwe do this again?” I can only imagine the plethora of girls who will somedayswoon at that puppy dog look.
“Ofcourse. You don’t learn to drive in a day.”
“Tomorrow?”he asks.
Hisexcitement is amusing. When was the last time I felt really excited aboutsomething? I honestly can’t remember. “Okay.”
Alexis just climbing out of his car when Kyle slowly pulls up beside him. “Am I tooclose?”
“You’refine. Let’s go eat.”
Alexshakes his head as we meet up with him. “You’re aware he doesn’t have a license.”
“That’swhy he needs driving lessons. Don’t worry, Dad. We stayed on the property.”Alex flips my ear, and I try to punch him. It never works. He’s a black belt.Bastard blocks without even thinking about it.
“Stopfighting and get your asses in the house,” Ev insists, swinging open the frontdoor. “Cody’s about to pee his pants waiting for Kyle.” She turns to him withan apologetic look. “He wants you to help him on Minecraft.”
Kylegrins. “No problem, I love Minecraft.”
