CHAPTER 2

The firemen continue to pour water on the burning rubble after the MIDCorp building collapses.The air is filled with smoke one could hardly see.

"Please keep away,"the complex security struggles to keep the onlookers at bay.

Travis trails behind Chief Warren,"Sir we should conduct a thorough search."

Chief Warren turns to Travis who stops in his tracks,"A search,what are we going to search for in that?"he angrily says to Travis.

"Listen to me chief,"Travis shouts and slams his helmet to the ground,"He was right behind me.I left him in the engineering room.We heard a cry for help but instead we found something else and we were separated."

Chief Warren interrupts him,"You said he was right behind you,didn't you"

Travis trembles and continues to stutter,"What are the odds he is trapped and is in need of our help?"

"Enough God damn it!"Chief Warren snaps at him gaining the attention of those around them.

He places his hand on Travis shoulder,"He was our friend.We have to accept the reality.He is gone!"

Travis buries himself into Chief Warren and tightly embrace as both shed tears,"He is gone."Two months later,they receive a report after the huge plot is excavated pending being rebuilt.A body had been found amongst the wreckage.After conducting tests,it is positively confirmed to have been the body of Faustus McVeyron.During his burial procession,Travis walks up to his widow Amelia.

"Mrs McVeyron,"the woman who was sitted looks up at him trying her best to dry her tears.Travis kneels in front of her.

"I'm Travis.I worked with your husband,"he then holds Amelia's hands.

"My sincerest condolences,"he is unable to control himself.He begins to sob.

"It's my fault your husband died.I left him behind.I should have waited for him,"Travis looks down still guilt ridden.

Carlos walks up to him,"Travis,stop."

Travis looks up at Amelia,"Your husband is dead because of me.I didn't have his back when he needed me.I was scared.I ran away.There was something.I wasn't brave enough."

He holds her hands tightly soaking them with his tears,"Please forgive me."

Amelia leans forward and embraces him,"Don't blame yourself.He knew the risks of the job."She let's go and looks at him,"You must have admired him like everyone did."

Travis sniffs,"Yes.He was my idol."

Amelia nods,"Do not blame yourself."

Travis shakes his head and looks at her,"I failed him."

He then holds her hands again,"But I pledge today onwards I will not fail you Mrs McVeyron.You are a part of my family now.I will take care of you."

"Thank you,"Amelia says with a forced smile as Travis gets up walking to his wife.

Doors flung open as a team of doctors and nurses rush a heavily pregnant Amelia on the verge of giving birth to the delivery room.Waiting outside is Travis and his wife Sandra.Minutes later,a doctor comes out of the operating room.

"Nurse,are there any family members of Amelia?"asks the doctor.

Travis had overheard the doctor and quickly gets up,"Yes."

Travis and Sandra quickly walk to the doctor.

"We are family friends,"says Sandra.

"You will be happy to know Amelia had a safe delivery.She has given birth to a boy,"says the doctor.

"That is wonderful news,"Sandra tugs her husband's arm.

"May we go in and see her?"Travis asks the doctor.

He nods,"Yes of course."

The couple walks into the room and watches the mother cradling her newly born baby.Amelia looks up at the two and smiles,"Hey."

Travis walks up to her and smiles at the baby,"Hey little man"

"He is a cutie,"Sandra stands at the opposite side of the bed."He has his father's ears."

Amelia turns to Sandra,"I was about to say the same,"they all laugh as the child laid calmly in her arms.

Faustus' family was killed when he was an infant and spent his early childhood in an orphanage not until his adoption.However,his adopted parents mysteriously died in a car accident during his early days of fireman training.Amelia was the daughter of a single mother.Two years after her marriage to Faustus,a long time illness of her mother claims her life.Neither of them had any existing or known relatives.After Faustus' death,the community that embraced them is the family that helped Amelia during her pregnancy until her delivery.She is showered with so many gifts from Travis and his wife.Amelia is overwhelmed and has a hard time organizing the gifts in her hospital room.Amelia with the help of Travis and Sandra pack up her things after the doctor signs her release form.

"Sandra,can you help with these,"Amelia passes on some bags to her.

"No I got it,"Travis tries to get the bags but he's stopped by Amelia.

"No you are not touching this.Lady things,"she says.

Travis stands back a bit embarrassed,"My bad."

Sandra points at the other stuff laying on the ground,"Hurry up and bring the toys to the car."

As Sandra walks out,Amelia nervously paces up and down before she pounces on Travis,handing him her son.

"Take him,"she says whilst handing over the baby to Travis."Sure,"he reluctantly holds the baby.

"Whatever happens to me,please take care of my son."Travis raises a brow,a bit surprised by this statement from her."What are you talking about Amelia?"

She grabs his arm tightly,"Please promise me you will protect my son?"she pleads to him.

Unable to process what was happening,the woman speeds down the hallway hysterical whilst being followed by Travis.

"Amelia wait up,"Travis runs after her with the baby.Whilst on her tail,he realises she was not running but rather being chased.The lights behind him mysteriously deemed before turning bright.A strong wind brushes him aside causing a surge that causes the light bulbs to explode.A nurse nearby helps up Travis and the baby.

"Are you alright sir?"she notices Travis arm was bruised but he brushes it off.

"Come.We need to find his mother.Something is wrong with her,"he says as the nurse follows him to find Amelia.

The woman rushes to the hospital's chapel and falls to her knees,feverishly praying.Her eyes pace franfically.Travis and the nurse appear in the empty chapel.

Travis slowly walks up to her,"Amelia?"

She gets up,"Stop right there,"she turns to him with her eyes teary,"Protect my son.He is a special boy.You tell him he was loved."

The woman faces her front slowly,pale and frozen.She is hoisted in the air,pushed back before being lodged onto the chapel's crucifix.Travis and the nurse stand in horror,a dark shadow flies past them.A handful of doctors and nurses having been alarmed by the explosion of bulbs appear on the scene and are horrified.

"Dad,Dad!"Travis is startled as he had been staring in the mirror for a long time deep in his thought."You ok pops?You were gone for a long time."A young black male walks up and sits next to him.Travis puts on a smile and pats the young man's back,"Nothing for you to worry about."The male nods,"Great coz mom was honking the horn,we are all ready to go.Seems like you need an extra five minutes."Travis barely dressed looks up,"Wait five minutes?"The male gets up and walks out of the room,"Two minutes mom!"he yells then smirks."Why you little smart ass!"Travis quickly dresses up and rushes to the car where they had been waiting for him.The family arrive at a memorial grounds which had been decorated with a few select invited already seated.The family settles down as Travis shakes hands with the priest.Based on the manner of shaking hands and the glance the priest gave him,Travis was apologizing for being late.The memorial service begins.After the service,the priest calls upon a few community elders who line up to commemorate their fallen,the captain of the fire department,Faustus McVeyron and his wife Amelia.Having died in the fire at MIDCorp industrial complex and possible suicide of his wife,only their son Pierre McVeyron survived.

After the speech,the attendees mingle with one another.Pierre tries his best avoiding the attention of the elderly,although this was impossible due to being the center of attention.He bumps into someone."My bad bro,"Pierre looks up at an older Carlos.

"Young man,"Pierre extends his hand to greet Carlos who was now the current chief at the fire station."Sir how are you?"Carlos and his company smile at him,"Look at him.He looks so much like his dad,"they nod in agreement."I am doing great.How have you been?"

"I'm doing ok sir?"says Pierre.

"When do you plan on joining us at the station?"Carlos asks the young man."Your father was almost your age when I trained besides him.Would be a great way to honor him by following in his footsteps."

Pierre hesitates for a while before answering,"But if you look around sir,there hasn't been a single fire incident in a really long time.So what is the purpose of this current fire fighting unit?"The firemen including Carlos take offense to his statement."Is that so?"

Pierre laughs awkwardly and pats Carlos' shoulder,"Relax uncle Carlo,I'm messing with you."He forces them to laugh although he was aware he had pissed them off."Excuse me.I am needed over there.Enjoy yourselves."They all glance in his direction as he runs off."He sure does have the mouth of his father,"says Aaron.

He walks up to his mother."Where is dad?"Pierre whispers to Sandra.

She looks around,"He was somewhere here."

Pierre stands behind Sandra,"What are you doing son?"

"I need dad to put out a fire I started.His old buddies couldn't take a joke and are giving me evil glances,"Sandra raises a brow and chuckles.

"The rock scared of old timers,"Sandra laughs at Pierre.

"We are at a graveyard.You might want to start preparing my eulogy,"Sandra places her hand on his mouth."That's enough from you."Pierre sighs,"I'm sorry ma!"He looks around,"All my father's workmates want me to follow in the steps of Faustus McVeyron.I barely met the guy."Sandra slaps him with her handkerchief,"Hey you watch your mouth.There is a lot you can learn about him by asking around."Pierre shakes his head,"That's the problem.They want another hero.And I can't fill those shoes.I like being your son.My father is a low key assistant at the station."Sandra places her hand on his face,"You are our son.Don't think too much about it ok."

Suddenly a hand runs on Pierre's back startling him,"Goodness!"

He nearly jumps but springs around standing besides Sandra.In front of them was Madame Jezebel."Pardon me.I did not mean to startle."

Pierre looks at Sandra and shakes his head taking on a confident posture.He clears his throat,"No.You just caught me offguard ma'am."Madame Jezebel snickers,"Oh please dear is it because your mother is here.I thought we were past calling me ma'am."Pierre laughs nervously as Sandra gives him a stern glance.

There was something unsettling about this older woman whenever she crossed paths with Pierre.Ever since he could remember, in his adolescence she was oftenly too kind towards him.As he grew,she increasingly became nicer.With her reputation as an escort and owner of several brothels,some of their encounters were inappropriate and made him uncomfortable.Behind her she was in the company of two of her glorified escorts."Meet my girls,"she turns to one of them."This is Lexi,"the girl with long dark hair and a pi tattoo on her right cheek greets Sandra.She turns to Pierre and smiles sweetly,holding his hand for a prolonged time although he makes it short."This is Rita.You remember your former schoolmate,"Madame Jezebel says to Pierre.The red haired light skinned girl greets Sandra and Pierre."Good day to you."

"If you must know I have never told anyone but your father Faustus used to come to my club?"begins Madame Jezebel."Him and his boys often came.Including your husband Sandy.

"What?"Sandra's expression changed.A frown was slowly visibly forming on her face.

Madame Jezebel continues,"My club was their venue for bachelor parties.My girls and I enjoyed their company."

Sandra clutches her cup tightly and laughs in a sarcastic manner,"Is that so?"

Pierre places his hand over his mother's shoulder,"Now that's a tradition I will follow."Sandra snarls at him but she kept her glance at the innocent looking Madame Jezebel.

"Please excuse us.The priest there has something he'd like to discuss with my mom,"Sandra looks at Pierre surprised.

"The priest?"Pierre grins and turns around with her,"Yes mom."He looks back at Madame Jezebel and her companions,"Please excuse us.Do help yourselves to the snacks.Pierre quickly moves Sandra away from Madame Jezebel.

Rita grabs a pastry and chews loudly,"Lame party ma'am."

Madame Jezebel snatches her pastry,"Relax my darlings.We are not here to pay our respects.We are here for our own benefit."

Lexi faces in the direction of Pierre,"He left a cute son though."She turns to Rita,"You never told me you attended the same school with the son of the town's hero."

Rita scoffs,"He was a loser in high school."

"And now?"Lexi asks curiously.

"Still a loser,"Rita grabs another pastry which Madame Jezebel again snatches from her.

"Right."Lexi twirls the ends of her hair whilst looking at Pierre.

"Never in your life are you to step into that whore house do I make myself clear?"Sandra barks in a low tone to Pierre.

"Geez mom you were about to throw hands with an experienced brawler like Madame Jezebel,"he maintains his forced smile whilst moving as further as possible away from Madame Jezebel.

"How would you know that?"her stern gaze was once again on him.

Pierre avoids her gaze,"I once saw her in a brawl.Kicked the shit outta a fancy woman even though she was innocent."

She looks the other way,"I guess you and your father have some explaining to do."

"Hey,on my part I saw the fight from a distance okay.I have never entered the brothel,"says Pierre with much assurance.

Sandra stops and looks at Pierre,"If you value your life,keep it that way.Or else I'm leaving you and your father here."

Pierre playfully salutes,Yes ma'am."He puts his arm over her shoulder.

"I'm calm.You can let go of me now,"she says.Pierre shakes his head in disagreement."You need a drink,so not yet."Sandra tries to object but it was useless.

As the sun was about to set,everyone begins to leave.The family members and a few select assist in arranging and help loading up the chairs and other stuff that had been hired in a truck.Pierre stacked up chairs and quickly brought them to the truck with much ease.He looks up at his sister Lily who was having some difficulties.

"Hey hurry up,"he shouts to her.

She grumbles and rolls her eyes,"I'm not like you.You are a guy."

Pierre smirks,"Excuses,push it skinny girl."

Lily extends her arm.Pierre waves his finger,"Don't you dare flip the birdie."Lily flashes her middle finger at him and runs off as he attempts to chase after her.

In the community,though Travis had become a glorified fireman over the years,Pierre led a mysterious life.He was rarely seen and kept to himself.Although he was rumored to be a member of the Knights,a gang led by his high school friend Genesis.The older folk knew him as the son of Faustus and hoped he would follow in his father's footsteps.Pierre had other plans laid out for himself.

Two months after the memorial,Pierre walks into the grocery store of the Italian Joseph.Joseph was the younger brother of Carlos and a former fireman.He retired and opened up a grocery store.

"Hello uncle Joe,"Pierre walks to the fridge and picks out a drink.He then goes to cash in."Hey it is the birthday boy!"says Joseph.He is suddenly and swiftly taken to the back by Joseph's wife Martha.She takes out a plate with a slice of cake which she had saved for him.

"Happy birthday dear,"she smiles at him.Pierre is speechless as he looks up at the couple."Aunt Martha,Uncle Joe,you guys.You shouldn't have."

Joseph places his hand on Pierre's shoulder,"You are like son to us.And as son we never forget your birthday."Martha lights up the candle for him,"Go on.Make your wish."

Pierre sighs and eventually blows the candle,having his slice of cake.He sets the plate down after he is done"Thank you for the cake."He reaches into his pocket and takes out some money,"This is my bill for the drink."

Joseph brushes his hand away softly,"No,keep it.Consider it another gift."

Pierre insists,"No,no I can't do that.Take it!"

Joseph too insists,"And why not?You have been buying from me for a long time.My loyal customer."

Pierre puts the money back,"Thank you uncle Joe!"Martha walks to them to get the plate,"You should thank Andy.She baked the cake."

Joseph gives Martha a glare,"We promised not to say a word."

Martha laughs awkwardly,"Oh my bad."Pierre is left speechless,"Well either way it was nice.I will thank her myself."

Pierre gets up and says his goodbyes.As he walks out of the store,he is grabbed on his arm.

"Yo!"Pierre spins around freeing himself and gets defensive.He turns to the sight of Lexi.

"I'm sorry for pulling you like that,"she says looking rather stressed.Pierre loosens up a bit,"Lexi,hey.Wassup?"he stands facing her."My friends left me and I am supposed to bring these to the apartment."She points at the several shopping bags and three kegs of beer laying on the ground.

He looks at her baggage and her,"This for the club?"

She shakes her head,"No.We have a private party.The guy supposed to pick me up left."

"They expect you to carry all that?"Pierre is a bit shocked seeing all the items."I can't call for a cab because he drove off with my phone.I am scared somebody might steal my shit and everyone being a bunch of dicks refusing to stop and help me and...,"Pierre motions his hand for her to calm down."Wait here!"He walks back into the shop.Joseph looks up and smirks,"Hey,back so soon?"

Pierre grins mischievously,"Yes,your birthday boy.I have a wish.Can you borrow me your car uncle Joe?"

Joseph raises a brow,"You want my car.What is the matter?"

Pierre points outside although Joseph pays no attention,"A friend is stuck and in need of some assistance.You will get back the car sooner."

He sighs,"How sooner will car be back?"

"It's a simple drop.Then I will ask Andy to bring it back."

Joseph crosses his arms at the mention of Andy,"And how did Andy get into this conversation?"

Pierre stutters,"Well isn't this the same time she goes in for her shift at the hospital?"

Joseph raises a brow,"Ah so you know her working schedule.Are you the one whose she's been talking to at night.Giggling on calls and texting?"

Pierre shakes his head as Martha hands him the car keys,"Go on son."

He hugs Martha and quickly runs out.Joseph turns to his wife.She rolls her eyes at him,"Oh don't give me that look."Joseph sighs,"You ruined my investigation.A few more seconds he would have come clean getting back with Andy."Martha smacks him with a towel,"You are not our daughter's spy.She will tell us when she is ready."Joseph shakes his head,"You and I know that our girl has a weakness and it is that boy.Remember what happened the last time?"Martha paces up and about restocking the shelves,"Past dear,maybe they worked things out."The doorbell rings as a customer walks in.

Lexi stands next to her groceries when a car stops in front of her.Pierre comes out and starts to load her groceries."Where did you find this car?"Lexi is surprised by his resourcefulness."I know a guy."She raises a brow and chuckles before getting into the car.

Pierre once done drives off.The apartment where he was headed was a ten minutes drive from the store.Upon arrival,Lexi turns to him,"Wait here.I'm going to get some help."She quickly gets out of the car and purposely struts into the building.A few minutes later,six men appear in her company.Pierre opens up the hood as they carry the bags.Amongst them was Rita.Her sight makes him nearly fumble and drop the hood on her.Her glance makes him look the other way feeling a lot of embarrassment.He hands the car keys to Lexi and carries two kegs.

"Whoa bro,slow down.Let me help you with that,"one of the men insists as he tries to get one of the kegs off his shoulder."I'm good.Thanks."He carries them up to their apartment with much ease.Pierre walks into the room which was foggy,the air heavy with the scent of cigarattes.A scruffy fellow in a vest appears with a paper in hand."Where did y'all go?"One of the guy's slaps a pack of frozen fries onto his chest,"You were supposed to bring back the food and the booze!"The scruffy fellow leans into what seemed like his boss,"Hey I had to make the pick up.I forgot about the bitch!"he whispers but looks up and catches a glimpse of Pierre."Yo who invited him?"Everyone turns around to face Pierre.For a long time,Percy had attempted to befriend Pierre on plenty occasions.Instead Pierre refused to be friends with him no matter how much he tried.This has led to awkward public bullying every time they crossed paths."If y'all got all your stuff imma head out,"Pierre was already at the door when Lexi stops him."Why don't you stay a little bit longer.Have a drink."Percy walks up to Lexi and puts his arm around her,"Listen this party is private.We accounted for all this shit.Aint no way we gone invite a party crasher to loot our shit for free!"One of the guy's steps in between them,"Dude c'mon lay of the guy!"Pierre turns around silent and grabs the door knob.Percy quickly closes the door on him,"What's the matter,you can't take a joke?We been homeboys for life.Now we all grown,we got pairs of cojones and we fuck around.At least some of us.If you are offended,"Percy grins and shoves Pierre who loses balance and nearly falls."C'mon bro let's get it on.But be rest assured Imma make sure I beat your ass!"Pierre slowly gets back as Lexi steps in between them once again,"That's enough.Its his birthday!"Percy snickers,"Oh shit!My bad bro,I'm just messing with you.Here,take this."Percy hands him a bill.Pierre's gaze turns to Lexi,leading Percy to forcibly kiss her.He looks at Pierre,"Or perhaps you want to slide in between this bitch's legs?"Lexi is unable to free herself from his grip.

Pierre smirks,"Listen up homeboy,hold onto that bill for me.Imma claim it one day.Aight."Percy nods and snatches his money back,"Maybe."Pierre scoffs and walks out of the apartment.Upon reaching the car he comes to the realisation he left the car keys.

"Fuck!"Pierre grunts and turns around as Lexi bumps into him.She jingles the car keys,"You left this."Pierre takes the keys from her,"Yeah,thanks Lex."She stops him as he was about to go,"And I'm sorry about that whole thing.Percy can be a dick at times,"Pierre nods and scoffs,"Yeah your boy is an asshole but it's cool.Thanks I gotta head out."As he turns to unlock the car,Lexi runs her hands up his neck and turns his face to her.She kisses him and quickly let's go,"Happy birthday!"She speeds off into the apartment.Meanwhile from the window,Rita had caught a sight of that moment.

Pierre arrives at the driveway of Joseph and parks the car.He runs up the stairs of the house and is about to ring the doorbell when the door opens.Pierre comes face to face with Andrea.

"Hey Andy!"Pierre greets her as Andrea too is shook having not expected to see him."Pierre.Hi."She awkwardly runs her fingers through her hair,"Uh what are you doing here?Sorry would you like to come in?"Pierre smirks,"Not really.I borrowed your dad's car and he instructed me to hand over the keys to you."

Pierre gives the car keys to Andrea,"Oh.Ok."He leans against the door and look at her.She notices his gaze and shyly looks down,"Is something on my face?"Pierre smiles,"Thank you for the cake."Andrea couldn't hold back as her face slowly turned pink.She nods and smiles,"I would have personally given it to you but dad insisted since he knew you would swing by,"she laughs awkwardly.

"I don't mean to pry but your dad said something in the lines of you have a guy?"Andrea glares at him,"What?"Pierre clears his throat,"Your dad may have hinted and suspected it to be me."Andrea shakes her head,"Oh my goodness.The other day my colleague brought me home when it was late.He must have overheard me talking to him?"Pierre crosses his arms,"Him."Andrea turns pale and angrily dismisses his claim,"He is a good,thoughtful person."Pierre scoffs,"Relax.I am happy for you."The two glare at each other before breaking off their moment.Both awkwardly look away.

Pierre clears his throat,"Well I better get going.Give my thanks to uncle Joe and aunt Mary.And you work well,"he says to her.Andrea nods,"I will and happy birthday."Pierre smirks and walks away from Joe's residence.

Pierre and Andrea had been childhood bestfriends.In their high school year,Pierre asks Andrea to pose as his girlfriend in an attempt to attract the attention of his crush Rita.Unbeknownst to him,Andrea eventually falls for him and shares with her family.However,knowing she stood no chance with the ignorant Pierre she breaks off their staged relationship.Her father who had known about them was not pleased and for years tormented Pierre for hurting Andrea's feelings.

Pierre is later seen gloomy in the company of his friends who laugh maniacally."Let me get this straight.So she jumped on you and kissed you?"laughs Genesis as he sits next to Pierre."Was it like a smooch,did she tie her tongue to yours?Are you sure she didn't lick your lips and you took it as a kiss?"Pierre takes a shot of whiskey,"Bottom line is that bitch put her dick sucking lips onto mine."One of his friends Arman steps in,"Hold up how would you know she be sucking dicks?"Genesis turns to him,"We all know Lexi is a whore.The biggest party girl slut on the block.Yeah she has that innocent look but that bitch nasty!"Pierre shakes his head,"Dick sucking bitch!It's my birthday and y'all didn't invite Rita?"A silence falls into the room as they all gaze at him.Genesis leans back,"Aubrey,Pierre's fifteenth birthday?"Aubrey sits down grabbing a handful of peanuts,"School grounds,bunch of school hotties.Amongst them,Rita."He turns to the other guy,"Jon,Pierre's eighteenth birthday party?"Jon places a bottle of whiskey on the table,"Club Avalon,VIP section,major hotties,booked for us,Rita is amongst the hotties.And of course Lexi!"Genesis turns to another of their friends,"Zack,Pierre's twentieth birthday?"Pierre then steps in,"Ok, goodness.You keep track of all that?"Aubrey lights up his cigaratte,"Bruh we all know you have a major hard on for Rita.And we have tried so hard to get you two together but you always get limp dicked and never show up!"Pierre shakes his head,"That's not what happened.Besides I was with Andy."

His friends instinctively clamor,"Oh the fateful Andy express.You two were never going to work,"says Jon.

Arman pours himself another drink,"We all know it was for show.We created many chances for you to get together with Rita."

Pierre is irritated by their truth and pours himself another drink,"Are we here to reminisce my missed opportunities or celebrate my birthday?"Genesis pours several glasses and raises them up."To the saint and our grandmaster"Pierre interrupts him,"There he goes again with his knight hood shit."They all laugh."I'm serious.We all have had different lives.Why is it you are the only one who doesn't remember your past?"Pierre drinks his whiskey in a shot,"Because I believe in the now.Just because this gang is the Knights don't mean you are knights Sir Genesis!"Pierre nudges Zack and loudly tosses and munches on the peanuts."How about you sit your ass down and let's drink to my special day."Genesis turns to his friends,"Hear that.Drink up!That is an order from Sir Pierre the gallant!"They all laugh and pass around the bottle of whiskey.

Pierre makes it to his house trying by all means to walk straight inspite of being drunk.He is surprised to walk into a dark home.

"The hell,why is it so dark?"he says to himself whilst searching for the light switch.The lights turn on with confetti popping in his face."Surprise!"his family shouts.They secretly prepared a birthday party for him."Happy birthday my boy,"Sandra walks up to him to hug him.She stops in her tracks and moved to her ear,"Ugh!Your breath,are you drunk?"Pierre covers his mouth,"No,no!Must be the gas from burping!"

Sandra raises a brow,"Well go brush your toilet bowl mouth before having this lovely cake,"she gives him a peck.Travis and Lily laugh at his staggering.He nearly trips over a lamp but grabs it.He turns around and sees Sandra with her arms crossed."Can I at least get a coffee whilst I brush my teeth?"Sandra takes off her shoe and throws it at Pierre who dodges and dashes into the bathroom.After the mini celebration,Pierre joins Travis on the porch.

"You are lucky she missed on purpose.She would have taken your head off clean,"Travis turns to Pierre who sits down on the stairs."C'mon dad I'm not a kid anymore."Travis sighs,"As long as you live here you have to be a good child."Pierre looks the other way and grins,"So I can get wasted all I want if I have my own place?"Travis tosses a bottle cap at him,"Don't let your mother hear you say that."He tosses a beer to Pierre,"Just for today."

Pierre twists the cap and slurps,"By the way how did you get mom to forgive you after Madame Jezebel snitched on you?"

Travis sits down on his rocking chair,"The nerve of that bitch twisting the story.We only went to her place during bachelor parties.Our crew knew better and did our best to stay away from that woman and her girls."

Pierre puts his beer down and presents to Travis a single stack of money.Travis sighs,"What is this?"He looks at Pierre,"Take it dad."He gently shoves away his hand,"Where did you get this?You don't have a job that can pay you this much?"Travis shakes his head and sips on his beer,"Tell me this money didn't come from your drug dealing friend?"Pierre puts down the money in between them,"Dad he's not a gangster."Travis scoffs,"You have no idea the kind of friends you have."Pierre angrily gets up,"You can't judge my friends.What about you and your secrets?"Travis points his finger at him,"Watch your tone with me boy."Pierre exhales,"Dad I'm not blind to the stack of bills that need paying.The solution is money."Travis gets up from his seat and walks up to him,"I am the head of this house.Let me worry about you,your mother and my daughter.As long as I'm alive it's my job."Pierre scoffs at him,"Dad you are stretched thin.Trust me I earned this honestly.I will not sit idly by and see you get stressed."Travis sighs and places his hand on his son's shoulder,"Prove to me you can earn clean money by getting a decent job."Pierre embraces Travis,"I promise you it's clean dad."Travis smiles and let's go,"I'm sorry if I got you worried."Pierre maintains his gaze on Travis,"You don't have to do it alone,"he slaps the money into Travis hand.He nods and continues to drink beers besides his son.

"Want me to get you some cake?"he asks Travis who nods.Pierre gets up then comes to a realization,"Who made my cake?"Travis spits out his beer,"What in the heck kinda question is that?"Pierre grins,"No reason.Be right back."Travis leans back,"And he says I don't handle beer too well."He continues to rock in his chair.