Taking Chances

Chapter 14

I walk down the sidewalk towards Keegan's house, determined to ask him about the kiss we shared a few days ago at his house. Once i reach his house i knock on the off-white colored door. No one answered the door so i go to knock again. Just as my fist was about to hit the door it flies open. I look up to see and angry Keegan and Fran crying in the background. Please don't let this be about his dad. Fran and Keegan don't deserve this. I think to myself as my eyes connect with Keegan's.

"Are you alright?" I ask confused.

"Alice, this isn't a good time." His voice cracks at the end of his sentence. I'm pretty sure it isn't because of puberty either. Since he's probably already gone through that phase considering he's seventeen. If he hasn't that's pretty sad.

"Keegan, are you alright?" I repeat myself.

He shakes his head no and i see a tear slowly make its way down his cheek. I've never seen Keegan cry before. Ever. That only means one thing. His dad. He quickly wipes away the tear. I wrap him in a tight hug and he just lets it out. He begins to sob into my shoulder. I let him go for a moment only to lead him inside so no one will see him crying on his own front steps.

"Shh. It's alright. Everything will be fine." I say to him rubbing his back.

"No it wont." He chokes out.

"Tell me whats wrong." I say holding him out an arms length.

"My dad..." He pauses trying to gain a little composure. "H-he got hurt. Really badly." He says.

"How badly?" I ask.

"He lost his leg." Keegan says beginning to cry again. I pull him back in for another hug. Why? Why, did this have to happen to them? Why did this have to happen to Grant, he's such and amazing man. All he wanted to do was keep people safe but, he forgot to keep himself safe along the way.

***

About an hour later after sitting with Fran and Keegan they finally calm down. Now we're all sitting at the kitchen table drinking hot chocolate even though its the middle of June.

"So, when is he coming home?" I ask.

"Next week. He has to be hospitalized for a while before he can come home." Fran explains taking a sip of her hot chocolate. I'm sure that burned her mouth because i see her wince but, she doesn't say anything. Also, considering that she just poured the hot chocolate i would figure that it'd still be scolding hot.

"Why the hell did this have to happen!?" Keegan exclaims suddenly.

"Keegan, watch your language." Fran says angrily.

"I don't give a shit about my language." Keegan sneers and walks out of the room. I look towards Fran who has tears forming in her eyes.

"I'll go get him." I say to her. She nods and looks down at her hot chocolate swirling it around with her spoon. I walk out of the dining room and into the living room to see Keegan putting on a pair of shoes and opening the front door.

"Where are you going?" I ask him.

''Work." He replies simply.

"Your mother needs you right now. Why cant you just call in sick?" I ask.

"Because i don't want to." He says and glares at me before he leaves. He slams the door shut behind him and i hear him pull out his mothers car and drive off. I sigh loudly.

I don't blame him for being so upset about this. But, he could at least show a little compassion to his mother her husband just lost a leg. They're all, including Keegan, going to have to adjust to a new lifestyle. Especially Grant which will probably be hard for him since he's always working out or doing something to keep him busy. I remember when we were younger he went for a run every night before dinner. Fran would always tell him to wear brighter clothes at night so he wouldn't get hit by a car but, he'd just laugh and say 'Darling i'll be fine. You don't have to worry.'. If you saw Fran and Grant you could just tell they were in love. They haven't changed since they were teenagers only their looks have. I wish i could have a relationship like them someday.

I walk back into the dining room to see Fran taking our cups and heading for the kitchen.

"Do you want some help?" I ask her.

"No it's fine, honey. You don't have to stay here. You should get home before your mother gets worried about you." Fran says and walks into the kitchen. My stomach churns as she refers to Sylvia as my mother.

"Bye, Fran." I say as i head out of the dining room. She doesn't say anything in return so i figure she didn't hear me or, just didn't acknowledge me. I shrug it off and walk out the door and down the street towards my house.

***

"Alice!" I hear Chloe call from downstairs.

I get up off my bed and throw my magazine i was reading onto it as i walk out the door. I don't know why i buy those. I mean, who cares about how Taylor Swift broke up with the Kennedy kid? Or how Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are in love? Well, i guess i do since i buy those magazines all the time.

I walk down the stairs and into the living room where i see Chloe reading a letter and Sylvia looking over her shoulder reading it as well.

"What?" I say to get their attention. They look over at me and Chloe stuffs the letter back into the open envelope.

"This came for you." She says handing it to me. Are you kidding me, they read my letter? I take it out of Chloe's hand slowly making sure i don't take it from her the wrong way or she'll have a meltdown. I slip the letter out of the envelope and read it over.

In Memory of Leon King

When: June 17th

Time: 12:00

Town: Redkin

Place: Morris Funeral Home; Elmwood Cemetery

There will be a gathering after the burial at Mrs.Diana King's house to pay respects to the family.

Sincerely,

The King Family

Who's Diana King? I'm part of the King family, I'm guessing, and i wasn't even involved in the funeral being held for my father. That pisses me off. I stomp up the stairs making it clear for no one to bother me right now. I slam my door shut and crawl on to my bed letting the tears slip out. Today is June 15th so i have two days to find something to wear to this funeral. Maybe Diana King is his mother or his sister. Please let it be anyone but, a new wife.

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I know this chapter is short and depressing but, i hope you enjoyed it anyway. :)