Bad news is bad news because it drops your willingness to carry on
~Meir Ezra
***
Marcus barged into the house, running straight to the kitchen sink, where he vomited a load. He washed it away, rinsing his mouth and wiping his hands. The boy staggered to the living room and threw himself on one of the couches. He then gazed at the ceiling, his mind flashing back to the day's events.
He was just from a small informal burial held for Maxwell. His only friends: Marcus, Jeff, Luis, Michelle and Calvin were there to see him off. Calvin had dug a small grave at Old Bob's where they had buried Maxwell's corpse. There were no speeches or funeral songs, just the odd silence between the five. However, Marcus had made a startling observation, one that he intended to keep to himself until he got the facts. They were then bid farewell by Calvin, who told them he was looking to start his new life at the Bahamas.
Marcus' daydream was interrupted by a knock at the door. Tired, he dragged himself and opened the door to see his father standing at the porch, holding a bag of KFC. He waved them at him and Marcus allowed him inside, closing the door behind me.
"What's up kiddo? Your mom told me that you were lonely so I came up to check on you," he began, placing the meal on the table.
"Yeah, dad. She's left for some business in Vale City," Marcus answered.
"I brought lunch for us," Stewart said, but his next statement was interrupted by the sound of thunder outside. It started pouring, the rain beating heavily against the home's roof.
"Why is it raining heavily on a summer?" Marcus asked, mystified by the appearance of dark clouds on what started as a sunny morning.
"It baffles me too. My superstitious mother used to say that rain during the summer was a sign that bad news was about to come. Didn't give her much attention though. The woman was crazy," Stewart replied.
"Crazy?" Marcus questioned, surprised that Stewart would dare call her mother crazy.
"Did I forget to clarify that she was my stepmother. Never liked her, and she didn't like me in return," Stewart responded.
"What happened to your real mother?" Marcus sat down and faced his father, eager to hear his story.
"Divorced my father when I was young. My father wanted me to remain with him so I did, and my mother left. Never heard from her ever since," answered Stewart, casting a distant gaze. He shook his head back to reality and continued eating up.
"Take some boy. You don't want me finishing these drums. They are to die for," he pointed to the food. Marcus deliberately shook his head.
"Thanks, Dad, but I'm not in the mood for eating. My stomach had a rough morning," Marcus replied, the wave of nausea coming back to him once more.
"More for me," Stewart replied and continued devouring the meal.
"So how did you meet my mom?" Marcus found himself asking.
"My dad. He used to make donations to the orphanage. So one day I accompanied him, and the one who welcomed me there was your mother. I still remember that day I laid my eyes upon her for the first time. She was as beautiful as the sunset over the hills," Stewart spoke as he smiled, recalling the day as if it were yesterday.
"When did you guys meet, I mean, for your usual dates?" questioned Marcus.
"We both used to sneak out and meet at The Spot."
"The bar?"
"Back then it was a café. Sold the best milkshakes the town has ever known."
"So why did you leave her?" Marcus inquired.
Stewart sighed.
"It was never my intention to leave her, I swear, but my father wanted me to start taking control of the company. Learn the dos and don'ts of business. I had to cut off everyone in my life and start a new chapter. It was the only way I could do that."
"That seems like an awful lot to give up for a technology company," Marcus commented.
"At the end of the day, it's still worth it. But don't worry. Perhaps one day when you are in my shoes you'll finally understand."
Stewart finally finished his meal and proceeded to the kitchen to throw out the package. He then washed his hands and was heading back to the living room when there was a knock on the door.
Stewart opened the door to reveal two police officers. Both civilians suddenly stood up and stiffened, worried that their respective secrets may have been accidentally known.
"Is this Jane Miranda's house?" one of the police officers asked, his tone commanding.
"Yes, it is. Is there any problem officer?" Stewart asked, suddenly uncomfortable. Marcus rushed to his side and faced the police officers, somehow sure that someone else may have seen what had happened at the school. However, the officers immediately wore a sad look on their faces and one of them gulped before saying the very words that shattered Marcus' world.
"I'm sorry to say that your mother had been involved in an accident on the highway to Vale City. Her car burst into flames, and sadly she was not able to make it out. I'm sorry for your loss gentlemen."