Chapter 5 - Reunion

The man is sitting on his porch as Johnson is pulling up with Alice and her boyfriend.Johnson parks aside the man's car in the driveway.They all exit as the man gets up off his chair.Alice sees him as she walks up to him with the boyfriend as the man smiles.Johnson exits as he looks into the desert in amazement as Alice is walking up the steps."Hey dad…." She says as he gladly responds "hello sweetheart ".It's quiet until she gets up to the porch along side the boyfriend.Johnson starts walking towards them as she introduces the boyfriend. "This Is Taylor-" she says as Taylor talks for her as he goes to shake his hand." Taylor Christie sir, it's a pleasure ." He says with a smug look as the man shakes his hand."Well let's go in then come on ." Says Johnson as he rushes up the steps and walking past them.As he enters the home Alice and Taylor follow, the man looks into the desert as he turns around and follows as well.Alice and Taylor walk through the hallway, into the living room as Johnson heads for the kitchen.The man closes the door as he looks around the home, feeling whole again to having his family with him.He's cheerful as he enters the kitchen, "I had some burgers ready for this if you wanna help ya self." He says as he points at the batch of burgers on the kitchen table.Johnson goes for it as Taylor hears this and enters the kitchen to get one.As those 2 eat, The man goes into the living room to talk to Alice.He sits on his chair as she looks around the living room as she sets her eyes on her mothers painting."It's still looks good …" she says as he turns to look at it. "Yea your mother, she was one and a billion." He says happily as she looks out the window and smiles."God I remember playing in the god awful son, playing with our old dog.That crazy Doberman always chasing me and I ran joyously." She says as she takes a seat aside her father.Hw smiles at that thought and adds on, "then your mother would yell at me to get that damn dog off you or she'll put it down herself…hehe" he says as they both laugh.

Johnson and Taylor enter the living room as they sit on the couch facing the kitchen."God my sister, was a wild one…..you remember she showed up to the police station to pick you up after a bender and dragged you out by your ear." He says as they all laugh, The man gets the remote and turns on the tv.It is playing some cartoons as the man is about to change it but Alice stops him, "No no leave it on.." she says as he obliges.The man looks around as they all glued their eyes to the screen.He feels a bad feeling from Taylor as he has a distraught expression.He looks at him as he eats his burger and asks him, " Taylor, how old are you son ?" He asks as they all turn to the man.Taylor finishes the bite he took and says "22 sir…" he says as The man continues asking, "hmmm….what do you do for a living ?" He asks as Taylor responds "I work as a bank teller…" he says with charisma as the man responds "Wow, so young…." He says as it gets quiet until Johnson says "Hey I hope it's cool with you but I was going to bring some of my buddies from the station for thanksgiving and I think they'll bring their families…." He says as the man is surprised and feels angered but changes his demeanor. "That's fine….just be here around 3 p.m. please…" he says as Johnson smiles and says "will do…".They continues to watch the cartoons, Taylor gets up and heads for the kitchen to put the plate in the sink.The man keeps eye contact with him as he notices Alice tries to avoid it.Taylor enters the living room again and excuses himself, "sorry but I have to step out, Alice mind if you join me ?" He ask as she looks at him and says "Okay …".They both exit the home and are on the porch.The man feels weird about this but ignores it for now.Him and Johnson watch cartoons for a good minute until you hear Alice scream.The man and Johnson rush out into the porch as you hear Taylor yell "are you fucking crazy, huh ?" He says as the man is right behind him and he shoves him away as he calms down the situation."The hells going on here ?" He asks as Johnson watches with caution. "Sir I'm very sorry for this but your daughters is angered that I'm going to drink tonight -" he says as she rudely interrupts "go ahead and drink go ahead die in booze you drunk…" she says as he angrily gets close to her and yells "You dumb bitch I drink to get away from your nonsense- " he says as the man shoves him off, "son watch your tone now alright…" he says as Taylor backs away.The man turns to his daughter and says "Hey…sweetheart he's a grown man I think he can drink if he wants alright …" He says kindly as she responds furious " you don't get a say in this….you miserable man…..Like you didn't have those type of nights…..what kind of father are you ?" She asks as Johnson tries to defend him "whoa Alice watch it now-" to which she interrupts "No no, he needs to hear this…I only came out here in honor of mom and hoping to make our family whole again but no….it just had to be the way it always is." She says as The man takes a seat on his porch in sheer disbelief as she continues to ramble on."So you two sons of bitches are made for each other-" she says as Taylor now gets close and is about to get physical.Johnson stops him before he slaps her and drops him to the ground.The man is still at shock so doesn't react but Johnson says "Alright you stop now, I suggest you both leave now…." He says as Alice continues to talk bad about Taylor who is angered as he is detained."Yea look at that, don't hold back uncle John kill him." She says Johnson aggressively spouts "Alice shut the hell up…" he says as Taylor gets loose as he makes Johnson trip.He ignores Alice and walks by here into the drive way."Officer, imma need a ride back into town, away from this crazy woman…" he says as Johnson calls in on his radio for another officer to arrive."Yea go, like you always do but don't come crawling back…" she says as Johnson walks to his car and opens the door."Alice Cmon you're outta here…." He says as she replies confused, "what no I'm not leaving I just got here !" She says as he demands it now. "Now !, get in the car….I'll take you to the nearest hotel to cool your mind alright….just give your dad some space…" he says as she starts to walk down the steps and walks towards his car.Taylor stands a good distance away as he stares at the plain desert as he is about to tear up."Just wait here for a car to arrive son…." Says Johnson as he pulls out the drive way and drives off.Through all this, The man just sat there still in shock.Taylor stops his tears as he walks up the stairs and on to the porch and stands in front of the man. "I'm real sorry for this sir, I feel embarrassed of that and your daughter shouldn't be saying those things to you -"he says as the man interrupts him "she's right…." To whixh Taylor responds "I'm sorry what ?".

"She's right….I've had my moments and she's witnessed some of them…..hell I only sobered up when her mother died…." He says as Taylor stands amazed." You know Alice said she would never see me again even when I die….which hurt me….but you know god he helps all my boy." He says as Taylor smiles and says "yea I know….but I just need some advice sir….what do I do ?" He asks as The man gets up and says " you find your path with god, he shall show you the way….just don't lose her …..all that happened is a test from god to see your true potential…." He says as he puts his hands on the boys shoulders.As they stand for a moment, the man sees the police car arriving in the distance.He hugs Taylor and tells him as Taylor cries, "Don't stop moving, if you stop the wrong decision will go…" he says as pays him on his back and let's go.Taylor stops his tears as the car arrives.Taylor walks down the steps and enter the police car.As they drive off The man stares at him with a smile.The man enters his home again and walks upstairs, he goes through the hallways and opens the room with Baxter in it.You see Baxter fast asleep as The man looks down on him. "Oh my boy, you shall feel eternally free this Thursday….god has his ways…" he says with a smirk as he looks at Baxter.Baxter had removed all clothing as he felt sweaty, he is naked as he is in a fetal position sleeping.He is dirty and smelly as you see a pee puddle around him.